What do most of ya'll prefer for ratchets? Comfort Soft Grip Handle or Metal Handle Ratchet?? All i own right now is the metal handle. But i was wondering if the soft grip on the ratchets make much difference from ya'lls hand on experience? I was looking at the mac axis ratchet & the matco eighty8 ratchets & the snap on dual 80 soft grip ratchets.
Metal Handle Ratchet or Soft Grip?
- Thread starter SoGaTech
- Start date
i never use them before, but recently i bought a gearwrench flexhead and started loving it, its a much better grip and easy to apply tons of torque.
The handle tends to get kinda dirty and i dont like the idea of reaching for a dirty tool into a fresh job as i rarely do work these days, i usually keep a premix dawn and water in a bottle to do simple degreasing, a few sprays and its good to go.
The handle tends to get kinda dirty and i dont like the idea of reaching for a dirty tool into a fresh job as i rarely do work these days, i usually keep a premix dawn and water in a bottle to do simple degreasing, a few sprays and its good to go.
I haven't used one before personally but now im kinda intrigued by them. Thats smart about the dawn & water and that was a question i was wondering too. I was wondering how the handle holds up if it gets dirty and i used carb cleaner on it.
bmwpowere36m3
Well-known member
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- Nov 8, 2012
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Comfort grips are nice, but they tend to look like dog doo do after real use. But hey, their tools right. I'd avoid cleaning with brake/carb cleaner; I prefer WD-40, mineral spirits or prep-sol.
Buy one and try it.... not a huge commitment.
Buy one and try it.... not a huge commitment.
I have mostly soft grips and I love them. The only disadvantage I see is when you slip a cheater bar on the end. I brake the end of the soft grip off a lot of the time.
If I could do it again I'd get the metal handle, it's all just preference tho
If I could do it again I'd get the metal handle, it's all just preference tho
ihateminimumwage
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I recently swapped over from all metal handle Snap-ons to comfort grips with quick release. Mostly because I work out of a service truck and we get well into below freezing, but in general really prefer the comfort grip handles, especially with the 1/4" drive ratchets.
Easy to clean with some Purple Power or Simple Green and a paper towel.
Easy to clean with some Purple Power or Simple Green and a paper towel.
scissorman
Well-known member
All 9 of my Snap-on ratchets are just metal handle, the only soft grip I own is my 24" 1/2" drive breaker bar.
rsanter
Well-known member
I like my soft grip ratchets, I grab them first
Bob
Bob
Comfort handles.
The only metal handle ratchets I've kept around are Cornwell and Nepros because they don't just knock-off Snap-On and actually use comfortable ergonomic metal shapes. MAC Axis are very good too I just own any (redundant).
The only metal handle ratchets I've kept around are Cornwell and Nepros because they don't just knock-off Snap-On and actually use comfortable ergonomic metal shapes. MAC Axis are very good too I just own any (redundant).
WittHay
Well-known member
I prefer the metal handles when worked with oil and dirt. You get hydraulic oil on the soft grip, then you drop the ratchet on the ground and it gets gritty and uncomfortable.
Also the handles get chewed up after a while. I recently got a new metal shorter handle 3/8 Axis ratchet. Nice little ratchet and prefer the thinner handles for tight places.
Also the handles get chewed up after a while. I recently got a new metal shorter handle 3/8 Axis ratchet. Nice little ratchet and prefer the thinner handles for tight places.
redwrench60
Well-known member
No slimy rubber ***** handles on my ratchets, thanks. I can't stand them. Besides how are you supposed to fit a cheater bar over them anyway. Lol.
paulsomlo
Well-known member
pescados666
Well-known member
A trick I learned from my dad is to just slide a piece of rubber hose over the ratchet handle. Then you can take it off to replace it, clean the tool, or if the hose is inconvenient for your current task. If you have the right diameter hose it fits securely too.
BIG BACCHUS
Well-known member
I'm now going to feel extremely violated while holding a soft grip ratchet.... thanks lol.
gdocktor3
Well-known member
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I have both. the main reason being that for some unknown reason, some brands may only offer a certain length ratchet, or their longer ratchets only with comfort grips 
As for getting dirty, a quick wipe down with a hand cleaner towel like a tub of towels, does the trick between trips to the cuda.
