Are these SK screwdrivers legit?

[CloudsRest]

I found a set of SK screwdrivers for 30-something dollars online and thought the price was too good to be true, but it’s from a major American retailer with a decent return policy. I took the plunge, what can I say? I like to live dangerously.

I can’t find any info on this set online. They look like rebranded Craftsman tbh, but I can’t imagine SK putting their name on Craftsman stuff. I’m not sure what to make of them. Are these genuine SK screwdrivers? Are they some economy line I don’t know about? Any insight is appreciated!

 

[rusty65]

Honestly sk could have bought the tooling from western forge when they closed up. That was the craftsman oem. Im not expert just my opinion.


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[mfewtrail]

"the parent company of SK (Ideal Industries) also owns Western Forge and Pratt-Read."

 

[dutchgray]

Ideal industries owns both Western forge and SK tools.
They are just trying to make some more money out of those nasty hard handle Craftsman screwdrivers, quick rebrand to SK after they stopped supplying Craftsman.

 

[mrspeed]

Many of the older USA Craftsman tools were manufactured by Western Forge. Western Forge is owned by Ideal Industries, which also owns SK tools. So there are plenty of SK tools that were identical to Craftsman tools other than the handle colors. The highly sought after discontinued red and black comfort grip screwdrivers from Craftsman are one example of this, which were also offered by SK in green and black handles and by Armstrong in blue and black handles. The old USA made Craftsman pliers with black handles are also available from SK with green handles.

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[CloudsRest]

Whelp, what I paid seems like a fair price for what I got then. I still would like some high end SK screwdrivers, but I’d also like a lot of other high end tools I can’t justify buying. Oh well.

 

[NoahG]

I've always liked the handles, I just wish the tips weren't such ****.

 

[gatlibs]

Where was it available? I'd be interested in a set.

 

[CloudsRest]

I got them from Walmart, but there’s a set on eBay at the moment too. There aren’t a whole lot left, which is why I ordered first and asked questions later
https://www.walmart.com/ip/SK-Professional-Tools-Phillips-Slotted-Screwdriver-Set-14-pc/640796641

 

[Jtels85]

SK teased them on their Facebook page over a year ago. They are legit.

 

[Professional Tool User]

Western Forge and SK and both Ideal brands, so I'm not surprised.

 

[vssjim]

SK teased them on their Facebook page over a year ago. They are legit.

I remember them showing the handles being made but they never showed them again anywhere. Maybe they made a run and just sold them to a bulk seller after they decided not to make a full release.

 

[techieman33]

I remember them showing the handles being made but they never showed them again anywhere. Maybe they made a run and just sold them to a bulk seller after they decided not to make a full release.

They probably started production before Ideal decided to shut Western Forge down. And since they can't replenish stock they probably made the decision to just dump them to some wholesaler rather than launch them through the normal channels.

 

[seanb02]

Whelp, what I paid seems like a fair price for what I got then. I still would like some high end SK screwdrivers, but I’d also like a lot of other high end tools I can’t justify buying. Oh well.

I'm not sure if you really would like the "high end" line of SK screwdrivers or not. I purchased the green hard handle ones a few years back. The design of the handle is such that it's a little too rounded to really generate a lot of torque, but too square to spin it quickly. After a couple years of trying to like them switching back and forth between my shop box and service truck use, went to Snap-on for the toolbox and dug out my old set of Craftsman for my service truck.

They also don't fit the fasteners very well in my opinion, especially the #2 Phillips. Maybe the comfort grip ones they offer are better, haven't used those ones. There's a set of Carlyle in the shop as well, and when I get around to going through the tools on my service truck next winter it will be getting a set of those. Slight trade off on high torque grip on the handles, but otherwise perfect combination of fitting the fastener well, feel of the driver, and warranty support. They show up on sales somewhat regularly.

Cool find on those SK ones you have though, I've always liked that style of handle on my Crafstman ones.

