Felo Tools, any good?
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M4A1Carbine
Well-known member
They are a German brand like Wiha or Wera. They make good screwdrivers but I haven’t seen any of their other tools.
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Thanks for the fast reply! I read some reviews and they have been compared to Wiha and Wera. Their screwdrivers are a tad more money than both Wiha and Wera.
measuredtwice
Well-known member
I have these Felo tools...
Ergonic 6 Pc. Torx Screwdriver Set
Good fitting tips. The handles are super comfy. Got a great deal on them with a coupon at Fleet Farm in the USA.
Felo E-Pro 11-in-1 Multi-Bit Insulated Screwdriver
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vaWCA3fxWrI" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Good insulated handle and excellent bits. The packaging isn't worth keeping for storage.
I took the bits out and put them in an 22lr ammo box. Got this one during a sale at Detroit Metalworking in the USA.
Felo 62367 XS 18 Classic 18 pc Wood Case Set
Got this as a gift for my niece. It was a great deal during the Tool of the Day sale at KCTool in the USA.
Ergonic 6 Pc. Torx Screwdriver Set
Good fitting tips. The handles are super comfy. Got a great deal on them with a coupon at Fleet Farm in the USA.
Felo E-Pro 11-in-1 Multi-Bit Insulated Screwdriver
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vaWCA3fxWrI" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Good insulated handle and excellent bits. The packaging isn't worth keeping for storage.
I took the bits out and put them in an 22lr ammo box. Got this one during a sale at Detroit Metalworking in the USA.
Felo 62367 XS 18 Classic 18 pc Wood Case Set
Got this as a gift for my niece. It was a great deal during the Tool of the Day sale at KCTool in the USA.
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M4A1Carbine
Well-known member
You’re correct. I remember seeing some of their screwdrivers made in Europe, but they were made in France.
M4A1Carbine
Well-known member
Those are horrible prices for the Wera Craftform screwdrivers. I’ve seen them for sale around $25-$30.
More like 6:5 comparison
I guess that Wera and Felo screwdrivers, these you posted, are a little more in expectations on quality - hexagonal shaft and bolster.
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brollona
Well-known member
Where did you bought them and what's the price? I see that Wurth is selling them under their name.
So they are not so good? For what you use them, auto moto, something else?
Legion Prime
Well-known member
Well, not since the 40's anyway . . .
Best price I've found on their wood handled drivers is here, they dropship from Bondhus.
Menards Felo® Wooden Handle Screwdrivers Set - 5 Piece
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jmcf1949
Well-known member
Bought a set of Felo precision screwdrivers a year or so ago and love them. Found very good prices and service at Crawford Tool near Atlanta.
tomalophicon
Well-known member
It would make sense if Felo is made in Germany that they are more expensive than Wera, which are made mostly in the Czech Republic where worker wages are much much lower.
Yup, made a mistake - besides Felo obviously I thought of Wera instead of Wiha.
Long story... Really long. Let us just say that top tier tools are not manufactured in top tier countries, only. And for prices of Wera - power of marketing and advertisement. Besides quality.
HazetMatt
Active member
They have the most comfortable screwdriver handles. Made in Germany, really nice. I like them better than Vessel.
designer485
Well-known member
With as much as I love my Snap-On and Williams hard handles, I grab for my Felo Ergo screwdrivers most often. They just got the handles right and they feel great in the hand. I would put their quality up their with the best.
PhysicsDude
Well-known member
I LOVE Felo screwdrivers. I own more of them than is healthy. The grips are the absolute best, in my opinion, and the business end is quality also.
I manage crews installing electronic door hardware, which uses a lot of security-torx screws. We use Felo security torx screwdrivers, which are light, comfortable, ergonomic, and the tips last forever. The cheaper brands will have mangled tips after a year, while I have some 5 and 6 year old Felo drivers that still look almost new.
I also love their 1/4" hex bit holding screwdrivers. They use an absurdly strong magnet.
They pretty much only make screwdrivers and screwdriver bits.
I manage crews installing electronic door hardware, which uses a lot of security-torx screws. We use Felo security torx screwdrivers, which are light, comfortable, ergonomic, and the tips last forever. The cheaper brands will have mangled tips after a year, while I have some 5 and 6 year old Felo drivers that still look almost new.
I also love their 1/4" hex bit holding screwdrivers. They use an absurdly strong magnet.
They pretty much only make screwdrivers and screwdriver bits.
