The Power Bar

Wait List $ 599.99

Specs | Reviews | Plating | Team/Biz Sales

Notes

This product is currently unavailable, due to shortages in the US supply chain. We expect to obtain raw material and complete our manufacturing process in the 4th quarter of 2021. Please enter your email above to receive an email notification when the bar is available.
Have a question? Click the "Question?" button above to go to the Q&A section.
Please select UPS for shipping, due to the length of this product.

SPECS

DESCRIPTION

Welcome to the product page for the last power bar you'll ever buy, just because it's that good. This bar is our IPF spec, multi purpose, power bar. It is a 29mm bar, with aggressive but not overly sharp knurl, and standard powerlifting markings.

What is it about our new generation bars that sets them apart? With a tensile strength of over 250k PSI and a rockwell hardness of 51 RC, this bar is harder than any other bar currently on market. What this means in practical terms is that the knurl won’t wear down over the years, leaving you with a bar that is performing sub par, compared to when it was new. Even where the bar contacts the rack it will maintain that fine, tacky, aggressive knurl, just like the day it was unboxed.

We are very proud of the other piece of engineering that went into this bar - the knurl. We wanted to create something that grabbed well , but wasn’t so unnecessarily sharp that it cut your hands, rather than grabbing. The knurl of our bar is finer than most barbells you will find, giving the knurl more contact points per square inch and creating more surface area in which to create friction.

Lastly, another small feature to differentiate our bar is the center marks in the knurl. We wanted to leave the power bar with a continuous center knurl, so as to not lose any of the grip effects for squatting, but still have marking to indicate the bars center for alignment purposes.

Our New Generation bars are passionately made using American steel by state-of-the-art machines, and hand-assembled in Portland, Oregon. We design and manufacture these bars to function for life - bars you can proudly hand down to your children, and them to their children - making the world a better place through strength, generation after generation.

We fully stand behind our product and believe in it wholeheartedly, which is why each bar comes with a 5 year warranty against any type of manufacturing defect. What this means is if your bar begins to wear prematurely, we will repair or replace it free of charge. While our bar does have a higher tensile strength – what this doesn’t mean is that we will warranty against customer induced damage such as dropping the bar into metal safety pins. Depending on many variables such as the height and weight used this is just simply too much force into one area of the bar to not cause permanent deformation.

Bars come with a unique stamped end-cap design that features the famous Kabuki Squat Face as well as the weight of the bar and its country of origin (USA).

Metallurgy 101

Testing occurred throughout the entire development process for our new generation bars. Materials selection involved testing to determine the optimal steel alloy to use. Lots of testing was performed on the hardening process and figuring out a way to create the hardest bar while still allowing for whip and preventing the bar from snapping. The knurl took us many many revisions to figure out until we all agreed on the production version of the knurl – widely considered to be the best knurl in the industry. Overall this bar has been tested and retested many times with every feature and specification in mind.

In this video, our chief engineer and co-owner Chris Duffin discusses the metallurgy and science of barbells. He explains what the common numbers are data are used to describe barbells and what they mean practically in real-world performance. If you’re not convinced our bar is the best, this video will explain factually and objectively why it is.

Knurl Test

This video shows a knurl test performed on our bar against a competitor’s power bar. The test had two components: 1) Our bar held stationary against a spinning competitors bar (on lathe) and 2) The competitor’s bar held stationary against our spinning bar.

Reviews

GarageGymReviews.com reviewed the New Generation Power Bar soon after it was launched, and had this to say about the bar. Click here for full reivew.

"The Kabuki Strength New Generation Power Bar is the best power bar we've tested to date. Everything from the knurling to the tensile strength of the steel is superior to other power bars we've reviewed including our previous favorite, the Rogue Ohio Power Bar. If you're looking for the best, and are willing to spend money to get it, then this is a bar we highly recommend."

GarageGymLab.com also did a long, in-depth review on the Power Bar and rated it a 9.6 out of 10. You can read the full review here.

"The Kabuki Strength New Generation Power Bar is an outstanding all-purpose power bar that delivers performance and aesthetics. While it's a pricey barbell, it is a premium bar that will last a lifetime."

The GOAT himself, Ed Coan stopped by the Kabuki Strength booth when we were down at the US Open in San Diego and had this to say about our new generation bars…

PLATING

All New Generation barbells are plated for corrosion resistance purposes. Below you will find more information about our 3 different platting options. Please note that barbell in plating pictures below are the New Generation Squat Bar.

