This Tool Makes PRYING UP NAILS Easy! (Nail Puller/Carpentry Demolition Tool/Cat's Paw Tool)

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

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[@bobtaylor7361]

I use a cats paw my grandfather gave me Back in the 70s. And he said he got it in the early 50s. My wife says don't use it. But my grandfathers voice in my head says "its made to be used" so I do. I have a lot of old hand me down tools. Keep up the great videos.

[@QuantumMechanic_88]

I like this comment a lot and Thanks .

[@davidnorton9997]

Me too. I have several tools from my grandpa. Probably most of them are older than I am. Some, like a framing square, haven't aged so well or were well used. But most of them are still great. The one thing I still don't understand is why he had so many socket sets. Was he buying them every time they went on sale? Did he lose them in his garage and buy another? Unclear. But after he passed and my dad collected tools from his house every possible family member you could think of got a socket set.

[@roddyoccultis4266]

And they are not expensive!!! A tool is like a real good friend. They help you when you need their help. So respect them.

[@suedavies6743]

I love my pry bar but had never seen a cat's paw. I definitely will be getting one. I love your videos, learn something new all the time.

[@taco6989]

These are incredibly useful in construction. I’ve never seen a framer that doesn’t have one in their belt

[@colinpears8357]

I've had one for years. It's great for opening wooden, nailed packing cases.

[@hiker64]

I like the addition of the hole-depresser to give better access to the nail.

[@feldmanjared]

Thanks for this… successfully replaced a single deck board without damage to surrounding boards with this tool!

[@1970jstone]

I was reading a book and came across this term! Always good to learn something new. Thank you.

[@FloydMarsh]

Over the last few days, I've used my Cat's Paw more than 800 times, a conservative estimate. Saved a tremendous amount of time. I didn't worry about damaging the wood surface as the material was destined to be recycled. This tool goes everywhere with me. Everything in this video was spot on.

[@lindak8664]

I’ve had one of those for years. I had no idea it had an actual name, i just call it the tiny crowbar. I did massive revos on my house a few years back, it was worth its weight in gold!

[@vipahman]

I always thought it was called a Camel Toe. LOL

[@lesviamartinez2185]

You're an amazing person and awesome in describing tools and how to use them. So glad I found you on the KZbin.

[@diamondback2085]

Another tool I have and love! Does an awesome job without damaging even the nastiest water damaged wood. Great addition for the tool bag!

[@GregLanz]

I've had the Estwing one for almost a decade now and use it all the time

[@tomgio1]

I remember using this tool when I worked on a condo framing crew 30 years ago, and forgot all about it until now. Is very handy, thanks for the reminder!

[@johnross6436]

Fun fact, Mexican coworkers call this a “chiva” for goats hoof.

[@galvanizedgnome]

And they are always yelling clavos way, tornellos way

[@sleazybtd]

Let's call it a "camel toe".

[@johnross6436]

@@sleazybtd lets not

[@seanpetersen9326]

@@johnross6436 😆

[@JREfunnies]

I'm in the trades I've always used one. And the bench you can use the one end like a finishing hammer

[@shauna_tac]

Thank you! Exactly the information I needed!

[@majorfrost8206]

I have several but my favorite is a "cats paw" from Lee Valley. The flat end is very useful when removing mouldings.

[@QuantumMechanic_88]

A fan who gives a thumbs up before watching the entire video is a True fan . Estwing tools are top of the line . American made drop forged 52100 steel and watching how they are made is fascinating to an old machinist . The price for this heirloom quality tool is Excellent . Thanks again .

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thank you, Quantum! 😁

[@adl6067]

Good to learn something new every day. 👍👍👍

[@RyanCaesar]

This is one of those tools i've had for a while but never really knew its proper use (new to DIY, got it as a gift). Thanks for the info!

[@megankgiles12]

Used this video to teach my 8 year old how to use this tool. Thanks so much!

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

That’s exactly what I want to hear, Megan! Thank you! 😄

[@benharrison1069]

I've seen this tool, but this is the first explanation I have seen of its proper use. Thank you.

[@F4CreationsNJ]

I have the model with the 90deg cat paw on one side, and a flat(ish) bar head on the other. Its my absolute favorite tool for any demo work.

