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04. About the knurling of barbells



The fine anti-slip finish engraved on the surface of the barbell shaft is called knurling.
(In English-speaking countries, it is also commonly called knurling.)

The knurling is an important factor in determining the ease of use of an Olympic shaft, and knurling with an inappropriate roughness or shape will make the barbell difficult to use.

This page explains the four types of barbell knurling shapes.

1. A trapezoidal knurl with four blunt edges. A trapezoidal knurl with four blunt edges on one peak. This is called the Hill type.

The weak edges do not put much strain on the skin, but the grip can become slippery under heavy loads.




2. Volcano-shaped knurling with four moderate edges

The knurled shape of the mountain, which has a crater-like hollow at the top, is called a volcano type.

Each knurl has four edges of moderate strength, and while it provides a stronger grip than a trapezoidal knurl, it also puts more strain on the skin.
Most modern high-end and competition barbells feature volcano-shaped knurling because it provides a good balance of strong grip and feel.




3. Pyramid-shaped knurling with one sharp edge

A pyramidal knurl with one peak and one sharp edge is called a mountain type.

The sharp edges provide an aggressive grip feeling, but the knurled type puts more strain on the skin than the volcano type and the actual grip is not as strong as the volcano type, so it is a type that has not been seen much in recent years.
The reason is unclear, but it is popular in Europe and the United States, and is sometimes even used in powerlifting barbells.




A close-up of the knurling on the Stainless Ohio Power BarThe Stainless Ohio Power Bar, a shaft for powerlifting competitions, has a rough, volcano-shaped knurling. This aggressive knurling provides an extremely strong grip, but also puts a lot of strain on the skin.
A good Olympic shaft will have knurling of the right roughness and shape to suit its application and characteristics.

Barbell Basics, Table of Contents, Glossary

1. Differences between various barbells

2. Recommended barbells by type

3. Surface treatment of barbells

4. About barbell knurling

5. Barbell sleeves, rotation mechanisms, and removal noise

6. Barbell maintenance

7. Durability of barbells

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