The Middleman is the piece Archie built to be the flagship of Nice Guy Machine Co. He set out to pack as many features as he could into one everyday carry prybar and still land it at $200. This is the Not Thirsty version in circle machining, which drops the bottle opener for a cleaner outline.
Specifications
- Model: Middleman, Not Thirsty edition
- Machining: Circle pattern, front and back
- Material: 6Al4V titanium
- Length: 4.25"
- Width: 0.74"
- Thickness: 0.27" body, 0.34" with the clip
- Finish: Aluminum oxide blast and stonewash
- Lanyard Hole: Hidden
- Bottle Opener: Deleted on this edition
- Fastener: NGMCo. hardware machined by Tactile Turn
- Country of Origin: Made in USA (North Carolina)
- SKU: NGMCO-MIDDLEMAN-CIRCLES-NT
The Middleman
At 4.25 inches this is the compact take on Archie's preferred 5 inch pry size. It gives up some leverage and gains a footprint that actually disappears in a pocket, which is the tradeoff most people making that decision are looking for.
Circle Machining
The circle pattern runs on both faces and does two jobs at once. It gives the body texture you can feel through a glove or a wet hand, and it is the visual signature that separates this version from the other Middleman finishes.
The Tip
The scraper tip is unusually wide for a pry this size, which is deliberate. Archie uses his prys as scrapers more than anything else, so the tip got the attention. He also ran a micro chamfer along the tip edges, so the sides scrape as well as the face.
Not Thirsty
The Not Thirsty edition deletes the bottle opener. If you already carry a dedicated opener or you just want the cleaner profile, this is the version to get. Nothing else changes.
Hidden Lanyard Hole and Recessed Clip
The lanyard hole is hidden, so you can run a bead without it dominating the look and carry it bare without an obvious hole staring back at you. The pocket clip is extra wide and recessed into the body rather than sitting on top of it, which is what gives the Middleman its flat, one piece feel in the hand instead of a ridge under your fingers.
Made in the USA
Nice Guy Machine Co. is a one man shop in North Carolina. Archie designs, machines, and finishes every piece himself. The fastener is NGMCo. hardware machined by Tactile Turn in Dallas, Texas, so this is American made down to the screw.
Why This One Stands Out
This is the piece Archie built to represent his shop. Wide scraper tip, circle machined faces, a hidden lanyard hole, and a clip that stays out of your way, in a size you will actually carry.
Proudly carrying American
