Thread: Anyone think Ivanko stainless barbells are worth it?

I'm a fan of stainless powerlifting bars and will probably add another one to my rack in the next few months. Most likely the American Barbell Elite Power Bar, but I'm also looking at Rogue 2X Aggro and Vulcan Strength. The other one that crossed my mind was Ivanko, but I just can't imagine that their stainless bar is worth spending 2X+ over the others I mentioned.

Who even buys Ivanko bars these days? Seems like Eleiko is the logical choice if you compete. Wish they'd go stainless but I'm not dropping a grand on a non-stainless bar.

https://americanbarbell.com/products...lite-power-bar
https://www.vulcanstrength.com/Vulca.../vsss-apwr.htm
https://www.roguefitness.com/rogue-4...ower-bar-aggro
https://ivankobarbell.com/products/o...werlifting-bar

Hello

I actually am going to be purchasing a new stainless steel barbell from American barbell. Code named "Chewy", it is a barbell built based on specs through the collaboration of some members of the Home Gym Discord server. Working with Phil, the owner of American Barbell, the knurl has been updated to be 25 LPI mountain knurl for a small run for the discord server (as similar to the Kabuki power bar as possible) and a retail version at 20LPI.

The bar is about a month out from release, Phil has been giving us updates on the status of the bar over the past few months and so have the discord members who have received sample barbells for feedback. The chewy is the 2nd custom barbell that's been created through collaboration with manufacturers in the discord.

I welcome you and anyone who is interested to join the Home Gym Discord as it's a great community built around home gym enthusiasts. We regularly have interaction with manufacturers and influencers such as American Barbell, Rep Fitness, Gymway, Kleva Built, Belt Fed Strength, Adam from Garage Gym Lab, Basement Brandon, etc.

discord. gg/homegym

Interesting, though to be honest, I'm interested in AB for their traditional knurl pattern, which I'm a fan of. Are the sleeves going to be stainless?

I'm sure you'll notice a difference in quality and (if you bothered to measure it engineering-wise) precision, but whether that's worth the price is more subjective about what value that has to you. It's not like the other bars you mentioned won't be sufficient.

Thanks for the measurement. 51.5" is the same as my current bars (and standard?). Should work fine. My rack is 49" though so narrower would be a no-go. Good info.

Originally Posted by thejosef

I've owned the Vulcan stainless power bar, currently own the AB Elite, had a Rogue 3x Aggro, and had an Ivanko OBS-20kg waaaay back in the day. The Ivanko was the nicest of the bunch, with the Vulcan being the least refined (but still very nice). The 3x aggro was actually very impressive, but the knurl was just over the top aggressive. The AB Elite is my daily driver. AB bars are hard to beat for the money. American made, super high quality, and tight build tolerances. I want to buy another Ivanko stainless once day, but at $1k+, I'm not sure it's gonna happen with so many other great bars out there for less.

Sounds like you've had all the bars I'm looking at. I don't know much about Ivanko knurl. Do you have any recollection to how it felt vs what you experienced with Vulcan Strength? Similarly aggressive? That's my guess.

Originally Posted by radrd

Interesting, though to be honest, I'm interested in AB for their traditional knurl pattern, which I'm a fan of. Are the sleeves going to be stainless?

The new Chewy bar will be stainless shaft and hard chrome sleeves