What's your go to screwdrivers?
- Thread starter Fusion13
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It's been awhile eh? There's a "best screwdriver?" thread about twice a week here. I'll summarize for you. . .
Williams black handle set is the absolute best hands down, full stop! (*sarcasm*)
For everyone else, Wiha, Wera, Vessel, PB Swiss round out the most popular choices. Handle preference is personal, and matters a lot. I'm not particularly fond of Wera handles, others love them.
All those mentioned above are "durable", screwdrivers are a consumable, YMMV. If you're hard on tips, get a hand impact driver.
Personally, I can't stand the Williams black handle drivers, but again, others love them. I like Vessel for cross point and PB Swiss for slotted.
Good luck
Edit: I've never tried them but several mentions in other threads about the Harbor Freight Pittsburg Pro screwdrivers punching above their weight.
Williams black handle set is the absolute best hands down, full stop! (*sarcasm*)
For everyone else, Wiha, Wera, Vessel, PB Swiss round out the most popular choices. Handle preference is personal, and matters a lot. I'm not particularly fond of Wera handles, others love them.
All those mentioned above are "durable", screwdrivers are a consumable, YMMV. If you're hard on tips, get a hand impact driver.
Personally, I can't stand the Williams black handle drivers, but again, others love them. I like Vessel for cross point and PB Swiss for slotted.
Good luck
Edit: I've never tried them but several mentions in other threads about the Harbor Freight Pittsburg Pro screwdrivers punching above their weight.
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I’m biased towards anything American or German but ultimately it’s a matter of what price point you’re willing to spend at. The Master Force - Pratt-Read drivers at Mendards are USA made in the same factory SK screwdrivers are made but at a lower price. I think German Felo’s are ok and cheap. Especially those with the wooden handles.
It's been awhile eh? There's a "best screwdriver?" thread about twice a week here. I'll summarize for you. . .
Williams black handle set is the absolute best hands down, full stop! (*sarcasm*)
For everyone else, Wiha, Wera, Vessel, PB Swiss round out the most popular choices. Handle preference is personal, and matters a lot. I'm not particularly fond of Wera handles, others love them.
Those mentioned above are durable, screwdrivers are a consumable, YMMV. If you're hard on tips, get a hand impact driver.
Personally, I can't stand the Williams black handle drivers, but again, others love them. I like Vessel for cross point and PB Swiss for slotted.
Good luck
I think there should be different ‘best’ categories by price and use. Williams/Snap On still are pricey and the others you mentioned have many product level offerings.
Feel free to put together a spreadsheet. And maintain it. Maybe it'll get sticky'd!
Or. . . OP can go look at the offerings of those suggested manufacturers and pick as he sees fit based on his budget.
Handle preference is personal, and matters a lot, and varies by task - electronics (precision grip), greasy car stuff (power grip), home stuff or building trades (also power grip).
I'll add Hazet to M6er's list and I'm ok with the Snappy black handles, but just ok, not enthralled.
Then there's the 3rd part - the wrenching fixture on the shaft.
I'll add Hazet to M6er's list and I'm ok with the Snappy black handles, but just ok, not enthralled.
Then there's the 3rd part - the wrenching fixture on the shaft.
racinfarmer
Well-known member
Felo Ergo something or anothers.
The bastards at the Fleet Farm don't carry Felo anymore.
The bastards at the Fleet Farm don't carry Felo anymore.
I’m just a home DIY’er, I was in the trades when I was in high school and college with my dad, now I sit at a desk all day so I don’t think Im qualified enough to make recommendations like some others are. But, I try to buy American/Canadian/Japanese/German, in that order, based on price. My collection is NOS Craftsman WF USA, NOS Armstrong (RIP) Williams, Tekton USA and some rebranded Craftsman/Vessels.
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Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Proto Bolstered Durateks.
https://www.zoro.com/proto-screwdriver-set-slottedphillips-8-pc-j1208scp/i/G5291124/
https://www.zoro.com/proto-screwdriver-set-slottedphillips-8-pc-j1208scp/i/G5291124/
Stores won’t carry anything good unless they can get makers who can flood shelves with products from makers who don’t care to have inventory sit out for however long it takes, can replenish quickly and still have huge profit margins. Only ones who do this are those who have production in China or Taiwan where cost of manufacturing is so low that they can undercut western made tool prices and still make a profit. Fleet Farm, Menfarts, Home Despot, bLowes all carry these rebranded chinese taiwanese tools with huge floor space dedicated at the front of their stores while the professional upper level brands like Klein are way in the back in an obscure place where noone can see them.
