Best Nail Pullers

You'll find that a nail puller is a handy tool for removing nails without damaging the wood. Originally, the only nail puller was a tool called a “cat’s paw”, which was successful in removing nails, but would damage the wood in the process. Now nail pullers are made to salvage the wood for reuse, or to remove trim from around windows and door frames with the minimal amount of damage. You’ll see several designs, besides the traditional “cat’s paw”: One version has a sliding handle, that locks the jaws around the nail head. Another type works as a pair of specialized pliers. And yet another version requires a claw hammer to knock the jaws onto the nail head.

We've put together this guide to help you select the best nail puller that answers to your needs. It'll help you:

• Choose the right type of nail puller,

• See useful tips about that type of nail puller,    

• Read reviews of different brands of nail puller, and what customers are saying,

• Select the right brand of nail puller, and

• Compare prices and find the best deals.

• Cat’s paw: This has the appearance of a crowbar, bent into an “L” shape. It has a “V” at both ends. You slip the “V” underneath the head of the nail, and use the cat’s paw as a lever in working the nail out of the wood. It can retain the shape of the nail, but it will probably leave a depression in the wood. The Shark Corp 21-2036 14-1/8-inch Nail Puller and their Shark Corp 21-2220 8-Inch Prybar and Nail Puller are both cat’s paws.

• With a sliding handle: In this design, you put the jaws of the nail puller around the nail. By pulling the handle, the jaws lock around the nail head. The tool usually has a fulcrum--you lean on the fulcrum, and pull the nail out. The Crescent 56 Nail Puller employs such a design.

• With no sliding handle: There are two versions of nail pullers without a sliding handle:

  • It can work as a pair of pliers with a fulcrum. You wrap the teeth of the pliers around the nail head, and pry it out with the fulcrum.

  • There is a model intended to be used with a claw hammer. You put the jaws of the nail puller around the nail, and strike the nail puller with a hammer. That knocks the jaws under the nail head. You use the fulcrum to pull the nail out, as in the sliding handle design.

• Trim puller: This works as a wedge, which you place under trim that you wish to remove. A trim puller has a beveled edge that you place between the trim and the wall. It thus separates the two, without damaging either the trim or the wall. It salvages the wood, rather than the nails.

Based on all the consumers' reviews we've scanned, these are the top things they mentioned about their new stuff:

• Buy product of high-quality steel: People who have bought cheaper “cat’s paw” type nail pullers were disappointed with the poor quality of the metal. They would experience the tips of the “V”-shape breaking off--which makes the tool not only useless but also dangerous. Prepare to pay more for a forged steel tool with greater durability.

• Limit to what length of nails you can remove: The Jefferson Tool Extractor Nail Remover has somewhat of a limit: it can only pull out nails that are less than 3” long. The claws simply don’t grip the nail deeply enough. For longer nails, it’s recommended to use the Crescent 56 Nail Puller with the sliding handle. (But even here, the nails will probably come out bent--it will manage to preserve the wood, however.)

• Pliers version not advised for perfectly flush nail: If the nail has been knocked in so well that the head is flush with the wood, the pliers version, such as the Crescent NP11 11-Inch Nail Pulling Pliers is not advised. (It won’t be able to get under the nail head.) It would be preferable to use the sliding-handle version, or the version that requires using a claw-hammer.

• Make sure the jaws in proper position: While using this tool, make sure you have the jaws in place directly over the nail head. If the jaws are to the right or left, you risk breaking  or chipping the jaws.

Zenith Industries--is a tool manufacturer located in Dallas, Texas. They are makers of osaw blades, cutting tools, hand tools (such as trim pullers and wrenches) and wire brushes.  
Crescent--Crescent is a brand of hand tools by Apex Tool Group, which was founded by Karl Peterson in 1907. Their headquarters is located in Sparks, Maryland. They introduced the adjustable “Crescent” wrench in the early 1900s, as well as pliers, ratchet wrenches, screwdrivers and tool sets. Another innovation is their adjustable pry bar/nail puller. It has a sliding jaw that locks into position every 1/2 inch, and can pull out even the largest nails. Their Code Red Indexing Pry Bar has an adjustable head that indexes over 180 degrees and locks into 16 positions. This allows you the best angle and leverage to remove nails.

Apex Tool Group--(or ATG), was founded in Sparks, Maryland, and includes over 30 different brands of tools, including Crescent, mentioned above, Lufkin, and Paterson. They started as the Wiss Scissors Factory in Newark, New Jersey in 1848. They make hand tools, power tools, and electronic tools for industrial uses, vehicle repair and assembly, aerospace, and DIY projects.

Jefferson Tool--is a tool company in Chester, United Kingdom. Their products include pressure washers, power tools, abrasives, welding equipment, compressors and air tools, hand tools, protective clothing such as gloves and spray suits, and more.