new kobalt screwdrives

Brownsfan · Apr 8, 2014

http://m.lowes.com/product?langId=-...=50158835&store=595&view=detail&nValue=SEARCH
I saw these today at lowes and they actually looked nice. And guess what USA made. But here is the weird thing. The single were USA and the set was China? They have hard handles that remind me of old Cornwell blue handle screwdrivers. They also have a metal cap on the end as well as hex bolsters. They are called mechanics screwdrivers on the package.

Brownsfan · Apr 9, 2014

Anyone see these yet? Or maybe buy them?

stratman977 · Apr 9, 2014

Your link doesn't work, this the style you are referring to?

http://www.lowes.com/pd_525788-930-...ct_qty_sales_dollar|1&page=2&facetInfo=Kobalt

jim1987 · Apr 9, 2014

OT, did you get.your née box yet?

Brownsfan · Apr 9, 2014

stratman977 said:
Your link doesn't work, this the style you are referring to?

http://www.lowes.com/pd_525788-930-...ct_qty_sales_dollar|1&page=2&facetInfo=Kobalt

Yes that's it.

3/4 drive · Apr 9, 2014

Have not seen these yet but USA made I will check them out tonight got to go there anyway.

Brownsfan · Apr 9, 2014

jim1987 said:
OT, did you get.your née box yet?

Not yet. Still using the kobalt with the fridge and radio. If I had the one without the Fridge I would keep it.

oldldh · Apr 9, 2014

At ten bucks apiece for a 4" #2 Phillips...

They are right proud of them...

SlowAl · Apr 9, 2014

oldldh said:
At ten bucks apiece for a 4" #2 Phillips...

They are right proud of them...

No kidding, for that price you might as well go Wiha (which I did and haven't regretted it).

*edit* Actually, looking at some of the Wiha softfinish sets available on Amazon, you would be well below $10.00 a piece.

Givl Reggin · Apr 9, 2014

oldldh said:
At ten bucks apiece for a 4" #2 Phillips...They are right proud of them...

Damn! You guys are hard to please... here's a company going what most others are not by offering USA made items and all you can do is complain about the price! Let's hear some usage reports first before we start hammer on them for their quality/cost.

nanofrog · Apr 9, 2014

Givl Reggin said:
Damn! You guys are hard to please... here's a company going what most others are not by offering USA made items and all you can do is complain about the price! Let's hear some usage reports first before we start hammer on them for their quality/cost.

It's good to see USA, but it also has to be a decent value for the money. Seems high for an unproven product IMHO.

Might well be worth it once they're proven (would need to be around PB Swiss quality, as it's very similar money). But to do that, they have to get them into people's hands. Reducing their margins rather than cutting corners to lower prices is an effective way to do that so they can build a solid reputation (assuming the quality is actually there), and is usually how it's been done in th e past.

Once that's done, then they can raise the prices suitably (whatever the market will actually bear at that point). Just seems like the jumped the gun to me, and skipped everything but the last part. :headscrat

mmack66 · Apr 9, 2014

Guess we need to wait and find out why there is a COO discrepancy.

Brownsfan · Apr 9, 2014

It's really odd that the singles were USA and the 4pc set was China. The set was like $26. So the pricing reflects China made. If you bought the USA ones individual it would be like $40. They did look nice and felt good and balanced. I wonder how tough they are. They have metal striking caps on Tue ends so that implies tough

mmack66 · Apr 9, 2014

Brownsfan said:
It's really odd that the singles were USA and the 4pc set was China. The set was like $26. So the pricing reflects China made. If you bought the USA ones individual it would be like $40. They did look nice and felt good and balanced. I wonder how tough they are. They have metal striking caps on Tue ends so that implies tough

Most tools are less expensive when bought in a set.

Buy one and give it a try. Lowe's/Kobalt has a sufficient warranty so you should be covered.

cheechi · Apr 9, 2014

I think we will find them in a set for a lower, but still slightly overpriced amount at some point. Lowe's doesn't seem like they care about singles, even though they do a better job than some at stocking the singles they want to sell you a set.

I have to see these in person, specifically, is that a striking cap or 'decorative' part of the handle. It says 'metal cap' and i'm sure that's not a coincidence.

