Soft-grip Screwdriver Handles and Bleach Disinfectant

[Winterborne]

There are times throughout the week where I need to disinfect my affected tools with 1:10 bleach disinfectant. Sometimes due to circumstance, instead of bringing my Wilde 6-in-1 or Williams hard handle, I have a soft-grip screwdriver with me.
I have two concerns:
^ Porous handles may be problematic not fully disinfecting
^ Bleach may start degrading the soft grip

I have started using soft-grip more and more as my hands endure wear and tear.
Wiha, Felo, Klein, Wera

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[RTM]

I need to disinfect my affected tools with 1:10 bleach disinfectant.

I assume this is not your choice, but being mandated.

If your choice, look at a 5-10% acidified bleach solution, great kill, less damage to things. Maybe it will meet the need.

 

[Winterborne]

I assume this is not your choice, but being mandated.

If your choice, look at a 5-10% acidified bleach solution, great kill, less damage to things. Maybe it will meet the need.

It is mandated, and I have to use the provided disinfectant wipes and observe the dwell time. Depending on the hazard it may be the bleach wipes or the purple germicidal wipes.

 

[rkevins]

Sounds like you work in healthcare like me. during COVID we wiped our tool down many times a day, the soft handle on my crescent is soft now., my KNIPX plyers did good so did my Snap-On hard handle screwdriver. A lot of the guys I work with carry a KLEIN 10 in 1 and I don't remember them getting ruined

 

[neophyte]

I have Michael Graves dish brushes with santoprene handles.
Every once in a while, particularly when it’s hot and humid, and I leave the brush in the sink with dirty fishes, the brush handles get “moldy”.
I just pour pure liquid bleach on the handles to correct the issue.
I’ve probably been using the brushes for the past ten years, or maybe longer.
The santoprene seems to absorb water if left in a cup or bowl, but the bleach hasn’t seemed to otherwise negatively affect the handles.
I know some manufacturers use santoprene for screwdriver handles, but I forget which ones.

 

[JerseyBoatBuilder]

Tub O Towels has worked for me for 15 years. SnapOn soft handle or hard handle

 

[BombShelter]

Bleach can wreak havoc on plastics, I'd look at an online chemical resistance chart to find out. I used to sell plastic pipe, valves and pumps to the chemical industry and bleach was always a tough one, although regular PVC sch 40 works fine.

 

[paulsomlo]

I use isopropyl alcohol.

 

[KnurledNut]

I have disinfected tools after working on sewage and drainage systems and contaminated water and during disaster recovery many times. I've used diluted bleach, industrial germicidal wipes, hand sanitizer, alcohol, Lysol and other disinfectant sprays, extended sunlight exposure, etc and I have never seen any major damage. Granted, I was using a weaker bleach solution than the 10:1 mentioned. Solvents have done more damage than anything, like brake cleaner, pipe cleaner/primer and glue, penetrating oils, and automotive fluids. Ohhh and dogs, they love to chew on cushion grip handles. I think Knipex adds grape flavoring to their dual component grips.

 

[Beerhippie]

we wiped our tool down many times a day,

Be careful. This can become habit-forming and result in blindness and hairy knuckles (or was it palms?).

Or so I was told.

We use Oxine activated with citric acid, producing ClO2. Doesn't seem to damage much of anything.

 

[CGarage]

Isopropyl alcohol will do it

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

He doesn’t have a choice.


@Winterborne , if you feel playful, send an e-mail to those 4 manufacturers including the exact specs of the products used to disinfect, and ask for their opinion. Would be interesting to see if they actually bother to give a statement on life expectancy. In theory, they should have performed tests during R & D that should allow them to give a fairly reliable answer on how their handles will fare under prolonged exposure to such products.

One manufacturer you haven’t listed is PB Swiss, given they make tools to be used in surgical procedures “Operace”, they probably have done extensive testing as well. While ”Operace” tools come “sterile”, the tools are meant to be reused so need to be sterilized again. (However, my understanding is, that does not necessarily involve chemical products). But PB Swiss would be the one manufacturer I’d expect the most reliable/ comprehensive reply from.

