Do you prefer comfort handle on ratchets?

[PoorOwner]

between 2 ratchets of the same kind, one with rubber handle and one without, and you can only keep one, which would you pick?

it seems like they add a bit of bulk, and usually a couple inches also. I have always used all metal handle ratchets and they were just fine.. seems like the metal handle will let you get to more places. I think I would sacraifice a bit of comfort to get the job done.. what do you think?

[nissan_crawler]

I'm not a fan, takes up too damn much space. I could only use it on MAYBE half the things I do.

[reversegear]

The comfort handle is preferred by Europeans, while most Americans like the traditional metal handle. There are a couple of interesting designs that try to get a larger contact area on the user's hand without giving up access and without driving the cost up too much. Here is one sold in Japan:

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/7059/ifdesignyl8.th.jpg (http://img231.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ifdesignyl8.jpg)

(First time using imageshack, hope that works)

And I saw this on the Great Neck website: Ultra Light Ratchet (http://www.greatnecksaw.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_70_261&products_id=91383#thumb)

Wider handle to make it easier on the hand, but hollow to make it lighter.

[wilbilt]

I'm not a fan, takes up too damn much space. I could only use it on MAYBE half the things I do.

Yup.

I do like the old Proto/Mac plastic handled ratchets, though. I need to pick up a couple.

[rsanter]

I tried the older style of plastic handle on the SOs and mac ratchets. just did not like them with the squareish handle.
the newer ones look like they would be nice, but I am unsure how well they would hold up.
one of the things I do after a dirty job is dump my tools into a parts washer to clean them up before going back to the toolbox.
anuone have input as to how those handles would hold up to a dip in a tank or a spray of brake or carb cleaner?

bob

[Mike83]

I bought a relatively cheap Duralast comfort handle ratchet from Autozone just for cold weather use. The metal handles suck in Wisconsin winters, even with gloves. The Duralast looks just like the SO ratchet and cost about $30. Otherwise, I much prefer the metal handle.

[engnerdan]

I own mostly comfort grip ratchets, which are great for the winters here in MN. But at the same time I own a couple metal handles, if something requires a lot of hard pulling on the ratchet I grab a comfort handle otherwise I just grab my F80.

-Dan

[Uncle Buck]

I have no comfort handle ratchets; and unfortunately I have already bought too many ratchets through the years to go buy more just for the comfort handle.

If my situation were different I think I would have a few of the hard plastic comfort handle jobs, but not the new soft handle type Snap-on sells I do not like them at all!

[T56 Impala]

Nope. I like steel (or various combination of metal as seen fit to mix by the manufacturer) in my hands, not plastic or rubber.

[Moose-LandTran]

i have a lot of Snap-on ratchets with the plastic screwdriver-style handles. which i love. they don't add much bulk at all, and they're very comfy to use. i also really like the look of them.

they work well in the cold. only downside is that mine have orange handles, and they can get dirty easily. bit of Swarfega, brake cleaners and quick once over with an old toothbrush clean them up real nice though.

as for soft grip ratchets, i really don't like them. they're too bulky and they get dirty far too easy. they don't do it at all for me.

[PoorOwner]

I guess depends on the work that you do.. sometimes I have so little space I am barely pulling on the ratchet handle with my fingers, or my knuckles scrape the radiator fins... in those situations can't imagine having a rubber handle to get in the way some more. (I know, flex head might be your friend here)
In the perfect world you would have both, but that gets expensive.

[Merkava_4]

I've got a MAC XR8PA which has the red plastic handle; I use it whenever I need a 3/8" drive ratchet because it's very comfortable. I've got regular steel handled ratchets if I have a clearance issue, but I usually don't with a 3/8" drive application anyway.

[DavidtheDuke]

I've got a MAC XR8PA which has the red plastic handle; I use it whenever I need a 3/8" drive ratchet because it's very comfortable. I've got regular steel handled ratchets if I have a clearance issue, but I usually don't with a 3/8" drive application anyway.

I don't see how you guys can stand 30 teeth. My minimum now is 80 tooth :lol_hitti

[wrenchr]

Some new some old!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk173/wrenchr/100_0917.jpg
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk173/wrenchr/100_0915.jpg
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk173/wrenchr/100_0918.jpg

[Elroy]

The comfort grips are nice if you have the room. Elroy uses tools to get a job done. Get in a tight spot and the comfort grip prevents the careful appliction of the appropriate CHEATER BAR. Yep Elroy can hear the groans way over here.:wtf:

[bchee]

And I saw this on the Great Neck website: Ultra Light Ratchet (http://www.greatnecksaw.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_70_261&products_id=91383#thumb)

Wider handle to make it easier on the hand, but hollow to make it lighter.

I saw those ratchets at Autozone. They were Duralast brand. They were light, but felt like plastic.

[Merkava_4]

I don't see how you guys can stand 30 teeth. My minimum now is 80 tooth :lol_hitti

That's easy ... I never tried one so I don't know what I'm missing. :spit:

[rsanter]

if you have the metal handled ratchets and want some insulation, you could dip the handle in the rubbery stuff meant to coat/recoat plier handles. if they get ugly you peel it off and recoat.

I can see the benifit in the colder areas

bob

[Merkava_4]

if you have the metal handled ratchets and want some insulation, you could dip the handle in the rubbery stuff meant to coat/re-coat plier handles. if they get ugly you peel it off and re-coat.

I can see the benefit in the colder areas

bob

I've thought about trying some heat shrink tubing. :headscrat

[eschoendorff]

It doesn't really matter to me... hard or soft, steel or "comfort." I like them all, but I have primarily the steel handles.

[Jared]

I have one of the snap-on ratchets with plastic the screwdriver handle and i really like it, I also have a soft grip 3/8 ratchet witch is alright nothing wrong with but i dont use it all that much.

[engnerdan]

I've thought about trying some heat shrink tubing. :headscrat

Thats a great idea, some of that glue lined heat shrink would hold well and add a little thickness. I will have to try that on my F80 this next winter.

-Dan