Gear > Everyday Carry

13 Best EDC Pocket Pry Bars

By Andrew Peloquin  |  Updated February 7, 2024

13 Best EDC Pocket Pry Bars
Courtesy of Gerber

A pry bar is one of the most useful tools you can carry around.

Think about it: what else would you use in a pinch to pull out a nail, pry open a jammed door, pop a paint can, or break a stubbornly stuck suitcase lock?

A pry bar is the kind of tool you’ll use often, and if you don’t have one on hand, you’ll end up sweating and struggling and wishing you’d thought to carry one.

And no, I don’t mean some chunky, full-sized pry bar like you’d use on a job site.

I’m talking about a compact, pocket-sized EDC pry bar that you can keep in your pouch, on your tool belt, even connected to your keychain. That way, it’s always handy when you need it for any sudden “situation”.


WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
  • Pry bars are built tough: Typically, they’re constructed using stainless steel or titanium. Metals that are rust-resistant, tough enough to pry up or open heavy objects without bending, and can withstand a great deal of stress.
  • The better options are multi-functional: You can carry around a tool that is just a pry bar and nothing more. But as you’ll see by some of our options below, the best pry bars are more multi-tool in nature, with additions (like a flathead screwdriver, bottle opener, or even cutting blade) that make them highly versatile.
  • Pocket-sized is the way to go: For your EDC loadout, smaller pry bars are more than adequate for the jobs you’ll come across in your day. You can still keep larger, heavy-duty pry bars in your tool box, but for your daily needs, a smaller pry bar sized to fit in your pocket or backpack is the smarter tool to carry around.

Below, I’ve collected a list of the best EDC pry bars, all the perfect portable size but tough enough to withstand some serious use.

You’ll be amazed by just how versatile some of these tools are, and I think that once you see what they can do, you’ll be excited to add one (or more) to your everyday carry.

Best Overall Pry Bar

Gerber Shard Keychain Tool

Why did I choose it?

Small, tough, and versatile—it’s the ideal tool to keep in your pocket or on your keychain. Just 3” x ¼”, it comes with a few other tools (including a screwdriver, cutting blade, and bottle opener) that turns this pry bar into a truly multi-functional addition to your EDC loadout.


Best Carabiner Pry Bar
CRKT Pryma Stainless Steel Multitool

Best Inexpensive Pry Bar
RONRONS 5-pack Mini Stainless Steel Pocket Pry Bars

Best Multi-function Pry Bar
Gerber Prybrid

Best Mini Pry Bar
QuickPry Mini

Best Heavy-duty Pry Bar
Gerber CHONK


Best Overall Pry Bar

Gerber Shard Keychain Tool


 

The Gerber Shard takes the downsized approach to a truly useful tool. At less than 3 inches long and a quarter-inch thick, it’s the ultimate portable addition to your EDC loadout.

Built from stainless steel, it’s finished with a titanium nitride coating that makes it ultra-tough and resistant to rust and corrosion. Not only does it come with a pry bar, but it also packs a wire stripper, bottle opener, flathead screwdriver of two sizes, and a Philips head driver that can be used as a box opener.

The lanyard hole lets you connect it easily to any keychain or lanyard, and it’ll fit comfortably into your pocket or vest. Best of all, it’s backed by Gerber’s limited lifetime warranty, so you know it’s built to last.





Best Carabiner Pry Bar

CRKT Pryma Stainless Steel Multitool


$14
 

The CRKT Pryma multi-tool is built for convenience and ultimate versatility. Not only is it a sturdy prybar, but the edge is sharp enough that you can use it to slice open boxes, scrape off putty, or score drywall.

The tool also comes with a built-in bottle opener, a multi-wrench that can tackle bolts of various sizes, and a ceramic glass breaker that you can use in case you ever need to break open a car window to rescue yourself or someone else in an emergency situation.

Thanks to the carabiner clip, it’s easily attached to your belt, vest, or keychain. Though it’s constructed entirely from stainless steel, it’s lightweight at just 0.9 ounces, and is small enough to fit into your pocket or bag while still being comfortable to grip.





Best Inexpensive Pry Bar

RONRONS 5-pack Mini Stainless Steel Pocket Pry Bars


 

If you’re the kind of guy who tends to lose or misplace tools, this 5-pack of pocket-sized pry bars is the perfect solution.

Each is made from high-strength stainless steel that won’t stain, rust, corrode, or bend, making them excellent in any situation, whether you’re camping, working around your house, on the job site, or on a fishing trip.

At just 3 inches long, you’ll find they fit in any backpack, pouch, toolbox, or pocket, and the lanyard hole at the end is perfect for sliding the tool onto your keychain. With the 5-pack, you’ll always have a backup (or three) in case you misplace one.





Best Multi-function Pry Bar

Gerber Prybrid


$20
 

This “Prybrid” is an amazing innovation, one that combines two of the most practical EDC tool designs.

The name is a mash-up of “prybar” and “hybrid”, and that’s because it’s essentially a pry bar (with the additional features of a nail puller, bottle opener, wire stripper, and two flathead drivers) with a retractable utility blade integrated into the design.