( Link to “Operace”: https://www.pbswisstools.com/en/tools/medical-devices/operace )

Kind regards,
Olli

 

[RTM]

One manufacturer you haven’t listed is PB Swiss, given they make tools to be used in surgical procedures “Operace”, they probably have done extensive testing as well. While ”Operace” tools come “sterile”, the tools are meant to be reused so need to be sterilized again. (However, my understanding is, that does not necessarily involve chemical products).

I have some tools that we sterilize in an autoclave. Many of the chemical methods are really decontamination, a much lower bar.

You would not want to be wrenching on a rust belt beater with these. I twisted the tip off a flat blade screwdriver removing a screw which hadn’t been out in a few years.

 

[Ohio Andy]

He doesn’t have a choice.


@Winterborne , if you feel playful, send an e-mail to those 4 manufacturers including the exact specs of the products used to disinfect, and ask for their opinion. Would be interesting to see if they actually bother to give a statement on life expectancy. In theory, they should have performed tests during R & D that should allow them to give a fairly reliable answer on how their handles will fare under prolonged exposure to such products.

One manufacturer you haven’t listed is PB Swiss, given they make tools to be used in surgical procedures “Operace”, they probably have done extensive testing as well. While ”Operace” tools come “sterile”, the tools are meant to be reused so need to be sterilized again. (However, my understanding is, that does not necessarily involve chemical products). But PB Swiss would be the one manufacturer I’d expect the most reliable/ comprehensive reply from.

( Link to “Operace”: https://www.pbswisstools.com/en/tools/medical-devices/operace )

Kind regards,
Olli

And if you do contact them and if you do receive a response, I would love to know what it is. The one time I reached out to them I never received any response. It was on a different topic.

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

And if you do contact them and if you do receive a response, I would love to know what it is. The one time I reached out to them I never received any response. It was on a different topic.

The non-com part is spreading like a disease it seems. Sad to hear, but I can relate … I have a special folder in my inbox: “Sent - no response”.

Kind regards,
Olli

 

[redwrench60]

OP, does work provide your tools, or give you a stipend to cover wear and tear of your tools?

If they do neither and the company mandated disinfection policy damaged my tools, I would be having a discussion with my supervisor about compensation.

 

[Ohio Andy]

OP, does work provide your tools, or give you a stipend to cover wear and tear of your tools?

If they do neither and the company mandated disinfection policy damaged my tools, I would be having a discussion with my supervisor about compensation.

Given what he says he uses I assume that it is related to "medical stuff" and what is used is mandated by the federal government.

I would not expect to use my own tools in that environment, however.

 

[Winterborne]

OP, does work provide your tools, or give you a stipend to cover wear and tear of your tools?

If they do neither and the company mandated disinfection policy damaged my tools, I would be having a discussion with my supervisor about compensation.

There are two broad types of tool users in the medical field where I work:
> Bio-Medical which services equipment that touches a patient, washers & sterilizers for surgical tools and implants
> Facilities maintenance where I reside. I work on everything from the boilers in the energy plant, HVAC, hot water skids, electrical, to patient rooms and public areas
No tool list provided
No tool allowance and broken tools are not covered
We earn about 30% less than equivalent industrial mechanics, so providing our own tools is a real financial burden
However, I actually enjoy what I do and believe in our mission to support our community

 

[Winterborne]

The Felo screwdrivers I have are excellent, but IPA slowly removes the manufactures labeling

The two PB Swiss screwdrivers I own -one classic and the other multicraft- the handles to me are really thin

Been looking at FACOM screwdrivers from MisterWorker. The FACOM catalog portrays them as chemical resistant and softer handles.
With Customs duties fees added in, I would need to think carefully about purchasing them

 

[KnurledNut]

The Felo screwdrivers I have are excellent, but IPA slowly removes the manufactures labeling

The two PB Swiss screwdrivers I own -one classic and the other multicraft- the handles to me are really thin

Been looking at FACOM screwdrivers from MisterWorker. The FACOM catalog portrays them as chemical resistant and softer handles.
With Customs duties fees added in, I would need to think carefully about purchasing them

Proto Duratek have excellent chemical resistance.