Felo's contoured "woodie" handle is the best screwdriver handle I have used, and the shafts are commensurately excellent.
Felo woodies have an image problem: they are sold too cheaply to be broadly viewed as a "super premium" product comparable to or better than PB Swiss or the US white van brands, even though they're well made with handles of real materials (wood, leather) rather than petrochemical concoctions. If Felo asked PB Swiss/Snapon prices, and you'd see a hordes of people proclaiming them the greatest screwdrivers ever. They're cheap so people don't, even though it would not be inaccurate. From a design and quality perspective, they are good enough to be stocked for years by fancy fashion/home-goods chains such as Germany's Manufactum.
https://www.manufactum.de/schraubendreher-fuenfteilig-a41941/
There is also a practical problem with Felo woodies: too few options. Felo only offers slotted, PH, and PZ woodies. No square/hex/torx, let alone oddities. For PH/PZ they are my choice. (PB Swiss slotted is my choice because I prefer their tip shape.)
While I think the woodie screwdrivers are Felo's best tools, their bits are also as good as any. (In hex I prefer Wera hex plus.)
Their 1/4" drive set is also fantastic, especially if you need both AF and metric. The ratchet has a top tier handle, though the 72T mechanism is barely better than Snapon/Bahco or other such mediocrities.
Likewise, I like Felo's"Bit Boy" bit holding handle. Very comfortable in the hand and versatile to stash somewhere. Felo's bit ratchet is also one of the better ones. Reverse Gear's locking flex bit ratchet (sold with minor variations by Facom/USAG/KS Tool/Würth/Deen/Mac/Toptul/likely others) is currently my most used because of its versatility, but Felo is more finely crafted, I prefer Felo to Wera (fixed Reverse Gear), Wiha, Stahlwille, and any others not named above that have gone through my hands. Koken I don't compare because it is so much larger than the others.
However, I am unimpressed with Felo's "Smart" nutdriver set. It is expensive, and the shaft retention on the handle is not very secure.
I've bought Felo from Manufactum, as well as more traditional tool sources such as KC Tool, Amazon, and Detroit Metalworking Supply.
Würth is actually a bit different, though unless you look at them next to each other that is very hard to determine. While the handle texture and give is similar, Würth's contour is almost a caricature of Felo's, with two exaggerated bulges but a less nipped waistline. For me at least Würth is less comfortable. Here's two direct A-B comparisons:
View media item 101017
View media item 91209
I don't know if it's simply Würth's current policy not to label COO on any tools regardless of origin, but it also bears noting that they do not say "Made in Germany" on them. Quality seems similarly excellent. I prefer Würth's spinner handle to Felo's because it has the female 1/4" square on top, though the perfect spinner handle would be Felo grip with Würth through-shaft, and Stahlwille QR square...
However, Heyco does sell Felo Ergonic screwdrivers in their distinctive green color. You can find them on Amazon, or at least could at one point. Heyco also carries options Felo does not offer themselves, such as this great little 2.5mm slotted terminal screwdriver.
View media item 101018
Bondhus is Felo's US importer. And at that price everyone should try Felo woodies.
Felo woodies have an image problem: they are sold too cheaply to be broadly viewed as a "super premium" product comparable to or better than PB Swiss or the US white van brands, even though they're well made with handles of real materials (wood, leather) rather than petrochemical concoctions. If Felo asked PB Swiss/Snapon prices, and you'd see a hordes of people proclaiming them the greatest screwdrivers ever. They're cheap so people don't, even though it would not be inaccurate. From a design and quality perspective, they are good enough to be stocked for years by fancy fashion/home-goods chains such as Germany's Manufactum.
https://www.manufactum.de/schraubendreher-fuenfteilig-a41941/
There is also a practical problem with Felo woodies: too few options. Felo only offers slotted, PH, and PZ woodies. No square/hex/torx, let alone oddities. For PH/PZ they are my choice. (PB Swiss slotted is my choice because I prefer their tip shape.)
While I think the woodie screwdrivers are Felo's best tools, their bits are also as good as any. (In hex I prefer Wera hex plus.)
Their 1/4" drive set is also fantastic, especially if you need both AF and metric. The ratchet has a top tier handle, though the 72T mechanism is barely better than Snapon/Bahco or other such mediocrities.
