Klein 11 in 1 Screwdriver Criticism

[Zinc2005]

I was taking a close look at the Klein 11 in 1 screwdriver I own and I noticed that the grip is not the same as some of the other Klein drivers I own. It is shiny rubber and not firmly attached to the plastic handle. Upon close inspection, I found tiny letters on the grip of the tool: Taiwan.

Pretty disappointed. Does anyone else own this tool? Can you corroborate?

 

[n8n]

It feels the same as other Klein separate screwdrivers I've owned. It may be Taiwan made but it's an electrician's classic, much like the linesman's pliers. In fact you'd be surprised what a pro sparky can do with just those two tools.

 

[allinon72]

We use them at work and had a couple where the black part started spinning on the plastic.

 

[n8n]

Not much unless he uses his teeth to strip wire.

These are assembled in USA of global components
http://products.kleintools.com/32500.html

Most of them use their Kleins to strip, at least solid THHN.

I personally prefer strippers, but with a delicate touch you can use your Kleins without nicking the copper.

 

[mires]

Can you post a pic of it? Is it not this one?

 

[JDon99]

I have the one posted above at work, it works ok, but the tip arrangement *****, the #2 Phillips has a square drive on the other side of it instead of a straight tip, which makes it a bit of a pain to swap bits around. A co worker has the same driver but in the Greenlee brand and his arrangement is more ideal.

 

[n8n]

I have the one posted above at work, it works ok, but the tip arrangement *****, the #2 Phillips has a square drive on the other side of it instead of a straight tip, which makes it a bit of a pain to swap bits around. A co worker has the same driver but in the Greenlee brand and his arrangement is more ideal.

Odd, mine has phillips/straight, phillips/straight, square/square, and torx/torx.

 

[fivespdcat]

I'm in the same group as the OP. Not very impressed with the foreign Klein drivers. The grips are strangely slick and loose fitting. Feel like $2 drivers out of a scrap bin. I would've bet money it was a knock off if I didn't get it in the package...

 

[Cope]

Not much unless he uses his teeth to strip wire.

These are assembled in USA of global components
http://products.kleintools.com/32500.html

You can strip 12 & 14 with a pair of lineman's pliers, and you don't use the cutting edge.

 

[SantaAna12]

I own this one and a couple 5 in 1s. I do not use the 11 in 1. I too find the bit orientation better in the 5 in 1. The square tips do not get used, and slow you down sometimes when accessed by accident.

 

[1950mercury]

I had one hated it.

 

[JDon99]

Odd, mine has phillips/straight, phillips/straight, square/square, and torx/torx.

I wish mine did, it's all jumbled up. I curse it every time I got switch from Phillips to straight. I am thinking about buying a nice 5 in 1, the only thing I really like on the 11 in 1 over a 5 in 1 is the 3/8" nut driver.

 

[mires]

I am thinking about buying a nice 5 in 1, the only thing I really like on the 11 in 1 over a 5 in 1 is the 3/8" nut driver.

Try out this Lenox 9-in-1. I have one and love it!

 

[jptbay]

Picquic FTW

 

[ecotec]

I had one hated it.

I had one of the older whatever in 1 screwdrivers. The bits would fall out every once in a while. I found it not safe for electrical work. What if a bit fell into something hot or fragile? I prefer tools that do one thing.

 

[txdude87]

I wish mine did, it's all jumbled up. I curse it every time I got switch from Phillips to straight. I am thinking about buying a nice 5 in 1, the only thing I really like on the 11 in 1 over a 5 in 1 is the 3/8" nut driver.

I just keep a nut driver by itself. I am not a huge fan of those 11in1 drivers. I much prefer using individual drivers as needed, but I'm just a controls guy not an electrician

 

[n8n]

I just keep a nut driver by itself. I am not a huge fan of those 11in1 drivers. I much prefer using individual drivers as needed, but I'm just a controls guy not an electrician

The appeal of the 11 in 1 is when you're up on a ladder picking tools out of your pocket or a tool belt, being able to do the most with the least is quite an advantage!

 

[brian.parkhurst.39]

Everything ive found says its manufacturered in the usa with parts from us and other countries

 

[Youngguns]

I've got this screwdriver. Mine does state, "Global components, assembled in USA," but whatever. You know why? It's a nice screwdriver. The rubber on mine is attached well, and the Phillips are paired together. In fact, each are paired how they should be. I've not damaged one bit yet, and it's my go-to screwdriver. It's one tool not made in America that I recommend.

