Bernstein screwdriver

[Beerhippie]

You know those tools that you pick up and think "Damn, this is a NICE tool!" It fits your hand well, is very well designed and of obvious high quality.

This is one of those:



It's also one of those tools that you then stop for a minute and think "But how the hell did it end up in my kit?"

I grabbed this out of my screwdriver rack today and immediately went on-line to find a set. No such luck, buddy! Made in Germany, still made, but they don't seem to be sold in the US. Prices for a set (4-530) were also all over the place, from $45CAD (will not ship to US) to 150 pounds UK!

Anyone know where a humble 'Merican hippie can buy a set of these? What are comparable drivers?

Of the things I really like are: Square cross-section handle--won't roll away when put down (why aren't all screwdrivers this way?). Nicely rounded corners and overall shape--it really fits the hand well and has great grip. The tip is precise--it really fits the screws it's made for--and hardened, but doesn't seem brittle.

 

[Fedwrench]

Not an exact match but, the Berstein screwdriver reminds me of the retro Heyco Screwdrivers from KC Tool.

Heyco Phillips/Slotted Screwdriver Set with Acetate Handle, 7 Pieces | Heyco at KC Tool

Heyco Phillips/Slotted screwdriver set with acetate handles Includes: Phillips: #1 x 75, #2 x 100mm Slotted: 2.5 x 60, 3.0 x 75, 3.0 x 100, 6.5 x 125, 8.0 x...

www.kctool.com

KC Tool has sets as wells as some individuals available. Wait for a sale though if wanting a set

 

[bonneyman]

Dang, those Heyco's look nice!

 

[Beerhippie]

Dang, indeed! Near clones of the Bernstein I have.

Push the button or not....? Not sure I'd want to share those with other employees.

 

[Beerhippie]

You all are bad influences!

But, life is too short for ****** tools, so



I'll just have to hide them....

 

[Dave455]

First off, yes, as Fedwrench says, I believe the Bernstein drivers are made by Heyco.

I do have some Bernstein drivers (not to hand) and can confirm the handles are nearly identical.

This isn’t surprising as Bernstein are just a supply house, and Heyco specialise in making tools for third parties.

If you can manage with green instead of yellow, and perhaps not all the sizes offered by Bernstein, Heyco will be an option.

Alternatively, I believe Heyco also manufacture drivers for C.K. (Carl Kammerling). Although they sound German, they are actually a British tool distributor, and their tools can be quite decent.

Their ”Classic” drivers have different handles to the Bernstein (still a Heyco pattern) but are made of the same yellow cellulose acetate, and feature the same blades.

Heyco and C.K. below. C.K. may be difficult in the U.S. but Heyco should be available.


I haven’t had a problem finding Bernstein in the U.K. at reasonable cost, but some U.K. suppliers offer discounts to trade customers, which in practice just means they load the list price. This may be what you have encountered.

Edit - I see you found some. They’re good. Enjoy!

Second edit - my three favourite cellulose acetate handled drivers. Facom, Heyco, and Vessel. Incidentally, these don’t smell - they’re cellulose acetate, not CAB!

 

[Beerhippie]

I kind of wish they had the #3 Phillips in there, but I have a couple of excellent #3s (and #3 Posi-Drive)--just not in matching green!

 

[AceofSpad3s]

Not an exact match but, the Berstein screwdriver reminds me of the retro Heyco Screwdrivers from KC Tool.

Heyco Phillips/Slotted Screwdriver Set with Acetate Handle, 7 Pieces | Heyco at KC Tool

Heyco Phillips/Slotted screwdriver set with acetate handles Includes: Phillips: #1 x 75, #2 x 100mm Slotted: 2.5 x 60, 3.0 x 75, 3.0 x 100, 6.5 x 125, 8.0 x...

www.kctool.com

KC Tool has sets as wells as some individuals available. Wait for a sale though if wanting a set

Why are they marked West Germany?

 

[Fedwrench]

Why are they marked West Germany?

To keep the retro vibe going

There was a thread somewhere here that asked if they were new old stock with the West Germany. As I recall, answers said Heyco kept the old school vibe going with current production still being marked West Germany.

 

[Beerhippie]

They (whoever they are) say that a picture is worth a thousand words, so here's a couple of thousand on this subject:





!

 

[Snip's]

I've been looking for a nice screwdriver set for some time...
Couldn't make up my mind...
Came close a couple of times with the Wright screwdriver set... But kept holding off...
These Heyco look really nice...
Thanks Fedwrench and Beerhippie... I just ordered a set... Can't wait to get them...

 

[Mr. Tool]

Bernstein tools!

Yes this thread is over a year old thread but still going to respond.

Bernstein tools, yes high quality made tools in my book.
Tools geared more for electronics, etc. but still very well worth having. You not only see the quality of the tool but can feel the quality of it in your hands as well.

Way back in 2013 I contacted the Bernstein company located in Germany.....they only sell (sold) to tool distribution companies, etc....but for whatever reason(s) don't sell to the USA.

So started looking for a company abroad to make a purchase, first found two companies, one in Australia and the other in South Africa, which were willing to sell the tool set but the price for shipping $$$$ was way too much.....far more than the tool set itself!

Finally found a company in Amsterdam (thanks to a couple of friends in England!) that had the set and would ship them to me in the USA at a very reasonable price $.

Anyway I've had them ever since and well all I can say is that they are definitely well worth the price of what I paid for them.
Now all that happened back in 2013 so I can only imagine what the cost today (2025) with all the tariffs and **** going on would actually be not to mention the cost of shipping!

After a quick (current 2025) check it appears as though Bernstein has since stopped making their tools with acetate handles, which is a shame because that's what first got my attention to notice them, appears as though they now only sell their tools with regular dull handles. But overall I am sure they make their tools with the same high quality standards as their previous tools.

Here are a few pictures, that I found, of the Electronic Nut Driver Tool Set that I had ordered, back when they first arrived.

 

[Mr. Tool]

BERNSTEIN 4-143 ΕΡΓΑΛΕΙΑ ΚΑΤΣΑΒΙΔΙ ΙΣΙΟ 5.5x1.0mm 225mm

4-143 ΕΡΓΑΛΕΙΑ ΚΑΤΣΑΒΙΔΙ ΙΣΙΟ 5.5x1.0mm 225mm BERNSTEIN

www.pilianidis.gr

Bernstein Fernseh-Service-Rolltasche 2400, 24-tlg. - günstig im pkelektronik shop

Beim Bernstein Werkzeug-Set 2400 handelt es sich um eine Fernseh-Service-Rolltasche, die 24 hochwertige Werkzeuge beinhaltet. Diese sind in einer Rolltasche aus strapazierfähigem Baumwollsegeltuch untergebracht.Lieferumfang

www.pkelektronik.com

 

[Mr. Tool]

I also own a few other tools with acetate handles like Vessel, PB Swiss, etc.

You can read about it the following thread posted below along with pictures, just scroll down a few post and you'll come across my post.

Acetate handle screwdrivers.

For some reason I just love them, to me they look and feel just like a screwdriver should. The thing I'm noticing though is that these days is its mostly cheap sets that have the Acetate handles, the higher end stuff has gone to other materials. Just wondering who makes nice acetate handled...

www.garagejournal.com