My knee kicker snapped in half on a Friday afternoon job

I was putting some muscle into a tight hallway stretch in a house over on Maple Avenue, and the handle just gave way with a loud crack. The homeowner's dog started barking like I'd set off a firework. What's a good brand for a replacement that can take a serious hit?

4 comments

4 Comments

robertcarr2mo ago

Maple Avenue has those old plaster walls that eat up all the sound, so that crack must have been insane to set the dog off. I had a handle snap once and it felt like getting punched in the thigh. Roberts is the way to go, their stuff is built for when you really have to put your weight into it. The local supplier on 5th Street usually has them in stock, but you might want to call first after a Friday like yours.

viola_lopez302mo ago

My brother-in-law swears by Roberts knee kickers after his old one broke on a thick berber job. I used to grab whatever was cheapest at the hardware store, but watching him work changed my mind. The steel on his feels solid, like it won't just snap when you really lean into a tough spot. Have you checked if any local suppliers carry them?

felix4142mo ago

Ha, my cheap one bent like a paperclip last month. Honestly, I'm starting to see why you pay more for the good stuff. Might have to check around for those Roberts ones myself.

blairc905d ago

Those cheap handles are just frustrating. I was in the same boat until @robertcarr let me borrow his Roberts on a job last year and it was a totally different experience. He's right, the steel on them just feels way more substantial when you're really leaning into a stretch.