Paul_The_Builder
Well-known member
I'm a Felo Fella.
Best Screwdrivers
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Nutria
Well-known member
I bumped into a Wright Phillips at a sale-- my new Phillips fav.
IndyGarage
Well-known member
I have been using PB swiss as my main screwdrivers for a couple years. Very nice, although Felo and Wera to me are probably equal. I could live with any of the three.
Felo has the advantage of handles that don't show as much dirt and they are very reasonably priced.
If you are looking for a cheaper set, the Milwaukees are pretty good too.
Sorry for you traditionalists, but the world has passed by the old Craftsman clear red blue handles screwdrivers - they are crude in comparison to the ones I mention above.
Felo has the advantage of handles that don't show as much dirt and they are very reasonably priced.
If you are looking for a cheaper set, the Milwaukees are pretty good too.
Sorry for you traditionalists, but the world has passed by the old Craftsman clear red blue handles screwdrivers - they are crude in comparison to the ones I mention above.
While the Bahco's are my favorite, I really like Felo too.
Felo is also more affordable and has a really great handle shape. I consider Felo and Wera to be pretty close competiors, but I prefer Felo's handles in a landslide. I have a bunch of "Wurth" screwdrivers too, which are just re-branded Felo.
Also worth consideration is Vessel. Vessel has great tips and I probably use my multi-bit balldriver more than any other single screwdriver. Vessel makes a bunch of different handle shapes, but there's just something about the balldriver that I really enjoy...
Dakotadadv8
Well-known member
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- May 30, 2021
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I have CM professionals and SO instinct, the SO IMO is better, but they are newer some bias, 20 year old tools vs 2 year tools.
Firebrick43
Well-known member
The best in my opinion, and I own at least a few in all the brands listed, is the hard 4 sided handled snap ons. Of course they are not availble any more in a snap on brand( I hate the tri sided ones) but are available as william branded now(for a reasonable price). Second favorite is the higher line of wera imho.
Saw the other day that lowes is selling these facom screwdrivers. Branded as the craftsman V series screwdrivers.
Legion Prime
Well-known member
Now all you need to do is sand down those wood handles and put some linseed oil on them!
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Iridium rand
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Weras are the best hands down IMO, obviously handles are personal preference but they’re as perfect as it gets for me, combine that with the features they offer like the lasertips, holding function, striking caps etc. can always put as much torque as my hand is able to turn it without slipping off the grip or out of the screw, can’t ask for much more than that
Is it just me or does anyone else think that Weras are as ugly as well used cat litter and for that reason alone are not worthy of purchase?
pizza
Well-known member
i think they look good. haven't used them yet, though.
i have some wiha, vessel, pb swiss, SO. all good stuff. best depends on the specific drive system, size range, how you use it, etc.
Also, how they feel in your hand and how they grip and fit in the screws. I like the looks of the Wera screwdrivers - it's subjective. I think the PB Swiss look and feel great with the grippy Swiss grips. Vessel also feels great - like their grips. I overdid it on screwdrivers by a long shot, but they look good in the drawer. You can be a tool user or a collector - I am more of a collector.
i was reminded again the other day why i like my williams. the tips are ground properly and the things are made of real metal not that stamped junk or whatever it is where the tips snap easily. i have an entire western force CMan set I dont beat on cause the flathead tips snap on, then I made the same mistake with a set of rubber handled huskys too
these days i mostly use are vessel and williams. the Cman drivers are on my pegboard and i do use them but I make dame sure not to pry with the flat heads
these days i mostly use are vessel and williams. the Cman drivers are on my pegboard and i do use them but I make dame sure not to pry with the flat heads
Iridium rand
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2021
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- 218
You’re definitely not the only one that thinks that, i think it looks as good as it is useful but they’re very divisive people tend to love it or hate it
I think that Wera has the best handles, and don't mind the look of them...they are unique and interesting.
But, when it comes to the "best" screwdriver, I give that award to PB Swiss. They are not a use-and-abuse type of screwdriver, but when it comes to quality, and fitment, nothing beats them...except for Vessel when it comes to JIS.
Side note...I had a set of the Williams USA, and just did not like them. The handle shape was OK, but I found them to be slippery, and the tips (mainly phillips) simply did not fit well, and were constantly slipping.
But, when it comes to the "best" screwdriver, I give that award to PB Swiss. They are not a use-and-abuse type of screwdriver, but when it comes to quality, and fitment, nothing beats them...except for Vessel when it comes to JIS.
Side note...I had a set of the Williams USA, and just did not like them. The handle shape was OK, but I found them to be slippery, and the tips (mainly phillips) simply did not fit well, and were constantly slipping.
javyLSU
Well-known member
I'm not sure why people keep saying the Snap-on hard handle screwdrivers are not available anymore... If you see the color on this page, they're available in a 7 piece set (part number SDDX70A+whatever color you want, so the green set would be SDDX70AG):
Snap-on Store
There's also a bunch of other colors that aren't on that page that any Snap-on dealer can get, like Power Blue, Combat Tan, Pearl Blue...