Likewise, I like Felo's"Bit Boy" bit holding handle. Very comfortable in the hand and versatile to stash somewhere. Felo's bit ratchet is also one of the better ones. Reverse Gear's locking flex bit ratchet (sold with minor variations by Facom/USAG/KS Tool/Würth/Deen/Mac/Toptul/likely others) is currently my most used because of its versatility, but Felo is more finely crafted, I prefer Felo to Wera (fixed Reverse Gear), Wiha, Stahlwille, and any others not named above that have gone through my hands. Koken I don't compare because it is so much larger than the others.
However, I am unimpressed with Felo's "Smart" nutdriver set. It is expensive, and the shaft retention on the handle is not very secure.
I've bought Felo from Manufactum, as well as more traditional tool sources such as KC Tool, Amazon, and Detroit Metalworking Supply.
Würth is actually a bit different, though unless you look at them next to each other that is very hard to determine. While the handle texture and give is similar, Würth's contour is almost a caricature of Felo's, with two exaggerated bulges but a less nipped waistline. For me at least Würth is less comfortable. Here's two direct A-B comparisons:
View media item 101017
View media item 91209
I don't know if it's simply Würth's current policy not to label COO on any tools regardless of origin, but it also bears noting that they do not say "Made in Germany" on them. Quality seems similarly excellent. I prefer Würth's spinner handle to Felo's because it has the female 1/4" square on top, though the perfect spinner handle would be Felo grip with Würth through-shaft, and Stahlwille QR square...
However, Heyco does sell Felo Ergonic screwdrivers in their distinctive green color. You can find them on Amazon, or at least could at one point. Heyco also carries options Felo does not offer themselves, such as this great little 2.5mm slotted terminal screwdriver.
View media item 101018
Bondhus is Felo's US importer. And at that price everyone should try Felo woodies.
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I agree that the socket on the Smart handle is rather loose. But if you cut a piece of beer can to shim three sides of the six, you'll find it makes the fit just right. I'm planning to epoxy the shim on mine, otherwise I'll lose it on the garage floor one of these days!
With the Smart handle you can apply torque like a small ratchet, and you still have the speed of a screwdriver. So I like it pretty well.
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they were wurth rebrand felo's... Price was around $8 for a PH2. I work in small shop that makes UPVC and aluminum doors,windows,sliding doors etc etc
I think Felo only make screwdrivers and bits so any other Felo tools are rebranded from other manufacturers. Pliers are NWS. Not sure who make the sockets. Ratchets look to be Taiwan. I think the wooden handles for the screwdrivers are made by Drechslerei Zimmer who also make the wooden handles for Wiha, Facom, Format etc.
jgromada
Well-known member
I think they are largely known for their Screwdrivers. i have some very nice handles!
I'm guessing that you are looking for screwdrivers, but .... The only Felo tools that I own is a set of Felo T-Handle Torx drivers. Good quality.
Felo 0715750849 Set of 6 Torx T-Handles, Sizes T10-T30, 308 Series
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000E62O4U/?tag=atomicindustr-21
Felo 0715750849 Set of 6 Torx T-Handles, Sizes T10-T30, 308 Series
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000E62O4U/?tag=atomicindustr-21
One more innovative and excellent Felo tool that has not yet been mentioned here: the Star bit holder line. It has a dedicated magnetic ring to hold the fastener, and works better than a magnet on the other end of the bit.
https://www.felo.com/en/innovations/star.html
The only similar bit holder known to me is Wera Rapidator Ringmagnet. Felo is longer (Wera may offer multiple lengths) and usefully thinner in diameter.
View media item 101034
FWIW just like the standard 1/4" drive ratchet neither of my Felo bit ratchet has "Germany" stamped or printed on it anywhere. So only Felo knows if they are made in house or outsourced (domestic or abroad). I have not seen a similar bit ratchet from anyone else though. Regardless, they are nice bit ratchets, smoother in use than like-sized competition with good handle ergonomics. The head is a little wider than Reverse Gear - see rebrander list above
- but height-wise they are basically equivalent. Reverse Gear looks shorter because the metal section is shorter, but the spinner ring on top and clip at the bottom add some height.
Correct: edited.
Maybe. See above.
If one insists on valuing COO above all, Stahlwille, Gedore, and Hazet all make bit ratchets in Germany. Alas, none of them are as versatile as the humble locking flex-head Reverse Gear.
Penny pinching is so annoying... Price isn't the only component of value. KC Tool is a domestic small business with knowledgable humans who work for said business (as opposed to AI or outsourced call center fellows reading from a script) who answer the phones and emails. Also, can you point me to the link on amazon.de to purchase one Felo SQ1 and one Felo SQ2 bit?
