How to Use a Pry Tool
A complete beginner’s guide to using a pry tool for EDC, survival, repairs, and emergencies. Learn techniques, safety, improvised options, and expert tips.
What a Pry Tool Is
A pry tool is a compact piece of tough metal made specifically for lifting, separating, scraping, or opening something that’s stuck, sealed, or wedged. Where knives break and fingernails fail, a pry tool thrives.
Grim Workshop’s pry tools are compact enough for everyday carry but engineered to take real force. Designed for wallets, keyrings, zipper pulls, and Altoids-tin kits, they give you controlled leverage in situations where you need power, precision, and safety without risking your knife.
If you’ve never used a pry tool before, this guide will walk you through every technique from basic leverage to advanced controlled prying.
→ Explore Tools Featuring Pry Bars
Why Pry Tools Matter
Knives Aren’t Meant to Pry
When a knife blade snaps, it usually happens because someone used it as a lever. Pry tools are designed for that exact job so your knife doesn’t have to suffer.
They Multiply Your Strength
Even a tool only a few inches long creates mechanical advantage. A small push becomes a much larger force at the tip.
They Prevent Injuries
Prying with improvised items is how people pinch skin, slip, cut themselves, or break gear. A pry tool keeps your fingers away from danger.
They Work Everywhere
Home repairs, field repairs, camping, survival, car repairs, opening packaging, scraping debris, clearing ice, opening cans, removing staples, lifting lids, and more.
How to Use a Pry Tool
Before you pry anything, understand the rule that drives every technique:
Leverage = Power.
The farther your hand is from the contact point, the stronger the lift.
Below are the core techniques used by professionals, search-and-rescue, mechanics, and outdoorspeople.
Using Direct Pressure (Beginner Technique)
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Slide the flat edge under the object.
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Keep your wrist straight.
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Push upward or downward slowly.
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Stop immediately if it slips or angles sideways.
This is ideal for:
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Opening stuck lids
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Lifting tabs
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Removing stickers
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Separating small materials
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Cleaning gunk under edges
Using the Fulcrum Method (Most Powerful Technique)
This method gives you the most force with the least effort.
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Place the tip under the item you need lifted.
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Rest the spine of the pry tool against something solid (rock, table edge, gear).
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Push the handle down so the object rises.
Perfect for:
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Removing nails or tacks
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Lifting boards
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Opening containers
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Separating metal
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Prying frozen items apart
Even a micro pry tool can lift surprisingly heavy material using this method.
Twist Prying (Safest Technique)
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Insert the tip into a small gap.
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Rotate your wrist like turning a key.
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Let rotational force widen the opening.
This method:
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Gives precise control
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Causes fewer slips
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Works well in tight spaces
Great for:
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Battery doors
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Plastic casings
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Electronics
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Snaps and clips
Scrape-and-Pry (Best for Dirty or Outdoors Work)
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Angle the pry tool at a shallow angle.
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Scrape debris away first.
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Reinsert the tool and pry normally.
Scraping prevents damaged edges and makes prying safer.
Hook-and-Lever (If Your Pry Tool Has a Hook)
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Slip the hook under or around the object.
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Pull straight back or upward.
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Use your other hand to stabilize the tool.
Useful for:
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Pulling nails
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Opening ring pulls
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Lifting small tabs
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Removing staples
Where Pry Tools Excel
Outdoor & Survival Use
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Prying apart frozen gear
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Clearing ice from tools
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Opening cans or tins
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Freeing tent stakes
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Breaking apart damp wood for fire making
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Popping lids without touching hot metal
Everyday Carry Use
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Opening packages
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Removing labels
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Popping battery compartments
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Releasing stubborn lids
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Lifting paint can tops
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Scraping hardened glue or grime
Repair & Maintenance Use
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Removing molding or trim
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Separating casings on electronics
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Removing staples and carpet tacks
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Prying up floor panels or tiles
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Lifting nails
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Scraping oxidation off battery contacts
Emergency Use
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Clearing debris
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Opening jammed latches
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Breaking ice around doors
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Creating a starting gap for a screwdriver
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Lifting a window screen for escape
Safety Tips
Never Pry Toward Yourself
If the item releases unexpectedly, you don’t want the tool flying into you.
Go Slow and Feel the Material
If something feels like it’s bending, stop and reposition.
Use the Thickest Part of the Tool
Thin tips go under gaps; thicker mid-sections deliver the power safely.
Keep Your Free Hand Clear
Avoid pinch points and pivot points.
Don’t Use a Knife as a Pry Bar
Ever. It’s dangerous and expensive.
Improvised Pry Tools
Even though Grim tools are purpose-built, it's valuable to know what works in a pinch.
Improvised Pry Tools
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Flathead screwdriver
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Butter knife
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Metal spoon handle
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Hex key / Allen wrench
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Tent stake
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Key from a keyring
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Multitool’s flat section
FAQ
Q: Do pry tools break easily?
A: High quality stainless steel pry tools do not. Cheap cast metal pry bars can snap under torque or twist.
Q: Will a pry tool damage my gear?
A: Only if you apply too much force too quickly. Slow and controlled pressure prevents damage.
Q: Can I use a pry tool as a screwdriver?
A: For very light screws, yes. For tight screws, no—you can strip the screw or warp the tool tip.
Q: Is a pry tool safer than using my knife?
A: Yes. Knife blades are not designed for sideways pressure and snap commonly when used as pry bars.
Q: Can kids use a pry tool?
A: Older kids can use them safely with supervision. Pry tools are not sharp, but technique matters.
Q: Does using a pry tool wear it out?
A: No. They do not rely on sharp edges, so scraping and prying won’t shorten their lifespan.
Q: Can I keep a pry tool on my keychain?
A: Yes. Micro pry tools are designed to live on keyrings, zipper pulls, and small kits.
Q: What should I do if my pry tool slips?
A: Stop immediately, reset your angle, and apply force more slowly.
Q: Can pry tools open locked doors?
A: They can help with stuck latches, but they do not open actual locks.
Q: Do stainless pry tools rust?
A: Grim’s do not. Some cheaper carbon steel tools rust quickly.
Q: How much force can a small pry tool handle?
A: More than expected. Even a two inch stainless pry tool can take surprising torque when used correctly.
Q: Can a pry tool be used in freezing weather?
A: Yes. Stainless steel retains strength in cold temperatures.
Q: Can I use a pry tool on electronics?
A: Yes. They are excellent for popping open battery covers and separating plastic casings.
Q: Is twisting or levering better for stubborn materials?
A: Twisting is safest. Levering creates more force but requires careful hand placement.
Q: Should I sharpen a pry tool?
A: No. Sharpening it makes it dangerous for prying tasks.
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