As for getting dirty, a quick wipe down with a hand cleaner towel like a tub of towels, does the trick between trips to the cuda.
77Mini
Well-known member
I don't have any soft grips and to be honest don't really have any desire to have any. I can see how they would be a huge benefit in cold weather though.
Marcm157
Well-known member
I use only metal handles but have used the old "Dad" trick of sliding rubber hose over the handle on occasion...
jdlong
Well-known member
I have and use both. They have their place. Metal handle around engine bays and under body because they are compact and wipe off easy. Composite handle around interior and body panels because they don't scratch stuff if I bang the handle. And as another poster said, the composite handles are nice in freezing weather.
I have one Matco 3/8" breaker bar and one Snap On 3/8" bent flex head ratchet with soft grips. My preference is metal handle since it is much easier to clean plus don't have to worry about replacing these soft handles when they go bad.
He guys something I've looked for I probably already know the answer. Are snap on comfort grip handles a normal handle with the grip pressed on ? I'd be pretty pissed if when it wears out, the handle would be unfinished. I know you can replace them but I was just wondering.
redwrench60
Well-known member
No, comfort handle ratchets have a winged peg similar to a screwdriver shank that the grip presses onto. Even though he makes them up for guys that have them he says technically the comfort grips themselves are a wear item and not under warranty.
Kinda what I figured, they wouldn't do something that makes sense lol that would be too hard.
redwrench60
Well-known member
To me it's just another nail in their coffin. Who wants another wear item on all their ratchets? They don't hold up very long to professional use. They resist it for a while but in the end turn into a slimy ripped up wet macaroni handle ratchet that looks like ***.
Todd.Brock
Well-known member
When I drank the Kool aid- the Snap on voice in my head said I needed them. I like the soft grips handle as a matter of preference - not because they are superior to metal. I have plenty of each
The handles are not very pricey, maybe $10. For a single ratchet its nothing. If you have a fleet of like 10 or 20 it adds up. Another reason to keep a mix of styles around.
There is also hard-handle comfort grips from a variety of manufacturers.
I like them on longer ratchets as more comfort plus less likely mark something if tap against it in use.
Only my long flexi heads, extending handle flexi's and roto heads have comfort grips, all else is standard cv handles .
Is easy knock up some turned alloy knurled sleeves to epoxy or pu40 onto ratchets if grips go bad. Do indeed need treat comfort grip with bit more care and spend bit more time cleaning them as soon go old if careless with them .
Only my long flexi heads, extending handle flexi's and roto heads have comfort grips, all else is standard cv handles .
Is easy knock up some turned alloy knurled sleeves to epoxy or pu40 onto ratchets if grips go bad. Do indeed need treat comfort grip with bit more care and spend bit more time cleaning them as soon go old if careless with them .
Rockett69
Well-known member
I'm a big fan of the Matco 88's myself. Metal handles across the board. They are the lowest profile heads between the ones you are looking at. I use metal handle for ease of cleaning, and the ability to put a cheater pipe on it if i need a bit more persuasion without mucking up my rubber handle. Now I do have a new Mac 90 tooth, not sure of what series it is, but its a long flexhead 3/8". It has the rubber handle and i do like it, but it has its place, like everything else
KM223
Well-known member
I reach for my hard handles first above all else. Followed by the metal handles and lastly comfort grips. Just my preference.
shockwave
Well-known member
I have both and depends on manufacturers and sometimes handles can get in the way
Matco I prefer chrome
Snap on hard handles (soft grip accumulates oil)
Cornwell chrome
Matco I prefer chrome
Snap on hard handles (soft grip accumulates oil)
Cornwell chrome
Banjorear
Well-known member
I prefer the hard plastic handles over all. Metal second and soft third.
Dang, KM223, I just saw your post and it's the same as mine.
Dang, KM223, I just saw your post and it's the same as mine.
KM223
Well-known member
Great minds my friend, great minds...
Mine have a few years, dings and tears on them but are far from destroyed. I suppose if I ran a dozer over them every once in awhile.
As far as grip, no way you're going to convince anyone that a full polished metal handle is going to give you better "grip". That doesn't even make sense.
dutchgray
Well-known member
I like knurled handles best followed by hard plastic, soft grips are nice but just dont last and you have to watch what solvents you get on them.