Brownsfan · Apr 9, 2014

I looked at the set and the loose ones today. There are differences in the drivers in the sets and the singles. The etching of the part # and kobalt are more like the etching on sockets. The china ones seem to be some sort of black writing on them. They do have the same part number. There were also subtle differences in the chrome and vaper blasting transition. The USA ones have even transition while the China was a little well not perfect. I know thats being picky but in fairness I was looking for differences. I may buy a couple because i have a lowes gift card.

nicksnothereman · Apr 9, 2014

Brownsfan said:
http://m.lowes.com/product?langId=-...=50158835&store=595&view=detail&nValue=SEARCH
I saw these today at lowes and they actually looked nice. And guess what USA made. But here is the weird thing. The single were USA and the set was China? They have hard handles that remind me of old Cornwell blue handle screwdrivers. They also have a metal cap on the end as well as hex bolsters. They are called mechanics screwdrivers on the package.

Never seen them. They're obviously reading the ole garage journal about tool choice at retail. Striking drivers aren't really available at retail. I'd probably be interested in a slotted depending on price. :headscrat

China ain't so great but I prefer expanded choice over quality, if the quality is only okay. Typically kobalt china is decent...not as good fit & finish as taiwan or usa but workable.

Hey lowes: you need a beam torque wrench if you want to go full bore with the mechanics tools. Also need to start stocking actual auto consumables in the tool section. Not a joke. :bounce:

Cue permatex green there next week. :scared:

Rickedstyles · Apr 9, 2014

I'm guessing price point for the US set would scare most consumers away...picture Chris Rock..."GOOD LORD! That's a lot of money!"

NFH2740 · Apr 9, 2014

oldldh said:
At ten bucks apiece for a 4" #2 Phillips...

They are right proud of them...

That seems to be the trend with the entire Kobalt line.

allinon72 · Apr 10, 2014

What about that handle design...

stonesfan68 · Apr 10, 2014

delete- link to wrong set

sberry · Apr 10, 2014

No one is robbing anyone with either of those deals for a few screwdrivers which likely work quite well. About half of them will get a lot of use, the other half great to have for occasional jobs where specialty is needed.

jcfields · Apr 10, 2014

Brownsfan · Apr 10, 2014

stonesfan68 said:
Here's a 12-piece set for $30.

Item #: 525827

Those are not the same. Those have soft grips. The set I saw was hard handles. I think they are made by great neck. I remember seeing that on the package.

stonesfan68 · Apr 10, 2014

Brownsfan said:
Those are not the same. Those have soft grips. The set I saw was hard handles. I think they are made by great neck. I remember seeing that on the package.

I see that now, sorry.

jim1987 · Apr 10, 2014

Went to Lowes today. I dont see any new screw drivers. The hard handles in this store seems the same they've always been. Same thing as the cman hard clear handles. Packaging sad made in USA with foreign and.domestic materials. They didn't have the metal caps. But again, all the hard clear handles were at least manufactured here. NY I think it was?

Brownsfan · Apr 10, 2014

I was in Indianapolis for work when I saw them. Tue lowes near me didn't have them. May be some stores will stock and others won't.

stratman977 · Apr 11, 2014

My lowes had the singles and not the sets. The wall was partially stocked with lots of empty space.

They singles were USA with global components.

I didn't buy one. I wan't impressed with the handle. It wasn't that comfortable and it had pretty rough edge marks from the mold.

winlinmac · Aug 26, 2016

I bought the striking cap USA-made screwdrivers earlier this year. I don't think they are stocked anymore ["
This item is no longer available on Lowes.com."]. Very concerned with warranty, spent close $40 for all available pieces.

Shouldn't I just go with this one instead?
It's on sale btw $45 (Check the Hot Deals Section)

gedore-1878743-sk-2154-ph-06-3c-screwdriver-with-striking-cap.jpg

terry603 · Aug 26, 2016

Givl Reggin said:
Damn! You guys are hard to please... here's a company going what most others are not by offering USA made items and all you can do is complain about the price! Let's hear some usage reports first before we start hammer on them for their quality/cost.

yea, "i will pay more if I need to, to get USA made ". guess not always true when you actually have to spend the money

winlinmac · Aug 26, 2016

The only German tool company which is German nowadays is Knipex.

