Screwdrivers Vessel, Wera or ???

[mykvr6]

I have a set of soft grip Snap-On screwdrivers but honestly I don't think I've ever been impressed with the fit of the phillips tips. I've had them forever, and a set of smaller ones with picks as well. Again I've never been happy with how they grip screws. I recently got a set of precision bits with a mini ratchet and bit holder from KC tools, Wiha brand. They worked awesome when taking apart my laptop and replacing the screen. They gripped the screws so well, and didn't strip any of the them. The snap on precisions and craftsman ones I had used before just didn't do the job. I love the Wiha set and I'm glad I picked them up.
On that note, I'd like to get some new screwdrivers - some that work as good on normal size phillips or JIS screws the way the Wihas fit on all those tiny screws on my laptop. I've been looking at the Vessels for awhile and I'm about to pull the trigger on the "motorcycle" repair set, but I've also seen good reviews on the Wera Kraftform screwdrivers. Including Real Tool Reviews review where he pulls the toolbox along with a screwdriver that is firmly seated in one of the screws of the side of the box. I like the handles, they look super comfortable. I've heard mixed reviews about the handles on the Vessels. People rave about the tips, but some say the handles are too small to get a real good grip on them.
My other determining factor is that I want some matching torx screwdrivers as well. Vessel doesn't make any, wera does. I have an older set of Craftmans but I've twisted a couple of them and I don't like the old crystal handles.
What about the Matco/Witte? How do their phillips tips grip? Full size Wihas? They make torx as well.

I'm kinda torn, I almost want to buy a set of Vessel cross points and get some Weras as well for everything else.

On another note I have stubby and regular size Snap On ratcheting screwdrivers and I use Bosch phillips bits and love those, they grip great. Use those bits on my cordless drill as well.

So anyway, I need new screwdrivers!

 

[Loscaldazar]

I think the handles on the Wera are super uncomfortable. I originally thought the same thing that they looked super comfrotable, but then I bought a set to try out. They're is nothing about them that is actually comfortable being the weird shape they are. The high plastic ridge in the center just digs into your palms. Cup your hand like you are holding a screwdriver and you'll notice the ridge on the wera goes the wrong direction (it's perpendicular) to the indent in your hand. I don't understand why people like those handles. If they made the center ridge smaller, they would be loads better.

Go for Wiha. Very comfortable and much longer lasting tips.

 

[PureLeaf]

I like my Felos a lot. I've got the 550s so they have a metal **** for driving/hitting if needed and have a bolstered hex on the shaft itself. Other handle versions are available from wood, to ergonomic, to hard plastic, to the 550 rubberized grip. Love their warranty too. Lifetime. You mail in your old one, they mail you a new one.

Also have PB swiss and Proto Duratreks all of which are very nice, though the handle on the Proto isn't the most comfortable.

 

[Kiwi Canuck]

I have both Vessel and Wera, I love both of them.

Vessel has really comfortable handles and the Wera's are as good.

Both get dirty when working on greasy projects but I use my Fast Orange hand cleaner on them and they come up like new.

This set is good value and includes the Impacta driver which works well on carbs that are ganged together.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Motorcycle-...iece-Set-for-All-JIS-Hand-Tools-/191684855280

 

[mikebaker1129]

I have a set of the Matco/ wittes and I like them better than the snap on Phillips drivers.
They can be had much cheaper from Zoro vs the Matco truck. I found this out after buying the 8 piece set from the truck.

 

[T45]

Those vessels (megadora) are not true JIS, they have similar tips to PB Swiss.

Witte have very good tips.

Snap have a different design, and for some general utility type uses are probably better.

The most important thing, in one sense, is to find a handle you like and a price you can treat them as disposable wear items like they are.

If you only need a truly "perfect tip" also consider hollow ground or ACR type bit sets.

You can get these bits from places like PB or Apex or other aerospace suppliers, and in 4-6 inch lengths if access is an issue.

I don't think there is really a single driver design that meets every demand. The ones with good handles are bulky; the ones with good tips don't take abuse and are lighter built; hollow ground cabinet drivers and keystone type flat tips are not really interchangeble and some are even picky enough to tell a 1/4 from a 6,5mm etc.

 

[jrobb316]

I have the Witte Protop II Impacts at work, super hard and precise tips. I also have the Vessel 930 phillips bit drivers. I'm unsure if they are JIS, they say they are, but those things grip the JIS screws that everyone has attacked with regular phillips and half stripped ********. Mostly on the robot panel covers I run into that problem. They're great screwdrivers. I also hate Wera handles, and have heard the tips aren't all they're cracked up to be.

 

[Van Steele]

My other determining factor is that I want some matching torx screwdrivers as well. Vessel doesn't make any, wera does.

So anyway, I need new screwdrivers!

Vessel does make torx drivers in the Megadora style.

 

[losvre]

Vessel or PBswiss. Ask OnlyQualityTools for feedback. I have bought quite a few tools and he is upfront Alzheimer's regards to coo and quality before shipped

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[Superbec]

hmmm, i don't see why vessel is praised , i have 2 sets, impact and the red/blue ones..

i'm not impressed with either...

impacts don't have the force needed to brake free truly stuck screws, I still have to take out the dedicated impact, so what's the point.... bragging right prob.

tips hold ok(ish) but also not really impressed

If you only used cheap/worn/old style ph screwdrivers before , yes, vessel is much better , but if you're used to wera,wiha,PB swiss, ...... vessel is nothing special.