Everyone is going to have their own favorite. My "nice" set is the Wiha Extra Heavy Duty screwdrivers. My everyday go-to are Craftsman Extreme Diamond Tip screwdrivers. They are the black and gray screwdrivers. They were (are?) an amazing bang for the buck a year or two ago from Sears. I ended up buying the stubbies and extra long Craftsman as well to round out my set.
klassenl
Well-known member
Klein and Wiha is what I have in my tool belt every day. I also have a much cheaper Fuller that is used for beating stuff.
IndyGarage
Well-known member
Based on one of these threads I bought a complete set of PB Swiss, Some Wiha and I already had Wera and Felo that I've used for many years. Of those brands I would rank them:
1: PB Swiss - Best handle material, beautifully made, expensive, but darn hard to keep clean.
2. Felo - Great ergonomics, Durable, black handle is easier to clean, fairly low price
3. Wera - Best ergonomics, durable, ugly, hard to keep clean
4. Wiha - Not as good of ergonomics, black handle is easy to clean, nice tips.
I have many other sets, including a cheap set of milwaukee screwdrivers that is pretty nice, but those four are above the rest and very close to one another in quality. If I had to pick something to use as a professional I would pick Felo set. As a heavy DIY guy, I'm loving the PB Swiss.
1: PB Swiss - Best handle material, beautifully made, expensive, but darn hard to keep clean.
2. Felo - Great ergonomics, Durable, black handle is easier to clean, fairly low price
3. Wera - Best ergonomics, durable, ugly, hard to keep clean
4. Wiha - Not as good of ergonomics, black handle is easy to clean, nice tips.
I have many other sets, including a cheap set of milwaukee screwdrivers that is pretty nice, but those four are above the rest and very close to one another in quality. If I had to pick something to use as a professional I would pick Felo set. As a heavy DIY guy, I'm loving the PB Swiss.
You don't state which handle material. PB Swiss has what, three? My PBS Classic handles are extremely easy to clean.
IndyGarage
Well-known member
Sorry. I'm sure they all have multiple handle materials. I bought the PB Swiss set with the multicolor handles - I don't know what it's called - it's a hard grippy rubbery material, which means it's great to grip, but it also attracts dirt like a magnet.
If it wasn't for that material, I wouldn't bother with those screwdrivers - Felo and Wera and even Wiha have much better ergonomics.
Interesting, I love my PB Classics. Screwdriver ergonomics is about as subjective as it gets.
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Indexmill
Well-known member
SK, Made in France, hard handles are my go-to. The France and USA versions both have the green hard handle, but the handles are not identical. I much prefer the fit and feel of the French hard handle. The blade steel is excellent.
What more is there?
What more is there?
Harbor freight pro screwdrivers.
They are so inexpensive I have sets of them scattered everywhere.
Pick one up use it and then put it back down, maybe even in the screwdriver drawer. They seem to be pretty bulletproof.
There are better ones out there? Don’t really care. I have a set of Cman pros and even a few snap on, they are really not any more impressive.
Probably the ones they sell at Walmart are fine in this 21st century
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They are so inexpensive I have sets of them scattered everywhere.
Pick one up use it and then put it back down, maybe even in the screwdriver drawer. They seem to be pretty bulletproof.
There are better ones out there? Don’t really care. I have a set of Cman pros and even a few snap on, they are really not any more impressive.
Probably the ones they sell at Walmart are fine in this 21st century
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
bassbone52
Well-known member
These are good. Vessel sells some really nice drivers for JIS screw heads. Also, the Toptul drivers are nice but hard to find, even harder to warranty.
If I still needed slotted screwdrivers I think I'd buy those Proto's. I don't need any more screwdrivers at the moment. Until my Kleins, Tektons, older style Proto's and Felo's wear out, I'm good.
I stopped buying sets of screwdrivers. I buy individuals and get to experience more manufacturers and handle styles that way.
I stopped buying sets of screwdrivers. I buy individuals and get to experience more manufacturers and handle styles that way.
freudianfloyd
Well-known member
Am I the only one who still grabs the tried and true red (flat), white, and blue (phillips) Craftsman screwdrivers? I have other sets that are probably better, but I always seem to go back to my Craftsmans. Maybe its just because I am more familiar with them because that was what I grew up with, but I don't mind them. Occasionally on the small flat ones, I may twist the end, but that is rare and not enough to make me stop using them.
Jeepster04
Well-known member
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- Jun 25, 2013
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Nope, youre not. Thats been my go to since I was a kid and once I found out they quit making them in USA, I bought a few spare kits. Probably do me the rest of my life.
I've almost worn out my P2 I got in 2012 or so, need to grab some of those on ebay before theyre gone.
Ilikeike
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I have some nice new SK cushion grips in my tool box,
but I mostly grab the old Klein drivers I have out on mag strips around my garage just because they're so convenient to grab. I guess I should swap them with the SKs
but I mostly grab the old Klein drivers I have out on mag strips around my garage just because they're so convenient to grab. I guess I should swap them with the SKs
visionguru
Well-known member
My gotos...
