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One Tool, Many Names: Kofot, Koben or Kofotar?
8 October 2025
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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A Name with History
For us, kofotar is more than just a word. It is part of our company's history and identity.
There is even a story that Gabriel Brånby, a former owner of the company and father of the current owners Adam and Daniel Brånby, played a role in getting the word kofotar included in the Swedish Academy Glossary (SAOL), Sweden's official dictionary of the Swedish language.
Whether the story is true or not, we cannot say for certain. But knowing Gabriel's passion for both tools and tradition, it would not surprise us.
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.
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