What is a Boneyard Bar?
What are Boneyard Bars? The Rogue Boneyard is a collection of Rogue items for sale that have minor cosmetic issues (such as blemishes or knurl inconsistencies) that Rogue sells at a discount. All of the items in the boneyard are fully functional. Rogue barbells (which are some of the most popular items Rogue offers) are the most common item found in the boneyard.
In this article, we’ll discuss:
- How it works: It’s a little bit different than buying a traditional barbell.
- Price: You’ll save some money. How much?
- The Defects: What does a typical defect look like?
- An Example: A quick review.
- Other Experiences: Some reviews from the community.
- Conclusion: Final thoughts.
- Add Your Own Experiences: Your chance to add your experiences so others can benefit.
Listen
You can also listen to our analysis via the Home Gym Tips & Reviews podcast.
How it Works
On Rogue’s website, you will not find the Boneyard on the homepage. It’s not until you search barbells that you can find a tab for Boneyard bars.
They are separated by bar thickness (25MM (female), 28.5 MM (male multi-purpose), 29 MM (power bar), curl bar, loadable dumbbells, etc). If in stock, they should be on this page.
In the bar description, they tell you the type of bar, and if you scroll to the bottom of the page, they will give you a quick FAQ sheet and the typical defects you might find in the bars. One important thing to consider is that you can’t see the individual bar you’re getting before you get it, and all sales are final. In addition, they usually go out of stock quickly.
Prices
The prices vary. You need to look at the bar type (Ohio, Echo, etc.) and the finish. Below is a sample price comparison between the regular bars for sale and the Boneyard prices. This will vary over time. The largest difference comes with bars with a ‘raw shaft.’ In general, you can save anywhere from 10-37%.
Don’t forget to add in shipping.
| Name of Bar | Regular Price | Boneyard Price |
| Boneyard Rogue Ohio Bar – Cerakote with (Black Shaft / Black Sleeve) | $325 | $275 |
| Boneyard Rogue Ohio Bar 1.2 with (Black Zinc Shaft / Bright Zinc Sleeve) | $285 | $225 |
| Boneyard Rogue 1.2 Ohio Bar with (Raw Shaft / Chrome Sleeve) | $285 | $195 |
| Boneyard Rogue 1.2 Ohio Bar with (Black E-Coat Shaft / Bright Zinc Sleeve) | $285 | $225 |
| Boneyard Rogue Ohio Deadlift Bar with (Raw Shaft / Raw Sleeve) | $310 (Bare Steel edition) | $195 |
| Boneyard Rogue Bar 2.0 with (Raw Shaft / Bright Zinc Sleeve) | $265 (Black Zinc edition) | $195 |
| Boneyard Rogue Echo Bar with (Bright Zinc Shaft / Bright Zinc Sleeve) | $245 (2.0 version) | $165 |
| Boneyard Rogue Bella Bar 2.0 with (Raw Shaft / Black Sleeve) | $215-$275 | $175 |
The Defects
The two main defects will send a bar to the boneyard is blemishes on the bar, and the other is double-tracked knurling.
Bar blemishes are purely cosmetic and will give the bar a streaked look instead of a flawless shiny steel finish.
The other main defect you may find on a Boneyard bar is double-tracked knurling.
All defects will not impact the bar’s performance. Some other flaws beyond the above mentioned are aesthetic flaws such as chipped coating, minor dings in the sleeves, etc. In some instances, customers have shared that they can’t even find the flaw in the bar!
If you are extremely particular about your bar’s look and feel, you might not want to shop the Boneyard, but if you’re buying a bar and will beat the shit out of it anyway, then a minor cosmetic flaw won’t bother you.
For Example, A Quick Review
This Ohio Bar was recently purchased from the Boneyard. It was described as a “Bright Shaft w/ Bright Zinc Sleeves.” the price of the bar was $225, which was $60 lower than the full price at the time.
Originally, when receiving this particular bar, no defects were detected. There didn’t appear to be any blemishes on the sleeves, the knurling was perfect, and there were no scratches spotted.
A week into use and under the right lighting, a few minor scratches were found. When you look at the scratches, you have to imagine saving $60 for these almost undetectable cosmetic flaws. There aren’t many (if any) people who would turn this bar down for the discount.
