Tekton Screwdrivers are now from Witte...

[Jarhead0408]

Feel free to correct me if I am wrong, but with a COO of Germany and a distinctive grip, it appears the newest Tekton screwdrivers are sourced from Witte.

I liked their hard handle offerings, but these will be good too. I have a ton of Witte screwdrivers under the Matco brand and they definitely let you grip pretty hard.

 

[Jarhead0408]

It looks like this was already brought up in this thread: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/tekton-catalog-and-new-releases.544608/

But if you missed it like I did...maybe my title lets you know!

 

[AJHD]

Yep, I missed that announcement too. Interesting move by Tekton.

 

[mikey03]

Too bad the best and most innovative product they made was there us hard handle red screwdrivers.

 

[Jarhead0408]

Too bad the best and most innovative product they made was there us hard handle red screwdrivers.

They did feel good didn't they? Like Snap On, but way less $$$.

 

[Buckgnarly]

YEESS!! LOVE my Matco Wittes!

 

[908Jim]

These are great drivers at a great price-point with Tekton Warranty support. I really liked the Matco set my old mentor had but never took the plunge myself.

I might have to buy another #2 Phillips for my #2 collection!

 

[Callelle]

Eh, I like Witte drivers, but Tekton's tendency to swap suppliers at the drop of a hat and leave you with broken sets puts me off. Also I almost never use screwdrivers in my industry, so it'll be a pass for me.

 

[Fedwrench]

I like Witte screwdrivers but, I also wish Tekton would have just improved the blades on the red hard handles by making the tips harder.
I always wanted Tekton to release a line up of full sized picks using the red hard handles. Hose picks in different blade lengths, Perhaps even trim tools. The question now is are the red hard handles and the black trilobal handle screwdrivers being replaced by the new German made series?

 

[Bubba Fett]

I thought the hard-handle drivers were a hit?

 

[ecotec]

I can’t justify any more screwdrivers… maybe at garage sale prices… but, I love Witte screwdrivers.

When I find a Witte/Matco in good condition, I buy it.

I regret not buying the Witte/Carlyle when they were selling off the last of it cheap.

 

[liliysdad]

I thought the hard-handle drivers were a hit?

But now you can buy imported drivers just like you can buy a dozen other places!!

 

[Madjik Man]

I thought the hard-handle drivers were a hit?

I love them. I don’t like that they’re no longer in production.

 

[liliysdad]

I love them. I don’t like that they’re no longer in production.

So much for that “ no questions asked lifetime warranty,” huh?

I’ve tried to like Tekton, but they keep pulling this sort of stunt. The disappearance of the one item I thought was actually high quality and well done, US made to boot, I don’t think they will have any relevance in my life.

 

[mikey03]

Eh, I like Witte drivers, but Tekton's tendency to swap suppliers at the drop of a hat and leave you with broken sets puts me off. Also I almost never use screwdrivers in my industry, so it'll be a pass for me.

Yea honestly what I love about tekton is they sell singles of everything so if you lose or brake a socket or something just get a new one but if they are gonna switch up what they got like this there goes that benefit.

 

[shoggoth80]

I had to warranty a red hard handle driver. They sent the closest model I could find on the website at the time.

I don't see the change to Witte as a bad thing. I get the collective love of American made stuff... But a good driver is a good driver.

 

[Madjik Man]

So much for that “ no questions asked lifetime warranty,” huh?

I’ve tried to like Tekton, but they keep pulling this sort of stunt. The disappearance of the one item I thought was actually high quality and well done, US made to boot, I don’t think they will have any relevance in my life.

Yeah it’s disappointing. They’ll replace my hard handle screwdriver, no questions asked, but with a different type.

 

[lardy1]

As I understand it, Tekton owned or was somehow partnered in the handle and assembly production facilities but outsourced the blades on their prior offerings. I tend to think it was dictated by the inability to upgrade to better blades (which Witte is) only. Of course, that is personal speculation but I don't think Tekton is or was blind to the popularity of those hard handles. I don't think they intentionally threw the baby out with the bath water, so to speak.
I also don't think anyone that desires high quality screwdrivers will be put off by the new offerings outside the disappointment of losing those hard red handles. The blades never really were much to write home about when compared to a lot of what is available.

The last thing I need is more screwdrivers. But I am fighting the temptation to order a couple just to check them out.

 

[liliysdad]

My screwdrivers are used almost exclusively for automotive work, and I’ve had zero issues with any if the hard handle Tekton drivers I have.


They were about the perfect screwdriver, in my opinion. A great balance of quality, price, country of origin, and ergonomics. I may have to try the Mayhews next.