 

[defektes]

The heavy duty version that just came out is Taiwan. It is a little different than the classic 11 in 1. FWIW the 10 in 1 if it is still in production is made in the USA.

 

[rick carpenter]

I own this one and a couple 5 in 1s. I do not use the 11 in 1. I too find the bit orientation better in the 5 in 1. The square tips do not get used, and slow you down sometimes when accessed by accident.

This. And the fact that the hex sections on the 5-n-1 bits are longer than the 11-n-1 bits. I trust those bits more, but I do have one of each.

 

[mikebaker1129]

This. And the fact that the hex sections on the 5-n-1 bits are longer than the 11-n-1 bits. I trust those bits more, but I do have one of each.

Agree with this ^.

 

[Ameshel]

For electric work I have fallen in love with the new milwaukee unit that came out in all the big box stores I all so like the feature that allows you to bend the loops on solid wire. Just my .02 Andym


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[geojag]

The IT guys at work had a Klein 11-1 screwdriver in my office the other day, I did notice the rubber was loose on the handle and everything seemed a bit loose. I used to have a 5-1 and it was great, so could have been an off run. I have recently picked up a couple of the Milwaukee. 11-1 drivers. Home Depot had them for less than $8 with two free can coolers. They seem good for the money.

 

[MateoTorgy]

A few years ago I began the slow task of replacing all foreign tools with ones made in the USA (including materials). I eventually started to make exceptions -- e.g., using Irwin trigger clamps instead of Jorgensen clamps, Knipex instead of Klein lineman's, etc etc.... By now I've decided that "Made in Taiwan" or even "Made In China" shouldn't necessarily be a deal breaker. If a tool maker maintains close involvement in a fool proof manufacturing process and thereafter scrutinizes every product off the line thereafter, I don't have a problem buying a certain tool. Granted, I still apply a rebuttable presumption AGAINST foreign tools. But, if the quality of the item rebuts that presumption, then I'm not opposed to owning it. The Klein 11 in 1 is the perfect example of such a tool. I absolutely love it.

 

[speed bump]

I'm pretty happy with my 11-1 Klein but I use my Ideal one more because of the wire but twister in the handle. On all of them I replace the torx bit with a combination bit.

 

[ganymede]

I just dug my Klein 5 in 1 out of storage.
I bought it in 09 I believe and only used it a few times. The rubber part of the handle is like the op's. It feels cheep and loose but hasn't come off. There are no origin markings just 'Klein Tools' and the warnings about not chiseling, shock etc.
Don't remember what the package said .

 

[FigureItOut]

I recently got the 10-1 ratcheting version, Taiwan, and have scrutinized it. I didn't notice anything less than quality about it except the bit arrangement already mentioned.

I like it quite a bit, I take it along with a 7" pliers wrench and a flashlight when I initially inspect a job, very handy.

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[davethorik]

The grip is slightly loose on my 11 in 1 I bought earlier this year, but the black rubber is soft and doesn't feel like it's gonna fall off. Mine has slotted opposite Philips.

In doing property mgmt, I've found even simple repairs can take longer bc someone jerry rigged a prior bandaid, I don't like to carry 4 screwdrivers plus two nut drivers up 30 ft on a ladder when all I need is my 11in 1.

 

[KMdef9]

Love my 11-1. No handle issues at all. Every other x-1 I've tried felt much cheaper.

Best tool to have for panel changes and plug&plating.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I have an old Klein 11 in 1 that an old co-workers lost all the bits for and I turned it into an extendable back scratcher. It had that nice grippy rubber like the separate drivers I have. I use the Ideal 11 in 1 which has the shiny rubber grip, not as nice, but I love the wire nut driver built into the handle.

 

[gdocktor3]

Used my 11-1 today to undo some hose clamps on an outdoor sprinkler system in order to drain the water out for the winter. I like them for the type work I do in hospital maintenance. They're invaluable when you have to carry as few items as possible. I also use it a lot to open electrical panels, plumbing systems, etc with tamper proof torx, then switch over to flat or Phillips bit My boss gave each of us a brand new one a few months back as a gift.

 

[redwrench60]

Bringing this to the top.

Picked up a couple new ones this year and it seems they’ve changed them yet again. The black rubber grips are slightly different and both of them readily slip/spin on the yellow plastic handle when tightening a hose clamp or loosening a screw that’s pretty tight. It’s super annoying on a tool that I otherwise love and use constantly. I keep them out of chemicals and oil so that’s not a factor.

I’m thinking about pulling the rubber and reinstalling it with some epoxy or 3M77 spray adhesive or something.