[@kathrynmeehan3738]

I Watched your video on deck repairs yesterday and made a list of tools we needed to proceed. The cats paw was on the list. I decided to clean out our tool box and luckily found that we actually had a cats paw in there. Your video’s are great for someone like me just learning how to do some of my own home repairs. Thanks for explaining things in a way that helps a newbie learn.

[@YukonHawk1]

My dad gave me his that he used in carpentry school. Someday I'll pass it on down to my son🙂

[@therealslimsunny556]

I found 2 of these in one pack one bigger than the other for like 15$ at tractor supply and it’s served me well

[@simplerider3159]

I call it the little pry bar and that thing is awesome. I love that tool for removing nails.

[@philipperiondel3093]

I've been using the same as the one in the video for 5 years, and... it's really a must have.

[@pattysherwood7091]

I love my cat’s paw. Thanks.

[@jasongr3219]

Pullers are handy as hell when it comes to demo or board cleaning.

[@grainplaner216]

Just start immediately next to the nail head with the points of the nail puller and you won't make huge craters in the wood surface. Finesse and precision always work better than brute strength.

[@waynesligar5948]

I always had a cat's paw in my tool bags, there is so may different things kinda like a 5 in 1. Screw guns are for pulling screws out hammers are for driving screws

[@gapster46]

Just stumbled onto your channel today. I ordered the DeWalt one from your link. I have a project that I’ve been procrastinating on for months. A few rotted cedar boards on the front porch that I put in with nails back in the 1980's. I turn 75 next month and it’s hell doing anything on my knees anymore. This little tool will help a lot.

[@peterbarlow8912]

When I started out the only nail pullers were the old school American one like you showed. When the Japanese style came to the American tool scene it was a revelation. The tube punch on the side I haven’t seen. I had to remove a jack stud that twisted out of plane and the gunned nails were in 3/8. I had to drill holes next to the nails to get the tool on them. Pretty hard to trim a doorway if the jack curls 3/8” out pushing the drywall with it.

[@andymilligan8485]

Used it for years and wouldn't be without it.

[@craigpeel5995]

Have used one for years in the uk called the shark bar. One of my top 10 tools in my bag

[@howardsutherland66]

A friend of mine who happens to be a trim carpenter came by one day to help me with a project. When I pulled out my little Cat's Paw (it's only 8 inches long) he went nuts. He had never seen one that small. I bought him two of them, one for his tool bucket and the other as a spare to keep in his van. They are branded "Makuma Shark Grip 200" and are made in Japan. I don't remember where I got them at but that little tool has proven to be quite helpful.

[@melindawallin3713]

I am replacing the nails in my deck with screws and was so hoping there was something magical out there to make the job easier. I am using a pry bar and hammer which seems pretty similar to the cats paw, but I will definitely get a cats paw because I love tools. Thanks !

[@philhaggard3393]

I’ve used one for over forty years and always called it a nail digger. Never knew the correct name until now. Great tool. Thanks!

[@richardstrada212]

I have never used one but now plan on getting one for my tool box.

[@mikepare8838]

Great video. I am about to go shopping for one to use for the first time. This answered all my questions. Bonus that you even explained what that round cylinder is that some have protruding from the side. Thanks again!

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Great tool to have, Mike! 😁

[@SoleEpiphany]

Cats paw, a mechanical puller and a small flat pry bar I always called a “wonder bar” were my three most used for such tasks along with a hammer.

[@terryq9966]

Best tool ever for removing popped drywall nails without making the repair WAY too big. I am talking nails here, NOT screws.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Good call, Terry!

[@galvanizedgnome]

I use a spring nail set

[@carlb1409]

"Rounded scoop shape" seems better. I'm a huge fan. So I bought the one you recommend. Even in your vid, ya have to really dig into the wood. Then I came across my old generic black one. Way better and faster. Doesn't take as many hammer swings. The long side of the old style is the one to dig out a bit of wood before knocking the paw side under the nail. I'm turning over all the boards on my parents' deck. Been using that old one with far quicker success. I gave up on the nice new one.

[@coreydavoll7622]

These work great! I used one too remove some closet shelf rails that were nailed in with finishing nails about three inches long. Made a lot of firewood lol

[@jobacuda4472]

That's some long finishing nails!

[@coreydavoll7622]

It was insane. There were 8 of them per board!

[@brianmccarthy557]

This is one of the single best tools I have when we are doing work with Appalachia Service Project, doing demo where we need to salvage useable material. Great video and great advice, as always.