1950mercury · Aug 26, 2016

I miss tags I think we should bring them back

davethorik · Aug 26, 2016

I was all excited to reply and then saw winlinmac has added digging up years old threads as part of his trolling regiment. Thank god for ignore.

As for topic at hand, my nearby Lowe's clearanced these screwdrivers out months ago (USA individuals, not sets). I picked up the large 5/16 slotted, a #3 Philips, and a couple smaller slotted drivers. They did not have any #2 Philips left.

winlinmac · Aug 26, 2016

My apologies for any misunderstanding here dave. I spent some time searching the forum for the thread (from earlier this year which I also happen to contribute to) which discussed these screwdrivers being sold on clearance. I couldn't find that thread anymore, and wanted to get some feedback and found this thread instead. I thought it was prohibited to start new threads of a topic already previously discussed.

What's your take on the quality of these USA-made Kobalt Striking Cap Screwdrivers? My concern is warranty, it seems Lowes has discontinued them shortly after being advertised as clearance. Spent a good amount for several Lowes-Branded Screwdrivers, and since these are taking a punch (but haven't broken any one of them yet), if they ever do break, am I supposed to replace them all at once? I think we need to stay away from the manufacturers / stores that don't follow consistent specifications (and that includes COO).

davethorik said:
I was all excited to reply and then saw winlinmac has added digging up years old threads as part of his trolling regiment. Thank god for ignore.

As for topic at hand, my nearby Lowe's clearanced these screwdrivers out months ago (USA individuals, not sets). I picked up the large 5/16 slotted, a #3 Philips, and a couple smaller slotted drivers. They did not have any #2 Philips left.

Bigblue&Goldie · Aug 26, 2016

It's a $40 screwdriver set; if you break one just go buy another. This site is far too concerned with warranties. It's not a $140 ratchet.....it's a screwdriver. If you want something with a solid warranty, don't buy tools from companies that are known to cycle through designs and manufacturers on an annual basis.

T45 · Aug 26, 2016

yep, warranty is a joke when the product is NLA after 12-18mo On the flip side, today there is much more information to buy a well regarded product upfront. Many euro tools have a short warranty but they don't ****...we should be thankful for that.

Brownsfan · Aug 26, 2016

Bigblue&Goldie said:
It's a $40 screwdriver set; if you break one just go buy another. This site is far too concerned with warranties. It's not a $140 ratchet.....it's a screwdriver. If you want something with a solid warranty, don't buy tools from companies that are known to cycle through designs and manufacturers on an annual basis.

I have never seen people so concerned about a tools warranty. I have been buying and using tools since 1996. I can probably count on one hand the amount of tools i actually did warranty. You want to know the secret to buying tools and not giving a **** about warranty. Buy quality tools and use them as intended and you will never have to worry about it. Its that simple. And out of those handful of times I did warranty a tool I was probably NOT using it as intended or abusing it. And so true about companies and discontinuing tools. I was the OP of this and less than 2 years later they are gone. Replaced with China made Irwin screwdrivers. But they are cheaper and have the same warranty so most here will be happy.

gdocktor3 · Aug 26, 2016

Oh boy, now he's worried about warrantying unbroken screwdrivers... Each time you post something it tops the last one. How that's possible, I'm not sure, but you've sure gotten it down pat... I'm pretty sure we've been over this with you a few times before. BUY ONCE, CRY ONCE.

Screwdrivers with striking caps are intended to break free frozen screws, not for chiseling and prying. I think it would be really difficult to break one if not abusing it.

cheechi · Aug 27, 2016

Doesn't the nature of a striking cap on a screwdriver immediately inform you this is a wear item and therefore a disposable tool? Then again maybe you needed it to be spelled out. Consider this another vote for you going away and not coming back.

Kobalt has had at least 3 USA manufacturers make them screwdrivers, all of which have been middle of the road quality at best. There was a set somewhere around a decade ago that was made in Taiwan that I still have some parts of the set around and going strong. Otherwise, Kobalt is not known for high quality screwdrivers no matter the era.

AndypCT · Aug 27, 2016

They have been around a while but they are really nice. My Lowes cleared them out a few months ago and I paid $3 each

new kobalt screwdrives

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