ergonomic softgrip rant

[isr2kba]

I have to rant for a moment.

What is going on with this latest craze where every toolmaker needs to put oversized handles and softgrips on screwdrivers, pliers and ratchets?

I loved the SO hard handled screwdrivers. Now everything is torque robbing soft grip. Why anyone would want to put a bulky handle on a ratchet when cars and other equipment barely has clearance for your hands is beyond me.

Where was I when mechanics decided to trade bruised and cut knuckles for soft palms?

And the soft goopy handles on things have to be cleaned with WD-40 which leaves it slippery if not wiped perfectly, negating any advantage the "grippy" mush handles brought in the first place.

Ok, I feel better now.

 

[Delray]

My most comfortable screwdrivers are some old Snap On's with hard triangle panel grips. I would also recommend Ace master series with the same type grips. I do have small hands though so it may be different for others.

I don't think I have a screwdriver with soft grips.

 

[HandyManny]

Yeah I hear ya. I'm noticing this a lot too, especially among tools marked as "professional" these days. I just don't see the point of huge overmolded grips on most tools. The only tools of mine that have covered handles are pliers and some screwdrivers. My pliers all have the thin low profile plastic or vinyl dipped coatings, not the heavy thick rubber or plastic overmold. My Klien and Stanley screwdrivers have the rubber or vinyl covered handles which I prefere in a screwdriver.

 

[r6_cannibal]

I'm not a big fan of soft grips either on ratchets or things that potentially get banged around. i can be a bit of a minimalist when it comes to tools, and in quality tools, the tool with the least points of failure tend to make the better tool. not always the case, but a general statement. The soft handles would irk me if for some reason a jagged edge caught and tore into it.

 

[rsanter]

I never could grow a feel for the ratchets with the larger handles I am still stuck on my crome handles.
I do like the Cman pro screwdrivers though better than the older hard handle ones. of course any screws I come across that need some real torque I just get out the screwdriver bits and a ratchet.

bob

 

[Mike83]

I like soft grip handles for cold weather use (my garage is COLD in winter). However, I prefer the feel of chrome handles and also the extra clearance they afford in tight spaces. Like already stated, who needs another thing to wear out or break on the tool?

 

[skeletonizer]

For ratchets I prefer chrome. For screwdrivers... Well, I have some of each and can honestly say I see no difference. Any time I use a screwdriver enough that comfort would become an issue I use a power tool. As far as torque is concerned the claim that one is better than the other is nonsense.

My choice would be hard handle on screwdrivers based on the ease of clean up alone. Some of the color choices on the soft materials is just silly for a tool.

 

[-B-]

Soft grips are for home owners and comp/ tel/ copier tecs they are not long lasting offer no feel and generally get in the way. As for having them on a ratchet well it already says on off on it so it must be for the non professional.

 

[voidifused]

As for having them on a ratchet well it already says on off on it so it must be for the non professional.

That is just priceless.

 

[Frank Elson]

It's just marketing. The idea is for people to buy the latest "model".
Hang on long enough and they'll all come up with something else.
Of course, the "next big thing" might be worse...

If you have found something you like, like hard handles, stick with them.

 

[speed bump]

I like them but then again I have XL sized hands and will take all the handle I can get. Can't say as they have ever robbed me of any torque either. Never had a problem with cleaning them with wd-40 either generally I just spray a rag with it and wipe down the tool no muss no fuss.


Then something to make all you hard handles lovers puke a little I hate the SO hard handled screwdrivers so much that I have almost convinced myself that sending them in and getting instinct handles would be a better deal than keeping them.

Only tools I generally won't buy with the bigger soft grips are pliers I like the nice rubber coated handles instead.

 

[daveblank]

And the soft goopy handles on things have to be cleaned with WD-40 which leaves it slippery if not wiped perfectly, negating any advantage the "grippy" mush handles brought in the first place.

http://us.fluke.com/usen/products/A...FlukeUnitedStates&category=CASE(FlukeProducts)

See if you can find some of this. It will clean the handles real well.



Many of you are saying that the handles make no difference. We've got a demo tool, a.k.a. torque meter, to demonstrate the difference in the amount of torque screwdriver handles make. I can honestly say the new ergonomic handles do make a difference.

 

[Garage_Mahal]

I love 'em 'cause I have XXXL hands and nerve problems in my hands. In fact I am rebuilding my entire toolbox with soft handle tools to protect my nerves. Car repair had become too painful before I switched.

 

[Vulturej]

I like having both hard and soft handles, but I miss the first generation SO soft grip handles. The SO Instinct are ok, but not as good as their first try.