 

[KnurledNut]

I can’t justify any more screwdrivers… maybe at garage sale prices… but, I love Witte screwdrivers.

When I find a Witte/Matco in good condition, I buy it.

I regret not buying the Witte/Carlyle when they were selling off the last of it cheap.

I believe the Carlyle screwdriver line was always Taiwan sourced.
The old NAPA hex logo blue and yellow screwdrivers were Witte ProTop. Loved those.
Matco rebranded them also before switching to the MaxxPro series, both of which had the microfiber flocking. Cornwell were perhaps my overall favorite, which were similar but had different dimensions and no rubber/just plastic but still had the flocked panels.

Back to the thread:
I never cared for the Tekton red hard handles. They looked cool being similar to Snap-on and domestic origin is always a positive thing but I found the material and finish too slick and the blades/tip profiles left a lot to be desired.

I am personally glad they updated these but they really need to offer keystone/wedge slotted tips in addition to the hollow ground cabinet profile. I already own some of both Witte versions and they each have their place, but I would consider the keystone more of a general purpose all around multiple use go-to.

Witte steel is very resilient and crosspoint tip geometry has good fitment.

These Tektons are a little bland looking. I think they could have done a little more on the design end. I know it's largely cosmetic but it makes them look cheap.

I would like to try them out but already have many Witte. Looking forward to feedback from those that jump. If Tekton offers a bit holding screwdriver version I would likely get it. I already have one similar but would like it with this handle design.

 

[bonneyman]

I like Witte screwdrivers but, I also wish Tekton would have just improved the blades on the red hard handles by making the tips harder.
I always wanted Tekton to release a line up of full sized picks using the red hard handles. Hose picks in different blade lengths, Perhaps even trim tools. The question now is are the red hard handles and the black trilobal handle screwdrivers being replaced by the new German made series?

Big 10-4! I really liked to original Tekton hard handles for their comfort, but the tips wear fast. Bought a single Tekton phillips #2 just to try it before buying a full set, and the tip just wore badly, Probably do a shank swap as that Tekton handle is just so comfortable.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Guess it is the right timing then. Being put on Hospice so giving the red handled set to my niece this week.

 

[Wamsutta]

They're still ruining the ergonomics of the handle by putting a hole in it.

That's like wearing a comfortable pair socks with a foxtail stuck in one of the socks.

 

[liliysdad]

They're still ruining the ergonomics of the handle by putting a hole in it.

That's like wearing a comfortable pair socks with a foxtail stuck in one of the socks.

I hate round, cushy, “ergonomic” driver handles with a passion hotter than a thousand suns. The hole is the least of the nonsense.

 

[Wamsutta]

This is a very comfy handle right here. I wish bon-doos would make Phillips and straight slot.

 

[woody 73]

Funny thing about those red handled tekton screwdrivers, I love the handles, but someone did a very poor job shaping the tip heads.

 

[liliysdad]

Funny thing about those red handled tekton screwdrivers, I love the handles, but someone did a very poor job shaping the tip heads.

They’ve turned every screw I’ve used them on, and they are still going strong.

 

[pfbz]

My response to the new Witte/Tekton drivers?

1. Ordered another set of the hard-handled chrome screwdrivers from their outlet. A ridiculously good deal at under $12 for a four-piece set. Not my primary screwdrivers, but I love them for 'extra' sets.
2. Ordered two individual screwdrivers in the Witte/Tekton version, a #2 Phillips and 8mm slotted, my most frequently used sizes to check them out.
3. Ordered a 6-piece set of Torx drivers Witte/Tekton version. $40 for a set of six seemed like a pretty good deal.

I have screwdriver sets from many other Euro, US, and Japanese brands (Wiha, Wera, Felo, Hazet, Snap-On, Vessel, Bondhus, PB-Swiss, etc.) but somehow have never had Witte (or Matco) drivers. Looking forward to checking them out...

 

[wolfinator]

A little late to the complain-fest, but I too am quite unhappy that they abandoned the red hard handles. Like many others, I found the tips to be pretty mediocre. But the handles were fantastic and the price wasn't bad.

I'm not a fan of soft grip screwdrivers (or anything really). They always wear poorly and end up feeling gritty or gummy in a way that drives me crazy. I though the old Tekton soft grips had a really good profile though. I know it was polarizing, but I felt like I "got it", and if there was somehow a hard handled version of that shape I would have loved it.

When I heard they were moving to a German source for blades, I was optimistic. I was hoping they were going to keep making their same handle designs with upgraded blades (at, I assumed, a higher price point). I find this release disappointing. The new handles look unappealing, I dislike soft touch anything, I'm unconvinced about the less innovative profile, they won't match my existing Tekton drivers, and so on.

