diff --git a/src/irr_ptr.h b/src/irr_ptr.h
index 5022adb9d..42b409676 100644
--- a/src/irr_ptr.h
+++ b/src/irr_ptr.h
@@ -27,9 +27,14 @@ with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
  * It should only be used for user-managed objects, i.e. those created with
  * the @c new operator or @c create* functions, like:
  * `irr_ptr<scene::IMeshBuffer> buf{new scene::SMeshBuffer()};`
+ * The reference counting is *not* balanced as new objects have reference
+ * count set to one, and the @c irr_ptr constructor (and @c reset) assumes
+ * ownership of that reference.
  *
- * It should *never* be used for engine-managed objects, including
- * those created with @c addTexture and similar methods.
+ * It shouldn’t be used for engine-managed objects, including those created
+ * with @c addTexture and similar methods. Constructing @c irr_ptr directly
+ * from such object is a bug and may lead to a crash. Indirect construction
+ * is possible though; see the @c grab free function for details and use cases.
  */
 template <class ReferenceCounted,
 		class = typename std::enable_if<std::is_base_of<IReferenceCounted,
@@ -38,16 +43,6 @@ class irr_ptr
 {
 	ReferenceCounted *value = nullptr;
 
-	/** Drops stored pointer replacing it with the given one.
-	 * @note Copy semantics: reference counter *is* increased.
-	 */
-	void grab(ReferenceCounted *object)
-	{
-		if (object)
-			object->grab();
-		reset(object);
-	}
-
 public:
 	irr_ptr() {}
 
@@ -71,8 +66,10 @@ public:
 		reset(b.release());
 	}
 
-	/** Constructs a shared pointer out of a plain one
+	/** Constructs a shared pointer out of a plain one to control object lifetime.
+	 * @param object The object, usually returned by some @c create* function.
 	 * @note Move semantics: reference counter is *not* increased.
+	 * @warning Never wrap any @c add* function with this!
 	 */
 	explicit irr_ptr(ReferenceCounted *object) noexcept { reset(object); }
 
@@ -134,4 +131,70 @@ public:
 			value->drop();
 		value = object;
 	}
+
+	/** Drops stored pointer replacing it with the given one.
+	 * @note Copy semantics: reference counter *is* increased.
+	 */
+	void grab(ReferenceCounted *object) noexcept
+	{
+		if (object)
+			object->grab();
+		reset(object);
+	}
 };
+
+// clang-format off
+// ^ dislikes long lines
+
+/** Constructs a shared pointer as a *secondary* reference to an object
+ *
+ * This function is intended to make a temporary reference to an object which
+ * is owned elsewhere so that it is not destroyed too early. To acheive that
+ * it does balanced reference counting, i.e. reference count is increased
+ * in this function and decreased when the returned pointer is destroyed.
+ */
+template <class ReferenceCounted>
+irr_ptr<ReferenceCounted> grab(ReferenceCounted *object) noexcept
+{
+	irr_ptr<ReferenceCounted> ptr;
+	ptr.grab(object);
+	return ptr;
+}
+
+template <typename ReferenceCounted>
+bool operator==(const irr_ptr<ReferenceCounted> &a, const irr_ptr<ReferenceCounted> &b) noexcept
+{
+	return a.get() == b.get();
+}
+
+template <typename ReferenceCounted>
+bool operator==(const irr_ptr<ReferenceCounted> &a, const ReferenceCounted *b) noexcept
+{
+	return a.get() == b;
+}
+
+template <typename ReferenceCounted>
+bool operator==(const ReferenceCounted *a, const irr_ptr<ReferenceCounted> &b) noexcept
+{
+	return a == b.get();
+}
+
+template <typename ReferenceCounted>
+bool operator!=(const irr_ptr<ReferenceCounted> &a, const irr_ptr<ReferenceCounted> &b) noexcept
+{
+	return a.get() != b.get();
+}
+
+template <typename ReferenceCounted>
+bool operator!=(const irr_ptr<ReferenceCounted> &a, const ReferenceCounted *b) noexcept
+{
+	return a.get() != b;
+}
+
+template <typename ReferenceCounted>
+bool operator!=(const ReferenceCounted *a, const irr_ptr<ReferenceCounted> &b) noexcept
+{
+	return a != b.get();
+}
+
+// clang-format on