KC Tool's staff also knows how to package tools. I've had several amazon.de orders missing items due to crappy packaging. Boxes with holes in them and such. Sometimes their pricing is higher than a grey-market direct imports (e.g. amazon other than .com, MisterWorker, TBS Aachen), but that isn't always the case. That said, I've often found Detroit Metalworking Supply to have the best Felo pricing among US-based suppliers.
I assume they both (along with Zoro/Grainger, HJE, and others that publish COO) get their data from the paperwork the importer provides ICE.
Are you sure the bitholder is fixed? The two Felo bit-holding screwdrivers I have (Bit Boy and stubby) have removeable shafts. See pic above. I ask because it took me a while to notice those bit holders come out.
If what you write is correct, then it seems Bit Boy is Felo's better full-sized bitholding handle option. I do not know if it is still available though.
https://www.felo.com/en/innovations/star.html
The only similar bit holder known to me is Wera Rapidator Ringmagnet. Felo is longer (Wera may offer multiple lengths) and usefully thinner in diameter.
View media item 101034
FWIW just like the standard 1/4" drive ratchet neither of my Felo bit ratchet has "Germany" stamped or printed on it anywhere. So only Felo knows if they are made in house or outsourced (domestic or abroad). I have not seen a similar bit ratchet from anyone else though. Regardless, they are nice bit ratchets, smoother in use than like-sized competition with good handle ergonomics. The head is a little wider than Reverse Gear - see rebrander list above
- but height-wise they are basically equivalent. Reverse Gear looks shorter because the metal section is shorter, but the spinner ring on top and clip at the bottom add some height.Correct: edited.
Maybe. See above.
If one insists on valuing COO above all, Stahlwille, Gedore, and Hazet all make bit ratchets in Germany. Alas, none of them are as versatile as the humble locking flex-head Reverse Gear.
Penny pinching is so annoying... Price isn't the only component of value. KC Tool is a domestic small business with knowledgable humans who work for said business (as opposed to AI or outsourced call center fellows reading from a script) who answer the phones and emails. Also, can you point me to the link on amazon.de to purchase one Felo SQ1 and one Felo SQ2 bit?
KC Tool's staff also knows how to package tools. I've had several amazon.de orders missing items due to crappy packaging. Boxes with holes in them and such. Sometimes their pricing is higher than a grey-market direct imports (e.g. amazon other than .com, MisterWorker, TBS Aachen), but that isn't always the case. That said, I've often found Detroit Metalworking Supply to have the best Felo pricing among US-based suppliers.
I assume they both (along with Zoro/Grainger, HJE, and others that publish COO) get their data from the paperwork the importer provides ICE.
Are you sure the bitholder is fixed? The two Felo bit-holding screwdrivers I have (Bit Boy and stubby) have removeable shafts. See pic above. I ask because it took me a while to notice those bit holders come out.
If what you write is correct, then it seems Bit Boy is Felo's better full-sized bitholding handle option. I do not know if it is still available though.
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brollona
Well-known member
Well I'm not from USA so unfortunately those sources are not available for me.
Interesting point with Wurth. I guess their screwdrivers are then from Taiwan where somebody is mimicking Felo style. Maybe it's good quality but Jure mentioned that he broke several PH2 screwdrivers on his job.
Btw, I've bought Zebra 3/8 ratchet and socket set from Wurth, nice locking tools, nice package too and sockets look like Koken syle. However, dimensions of sockets, like length, differ from data on Koken site. Also to mention that on carbord box it says COO - Taiwan
. What's the quality? I used it couple times for some jobs on my bike and car, but that's not tough test, so I don't know what to say.I also bought a snap ring pliers set that seams to be Knipex , where knipex logo is just machined out. I guess I cannot be 100% sure it's knipex, however lock pretty damn identical. I see in Wurth catalogue plenty Knipex pliers with logo, also NWS pliers without logo.