Others’ Experience
In preparation for this article, GGE made an Instagram post asking for some feedback on Boneyard Bar reviews. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Some of the responses included:
- harrison_andy1: Got an Ohio bar for $200 which they said had blemishes, could barely see them when I got it six months ago and don’t remember looking at them since. Was during the pandemic and all I could get in stock. Well worth it.
- terriyaki2flo: Got a deadlift bare boneyard bar, couldn’t even tell where the damage was at. Love their shipping price and speed as well.
- hollowell.chris: I picked up a SS Ohio Bar that had the slightest ding on the interior edge of the sleeve end (pic below). Makes zero difference loading plates and isn’t noticeable if you don’t know to look for it. Definitely worth the $100 savings.
- shelter_squats: I’ve had a boneyard deadlift bar for years. I have no idea what the flaw was. It’s a fantastic bar that has held up well!!
- memewod: Just grabbed a boneyard echo yesterday for $199 shipped, can’t beat it
During the follow-up process, memewod did express some disappointment in the curl bar received over the weekend. The “heat mark on it is pretty ugly.”
- @rob_flores_ I have 3. Deadlift bar, OHP bar, and a WestSide PowerBar. Absolutely love them. Small blemishes that do not affect the performance of any bar i.e. double-track knurling or slight discoloration in the sleeves.
- @jaclyn_shepard: I’ve had two and they were both fine. Couldn’t even tell what the defect was.
- @frosty92snowman: I have a Matt Chan bar from the boneyard and I haven’t had any issues, probably one of the best bars I have bought
- @thedonnguyen: Most people have purchased a boneyard bar can’t even tell. My boneyard has a tiny 1mm knick in the finish, which sent it to the boneyard. Spins smoothly, knurl is perfect. Absolutely no complaints from me. There has been 1 case where I’ve heard of where someone got a bar that didn’t spin, but Rogue made it right.
- @doublebombmakes: Just got my wife the Ohio DL Boneyard Bar. I honestly can’t find anything wrong with it.
Conclusion
In the end, what can you expect when you purchase a Boneyard Bar from Rogue? You can expect a traditional barbell with minor cosmetic issues such as blemishes or knurl inconsistencies but zero performance issues and a lower price to pay.
Those who love all Rogue have to offer and appreciate what they stand for but don’t have a single piece in your personal gym because of price; you need to check out The Boneyard…
Add Your Own Feedback Below
Reviews of your boneyard purchases are appreciated! Please add below.
I loved it
I don’t own one but should I ever need to purchase another barbell, I will definitely get a boneyard barbell! I have heard so many good reviews about them and that half the time you can’t even tell what is wrong with them!
Bang for your buck 👌
It doesn’t hurt your neck and it’s great for a home gym
Best deal out there I’ve found
Great deal!
Recently ordered a boneyard deadlift bar. One of the bushings was falling in and out of the sleeve
I got a perfectly good, well-made, beautiful bar for the same price as a low-end manufacturer.
I love it
Always a good place to find quality gym equipment
Pretty sweeeet
Ideal prices & value
I don’t notice a difference in the Boneyard bars performance compared to Rogue’s standard bar.
My Boneyard bar is the best bar I own.
These are such a great deal
Allowed me to get a great barbell without having to pay the higher prices during the pandemic
Couldn’t even tell what the issue was with the bar. Been a great purchase for half the price.
I personally do not own a boneyard bar but I’m close to pulling the trigger on a boneyard Ohio bar. I’ve heard nothing but great things about nearly all of rogues boneyard bars. They’re nearly identical to regular bars apart from a slight blemish thats almost always hard to find. Other than that Rogue’s boneyard bars function just as you would expect a regular Rogue bar to perform with a nice discount. Side note, rogues Boneyard Deadlift bars are an even greater discount than their boneyard ohio bars and Ohio power bars.
PSA: The boneyard bar I received was near garbage as the knurling was majorly offset on one side of the curl bar that was so far offset not all my fingers on one side even would be on the knurling for close grip curls. While I can accept the multiple flattened knurling spots, scratches and guages in the finish, I’ve not heard of such an error on the significance of the knurling offset and reached out to Rouge. Per James H (Rougue Fitness) related to boneyard bars, I got this…”The qualifications for a functioning bar are can plates be loaded and does the bar spin.” What!?!? Where is this in their site…NOWHERE! Imo complete garbage, boneyard is just not worth the risk that Rougue tube’s up a ships you a POS bar. No where does Rougue mention this severity of this on their boneyard description on their website or what they Feb as boneyard worthy and what is “functional.”