[@someonespadre]

I have one, found it in my Mother’s garage when I was cleaning her house and garage out. I assume my Dad bought it some time in the past. Like you said, very handy.

[@scottwebber652]

My brother had this n couldn’t remember where he got it but works great. U can beat it without wrecking it. I’ve got one saved for later I been looking for years for it !! 👍

[@felipea1844]

Thank you! Informative video. I've see the tool before, but I didn't know its primary purpose.

[@donb8447]

I've been carrying the Estwing model for 20 yrs...in the same pocket no less, on my Occidental bags.

[@henri6595]

How many years did the bags last you? I'm thinking about buying the Seven Framer Series bags.

[@donb8447]

@@henri6595 they are on their 18th yr with no sign on stopping. I do however wash, and oil them about twice a year to keep them from cracking... just like you'd care for a baseball Mitt. In my opinion, unless they get stolen, they'll be the last set of bags you'll ever buy...you can also check out "essential craftsman Occidental bags" he does a great review video on them.

[@henri6595]

@@donb8447 18 years and still going you say! I really like the sound of that quality! I assume you have the all leather Occidental bags? How does the leather hold up to screws, nails, and random sharp objects being thrown directly into the leather pockets?

[@shawnp8878]

It wasn't until I worked a few construction jobs where I learned the name cats paw. They were great when I was removing old decks, door jams and wooden siding.

[@electricianron_New_Jersey]

Every tradesperson should have one of these for persuading situations. :thumbs

[@SoleEpiphany]

Always called a piece of pipe a “persuasion bar” for wrenches, rachets, lug wrenches etc lol

[@philippebleau4809]

Extremely well presented topic. Thanks.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thank you, Philippe!

[@billvandergrift1231]

I have one and when I pick up a bunch of scrap wood that has Nails in it I use it and it works great

[@fyt00000]

New to me, I love it....needed it desperately

[@fauxte]

Your videos have taught me so much about tools I already own but underutilize. 😂

[@nikkiely4992]

thanks 👍🏾 I've been using this tool, but thanks to your video I'll be using it to remove nails quicker than I have been 😉 Ace!

[@catcar8212]

Just went on my wish list I have carpets that need to disappear, thus will help. Thanks...

[@quadfunpi]

I used this for pulling up staples today! Awesome!

[@stevea.8816]

We used to use " Rosen nails for plywood" they held like crazy but dont try to pull them out, the head broke and that was it, you had a hole the size of the Grand Canyon in order to pull it out with Plyers. I haven't seen them in 20 years now, good.

[@pto200]

Down thru the years, I've used it. I have the older one with a wider paw, but it works real well. Hard to think of what I would replace it with. Love it.

[@JuniorG707]

Whale-Tail.

[@mailstr2958]

Very well explained. Many thanks!

[@foxgoooo11]

I use it a lot to straighten walls makes it easy. Just go behind a nice fat header and Bam you can move your wall around when it's on the ground

[@itssewxtra1713]

It’s weird my dad had a mini I mean tiny pry bar he called a cats claw? Maybe it was paw. I just bought one of those ironically the new one like yours. I got it to remove staples in upholstery. Nothing was working sometimes and it’s not cool to wreck the wood even if it’s covered. Anyway the staple puller that came with my pneumatic staple gun didn’t work nearly as well as this tool and I don’t find it causes much damage. I was getting the hang of what you just did here, but now that you went through the physics of it it will be a ton easier next time. Thanks again for excellent logical explanation 👍

[@dapfitz5]

I have the same exact same one and if i got half way to work and forgot it I would stop and run in at the first H.D or Lws to get another . But wait there's more!! in most cases the tip of the fork and curve makes pulling med /large cotter pins and snap rings easy with out busting your knuckle

[@woodworksbygrampies1284]

That little tool gives back in so many ways, always very handy to have around. @John Ross, that's very true; chiva for the longer ones but "chivita" for these little paws.

[@mammothfilms]

I got my first one in the mail yesterday. I’m looking forward to using it. Thanks for a simple tutorial!!

[@davelopez5355]

Being a new DIY'r I'm loving your channel well presented and super helpful. Thanks so much to your dedication to the trade and training others!!

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thank you, D_MTB! I’m focusing a lot on the fundamentals these days 🙂

[@davelopez5355]

@@TheHonestCarpenter saw your video on most impt word, now it makes sense why my cuts were always short lol

[@Darrow1991]

I love my cat’s paw.