This is a premium finish. Nickel Plating is used in engineering applications where high wear, corrosion resistance, and hardness are needed. Nickel plating is both more cosmetically appealing than stainless steel as well as significantly more corrosion resistant in like products than stainless steel! Nickel plating is more durable than chrome and will retain it's warm, mirror smooth polish for years until worn through. In our application we believe Nickel plating to be both superior to Stainless steel in Cosmetic Finish, Corrosion Resistance, Surface Hardness, as well as maintaining the desired strength and material characteristics of our bar. Nickel is our favorite plating option, and in our opinion also the best looking.

The same corrosion resistant coating as the Shoulderok. Shiny and bright on arrival with a hue that varies from bluish to brownish. As the bar is used this coating will develop dull, gunmetal grey patina. The default, least expensive and most durable option.

Black oxide or blackening is a conversion coating for ferrous materials, stainless steel, copper and copper based alloys, zinc, powdered metals, and silver solder. It is used to add mild corrosion resistance, for appearance and to minimize light reflection. We particularly like the gunmetal black finish it gives to the bar. It just looks badass in our opinion!

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Customer Reviews

Based on 48 reviews Write one!

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Ask a Question

For anyone who has this bar or experience with it during deadlift dose it have a ton of whip or minimal?

Hey Enrique,

This bar has very minimal whip and is comparable to other 29mm power bars
how does this bar compare to the Eileko power bar , rogue power bar or the titex bar?

This bar will respond similarly to the aforementioned bars, but it has a much higher rockwell hardness/tensile strength so the knurling is going to last much longer. We also have a different type of knurl compared to these bars that creates more surface area than a standard bar which improves grip.
Hello, I've seen the video where your bar "eats" the competitors knurling, but I wanted to know which coating was on your bar for that test. Was it the bare, uncoated bar? The reason I ask is that it seems likely the zinc coating will rub off well before the extremely hard knurling wears down. How will that affect the longevity of the bar? Once the zinc is gone and the metal begins to rust, will the knurling still be virtually indestructible?

Barring any metal on metal impacts, the zinc finish shouldn't rub off at all, but the test was done using an electroless nickel coated bar and even that didn't eat into the finish - however that is a harder finish than the zinc. Even if the bar was stripped of it's finish, it isn't going to affect the hardness at all and even with a patina the knurling will still last just as long.
Hi, what finish would you suggest that will look the best over time? I've had zinc from another company in the past and it wore badly in the grip areas. I have an air conditioned space, so normally I go with bare steel, but since that is not available, would black oxide retain it's finish well with maintenance? I plan on keeping this bar forever, so would like it to look decent when I pass it on to my sons. Ha. Also, do the different finishes change the knurl feel at all? Thanks!

You honestly could not go wrong with any of our finishes. They will age well and the knurl will not wear down. As for the knurl feel, there is little noticeable difference between the different finishes.
Hi, will these bars be available unplated at any point? Thanks, Chad

We are not offering an unplated version of the bar.
For the nickel option, is the sleeve chrome or also nickel?

It is also nickel.
Wanted to know the difference between the zinc, black oxide and nickel options?

The biggest differences are going to be in color and corossion resistance. The black oxide is black, making that unique, but it is also the least corrosion resistant. It only has a mild corrosion resistance and is better suited for climate controlled environments.

The zinc and nickel are pretty equally corrosion resistant, but look fairly different. There are pictures of the two finishes for both the Duffalo bar and the Shoulderok. The zinc has a more blue-ish silver look to it, where the nickel has a shinier bronze look to it. The nickel is also significantly harder and more durable than the zinc finish as well.
Greetings, I just a had a quick question about the electroless nickel coating. How is this compared to just zinc? I have not seen this offered before. Thank you for your time.

The electroless nickel coating is a very high end coating often used in engineering parts. Most plating shops don't have tanks big enough to accomodate a barbell so not a lot of companies offer it. It will have a very similar high level of corossion resistance like the zinc, but it will keep it's shine a lot longer and is a harder finish.
is this bar available to purchase in the uk?

We do and have shipped our New Gen Power Power Bar to the UK, UPS must be selected due to USPS not being able to ship this item due to it's length.
Is the power bar the bar you use for deadlifting?