Somewhat obscure, but my favorites are the Irazola-made Bahcos.
Super sharp tips, the most comfortable handles I've ever used (that ball shape in the middle is great for turning with your fingers), very robust, hex bolsters, available with through-blades... Everything about them feels high quality to me.
Also called Bahco Tekno+, and equally difficult to source in the USA.
IndyGarage
Well-known member
Ugly doesn't even come into consideration when I buy tools. To me tools are not showpieces, they are items used to repair or make other things.
Yeah the Wera stuff isn't the prettiest, but they work better than almost every other brand and that's what I care about.
The Bahco Tekno sounds nice, but I think I have enough and have spent enough on screwdrivers for a lifetime with 105 on hand. Talk about OCD to the max. I had quite a few before I went into the buying spree here recently. But for 40+ years I got by with 11 screwdrivers.
isb cornbinder
Well-known member
I have three sets of screw drivers, all of which I really like. they are HAZET, SK and SNAP ON.
I may favor the Hazet just a little over the others.
I may favor the Hazet just a little over the others.
Firebrick43
Well-known member
Well, I guess they are selling them again as snap on again!I'm not sure why people keep saying the Snap-on hard handle screwdrivers are not available anymore... If you see the color on this page, they're available in a 7 piece set (part number SDDX70A+whatever color you want, so the green set would be SDDX70AG):
Snap-on Store
shop.snapon.com
There's also a bunch of other colors that aren't on that page that any Snap-on dealer can get, like Power Blue, Combat Tan, Pearl Blue...
The williams 8 piece set, 100-8md is only 64 dollars as opposed to 214 for a snap on 7 piece set for the same screwdrivers, except you cant buy the williams in any color than black.
In my main box, I have Wright Phillips drivers, old hard-handled Proto straight-blade drivers, and a Snap-On kit with replaceable tips.
At my clean bench that I use for fixing things, I have Wera, Wiha, Wiha Precision (in the black cloth roll), and Wiha insulated drivers.
And in my metric box, I have old Craftsman, a Wiha heavy-duty Phillips, and a bunch of import cheapies.
I like the Williams Phillips drivers the best for their feel in my hand. I have large hands and prefer hard handles. For tip durability, I have found that you get what you pay for. For precision drivers, Wiha owns the field.
Rick “you get what you pay for, but not always prortionately” Denney
At my clean bench that I use for fixing things, I have Wera, Wiha, Wiha Precision (in the black cloth roll), and Wiha insulated drivers.
And in my metric box, I have old Craftsman, a Wiha heavy-duty Phillips, and a bunch of import cheapies.
I like the Williams Phillips drivers the best for their feel in my hand. I have large hands and prefer hard handles. For tip durability, I have found that you get what you pay for. For precision drivers, Wiha owns the field.
Rick “you get what you pay for, but not always prortionately” Denney
Not exactly. I had a post a while back showing that, while they look similar, Würth handles have a different contour than Felo handles. Also I expect Würth are Taiwanese. Both are great.
Ton ton
Well-known member
Interesting, thank you for sharing.
ste6168
Well-known member
I have a lot of different brands (Vessel, Wiha, Wera, Witte, Craftsman, Megapro, Cheap Harborfreights, Milwaukee, etc.). My personal favorites are by far the Witte (my set are the Matco branded ones). Sizes included, grips, and tips all seem perfect, to me.
Always interesting to me how hand tools are such a personal preference thing.
Always interesting to me how hand tools are such a personal preference thing.
anndel
Well-known member
Vessel Megadora, Snap-on hard handles or Instinct comfort grips are my favorites.
ste6168
Well-known member
I own a big set of Weras, I bought into the internet hype and ordered a bunch of them al at once. I actually think they look cool, but the handles are god awful to grip, IMO. I put them in my home toolbox where they see woodshop and around the house type use, not very heavy use type stuff.
Edit: Heres a pic of the screwdriver drawer, most show very little use as you can tell. Also, i straightened everything out for the pic… It’s usually not quite that nice looking.
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Im a fan boy for almost all things Proto. That being said, their newest handle design offers the best grip ive ever felt on a screwdriver
www.zoro.com
Proto Screwdriver Sets, Cushion Grip, 8 Pieces J1208SCF | Zoro
Order Proto Screwdriver Sets, Cushion Grip, 8 Pieces, J1208SCF at Zoro.com. Great prices & free shipping on orders over $50 when you sign in or sign up for an account.
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IndyGarage
Well-known member
Funny, I think the Grip of the Wera's is the best. It literally feels like they were made for my hand, and the two different color materials, one softer than the other, allows you to get a super tight grip on them.
Your comment is so much the opposite I wonder if you are even holding them the way they were designed to be held.
- or they just feel a whole lot different in different hands. Interesting.
Based on this I would recommend not going out and buying a bunch of anything. I bought one of each of about 8 of the favorite brands here and picked based on that. For example lots of folks like Wiha and Vessel, and I just don't like the grip on either of them. Wiha has a good shape, but the handle is too hard and has no features for a good grip. Vessel is both hard and doesn't have a good shape for me. Both of them have excellent tips though.
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ste6168
Well-known member
I dont know? Not sure I really want to have to think about how to hold a screwdriver, the rest of the brands I own come naturally, the Wera just doesn't see to fit my hand well. I much prefer the Witte grip, and if I were starting over, I wouldn't own anything but Witte drivers. The rest would get tossed in the trash... but I have too much $$ ******* in everything now to go that route.
IndyGarage
Well-known member
I just pulled one out of my desk drawer to see how I hold them. Of course you can hold it any way you want, but they are designed so the widest part of handle goes between your middle and ring finger, then the next bump down goes between your index finger and middle finger, and thumb goes on the hex part.
Maybe your hands are too big to hold them that way. If you can, then you can get an amazing grip on that handle.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
The problem with screwdrivers today, is that just too many excellent choices. 
I think my favorite screwdriver is the snap on CT761 cordless model with needed bit attached.
I think my favorite screwdriver is the snap on CT761 cordless model with needed bit attached.
Indexmill
Well-known member
I could not agree more. I have many NOS and nearly New Proto yellow-handled screwdrivers; lots with duplicates and no where near all of the ones offered. But, they are awesome.
jsmeece
Well-known member
I have Craftsman USA and China, Wiha, Napa (Witte), Vessel, and some King Tony, Gearwrench and Dewalt (demo). I prefer the old Witte made Napa (blue and yellow handles), use Vessel when I work on my Toyotas (Rav4's) and my daughter's Acura, use the King Tony as general screwdrivers outside, Dewalt for demo, USA made craftsman in the house and the China made Craftsman I keep in my car (Lincoln) for road repairs. Have one Snap-on ratcheting use for general repairs, some Greenlee and King Tony insulated screwdrivers for electrical repairs on the house. Have Vessel and Gearwrench impact drivers I have not used much, usually use my Proto impact driver for stubborn screws. Have Vessel micro set for very small screws. I think that about covers my screwdriver collection. Probably missed a few odd balls along the way. I have a cheap set of Kseibi in the kitchen draw for my wife to use, which she doesn't.
Bubba Fett
Well-known member
I just cleaned up some old Popular Mechanic's screwdrivers that belonged to my Dad. They appear to be made by Western Forge or Pratt-Read. The handles are pretty large, and comfortable. The tips are pretty good, and remind me of the Craftsman Professional drivers that had the black handles. These have a lot of witness marks, so they mean a lot to me.
The other day, I picked up a couple of Black & Decker drivers from Big Lots, because they were one sale. I don't need them at all, but the orange handles make them easy to spot. They are all re-labeled Stanley drivers, including the ratcheting one with bit storage. They are not the best, but I'll keep them in my truck.
I have a set of Williams hard handles. They are well made, but I'm not the biggest fan of the shape. I do get a good grip for stubborn screws, but I can't go fast with them.
My Klein drivers are probably my favorite. Lots of torque and I can also get a lot of speed. I also like the Ideal cushion drip drivers, but the tips are not quite as good. Vaco is a great option if you want handles without the rubber over-grip.
My favorite ratcheting screwdriver is the Megapro automotive. I have both the double-end ball detent, and the magnetic versions.
Wiha for precision drivers.
Irwin and DeWalt for demolition drivers, because I got each set for $10.
The other day, I picked up a couple of Black & Decker drivers from Big Lots, because they were one sale. I don't need them at all, but the orange handles make them easy to spot. They are all re-labeled Stanley drivers, including the ratcheting one with bit storage. They are not the best, but I'll keep them in my truck.
I have a set of Williams hard handles. They are well made, but I'm not the biggest fan of the shape. I do get a good grip for stubborn screws, but I can't go fast with them.
My Klein drivers are probably my favorite. Lots of torque and I can also get a lot of speed. I also like the Ideal cushion drip drivers, but the tips are not quite as good. Vaco is a great option if you want handles without the rubber over-grip.
My favorite ratcheting screwdriver is the Megapro automotive. I have both the double-end ball detent, and the magnetic versions.
Wiha for precision drivers.
Irwin and DeWalt for demolition drivers, because I got each set for $10.
Very nice screwdriver collections. Here is the latest shot of mine. I also had a few questions. Would I need to get either a Pozidriv screwdriver or a Phillips #4? I have neither in the collection and didn't see the need for them. Don't own a British car and I don't believe Pozidriv is used much in the US.
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I don’t see pozidriv very often, but my ‘64 Chevy is loaded with #4 Phillips screws.