 

[Shootinok]

Well that’s one more thing I can add to my “I bought this because of Garage Journal” list.
I have a couple sets of drivers and I don’t like any of them as much as the old Craftsman.
When I looked there was 3 sets left. Took the leap of faith.
Hope they’re as good as my old favorites.


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[Fedwrench]

I'm not sure if you really would like the "high end" line of SK screwdrivers or not. I purchased the green hard handle ones a few years back. The design of the handle is such that it's a little too rounded to really generate a lot of torque, but too square to spin it quickly.

I miss the old French made green handled SK screwdrivers. The current SK green screwdriver handles lack taper. It's like they stuck pry bar handles on Pratt & Reed blades. The handles aren't appropriately sized in proportion to the blade size either. The current handles aren't made for rotating as you screw.

I think it would have been cool if SK would have had Western Forge make those Craftsman like screwdrivers with the old green & white color scheme from the real old SK days.

 

[vssjim]

I miss the old French made green handled SK screwdrivers. The current SK green screwdriver handles lack taper. It's like they stuck pry bar handles on Pratt & Reed blades. The handles aren't appropriately sized in proportion to the blade size either. The current handles aren't made for rotating as you screw.

I think it would have been cool if SK would have had Western Forge make those Craftsman like screwdrivers with the old green & white color scheme from the real old SK days.

I think everybody was hoping for the Emerald Green and White translucent handle screwdrivers with chrome blades again. I don't think that could have kept them in stock as they go for crazy money on ebay.

 

[mikebaker1129]

I miss the old French made green handled SK screwdrivers. The current SK green screwdriver handles lack taper. It's like they stuck pry bar handles on Pratt & Reed blades. The handles aren't appropriately sized in proportion to the blade size either. The current handles aren't made for rotating as you screw.

I think it would have been cool if SK would have had Western Forge make those Craftsman like screwdrivers with the old green & white color scheme from the real old SK days.

Those French handles are more slim and comfortable !

 

[gatlibs]

I have bigger hands and no problem with the hard handled green drivers. I'm glad that they exist as an option.

 

[setfocus]

Well that’s one more thing I can add to my “I bought this because of Garage Journal” list.
I have a couple sets of drivers and I don’t like any of them as much as the old Craftsman.
When I looked there was 3 sets left. Took the leap of faith.
Hope they’re as good as my old favorites.


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yep, me too. Think I got the last 14pc set, they have an 8pc set still. I like craftsman screwdrivers, so I bought these for at home. I don't like soft handle tools. They get dirty really easy and look like ****, make clean hands dirty if not cleaned and are a pain to get clean. I wish I had the hard handle snap-on instead of the instinct

 

[sk farmer]

as fedwrench and others have said. the older solid green facom french made drivers (there was also a version that was black and green with a soft grip) were the best of the recent made and probably the best sk drivers ever. they had a nice square taper that fit the hand with tough shanks and bolsters. the current hard handles are too square and oversized.

i would bite on the cman clones just for the cool factor but i have 2 sets of the french made drivers along with several spares. throw in my felo ergonics and felo woodies. well i have too many screwdrivers........

 

[measuredtwice]

https://www.walmart.com/ip/SK-Professional-Tools-Phillips-Slotted-Screwdriver-Set-14-pc/640796641

...Think I got the last 14pc set, they have an 8pc set still...

In addition to the SL/PH 14 and 8 piece, there's also a 5 piece of just slotted.

8 pc --> https://www.walmart.com/ip/SK-Professional-Tools-Phillips-Slotted-Screwdriver-Set-8-pc/808432361

5 pc --> https://www.walmart.com/ip/SK-Professional-Tools-Slotted-Screwdriver-Set-5-pc/171862143

 

[jeffmoss26]

nice!

 

[anndel]

Those Craftsman-type handles stink.

 

[gatlibs]

Those Craftsman-type handles stink.

Not when new in package!