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One Tool, Many Names: Kofot, Koben or Kofotar?
25 June 2026
Kofötter, koben or kofotar? At Svedbro Smide, the answer is obvious. Read about the history behind the name, regional differences, and why we proudly continue to use the word kofotar.
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One Tool, Many Names: Kofot, Koben or Kofotar?
In Swedish, this classic tool goes by many names. Depending on where you are in the country, you might hear people call it kofot, kofötter, koben or kofotar. The debate over which name is correct has been going on for generations.
At Svedbro Smide, the answer is simple: we call them kofotar.
Why So Many Names?
There is no definitive explanation for why this tool has so many different names in Swedish, but regional dialects and local traditions have likely played a major role. While some people prefer kofot or kofötter, others use koben. Here at Svedbro Smide, kofotar has been the preferred term for generations.
No matter what you call them, Wrecking Bars remain one of the most versatile and useful tools on any construction site.
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What Do You Call It?
Whether you say kofot, kofötter, koben or kofotar, the important thing is that the tool gets the job done. At Svedbro Smide, we continue to manufacture hand-forged crowbars with the same focus on quality, durability and Swedish craftsmanship as always.
For us, they will probably always be kofotar.