Whats your favorite screwdriver handle?

[KnurledNut]

We all have different hands.
With regards to screwdriver handles, what do you personally like?
No wrong answers!

This isnt about how much better Vessel tips are than stinky Craftsman.
Strictly handles. Get a grip! Personal preference.

 

[Old Donn]

My old, wooden handled Irwins.

 

[dscheidt]

I like octagonal handles, like the classic red & blue craftsman screwdrivers. I also like Snap-On's old hard handles, and the perfect handle irwins I have (and never use, because). Ergo grip stuff drives me nuts, because it's never quite right.

 

[Professional Tool User]

My favourite are the Wera kraftform handles.

 

[Dave455]

I’ve long preferred squareish handles. All time favourites are probably the Belzer, but long gone now.

The Snap On contour grip were nice. Similar shape to the Belzer, and the opaque Tenite was probably better for automotive work.


Of the modern tools, the Facom acetate handles are nice, though there is only a limited range now.

The Heyco are very nice. If you don’t like green. you can find them up in other colours as they manufacture for other companies.

 

[username2]

What I'd really like to try out are (or were) the Wera acetate handle screwdrivers.

I've got some (probably) vintage Wiha handled stuff that looks like Snap-on hard handles.

I wonder why they've gone 100% squishy handles. It's like trying to buy pliers without plastic covered handles.

 

[lardy1]

I'm sure I'm not in any majority but my hands like the rubber Klein handles. I also like Tekton square and Williams square. FWIW I don't think any of those are my best screwdrivers. Just my favorite handles.

 

[jives]

Tri lobe, fat. My K-tool handles are great, much better than my Wihas.

https://www.tesstools.net/v/vspfiles/photos/KTI11018-2.png?v-cache=1728455324

 

[Dave455]

What I'd really like to try out are (or were) the Wera acetate handle screwdrivers.

I've got some (probably) vintage Wiha handled stuff that looks like Snap-on hard handles.

I wonder why they've gone 100% squishy handles. It's like trying to buy pliers without plastic covered handles.

I’ve seen the Wera hard handles. They’re pretty good. You get a similar shape but with much better durability. Think they are still available in South Africa. Maybe they shipped the tooling there, or perhaps never changed it.

I seem to recall the move to the soft handles coincided with the move to the Czech Republic, but ultimately it’s all about saving money. These low density soft materials are far cheaper than most hard materials. Like the Wera blades, but not the current handles,

The older Wiha stuff was good, but they never used the best blades with the acetate handles.

 

[KnurledNut]

What I'd really like to try out are (or were) the Wera acetate handle screwdrivers.

I have an older Weralit that is very comfortable to use.
I like the older Wera red insulated solid plastic hard handle grip too.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

For electrical work - Wera
For garage work - Klein

 

[Wamsutta]

https://flic.kr/p/2jLz17C

 

[seber]

It took me a while to warm up to them but I've grown to really like the Snap-on instinct handles.

 

[sparky 1971]

The kind posted below. If I can't use that, it's the traditional rubber style made popular by Klein.

 

[username2]

In case anyone is wondering what we are talking about.

 

[username2]

...and here's the Wiha. I've got a couple of screwdrivers plus a nutdriver set.

 

[KnurledNut]

It took me a while to warm up to them but I've grown to really like the Snap-on instinct handles.

Love or hate, those Instincts sure do provide for some torque transfer!

 

[username2]

I admit that these things look cool.

 

[bonneyman]

My favorite screwdriver handles, in order:
1) Old Proto yellow handles
2) Classic Snap-On hard handles
3) Tekton Two-tone
4) Craftsman Professional Two-tone

 

[milky2k]

I prefer hard handled screwdrivers, tri-lobe when possible. Some examples are OEM Tools (23999) green screwdrivers, Mayhew /Channellock screwdrivers, old Stanley Workmasters and Williams ratcheting screwdriver. I also like fat handles like the old Craftsman Professional black screwdrivers. I don't like rubber/soft handled drivers because once you get grease on them, they don't ever seem to get clean again. If you don't plan to use them for mechanic work then the Milwaukee's tri-lobe set seem great for the price.

