Craftsman Pro screwdrivers

[cheechi]

This isn't a rant. If you came here for that, go away.

Now that we got that out of the way, I have seen some made in USA Cman pro this & this for example on sale on the last trip over. The handles feel pretty comfortable but I didn't actually use them, just held onto them and whatnot.

Currently I have a set of Kobalt screwdrivers, this set (or something really close) that there's nothing wrong with them, I have a full set, but they're not as comfortable and of course when its cold they ****. I also have this set (or something really close) but I don't want to use these for every day stuff. They're still new, not sure i love them yet but thought it was worth mentioning.

I was thinking of getting some new drivers anyway, have looked at wera, wiha, and now considering these. I really like having a good bit driver handle and may still get a nice one of those instead/also but the cman pro that matches these is the only one not stamped USA. It's not necessarily that important to me like it is to some, but considering that's the one thing I would really want to make the jump, it put a bad taste in my mouth.

Thoughts? Are these Cman pros good for the long term? are they as good as wera & wiha? I like they have a hook & pick set that matches, but I'm sure I could find that from any driver I decide on.

 

[belvedere]

I bought a set in the late 90's, which I use for work. I repair medical equipment, so they see quite a bit of use. They have held up very well. That said, they are quite different from the current offering, so I don't know how much difference there is between mine and the new ones.

 

[kythri]

I've had mine for a few years, love them.

They generally get great reviews.

Only issue is, duration of supply. The selection has gotten dramatically smaller over the last few years.

I'm glad I have mine, but I like matching sets - if I was shopping today, and wanted a wide breadth of sizes/lengths/drive styles, I'd probably end up buying something else.

 

[Exceller8]

I didn't like them very much until I picked up five of the for $5 a few months ago. I figured they would be my beater screwdrivers and now they've worked their way into my main box along with my Snap-On and Klein's.

 

[Danglerb]

I bought a set on sale a couple years ago, several had bad tips, soft and twisted on the first screw.

 

[smith627]

I have a few of these red handled pros and more of the older black handled pros and they have served me well for years. I don't even use my oldest clear plastic handle craftsmen screwdrivers anymore. I have medium sized hands and I can get a very good grip on these with cold or hot sweaty hands.
Good pricing for the sets you linked. Mine are stamped USA WF.

 

[billymade]

I'm not a fan of any Western Forge screwdrivers (the oem for craftsman, denoted by the "WF" code on the handle; as noted above, the tips are soft and seem to lack the temper they may have had in the past. I think they are the best in the Craftsman line but there are so many other, better brands out there... I would look elsewhere. Snapon and German brands, like Wiha, Wera, Felo, Witte and others come to mind...

 

[cheechi]

Nice thing is my store still has quite a few. If I go for them I will get as many sets as I can, maybe a few individual ones to fill in, because I'm the same way about sets. But yes, I'm thinking about it now because they might not be there when I decide to jump.

I did go through the reviews on sears site, but there seems to be conspicuously few and they're all positive. maybe coincidence, whatever. Have the handles on your sets remained intact? That's the main reason I haven't really got into soft handles yet. If you have any more info for me, please share it here.

 

[CWP1616L]

Thoughts? Are these Cman pros good for the long term?

They wouldn't be my first choice in screwdrivers especially since there's so many great screwdrivers on the market.

 

[otis66]

I have the Craftsman Red and Black pro screw drivers, they are nice screwdrivers. I also like the older Craftsman Pro screwdrivers with the black handles.

 

[bimmerZ5]

this probably won't help you much, but I've had the older craftsman professional black handle screwdrivers for 10 yrs now and I've also had the clear handles too....after 10yrs the black handles have held up much better.. all the tips are still usable.

I also recently got a T40 of the newer black/red craftsman professional screwdriver but haven't used it to really say anything meaningful. the handle is comfortable.

a few months ago, I got a 20pc set of the gearwrench screwdrivers and have been impressed for the last few months of use. they grip really well and they don't advertise it,but the tips are all magnetic which has been useful.

 

[azcactus]

I've got that set you linked to: http://www.sears.com/craftsman-prof...0P?sid=I0084400010000100600&PID=6147012&aff=Y

I love it, and Sears is right down the street if I have any problems. I don't wrench for a living though so I can't testify to how they hold up in a professional type of setting.

 

[cburnscrx]

I've had mine for a few years, and they've held up well. I will say I am 99% certain they are SK's cushiongrip in a different color. If you like the driver, or need more and Sears discontinues the Craftsman Pro line, then you could always add or replace with SK based on need.

http://www.skhandtool.com/products/screwdrivers/product.aspx?ID=9595&view=view

If you're worried about them being discontinued, get the SK's right from the beginning.

 

[smith627]

Have the handles on your sets remained intact? .

Yes, and the craftsman name is about worn off on all my older all black soft handled pro screwdrivers.

 

[pipsters]

These are the same shank with different handles for $5-$10 less

http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/100032...toreId=10051&N=5yc1v&R=100032915#.UUlESVf2ilg

Also stamped USA and WF (last time I checked)

 

[Conductor562]

I got some of these Blackhawk drivers for Christmas. I've really grown fond of them. They are made in France.

$50 at Zoro Tools

http://http://www.zorotools.com/g/Screwdriver%20Set/00073604/

 

[cheechi]

pipsters, I haven't had much success with Husky hand tools so I almost always don't even consider them as an option. Those don't look quite as cushiony, but i'll consider them too.

Going to put my hands around some Wera kraftwerk or something similar this weekend and see if i want to pay for that instead.

 

[ACepero]

The Cman Pro's are my second favorite set that I own. The first being the Williams/SO hard handles. I keep the Williams on my work bench and the Cman Pro's in my tote. So, if I'm doing an odd job around the house and need a driver, I use the Cman Pro's. They're comfortable and have worked well.

 

[thecanman]

Is there a complete list of screwdrivers including part numbers and descriptions? I have a bunch of them, I would like to see a list and try to get what i'm missing. Thanks

 

[emeraldcoupe]

These are the same shank with different handles for $5-$10 less

http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/100032...toreId=10051&N=5yc1v&R=100032915#.UUlESVf2ilg

Also stamped USA and WF (last time I checked)

I've had those for a year or two, so far so good but i'm not using them pro

 

[cheechi]

I think I'm going to pick up a Wera bit holder or two, keep the Wiha set, and if the Cmans go on sale super cheap I'll pick some up then. Ironically my HD didn't have the Husky Pros in stock, the ones they did have were not very comfortable. I took a look at Greenlee & Klien while i was out, they're not very comfortable either.

Thanks for all the suggestions folks.