[@kennethwhite8305]

Learn how to start tool. Will be very useful in the futures. Previous tries always slid over nail and ended up making a mess of the wood. Thx for the tip.

[@Stevej2013]

I use it for my home diy. It's great for removing baseboard, and the broad end doesn't damage drywall.

[@reidflemingworldstoughestm1394]

Interesting. I been using mine to nail in replacement shingles that go in below another course.

[@stevenmoss6043]

I’ve seen those, but never used one. Cool vid! I learned something.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thanks Steven!

[@angelafox4380]

Handy tool!!! Thank you for sharing!!! Time to buy one!!!

[@thomasalison6188]

My favorite is the Shark brand cats paws (Japanese), the claws are the sharpest I have found (grip the nails better), & gets into the wood better also.

[@PeteLewisWoodwork]

I am a carpenter here in UK and have been using pry bars for many years. The one mentioned above is a nail pry bar and there is another pattern for lifting trims, such as architraves, which has a different, wide and flatter shape on the long end.

[@PeteLewisWoodwork]

I have been using this tool for a very long time, it offers the best of both worlds.

[@hfdny37]

Favorite tool in my pouch next to my stiletto hammer. Might be a toss up. Most cats paws also have a small striking face, and can be used for tiny nails where you don't need a lot of force

[@garykorzelius5930]

You found one that I haven’t seen before. Thanks for the knowledge.

[@ItAintMeBabe99]

Been using one for more years, than you are alive. They come in several sizes also.

[@caballitodehierro27]

Hi, you can do the first movement with the long part and use the hammers grip under the paw making a lever action to force the nail out more easily, and the shot part of the tool it's also used to force a panel deeper into some surface to nailed more inside, sorry for my English, i don't know if you understand me at all haha

[@DANStickerman]

Your video explanation just saved my marriage.

[@dalekrohse1871]

If you are willing to consider something old, google "antique nail puller" and you will see what I have. It is a bigger contraption; but, it also does a good job of getting out a large nail like 16D. The two teeth are only about 1/4 inch wide and they pinch together in the wood underneath the head of the pesky nail. Then, you just rock the entire tool over on the lever foot and the nail will come up and out. Good video, as usual.

[@StreetWiseMomSurviving]

Just used it now to redo some trim boards I put in last night, and woke up to this morning to a huge shift in the boards. I didn’t drive the nails into the boards, but apparently the foam insulation 🙄🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️. There was a little bit of mark on the PVC boards I was using, but it didn’t break the board (which is easy to break when taking nails out), and came out clean.

[@murraythebaker]

I wish I had never bought mine! This tool cost me 10’s of thousand of £! I bought it to remove one skirting board and then rebuilt my house! Have to say it’s probably my most used tool though

[@billmorash3322]

I found your channel a couple of months ago and subscribed but I thought I should mention that Steve Ramsey recommended you to his viewers.

[@davidavi8554]

I have the shorter version, maybe 6-8" , it's my go to tool all summer long.

[@joshzytkiewicz]

Recently used one of these to pull up staples after removing carpeting.

[@farivera2815]

My friend is a roofer and calls it Nail Puller!

[@tommy_boy86]

A tape measure works great for measuring material.! Amazing.!

[@dhammer5645]

Nail puller plain and simple

[@darkllil]

In quebec we name this tool, mistake's bar ( bar a erreur ). Cause its mostly use by apprentice to remove nail you put in the wrong place.

[@markstevens1729]

I was introduced to it years ago as an “oh shit! tool” and have had one ever since.

[@chrisnash2154]

Excellent for deck demolition.

[@profcah]

This is great! Never seen it before and will be getting one now!

[@charlesviner1565]

Very useful tool I have in my tool box

[@dhoyt1967]

I use the spc ops 10in cat claw. It works great and a portion of the purchase goes to the vets. Great investment.

[@jaypowell0185]

A very useful and versatile tool.

[@maxrockbin]

I noticed that a lot of tool oriented vids use a category "Laboratory Equipment" on Amazon for their affiliate links. I googled and you can get a significantly better commission depending on the category, so that might be something you'd want to check out. I know I've bought more than one tool you have suggested, so it might make a little more cash (prices are the same to the buyer).

[@ninjaguysith]

Awesome video. I have used one for a long time now, but never to it's full potential as you've shown.

[@WorkSmart4U]

I love your videos. You are very good on diction and editing videos. Good job.