 

[xjfish]

Gotta be snap-on hard handles for me OR maybe vintage Stanley rubber grip + wooden anything. With that being said, I will grab whatever I can hold onto. Likely, whatever is handy and might have the best biting bit, when I need a screwdriver. I tried to like Whitte/Matco but meh...

 

[JradM]

Irazola - also sold under Bahco branding.

• That ball-shaped part of the handle, part way down, is good for spinning with your fingers.
• The top is smooth and non-grippy, good for spinning.
• The comfort grip portion is comfortable, but not squishy.
• Hole at the top to insert another screwdriver as any-handle.
• Bolsters too, at least on the larger ones.
• Just enough girth for a strong grip.

Combine all that with sharp, precise and durable tips - and you have my favorite mechanics screwdrivers.

Felo gets an honourable mention. Oh, and I like the Vessel balldriver handle, but that’s a bit of an outlier.

 

[F-22]

What I'd really like to try out are (or were) the Wera acetate handle screwdrivers.

Going to South Africa on the 6th of December. I am really tempted to grab a set of these:

https://www.takealot.com/wera-screwdriver-black-tip-6-piece-set/PLID46868148

Adds up to about 35$. Very pricey for a design Wera considers so outdated they don't really offer it anywhere else except in South Africa (where all stuff is generally way cheaper than here in Europe). I can get the "modern" set on amazon.de for the same money.

Like the Wera blades, but not the current handles,

I agree a lot. The handles never fit me right

I have an older Weralit that is very comfortable to use.

I have one too, I wonder how old it is. It is a ball hex driver Weralit which predates the crazy handle shape Wera is known for. I think it's 4 or 6 sided straight acetate handle, very classic design much like the PB Swiss classic handle.

In case anyone is wondering what we are talking about.

This must be one of the older German designs. The one that is still being sold is this:



I am very intrigued. One one hand, I do not like the modern Wera handles - not the shape nor the rubbery feel. But I do know the hard handle can feel very different in hand and they may be very cool. If anything, at least certainy very unique.

Irazola - also sold under Bahco branding.

• That ball-shaped part of the handle, part way down, is good for spinning with your fingers.
• The top is smooth and non-grippy, good for spinning.
• The comfort grip portion is comfortable, but not squishy.
• Hole at the top to insert another screwdriver as any-handle.
• Bolsters too, at least on the larger ones.
• Just enough girth for a strong grip.

Combine all that with sharp, precise and durable tips - and you have my favorite mechanics screwdrivers.

Felo gets an honourable mention. Oh, and I like the Vessel balldriver handle, but that’s a bit of an outlier.

Saw these a few times in my local hardware store under the Bahco isle. Saying they are huge is a big understatement, the Spanish must make these for use by the Swedish mountain giants. Very cool but I do not like the rubbery feel so I never grabbed one.

 

[F-22]

As for what my favourites are... If we say one brand, it would be Vessel, but they offer so many superb handle shapes.

Vessel crystalline is super comfy in the hand.




The powergrip is amazing too.



And the 230W is my favourite bit driver, the ball grip is very secure in the hand though I'm no big fan of soft handles.




Also, fair to say the megadora fits in the hand super well too. As I said, soft handles are not my thing, but I easily understand why many people love the megadora. Much more so than Wera - feel like they are overhyped everywhere, they must invest a lot more into advertisements, but the Wera handles are just a huge disappointment to me.

The others I like are the Oplast screwdriver shapes, sold under Gedore and Hazet.

And of course, the shapes made by PB Swiss. They are very well thought out. I like all three designs they offer. Very well thought out and fit in the hand well. The classic is the "odd" one out, but it is hard not to appreciate that shape, it's a classic for a reason...

 

[PhantomEB]

In MY garage….I still go for the classic Craftsman’s I have had since I was 19-21 of age.

in the vehicles, I prefer multibit.

no clue why I don’t use multi bit in the garage, it would save me so much time of walking back and forth. Maybe one of these days I will get a basic shop cart.

 

[Vinny]

Is Grace the only USA made wood handle screwdrivers still around?

 

[MichaelP]

I guess it really depends on what you use the screwdriver for. For higher torque I like rubberized Klein handles. Greenlee rubberized handles are comfortable for me. PB Swiss are simple and nice. In very rare occasions when I need to press driver against a smaller/moderately sized fastener, I might grab a Vessel Ball Grip although I'm not a big lover of those.