 

[Beerhippie]

IPA slowly removes the manufactures labeling

Why would you soak your screwdriver in India Pale Ale?

 

[Winterborne]

Why would you soak your screwdriver in India Pale Ale?

I don't have much use for India Pale Ale, much prefer Red Oak Lager

In some circles IPA is known as Isopropyl Alcohol

 

[bigfunwmu]

Why would you soak your screwdriver in India Pale Ale?

Seems like cider would be much more effective.

 

[Beerhippie]

In some circles IPA is known as Isopropyl Alcohol

Ours isn't!

 

[CGarage]

The Felo screwdrivers I have are excellent, but IPA slowly removes the manufactures labeling

The two PB Swiss screwdrivers I own -one classic and the other multicraft- the handles to me are really thin

Been looking at FACOM screwdrivers from MisterWorker. The FACOM catalog portrays them as chemical resistant and softer handles.
With Customs duties fees added in, I would need to think carefully about purchasing them

I own almost every set of screwdrivers Facom and USAG have made.

I would rather you buy Vessel.

They have a special composite wood handle that is impervious to most chemicals, designed for use by mechanics in a shop where the tools will be submerged in hydrocarbons, etc (automotive fluids, etc)

I think those will cost far less and more durable to cleaning fluid exposure.

 

[KnurledNut]

I own almost every set of screwdrivers Facom and USAG have made.

I would rather you buy Vessel.

They have a special composite wood handle that is impervious to most chemicals, designed for use by mechanics in a shop where the tools will be submerged in hydrocarbons, etc (automotive fluids, etc)

I think those will cost far less and more durable to cleaning fluid exposure.

I thought of those but didn't recommend due to the porosity of wood fibers in the handle composition.

 

[snickers muncher]

Can you use one of the common quats instead of bleach? They seem to be rather gentle when compared to bleach. A gallon of something like OdoBan would last a long time if you are just diluting it down and spraying your tools. It'll smell much better too. It's what I use on my tools, but much less frequently than you.

Lemon Quat will stain things yellow with repeated use.

 

[rust in the eye]

There are times throughout the week where I need to disinfect my affected tools with 1:10 bleach disinfectant. Sometimes due to circumstance, instead of bringing my Wilde 6-in-1 or Williams hard handle, I have a soft-grip screwdriver with me.
I have two concerns:
^ Porous handles may be problematic not fully disinfecting
^ Bleach may start degrading the soft grip

I have started using soft-grip more and more as my hands endure wear and tear.
Wiha, Felo, Klein, Wera

Any advice would be appreciated.

Tri-lobe hard handle?

 

[CGarage]

I thought of those but didn't recommend due to the porosity of wood fibers in the handle composition.

So how can Vessel offer them specifically for use in environments with fluid contamination?

The handle is a composite of wood fibers and another material.

Worth researching further because they are priced attractively and quality is tops.

 

[PacificaVette]

I recently retired from a career in hospital infection control. It sounds as if you require "low-level disinfection" for your tools. A few years ago, we were running into a problem with quads degrading many of our plastic surfaces, so after LOTS of testing, we switched to hydrogen peroxide wipe for surface disinfection. Problem solved. You might want to give that a try.

 

[KnurledNut]

I thought of those but didn't recommend due to the porosity of wood fibers in the handle composition.

So how can Vessel offer them specifically for use in environments with fluid contamination?

The handle is a composite of wood fibers and another material.

Worth researching further because they are priced attractively and quality is tops.

I have two concerns:
^ Porous handles may be problematic not fully disinfecting

I don't think Vessel is concerned with contamination. The design of the Wood-Compo series seems to focus primarily on being non-slip.
The OP needs something that will hold up to sterilization, and a non-porous material with less texture will perform better.
Here's some info on the Vessels: https://www.vessel.co.jp/userfiles/handtools/300_fl_E.pdf

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