We are working on a deadlift bar, we are currently in the research and development phase for that particular bar. The Powr bar is a great all round bar for the Big 3 lifts
Will I damage the black oxide finish by using a steel brush to clean the bar?

Yes, that is a possibility, but you may not notice if the only area you are using that brush is within the knurl where you handle the bar. Otherwise, you can just wipe the bar and sleeves down with a light coat of 3in1 oil applied to a cloth a few times a year. That will help seal out moisture and assist with corrosion resistance.
Describe the feel of the knurling between the 3 coatings

The Zinc and Nickel are very simular with the feel of the knurl, the Black Oxide is the closet to a bare bar feel due to the fact that there is no added material from plating.
I was wondering how thick is the electroless nickel finish? And what percentage of phosphorous content is it?

The electroless nickel plating is 0.5 mil to 1 mil thick. The phosphorus content varies.
Hello, may I ask how many kg is the ultimate bearing capacity of barbell bar?

The Power Bar has been successfully tested with 1,500 lbs of static load.
Does the knurling extend all the way to the sleeves, or is there an unknurled section?

The knurling extends almost all the way down to the sleeve attachment point. There is about an inch of space on the bar that is unknurled adjacent to the sleeve. You can see this in the photos that are on the product page here;

https://store.kabukistrength.net/products/power-bar-pre-sale

Click the photographs on the right hand margin and you can see where the knurling starts and ends. There are some unknurled spaces in the center of the bar, as well. Only the Squat Bar is fully knurled across the entire bar.
Hello, I want to purchase your "Power Bar" in the black oxide. I have two questions: 1. I will be using this bar mainly for bench pressing/incline bench press. Is this bar the same specs as a standard bar used for bench press ( length, diameter, etc)? I do understand that the quality is superior. 2. Will the collars scratch and lose their color over time due to adding & removing weights?

Yes, the Power Bar is a bench press bar that is both IPF and IPL approved and used on many competition platforms worldwide for bench press. The sleeves may show wear and tear over time due to the addition and subtraction of weight, just like most barbell sleeves.
Plating option changed from bright nickel to electroless nickle. Has anything changed in the manufacturing process and the finish, or is this simple a name change

Nothing changes in manufacturing when switching from bright nickel to electroless. The color of electroless nickel is a bit more dull, but it has a better feel in the hands because it is thinner. Electroless actually bonds to the steel itself and has less of a chance of chipping. Most lifters like the feeling of electroless nickel on our knurling, rather than bright nickel.
How much weight can this bar hold?

The Power Bar has been tested with 1,500 lbs of static load.
Hi thank you for every things you do over here for all people who love lifting weight , powerlifting and all kind of athletes. My question is about the power bar what’s it used for exactly I mean it’s for deadlifts or press , ?

The Kabuki Strength Power Bar is a great all-around bar for squats, bench press and deadlift. It is a stiff bar and used on many IPL and IPF powerlifting meet platforms around the world.
I have limited space in my workout room. I’d like a next gen bar with shorter sleeves, something about 12” long each and keep the 51” shaft width. Are custom orders available?

We are unable to create custom barbells. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Hello, I was wondering if the Black Oxide Power Bar looks as awesome on the production ones as it does on the promo picture? If you were going to buy a Power Bar what finish or plating would you get? Or if someone like myself was going to fire in and purchase The Power Bar coming from an e-coat and bare steel barbell?

The black oxide barbell is definitely a favorite. However, black oxide is a chemical process to turn the metal black and offers little to no corrosion-resistance. If you live in a humid environment, that could prove challenging. However, if you use a cloth to apply a light coat of mineral or 3in1 oil to the bar and sleeves every couple of months, that should help keep corrosion at bay. Black oxide does just fine for us inside The Lab here in Oregon. Zinc plating would be a more protective option and nickel is our most corrosion-resistant option.
I have an edge fitness monolift (no UHMW like the rogue mono lift) on my power rack which I like to use when benching and squatting. Unfortunately the metal on metal has worn out the knurling on my current barbell. Will this eventually happen to the Kabuki powerbar over time or will the knurling last a lifetime?

Our knurling will last a lifetime! Take a look at the video Chris did testing our knurl against a competitor's bar; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEIrLGxI4cQ Our Power Bar will hold up very well, no matter the rack you are using.
Which material will have the best resistance to oxidization.