Mechanical work: Snap On hard handle
Home: Craftsman clear handle
Electronics, precision: PB Swiss, Vessel
Beater: Felo
Mechanical work: Snap On hard handle
Home: Craftsman clear handle
Electronics, precision: PB Swiss, Vessel
Beater: Felo
macgee
Well-known member
Vessel JIS for sure, better than any American Phillips screwdriver tip.
Felo are very good
PB Swiss are excellent, extremely durable but pricey.
Felo are very good
PB Swiss are excellent, extremely durable but pricey.
RoundedNut
Well-known member
My goto screwdrivers are Mastercraft because that's all I have since the 70's, other than a few donated overstock Wera I recently picked up at the ReStore for $1. Last used a small slot Wera to mix some JB Weld.
But I do have a very impressive array of bits and drivers.
But I do have a very impressive array of bits and drivers.
I was using the red/black Craftsman professional screwdrivers, but the main ones I used had a lot of wear on the tips and I was reluctant to pay ebay prices to replace them, so I sold the lot of the nicer ones I had on ebay and got over $100 for them. I then bought a set of Vessel Megadora (tang-thru model). I thought the Craftsman professionals were a really good set, but I admit I was completely wrong about that after getting the Vessel set. I'm very impressed with them, and the tips have held up great so far. I wish I would have bought the Vessel set a long time ago.
richfinn
Well-known member
Vessel for me, I'm trying not to buy the EU stuff anymore (not for quality reasons)
I think they are as good as the USA tool truck stuff I have to be honest
I think they are as good as the USA tool truck stuff I have to be honest
KnurledNut
Well-known member
I use all these regularly depending on task:
SO ratcheting (first in line for grab-n-go)
1st gen SO comfort grip (probably my favorite handle design)
SO Instinct (might be one of the few on here that actually likes these )
Witte (HIGHLY recommend; probably the longest lasting tips ive ever used)
Wiha specialty drivers
Felo insulated
Milwaukee slotted striking driver (surprisingly durable)
Vessel Impacta
Klein Switchdrive (mated with misc 6" bits)
For me, ive gotten used to having different brands and colors.
It makes it soooo much easier to quickly identify and grab what I need.
It would drive me crazy to have a whole bag or box full of the same color/style/brand drivers.
I also want to give a shout out to Irazola (i.e. Bahco Tekno+).
One of those premium brands that fly under the radar here at GJ.
SO ratcheting (first in line for grab-n-go)
1st gen SO comfort grip (probably my favorite handle design)
SO Instinct (might be one of the few on here that actually likes these
)Witte (HIGHLY recommend; probably the longest lasting tips ive ever used)
Wiha specialty drivers
Felo insulated
Milwaukee slotted striking driver (surprisingly durable)
Vessel Impacta
Klein Switchdrive (mated with misc 6" bits)
For me, ive gotten used to having different brands and colors.
It makes it soooo much easier to quickly identify and grab what I need.
It would drive me crazy to have a whole bag or box full of the same color/style/brand drivers.
I also want to give a shout out to Irazola (i.e. Bahco Tekno+).
One of those premium brands that fly under the radar here at GJ.
BrandoJames
Well-known member
Vessel—since they’re JIS, highly recommended for anyone who owns an Asian made vehicle. You can order them via Amazon for $10-$15 a pop. Unbelievable value.
Been using the HF Pittsburgh set daily for over a year and they are great. The price just makes it even better. Would gladly pay double for them. Add the 8" flat head to round out the set.
https://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece-professional-screwdriver-set-94607.html
https://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-x-8-inch-slotted-screwdriver-94619.html
View media item 110930
https://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece-professional-screwdriver-set-94607.html
https://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-x-8-inch-slotted-screwdriver-94619.html
View media item 110930
Was hoping for a mid morning sunday slot m'self.
logical
Well-known member
macgee
Well-known member
Monday, because its ground hog day and this thread will be still be populating till then even though the OP left the building, then on Monday the button for the Merry Go Round will be pressed again.
seber
Well-known member
As far as steel and heat treat, any good brand name will do. What matters is what feels good in YOUR hand and whether you need soft or easily cleaned material. I personally love the feel of Snap-on instinct. It is a slightly soft tri-lobular. Others make the same shape in hard or actual soft versions. In any case, it is your hand that has to be happy. No one can tell you what that shape should be. Just go to a tool supplier and put your hands on as many different shapes as you can. The only thing I would recommend against is the old hard plastic with sharp grooves that gives good grip but really hurts when you try to put a lot of torque on them.
measuredtwice
Well-known member
I'd prefer that you took some time off and gave other people a chance to post in the screwdriver topics.
