In over 30 years I doubt I broke more than 3 impact sockets and those were extreme abuse on stubborn fasteners and high powered air impacts beating and heating scenario .
impact extensions and uj's are the common breakages .
You will wallow out impacts drive end and broach to point they no longer wise to use but you won't bust many not even cheaper ones around 2-3 bucks a piece when bought in sets .
I had more success with good manufacture effort crv over recent years vs crmo, truck brand got returned as they deforming as current trend on lot of bigger names is softer socket for safety concerns/less liability risk .
crmo is no indication of a better socket, crv is just as good and it all down to exact quality of base stock and any extras added to it and most importantly heat treatment process .
Generally a bit of due diligence on looking at manufacture effort in design and final coating along with how the sockets marked gives good idea on likely quality level .
Laser etching is pretty much a waste of time on impacts in pro use or over decades of time . Only reason it become popular is far easier setup style/size/logos and less machinery/production costs over roll stamping .
Those who do roll stamping and bold laser etching useful but larger roll stamping would be far more useful long term .
Most of the visual better effort off brand taiwan tend be pretty decent alloy and good heat treatment thus last well and nice to use due to stepped shouldering, relief cuts and lead edge tapering etc .
Buy him something mid range and preferably with available singles as easy replace a lost one .
Life warranty of no real benefit, they that cheap it better to self warranty as self cover includes everything such as loss and theft plus you get replacement you want and in timespan needed .
In 30 years I not replaced enough tools make the extra cost of truck tool warranty viable expenditure or that useful on basic hand tools .
Now MAC's life warranty on drill bits, carbide burrs and dies etc has been useful ...
If you in europe look at japan style, jubilee tools, toptul, welzh Werkzueg, premier, expert, britool hallmark perhaps ...