Maybe they'll win me over somehow in the future, but my initial reaction is intense disappointment.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I'll be honest, I kinda like them. I've always liked the way the Witte drivers look, but I've never liked the limited sets they come in. The Tekton set looks all encompassing, which is important to me. I've been wanting to change up my Proto set for a while, so maybe I'll take a look at these.

 

[mikebaker1129]

I really don’t need any more screwdrivers, but I do like Witte and I ordered a set .
I bet the are going to be clones of the Yellow and Blue Wittes sold by NAPA, only Red and black.

 

[Ohio Andy]

Do you like the handles?

I decided to take some worn Phillips screws that I have and to manually screw them into a 2x4 and so I did this with a couple screwdrivers that I own.

Here's the close-up of one of the screw heads and they pretty much all looked exactly like that. I'm still trying to figure out why I saved them.



And here are the screwdrivers that I used



Right to left.

1. We have a USA made Milwaukee, the new Evo PB Swiss, vessel megadora, and a Klein.

2. The next batch is a Williams and a Tekton hard handle. Note that these handles are absolute twinsies... Very close to each other.

3. Finally, we have the Craftsman with the diamond tip heads that grip like there is no tomorrow, wright tools, And finally the new Tekton screwdrivers from Witte.

For this simple task, I'll take any of the four on the right is my first choice. The Milwaukee and the vessel both have knurling that is nice for fine work. I think the klein is my least favorite of these four.

I always liked the Williams hard handle and I like the Tekton red handle.

My only complaint with the Craftsman on group 3 is just it feels bigger than I expected... In this application there was a lot of force needed to screw this in and on these particular trilobs, meaning the Tekton Witte primarily, but also the one from wright, when I would release move my hand to regrab the screwdriver, it was really important that my hand was properly positioned for it to feel comfortable and that was less likely with the Tekton. On the plus side, the screwdriver happily stayed stuck into that screw so I was able to just completely release it. If I had to completely remove the screwdriver turn back and then stick it back in then that wouldn't have been a problem, but it made the new Tekton my least preferred screwdriver for this particular task. I feel like I was able to get a lot of torque once I got my grip established. And I don't remember this on the Tekton black handles, but I only have those in Robertson.

Not sure yet if I will keep the new Tekton screwdrivers or not. They held the screws fine. I just need to think on the use cases for them.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

I’ll be in the minority here and say that I hated the Tekton red hard handles. They’re small, they’re slippery, they offer no balance to the blade, and they straight-up sucked. The only thing I kinda like them on are the picks and even then I’m not loving them. The Bondhus handles also **** but everyone else at work loves them. Square handles just aren’t my thing.

On the other hand, I love Witte handles. They are the exact opposite of the Tekton hard handles and that is great for me. I’m not sure Witte has the best blades but they are very good. My Witte blades, just like my Vessels, are not holding up well at work compared to some of my other brands.

 

[KnurledNut]

Tekton posted a blog about this new line on their website.
I appreciate their transparency confirming Witte production.
It also looks like keystone slotted I mentioned about wanting earlier are coming soon.
Comprehensive discussion answers a lot of questions including warranty of the previous lines.
Of note, the black alien grip screwdriver line is also being discontinued this month.

Here: https://www.tekton.com/blog/introducing-a-new-line-of-tekton-screwdrivers

 

[liliysdad]

All that, and no more stubbies to boot. Silliness.

 

[DAWrench]

All that, and no more stubbies to boot. Silliness.

Changing styles is a questionable change. Sure some people will like the change and some will not. Not having a stubby in the new line up makes absolutely no sense to me.

 

[pfbz]

My Witte/Tekton's are arriving later today, I'll post up some thoughts afterwords. I also ordered more of the hard handles while still available.

 

[JDtime]

My Witte/Tekton's are arriving later today, I'll post up some thoughts afterwords. I also ordered more of the hard handles while still available.

Let us know. I am curious if they cheaped someplace even though they are wittes.

 

[tarbellb]

the Trilobe Tektons, one of my favorite grips..... the tips were NOT my favorite tho

The Wittes look to have a similar profile, maybe less pronounced

I can appreciate Tekton trying to improve their offerings, hopefully Witte makes a better shaft/tip

 

[Tchicken]

I picked up a couple to try, delivered today. First blush they seem ok, the handles are rounder and for me more comfortable. But I worry about the use of a separate insert for what? styling? I like the shafts better, not really chrome but another cheap finish that looks better than the common tacti-fool black that gets sprayed on way too many things these days. Only time might tell how the tips last