I very much dislike square or triangular handles and Wera Kraftform. Wiha is pretty good, especially the precision ones. I don't find acetate handles comfortable, especially for higher torque tasks and for greasy hands.

I can really use most anything, but those are my likes and dislikes.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

Witte tri-lobe screwdrivers are the best. I absolutely love them, especially the cork infused handles. I wish Witte would expand their Nature line because I would be all in. As it is I have several variations of their drivers and I love them all.

A distant second would be the Wiha and Snappy instinct handles. I love how fat both handles are. Fit great in my hands, but they lack that something that makes the Witte so nice.

Honorable mention are my Gedore drivers with the rectangular handle. They are comfortable but take some getting used to spinning due to the boxy shape.

 

[Callelle]

Vessel Megadoras are my favorite, I just don't really ever use screwdrivers in my industry.

 

[KnurledNut]

Witte tri-lobe screwdrivers are the best. I absolutely love them, especially the cork infused handles. I wish Witte would expand their Nature line because I would be all in. As it is I have several variations of their drivers and I love them all.

I always liked the ergonomics of Witte’s tri-lobe, even the non-flocked rebranded NAPA yellow and blue hard handles. Same for the early Cornwell and Matco rebrands.
The first gen Snap-on tri-lobe soft grips also fit my hand naturally.

 

[Jtels85]

The old MAC and Snap On square hard handles.

It’s a shame MAC discontinued them. SnapOn currently still offers them, but the 8 piece set comes with a 1/8” and #0 rather than a 1/4” and #2 stubbies, which I would use more often, and for that reason I will not buy a set.

Behind that, the red and black GearWrench tri lobes have a comfortable handle.

 

[richfinn]

Vessel Megadora and P B Swiss handles are my current favourites (both similar in shape and work good for big hands). I've tried to love various Snap-On handles over the years (at great personal expense) but they just don't do it for me (although I quite like the newer prybar handles).

 

[KnurledNut]

The old MAC and Snap On square hard handles.

It’s a shame MAC discontinued them. SnapOn currently still offers them, but the 8 piece set comes with a 1/8” and #0 rather than a 1/4” and #2 stubbies, which I would use more often, and for that reason I will not buy a set.

Behind that, the red and black GearWrench tri lobes have a comfortable handle.

MAC’s grainy texturing on those old hard handles was advantageous.
And +1 on the old GearWrench.

 

[KnurledNut]

Is Grace the only USA made wood handle screwdrivers still around?

Wilde offers a set similar to Grace but with keystone tips instead of hollow ground.

 

[F-22]

The old MAC and Snap On square hard handles.

It’s a shame MAC discontinued them. SnapOn currently still offers them, but the 8 piece set comes with a 1/8” and #0 rather than a 1/4” and #2 stubbies, which I would use more often, and for that reason I will not buy a set.

Is that the same as the Williams branded black ones? Yeah they are surprisingly comfy for such a simple design.

 

[Rinspeed]

These.

 

[Jtels85]

Is that the same as the Williams branded black ones? Yeah they are surprisingly comfy for such a simple design.

They are, yes.

The reason I won't purchase the Williams is that in order to get both stubby's, you have to buy the large set. Historically, I can get by with the standard 8 piece screwdriver set that most pro brands offer. I don't want or need all of the extra screwdrivers laying around, nor do I want to pay for them. If Williams offered a standard 8 piece set, I would be all over that. They would also benefit from having the black hard handles in Torx, T10, T15, T20, T25, T27 and T30... but I guess they don't like making money.

 

[Tynee]

If I had to pick just 1, it would probably be Snappy hard handles.

I really like my Kleins too, though. I use the Kleins around the house or out and about. The Snappy's stay in the drawer in the garage for mostly automotive work.

There are a couple I'd like to try, but I just don't need any more screwdrivers. I like the looks of Vessel's composite handles, and I'd like to get my hands on a NOS set of SK's with the hard handles.

 

[i84x]

Wiha SoftFinish Slimblades for electrical work and Wera Kraftform, the chisel tips or lasertips, for other more mechanical work.

 

[jfleisher]