It is used as a lever either to force apart two objects or to remove nails. Wrecking Bars are commonly used to open nailed wooden crates, remove nails, or pry apart boards. It can be used as any of the three lever classes but the curved end is usually used as a first-class lever, and the flat end as a second class lever. In mining, it used to break and remove rock, but not as much in modern mining.