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What Is a Crow Bar?

Crow bars are a type of tool, essentially consisting of a bar with a curve at one end. This curve may contain a fissure, used for prying things loose. Crowbars are referred to by a few different names; these include the prybar, as well as the jemmy or jimmy bar depending on the country where the tool is being used. The crowbar is primarily utilized to provide leverage, but crowbars have a secondary use as a weapon, being constructed of metal.

Materials
- The average crowbar is made of medium carbon steel, and the cheapest crowbars are created from hexagonal or cylindrical stock. More expensive crowbars have a cross sectional shaft that, thanks to its shape --- similar to a letter "I" --- is less likely to bend. Crowbars are also sometimes constructed from titanium. These crowbars are relatively light, and thus useful for activities such as mountaineering, where they can be attached to an individual's belt. Titanium crowbars are also stronger than carbon steel tools and resistant to both sparks and corrosion.
Common Uses
- The primary use of a crowbar is to provide leverage. The crowbar's curved end is a form of first-class lever, while its flat end is a type of second-class lever. Its applications in terms of leverage include prising open wooden boxes, allowing individuals to bypass locks on such containers and removing nails from surfaces. A crowbar can also be utilized in prying other objects apart, and since it can be wielded with some force, in destroying an object. The crowbar is also a suitable makeshift weapon, for this reason.
Dimensions
- Crowbars differ in size. In general, a crowbar is between 39.37 inches and 78.74 inches in length, as stated by the Dimensions Guide website, while the diameter of the average crowbar ranges from 0.63 inch to 0.98 inch.
History
- The history of the crowbar dates back to the 1400s, according to the Dimensions Guide website. Since the crowbar's curved end was similar to the beak of a crow, the tool received the term crow or iron crow as a name, later lengthened to crowbar.
Video Games &TV
- While crowbars are a useful tool for a range of individuals in real life, the crowbar has also gained a presence in the world of video games. In particular, the PC title "Half-Life" and its sequels famously make use of the crowbar, as the game's protagonist wields one as a weapon against weak enemies, and as a tool for destroying in-game objects or for creating escape routes. Crowbars have also been featured in TV shows such as the "Lost" series, where the crowbar is mentioned and discussed by the character Sayid among others.

Artifacts