springing for a SO Instinct Screwdriver Set

[Tucker99]

Do you guys prefer the soft or hard handles and why?? Recall reading a post from a guy that swore the soft handles got softer with age. I can't afford to spend that kind of money and be disappointed 6-months later after I get brake fluid on a handle.

 

[merbie]

The instinct handles aren't bad but I didn't like them so I ordered the old red hard handles to replace the instinct handles

I'd rather close my **** in a car door than wear a headlamp.

 

[Rioredsn8k]

The hard handle screw drivers last a long time compared to the soft grip handles. When oil, grease etc get on the soft handle it eats it up.

 

[Buster21]

I bought the soft handles, but I am not a ********* mechanic. I just use them while working on my own cars. For that they have held up well.

 

[1nterceptor]

I was working as a dealer for Snapon when they just introduced the soft grips. Headquarters admitted there some issues with the 1st batch when they got in contact with certain liquids. Can't remember which ones; ATF, engine oil, etc. They changed the formula for the next batch of grips. Soft grips should be covered under warranty if they show signs of failure due to chemical contact.

My Snapon Screwdrivers by 1nterceptor, on Flickr

 

[Dust Devil]

My Instinct soft handle are soaked in oil gas,grease and spray **** all day long every day and they are hanging tough.

 

[ChrisPace]

I love the feel of the soft grip Instinct and I have a nice set. I have some 1990's era hard handle stuff that looks close to perfect. Love those too. I think if I had to choose only one I would get the hard handles.

 

[shockwave]

Look at Williams for hard handles same as snap on old style hard handles

Unless you really like the instinct design

 

[Wamsutta]

For the instinct handle, I would most definitely want the soft grip. The soft grip gives you more stickiness for spinning out screws fast. And they're not that soft anyway; more of a hard rubber.

 

[FLRover]

Witte drivers from Matco are wayyyyy better. I ended up trading in my SO instinct's on a set.

 

[Dave455]

Hard handles, without any doubt!

The soft ones pick up grease and oil which is hard to wipe off, then they get grit, then the grit wrecks the soft inserts!

I've seen the older hard handles put up with decades of use. Many of the soft Instinct handles that have seen more than about 6 months of daily use just seem to be a greasy blob! There are exceptions, and if you do electrical assembly or somesuch you might prefer the soft, but for the average wrench turner, choose the hard!

From time to time there are sets of the old style 'all hard' handles on the van! These are well worth acquiring, and perhaps the best mechanics driver ever!

 

[Tucker99]

To all the SO guys are you saying the old style hard handles are better than the new style Instinct hard handles? (they make soft and hard handles)

 

[1950mercury]

Soft all the way. My old style hard handles sit and never get used i dont like the square handles

 

[MadMark]

I prefer the hard grey rubber grip on the instincts.
I have two instincts with the soft black grips, they feel too sticky to me.
Haven't got any grease on them yet.

 

[bob15]

Prefer the soft handles. I can get much better grip than the old hard handles. No issues with chemicals eating them.

Your best best is to buy a single soft handle screwdriver; something you might use all the time, (Phillips # 2 for example) and try it.

Someone mentioned Witte, I don't like the way they fit in my hands, but you might like them.

You must try them yourself before making a large purchase. You ask 4 people and you can get 4 different favorite screwdrivers.

 

[Givl Reggin]

Get both - keep the soft handles for 'clean work' and use the hard handles where they'll get dirty from grease/oil because they're far easier to keep clean.

 

[Farmall450]

I like both, however I have the instincts for my set. Very comfortable. I will admit my ratcheting hard handles are far easier to clean.

 

[ChrisPace]

Get both - keep the soft handles for 'clean work' and use the hard handles where they'll get dirty from grease/oil because they're far easier to keep clean.

I did just that. Snap on screwdrivers are so amazing in any style.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Spudland_Dave]

IMHO, when it comes to screwdrivers find & buy what fits YOU! Quality shanks/tips are pretty much all the same... BUT what feels good to you may be uncomfortable as hell to me. I've got and use:
-Felo Ergo
-Mac Macsimizer
-SnapOn Hard
-SnapOn Instinct
-SnapOn 1st Gen Soft Grip (Forgot what they called em)
-Whia SoftGrip

IMHO I like some better then others...I like my Macsimizers all around, the Instinct is awesome for torque...but quick lighter type work I prefer the Whia handle.. Try before you buy is all I can suggest...

 

[RV77]

I tried the new style instincts but I dont like them....because the handles dont wipe clean easily like the old style hard handles

 

[1950mercury]

I tried the new style instincts but I dont like them....because the handles dont wipe clean easily like the old style hard handles

Never had that problem a lil wd40 and a rag and they arw good to go

 

[RV77]

Never had that problem a lil wd40 and a rag and they arw good to go

I dont want to spend that much time cleaning.....I do a quick wiping as Im putting tools away at work.

 

[scissorman]

Instinct handles for me from now on. I love the grip and feel of them and IF they ever have issues you can just have the handles changed under warranty.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I prefer the hard handle, but I'm sure that a user could put more torque on the soft handles.

The soft handles aren't covered under warranty?? That seems odd to me.

 

[bob15]

The soft handles aren't covered under warranty?? That seems odd to me.

Where did you hear that? That is new if it's true.......

 

[d.mcfarland]

I was working as a dealer for Snapon when they just introduced the soft grips. Soft grips should be covered under warranty if they show signs of failure due to chemical contact.

Where did you hear that? That is new if it's true.......

Sounds like it's at the driver's discretion?

 

[Dave455]

To all the SO guys are you saying the old style hard handles are better than the new style Instinct hard handles? (they make soft and hard handles)

Yes!

Don't know what the material was on thold style drivers, some sort of DuPont material I think, perhaps Zytel, but it's really durable!

I don't think even the hard inserts on the Instinct drivers will last as well!

Reckon it's worth buying the old style drivers when they turn up on the truck!

 

[heytrid]

I have almost everything soft instinct and I like them, have small driver set in hard instinct handle and I do not like the feel of them as much, I did try the hard instincts a little on the truck and that sealed the deal, WAY more grip on the softs.

I take 10-15 minutes everyday to properly clean them all before I put them back, cannot tell which ones were used and which ones were not used.