Nickel plating is the most corrosion-resistant, followed by zinc. Black oxide is a chemical process and not a plating option, so it offers very little corrosion-resistance.
What lifts is this barbell designed for?

The Power Bar is designed for all lifts. It is most popular as a bench press and squat bar, but is also a good stiff bar for deadlifting and bent over rows. It is used as the competition bench and squat bar on many USPA and USAPL platforms.
Do you ship to Israel ? And if yes, how it cost with with shipping Please contact me on my email

In order to obtain a shipping quote, you will need the full shipping address. The best way is to go to our website and add the items you want to your cart. During the check out process, you will enter your shipping address and at that time, all shipping options for that location will auto-populate. You may select the best option for you, based on rate and shipping time. Most of our international customers prefer to use UPS's Worldwide Expedited shipping option, since it also covers customs brokerage fees.
What is the diameter of the sleeves on your power bar? Will they fit Ivanko Plates without being too tight? Thanks!

The Power Bar sleeve diameter is 1.959 inches (+/- 0.010). Yes, Ivanko plates fit the sleeves well.
Hi, I was wondering if you guys ship to Australia at all? If yes, i am interested to know how much the all in price (either AUD or USD) would be for the bright zinc version would be. Cheers, Franz

We do ship to Australia! In order to obtain a shipping quote, just add the item(s) you are interested in to your online cart. Then when you get to the check out screen, enter the complete shipping address and our system will give you all of the options available and their cost. Most of our international customers prefer to use UPS's Worldwide Expedited Shipping option, since it also covers customs brokerage fees.
What is the reason for the two center lines in the middle of the bar, compared to other bars have none ? Also which bar coating will you the best raw feeling ? Thank you !

Hey Aram,

IPF rules require a continuous center knurling, but we like the idea of the exact center of the bar being marked for the purposes of lining up properly, and that was just a way for us to continue the knurl through the bar while still marking the center.

As far as the closest to a raw feel, black oxide will definitely be your best bet. Zinc and nickel are both plating options that add metal to the surface of the bar, which can dull the feeling of the knurl slightly. Black oxide is just a type of oxidation or rust that they apply to the bar to blacken it, and doesn't actually add any additional material to the surface.
Is there a warranty on these bars?

All of our bars carry a lifetime warranty against any manufacturing defect. Warranty against bending does not cover any bar which has been damaged due to negligent or faulty use, alteration, maintenance, storage, or handling by the user. Negligent or faulty use includes abusive dropping of the bar (i.e., dropping the bar on a box, bench, spotter arms or pins in a power rack, excessive dropping with insufficient or damaged plates, excessive dropping with iron plates, excessive dropping on concrete or similar surfaces, and similar usage). Any specific issues regarding a Kabuki Strength product with which a customer is not satisfied will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

That warranty information can be found here: https://store.kabukistrength.net/pages/shipping-and-returns
Hello, I am local to Portland and am thinking about buying a power bar, could I pick up at the lab if I order? How would I note this while ordering? Thanks

When you place your order, there will be a box that asks for 'notes'. State that you would like to pick up your order at The Lab in person and list your phone number & email address. When your bar has been produced, our shipping dept will contact you to let you know that it's ready. Unfortunately, our website still charges shipping at check out, but we will refund that portion of the charge when you pick up your bar!
I do a lot of standard powerlifting movements but every once in a while a get the urge to throw in some oly stuff ( maybe 1-2 times a week ) would you say this is a bar that can handle that?

Yes, though that is not it's designed purpose, the Power Bar could be used for Olympic lifting, if the urge were to strike.
Is the a 20kg version of the Power Bar?

Good news - our New Generation Power Bar weighs 20kg!
Hi there, is there any knowledge about electroless nickel being less allergic to the human skin compared to galvanic nickel? I really like the look of the electroless nickel finish but I would like to gather more infomation about this topic before purchasing. Thank you and best regards Markus (from Germany)

Hey Markus,

To my knowledge there wouldn't be much of a difference, and if you have a nickel allergy I would recommend avoiding that finish.
If the knurling wears down, is it warrantied? I have unlined J cups that are notorious for eating away at a barbell's knurling, and I'm hoping that this power bar will not have the knurling eaten away as well

The heat treat we do on the bar ensures that the knurlling won't wear away after a few months/year