Barbell Knurling FAQ - Garage Gym Experiment

Introduction

Hey guys, today we are back discussing the importance of barbell knurling, something most probably overlooked when first starting a home gym and looking to purchase a barbell. We will cover everything from the basics of why knurling matters to the different styles and performance effects of different cuts.

What is it? Why is it Important?

So for starters, what is knurling? Well, knurling is the grip that is essentially cut into the shaft of the barbell. You have probably noticed some barbells feel or look different than others. That is due to the knurling.

Barbell knurling is essential to every lifter. From Olympic lifting to basic power lifts, it will affect performance and personal preference. You want a barbell that is comfortable to grip in your hands to help you perform the lifts safely and effectively without risk of it slipping or falling during a lift.

Types of Knurling

Now that we understand the basics of barbell knurling and why we need it, let’s discuss some different types. First, off we can have smoother knurling or what’s commonly described as “passive” this type of knurling will have MORE cuts in it, but they will be a lot finer and closely spaced together, allowing the user a grippy but less “digging” type of connection to the bar.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have what is known as “aggressive knurling, aggressive knurling will essentially begin to dig into your hands more, allowing you to gain a more locked-in grip at the expense of comfort.

You’ll also find many options in the middle, which we’ll call “medium.”

Although everyone is different and will have their own personal preferences, the main takeaway is passive knurling will be more comfortable. In contrast, aggressive knurling may offer some performance benefits at the expense of comfort. I should also mention that regardless of the type of knurling you decide is right for you. Your skin will develop calluses over time which will make handling the sharper knurling much more tolerable.

Knurl Patterns

We now know about the basics of knurling and the different types, but we also need to discuss the various patterns. There are three different patterns of barbell knurling: hill, mountain, and volcano.

Let’s break down each style:

Hill: This style of knurling is typically more passive, it is a cross sectional pattern made up of flat surfaced diamonds. pattern knurling is well suited for beginners or someone worried about their tolerance to cutting their hands on a sharper knurl. This knurling is on the lower end of the scale in terms of adding extra grip to the bar. The Rogue Ohio Bar (pictured below) is a common example of this.

Mountain: Unlike the hill knurling mountain knurling is designed to have a peak (hence the name) at the top of each point. This type of knurling is designed to be very aggressive and dig into your hands to provide tremendous grip benefits to the user. A common bar mentioned in this category is the REP Deep Knurl Power Bar (pictured below).

Volcano: We saved volcano for last because it is essentially a combo of the previous two. Volcano style knurling is a diamond etched pattern with the peak cut out or smoothed down. This will still increase the grip for the user while not being as sharp and having the potential to cut the user’s hands. The REP Stainless Steel Power Bar and traditional Rogue Ohio Power Bar are several “volcano” examples.

Knurl Marks

We understand the different patterns and styles of knurling, but what about knurl marks? How come some barbells have centre knurl or dual rings? The purpose of knurling is to allow the lifter a grippy place to hold the barbell when lifting. We see centre knurling on some barbells as the purpose of these is to dig into the lifter’s back while performing a back squat, good morning, or any exercise where the bar is resting on the user’s back. Typically bars that do not have centre knurling are used more for either Olympic lifting or deadlift. We want minimal contact between the lifter and the centre of the bar if it is being dragged up alongside the body.

You probably have noticed that some bars have either one set or two rings; these reference marks hold the barbell. Typically they are 32″ apart for powerlifting and 36″ apart for Olympic lifting.

What Type of Knurl is Best?

We have now discussed all things barbell knurling-wise, so what type of knurling is best? The answer comes down to as most things do in a home gym. It depends on your experience and personal preference. Aggressive knurling is best suited for an experienced lifter looking to maximize performance, whereas a beginner would be better suited to more passive knurling to start with.

My Preference

My choice? Initially, I was after the sharpest but most cost-effective barbell I could get my hands on. At first, it was great, but I eventually switched to more passive knurling and was surprised that I could grip it a lot harder than my previous bar, and it stuck to my hands much more effortlessly.