I read around here there's no difference between JIS and PH for some time now, I think that's true because all my PH work very well on motorcycle screws, for carburetors I have a special set of PBswiss , there's nothing better than PB Swiss !

 

[exmaxima1]

I have drawers of screwdrivers, but I tend to seek out a Wiha 3K ACR driver whenever possible. They're lightweight, well balanced, and the tips just engage perfectly. Ideal for applications where you don't want to risk the tip camming out (ie speaker production, where a slip can destroy a speaker cone).

 

[mhejl]

The grip shape, to your hand, is just as important as the tip fit.

I have a full set of soft Instincts, a set of Vessels, the old 4-sided (smaller than more recent ones) and tri-lobe Snap Ons from the mid '80s that were disintegrating (now discarded), and Williams. Oh, and CM Pros now sitting in a box to sell. My favorites, for torque, were the tri-lobe SOs but, like you mentioned, the SO tips aren't optimal. The Williams and similar hard plastic SO square handles are bad for spinning.

I went through an exercise of buying P2s from Wiha, Wera, Felo, Witte, In different grips, and more I can't remember. I absolutely hate the Wera shape; not ideal for quick spinning or various positions. The tips on all fit Japanese screws mostly as well as the Vessels - better than the SOs.

I ended up with a full set of Felo 550s (with the metal caps) and Ergonics - the relatively short handle and thin grip near the blade are wonderful for fast spinning. I also bought a set of the Witte cork grips - closest match to the old tri-lobe SOs and the flat tips are sized for household electrical work better than the others (e.g. switch plate screws). The Wihas were 3rd choice and I didn't expand those.

 

[losvre]

These JIS standard is applicable to mostly older Japanese bikes.

I have a small Honda from late eighties and you can tell thex difference between drivers. In this case Vessel JIS are better fit.

Saying that, only a few vessel are made today to NEWER JIS.

I have the Vessel 900 with jaws fit and they fit better all screws I have tried on.

Not sure how long lasting would be since they are not used daily.

PBswiss on the way to compare.

Have a good day all

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[Ratchet Guy]

Just got a vessel crystalline and was so impressed by their chrome, really very nice, haven't really use it though

 

[BlackLS2]

I am a bigger guy with big hands. I have an older Craftsman Pro PH2 that is medium short...3 inches;
it is my go to. Love my new Wihas and their grip, and the tips are amazing; but they are longer than I like.

The Wera grip is not comfortable to me.

The Vessels seem like a great choice for what you are doing. I may have to get a full set some day.

I have a Felo hex driver that I like. If Wiha or Felo put their handle on a medium length PH2, it would be screwdriver Valhalla for me.

 

[losvre]

I am a bigger guy with big hands. I have an older Craftsman Pro PH2 that is medium short...3 inches;
it is my go to. Love my new Wihas and their grip, and the tips; but they are longer than I like.

The Vessels seem like a great choice for what you are doing.

I have a Felo hex driver that I like. If Wiha or Felo put their handle on a medium length PH2, it would be Valhalla.

Which wiha model you own? Thanks

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[HCNDM]

I initially hated the Wera handles too... but they grow on you to the point everything else feels lesser..

My order of Love:

PB Swiss - but expensive so dont own very many
Wera - my main drivers because see pb swiss
Bahco & Wiha - Used to fill gaps and specific needs (these are readily available in local box stores so easy to get without online ordering)

In order of qty owned (more directly dictated by price point):

Wera
Bahco, Wiha
PB Swiss

 

[decaf]

when it comes to screwdrivers i use to tell people that its very personal what grip you like.
You can decide a prizerange but then its a matter of the feel in your hands.
I would sugest that you buy or test some of the most interresting brands that you seen and then after tried them out decide which one you want to go with.

If you wonder which one has the best quality in steel etc....dont worry about that. They all are in good quality.

BUT if you gonna use a hammer on them, choose a metalcap on top of the screwdriver.

 

[BlackLS2]

Which wiha model you own? Thanks

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I have the 30295 5 piece Wiha set...the PH2 is #3111...4 inch/100mm...love it.

The Craftsman Pro PH2 with the 2 inch blade is the # 47185...my favorite.

I run into a lot of JIS dot heads on my 83 Honda V65 Magna. The Craftsman 47185 is far better than the Wiha on those. Someday, I will look for a Wiha or Felo in JIS....or maybe spring for the full set of Vessels....someday.

 

[losvre]

I have the 30295 5 piece Wiha set...the PH2 is #3111...4 inch/100mm...love it.

The Craftsman Pro PH2 with the 2 inch blade is the # 47185...my favorite.

I run into a lot of JIS dot heads on my 83 Honda V65 Magna. The Craftsman 47185 is far better than the Wiha on those. Someday, I will look for a Wiha or Felo in JIS....or maybe spring for the full set of Vessels....someday.

Thanks for the info.

For your Honda o believe the vessel or other JIS would be helpful. Alternatively, you could file the end tip of a Philips screwdriver as other people have suggested. I have done it and i think it helps in general. Need to be careful though as it only need tiny bit.