The utility blade is nothing fancy, just the standard blades you can buy at any hardware store, but that makes it perfect for no-fuss replacements when the edge inevitably dulls.

Thanks to the slide lock mechanism, the utility blade will be easily accessible for tool-free replacement, and securely locked in place when you need to use it. All in all, it’s an amazingly useful tool you’ll be glad to carry anywhere and everywhere.





Best Mini Pry Bar

QuickPry Mini


$30
 

Sized to fit in the palm of your hand (roughly the dimensions of a small USB drive) and featuring a key ring so you can add it to your keychain, it’s the ideal ultra-portable solution for guys who want to keep their pockets as empty as possible while still being prepared for anything.

Wear-resistant, rust-resistant, and lightweight, it’ll serve you well for years of daily use.





Best Heavy-duty Pry Bar

Gerber CHONK


$21
 

For those jobs that require a bit more oomph, the Gerber Chonk is the tool to get it done. It’s bigger (4 inches long) and heavier (2.4 ounces) than the other pry bars on our list, but that makes it well-suited for dealing with heavier-duty tasks.

Thanks to the Micarta handle, you’ve got excellent grip even if your work conditions are wet or muddy.

The Chonk packs 5 more tools: a large and small flathead driver, a bottle opener, a nail puller, and wire cutter. With the pocket clip, you can keep it easily accessible and close at hand at all times, ready for whatever your day may throw at you.






We Knife Co Ltd Gesila Prybar Tool


$48
 

For those who already have a multi-tool in their daily loadout, this little EDC pry bar is the perfect complement to your gear.

Unlike most of the others on our list, it’s just a pry bar (with a nail puller head) and nothing else. Built from stainless steel, it’s got a lovely bronze finish that makes it as much a work of metal art as a useful tool.

At 6 inches long, it’s well-suited to guys with bigger hands who need a heavier-duty tool to get the job done.






The Mighty Bar


$15
 

Though it may be small, it is definitely a mighty little tool—hence its name. At just 2.9 inches long, it’s about the size of the average man’s pinky finger, but built ultra-tough using milled stainless steel that will pry up and open even heavy objects without shearing or buckling.

The lanyard hole at the butt end makes it easy to secure to a keychain or hang it from your backpack, and it’s small enough to fit in your pocket alongside your keys and wallet. It’s a no-fuss, no-frills tool that serves you well for the one job it’s designed to do.






BANG TI Titanium Punisher


$17
 

Lightweight, tough, and ultra-versatile—that’s the promise the BANG TI Titanium Punisher makes, and boy does it deliver.

It’s built using titanium, a metal that’s lighter than stainless steel but even tougher and less likely to bend or buckle under strain.

In addition to the pry bar, it comes packed with a lot of other tools: church key bottle opener, staple remover, box opener, straight screwdriver, wire stripper, and six different wrench sizes.

All that, plus a badass-looking skull motif (for the Punisher) built into the grip. It’s a stylish, manly addition to your EDC loadout that you’ll be proud to pull out in front of the guys.






Kershaw Recap


 

The Kershaw Recap is a surprisingly versatile tool despite its small size and light weight. The 3Cr13 stainless steel frame weighs just 9 grams in all, and at 3 inches long and 1 inch wide, you’ll find it’s easy to store in your pocket for when you need a tool around the house & office.

In addition to the pry bar, you also get a bottle opener and flathead screwdriver. Thanks to the stone-washed finish, the tool will be scratch-resistant as well as rust-proof. Keep it on your key ring or use a lanyard to hang it from your backpack, and you’ll never be caught unprepared.






Gerber Prybrid X


$25
 

“Prybrids” are such handy tools that we had to include a second option for your consideration.

This Gerber tool comes loaded to the hilt, including a pry bar, wire stripper, nail puller, large and small flat screwdriver, and a Standard No. 11 scalpel blade (rather than the standard utility blade) well-suited to fine, precision cutting.

The handle is also wrapped in 550 paracord that you can use in any emergency or survival situation—a bit of style and added usefulness for the tool.

Carry this bad boy around in your pocket to make sure you’re always armed and tooled-up for anything your hiking, camping, or cross-country road trip can throw at you.






Milspin Rhino Bar


$15
 

Tough as nails and heavy-duty, this pry bar is the perfect compact addition to your EDC loadout.

It’s work-rated and the stainless steel is rust- and corrosion-resistant. Use it to pop open cans, scrape paint, slice packaging, loosen or tighten screws, or even to break glass in case of an emergency.

It’s made in the USA and designed specifically by USMC Veterans to be the ultimate tactical and work companion.






TISUR Titanium EDC Pry Bar


$40
 

Keep your EDC loadout light with this titanium bar. Weighing significantly less than stainless steel but even tougher, it’ll stand up to any task, from pulling nails to prying up tiles.

The integrated pocket clip makes it easy to carry and always keep accessible, and the cutting blade and bottle opener will make it a versatile tool you’ll be happy to keep in your pocket.





WERD has been reader-supported since 2009. When you buy through a link on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. We do not accept compensation for reviews.
Want more? Join our newsletter and get the latest clothing & gear guides weekly

More to Explore

werd.com
© 2023 FIGURE3 INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED