Jeeper
Well-known member
What is your preference for the handle of your ratchet? Fully polished or comfort grip and why?
Comfort grip on your ratchet?
- Thread starter Jeeper
- Start date
Mickey O
Well-known member
Full polish or knurled, clean up and grip.
06wt
Well-known member
hard handle,
i just removed comfort grips from 2 new ratchets and replaced them with hard handles
i just removed comfort grips from 2 new ratchets and replaced them with hard handles
Mickey, do you really find you have better grip on a full polish handle than a comfort grip?
I'm definitely with you on the cleanup part, though. I feel bad every time I get a comfort grip dirty, but the full polish clean so nicely.
I find the knurled to be the best compromise -- extra grip from the knurling, but they don't cleanup as nicely as full polish since grime stays stuck in the knurling.
With all of that said, I have mainly SO ratchets, so I end up using primarily full polish handles.
Coach James
Well-known member
What is comfort grip? Soft rubber? I have plain metal handles and hard plastic handles but that's all.
Coach
Coach
The Muffin Man
Well-known member
Comfort grip, easier on the hands...
Mickey O
Well-known member
With a well shaped hard handle grip isn't usually of a problem but there are times a real greasy hand will slip off. Of course I don't have and comfort grips, just a few hard handle ratchets, I had a few of the old ugly Wrights with the rubber handle and those were nice especially outside in the winter.
DARKSCOPE001
Well-known member
like em but eventualy they are going to come off. Especialy If you use powerfull solvents. eg. MEK. skydroll (spelling?) and so forth they will just slide off or melt. I like the way they feel. but personaly to tell you the truth. I grip the head of the ratchet more and use it almost as a thumb wheel. The only time I use the handle is when i need more tourqe for breaking lose or giving it german tourqe "goodentight" 
YEA BABY!
YEA BABY!cruiser808
Well-known member
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I prefer narrow comfort grips but, have all metal ratchets too. I think the best comfort grip handle still hasn't been made yet. The Snap on rubber handle gets banged up too easily and stays durty. However, it's a nice handle shape. I think a manufacturer should take the shape of a Snap on or Gearwrench (for a narrower grip) but make it out of the material Mac uses for their red rectangular screwdriver handles. With a little texture, you would have a winner that would be durable, low profile, and comfortable.
crewchief888
Well-known member
+ 1
but i did just buy my 1st SO comfort grip ratchet, have to see how it survives oil and fuel .
Deafautotech
Well-known member
+ 1
but i did just buy my 1st SO comfort grip ratchet, have to see how it survives oil and fuel .
me too! when i bought FHNF100, that is my first ratchet with soft grip handle.. i am used it a LOT as just try to break loose and ratcheting so tiny in sight area... it still strong to me.. EVEn i tried to break loose and handle would flex little but it will not let go itself... so it is good ratchet!
rsanter
Well-known member
I still like the standard crome handles
never took a liking to a hard handle.
I have one of the newer style snap on comfort grip flex head ratchets
and I like it. good shape.
as far as longevity, its already showing wear.
bob
never took a liking to a hard handle.
I have one of the newer style snap on comfort grip flex head ratchets
and I like it. good shape.
as far as longevity, its already showing wear.
bob
I had all standard handle snap on ratchets and the last time my 3/8 flex head broke the guy didn't have a kit so he exchanged it for a soft handle dual 80 flex head. It rules. I've since picked up the 1/4 version too.
The handles do get beat up over time, but they are nice! I don't think I'd buy a regular handle anymore.
The handles do get beat up over time, but they are nice! I don't think I'd buy a regular handle anymore.
Rnz520
Well-known member
hmm I like both, depending on the space I have and what I am working on. If I know I am gonna be loosening up some very tight bolts then I'll use a comfort grip, if not cold steel.
I have a preference on those grips too, I HATE Snap-Ons and MACs new comfort grip, like Macs hard handle and same for Cornwell and old snap on. The Gearwrench and Matco soft grip is much better, comfortable, and easier to clean than then Snap Ons.
I have a preference on those grips too, I HATE Snap-Ons and MACs new comfort grip, like Macs hard handle and same for Cornwell and old snap on. The Gearwrench and Matco soft grip is much better, comfortable, and easier to clean than then Snap Ons.
Scout Driver
Well-known member
Knurled. 
Scott
Scott
Knurled.
Scott
yup, i was there also. that is until i ordered a proto big dawg with the plastic handle on closeout from grainger last year. now i have every version of them plus the 1/4 and 3/8 spinflex and indexing with the plastic handle. they are not for every job, but when i use them.
Scout Driver
Well-known member
yup, i was there also. that is until i ordered a proto big dawg with the plastic handle on closeout from grainger last year. now i have every version of them plus the 1/4 and 3/8 spinflex and indexing with the plastic handle. they are not for every job, but when i use them.
Just checked out a couple pics of the Protos. They are nice!
I may have to expand my tool experience some more!
Scott
billymade
Well-known member
I've never had anything but chrome up until recently; I got a snapon comfort grip 3/8" flex head ratchet.... I actually like it and would get more. The only thing is that I have to clean it up and when doing oil changes it gets really messy, slippery but not a major issue... they arn't as bad as I thought!
mkdive
Well-known member
No plastic, or comfort handles for me. I just dont like them.
gregrobbins
Member
A number of my older clients like the comfort grip as it is easier for their hands to grip after years of beating. The younger guys like thin metal. I have, use and like both.