Thanks everyone for the advice. I'll certainly try them out. They are fairly hard to acquire here in the UK, and comparing prices on the Amazon UK site, Felo is more money than Wiha and Wera, with Wiha's set costing £18 and Wera's £23, where as Felo's equivalent costs £36. I will try elsewhere to see if I can grab a better deal
If you are looking for a reasonably priced set of German screwdrivers in the UK it's worth also considering Witte. Witte make Stahlwille screwdrivers.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Witte-Pr...525332?hash=item2acea4add4:g:DWEAAOSwCb9c-Dxi
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Witte-Pr...525332?hash=item2acea4add4:g:DWEAAOSwCb9c-Dxi
visionguru
Well-known member
Felo seems a budget German brand, decent at best, no better than mid grade screwdrivers from China/Taiwan.
The following is a Felo driver, only used a handful of times. Chrome starts to peel, not just the tip, also near the hex booster, which indicates poor quality. The wood handle was discolored from a little brake clean, the Phillips ones have no grip, easily can out of screws. Not even as good as Craftsman.
I like the handle and through shaft, pretty handy as a beater.
The following is a Felo driver, only used a handful of times. Chrome starts to peel, not just the tip, also near the hex booster, which indicates poor quality. The wood handle was discolored from a little brake clean, the Phillips ones have no grip, easily can out of screws. Not even as good as Craftsman.
I like the handle and through shaft, pretty handy as a beater.
Attachments
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brollona
Well-known member
Just browsing, prices are indeed atractive.
PhysicsDude
Well-known member
I have a bunch of Felo wood handled drivers, and they've all held up well so far (only used them for about a year), but I have heard several people complain about the chrome chipping, including GermanToolReviews.
As far as I can tell, about 2 years ago Felo changed from using a bright chrome finish to now using a more matte chrome finish on the wood handled screwdrivers, which seems to be more durable.
Very fascinating test! Very impressed with all the major German brands that competed. Thanks for posting.
measuredtwice
Well-known member
I don't have the woodies that JBH recommended but will likely pick them up. The photo on the Menards website is old. The handles now have the same shape as the Ergonic handles. Also the chrome is now a matte hard chrome instead of a bright decorative chrome. Hard chrome doesn't peel like decorative chrome. The wood handles are varnished and shouldn't be cleaned with brake cleaner. Brake cleaner is sometimes used as a paint remover so it should not be used to clean the varnished wood handles, of course. You have to care for the wood handles the same way as any other wood. With proper care, they should last a long time. I have wood handle screwdrivers that are 100 years old.
Menards has the best price I've seen for the woodies. Felo is available locally at Fleet Farm. They have the woodies but the price is a bit higher. The precision slotted/phillips screwdriver set is only $15. The Ergonic Torx set is $25. The entry level blue handle slotted/phillips set is $9. With coupons, you can get an even better price.
Menards has the best price I've seen for the woodies. Felo is available locally at Fleet Farm. They have the woodies but the price is a bit higher. The precision slotted/phillips screwdriver set is only $15. The Ergonic Torx set is $25. The entry level blue handle slotted/phillips set is $9. With coupons, you can get an even better price.
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measuredtwice
Well-known member
Here are my vintage Felo drivers that are marked West Germany instead of Germany. The tips are similar to the "parallel tips" from PB Swiss. The green handles have a nice grippy feel that is different than the smooth red or blue PPC used today. The shape of the handle is slightly different than the modern handle.
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jeffmoss26
Well-known member
yes - I use the wood handled screwdrivers daily as a locksmith. Also have a couple small flatheads that I really like.
Legion Prime
Well-known member
I have one of the blue handle Felo drivers and while it's a cheap hard plastic handle, for the price it's still quite comfortable. The wood handles I wouldn't even bother with the lacquer finish. After a week or two I tried sanding one down and wiping it with linseed oil, I liked it so much more I did the same with the rest of the set the next day. The wooden handles are some of my favorite screwdrivers and the price through Menards (free shipping as well I believe, the only thing that's held me back from the blue handle sets from fleet farm is the shipping) beats the best I've seen anywhere else by a good $10 or so. The set I got last month have the ergonic shape handles which I really like and the shafts are the matte chrome.
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measuredtwice
Well-known member
Looks good! Linseed oil is excellent on wood. I also like the blue PPC handles. I do prefer black tips instead of full chrome but I haven't found the red PPC handles (they have black tips) for anywhere near as cheap.
Fleet Farm occasionally runs a free shipping coupon but I haven't seen one in 2020 yet. My favorite FF coupon is the $10 off $50 in store. Haven't seen that one in 2020 either though.
Fleet Farm occasionally runs a free shipping coupon but I haven't seen one in 2020 yet. My favorite FF coupon is the $10 off $50 in store. Haven't seen that one in 2020 either though.