Full polish functionally better?

[Kenwc]

I have both full polish and "not" wrenches. In my highly unscientific experiments the full polished ones are the first to slip off surfaces and hit the floor or escape that second effort grab of the hand when falling.

I like that minute difference in the tactile feel and contol of a non polished tool.

So a question for those who use them for a living. Are they "functionally" better? And if so, why. Just curious. Maybe they're easier to clean? Which is good because mine get dirty a lot from being on the floor.

Thanks

 

[hammergodthor]

The conspirator in me says they are chromed to help justify the cost... They certainly do look better. However, if you are working with ATF, that full polish is harder to hang on to.

I don't really have a problem cleaning non polished wrenches, but thats just me.

 

[kythri]

They're all chromed - the "satin finish" is just unpolished chrome.

That said, I find fully-polished chrome is easier to clean, and I prefer working with it.

My father is the exact opposite, and dislikes full-polish as he feels it's more slippery when oily/greasy - an issue I don't have

Satin-finish or non-polished chrome seems more "porous", and more likely to trap grime/dirt/etc and stain than fully-polished stuff, but that's not rooted in any science at all (hence the quotation marks around porous - logically, I would think that the chroming process "fill in" any porous surfaces).

 

[Turu]

I like my non-polished stuff because it's not as slippery as the full polished wrenches, but even if you clean them with a rag they look dirty, you have to spend more time cleaning them.

 

[sberry]

Its a rare day when I get tools really greasy, I just don't work like a pig and grab a towel or rag as I go. I got a guy works for me I got to get after constant, I can do the same job for a week and have clean cloths, he can't work 5 minutes without finding every gob of grease there is on a car, , I wipe it off if its in my way.

 

[Fedwrench]

It's a matter personal preference. I like full polish for the ease of clean up, and I feel my options for matte or satin finished wrenches are limited.
If you have enough scars and callouses on your hands, the full polish wrenches aren't slippery when covered in coolant or atf.

 

[rsanter]

as people and specifically guys we like things that shine and sparkle...
why do you think strippers put that glitter stuff on themselves

and why do you think girls are attracted to diamonds, gold and guys wearing rollex watches

bob

 

[geologist]

Full polish is easier to clean, but in my opinion a regular old RP holds up better.

 

[dieselmike]

working in the shop my tools would get filthy, when i was using a coworkers german non polished wrenchs, id have to scrub them with a rag before dropping them in the wrench rack, with my polished i give em a quick wipe and theyre good. if your hands are covered in atf, wipe em down. hydraulic oil.. thats a differnt story

 

[Kenwc]

Ok so I can see that the answer to my question is actually yes...functionally they are better in a pro environment at least in the cleaning part which "is" part of the job.

 

[Farmrod]

I honestly feel as if the non polished are slicker with oil and grease on them to me it seems that the oil and grease sticks in the porous spots on my full polish I can usual take the wrench squeeze tight and pull it through my hand to remove the oil or grease I also work with nitrile gloves so that may make a difference

 

[expfcwintergreen]

I like my polished wrenches because they are longer, thinner and lighter than my standard Craftsman wrenches. And they look good. The standard Craftsman have their place when a shorter wrench is required.
=======
I have several friends who have those no-name junk tool sets whose sockets and wrenches never seem to fit and the tips of the screwdrivers bend; I try to get them to invest $100-$200 in Craftsman tools and be done with it, but not one of them ever has. Craftsman aren't pretty, but they are functional for those of us who aren't full time mechanics.

 

[GoBlue]

Ill take textured every time. Shinny things get awful slippery when my hands are covered in oil or grease...especially when i have gloves on which is always! Im not just defending my beloved RPs either...when i purchased my Wright wrenches i got textured as well.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

3 main reasons my wrenches are full polish:

1) Easy to Clean
2) More Comfortable to Hold
3) Full Polish is a Standard Snap On Feature

And as bonus they look nicer... bling bling

 

[Monte]

Functionally wrenches with a rough finish are better

 

[housey]

I prefer the satin/matte chrome finish. Chrome are easier to clean, satin doesn't show up small scratches/scuffs as easily as chrome.

Unfortunately one of my big deciding factors in choosing satin, is that shiny things seem to attract lowlifes.

 

[Monte]

 

[redwrench60]

Functionally better? Ehhh... Hard to say. I know I like them better. They tend to be longer, more comfortable to pull on and they sure are pretty! Could be the cool aid talking though, love my SO FDP!

 

[Jim85IROC]

I could care less if they are polished or rough. The profile makes a much bigger difference for comfort. Thin wrenches dig into my fingers and don't allow me to pull as hard.

That said, visually, I like polished.

 

[Al Bundy]

I thought the only functionality tools have is to sit in the drawers of the shiny new tool box looking good. Are you guys saying that people actually use them? Aren't they kind of expensive to be getting them all dirty and scratched up?

 

[vssjim]

I'll say I have lots of both and satin finish chrome is my favorite by far, the full polish really does seem to help things slip inder heavy load for sure.

 

[autoidiodyssey]

I love the second to last reason "looks unobtrusive and noble" LOL. Given the choice, I would take the satin/matte finish for being a little easier to hold on to. Though I am far from a pro.

 

[eeprete]

I only work on stuff on the weekends my own project cars, but my pop's been a mechanic for 40 years and he's got anything I'd ever need to work with. the go-to tools have always been the non-chrome, non-polished RP type wrenches, Par-X, thorson, some snap-on, some craftsman, SK. The chrome SO's only makes it out when the big guns are needed and we had this very discussion not too long ago. His preference has always been the textured due to the non-slip not to mention just simply preservation of the tools that have cost a lot more in comparison.

 

[shampoop]

All of my tools would be satin chrome finished if it weren't for the lack of availability. They wipe clean just as easy as full polish and look much better in the long run as they don't get all scratched up.

 

[Aspen RT]

I like the point of the non glaring...man I hate it when the sun reflects off my wrench and I cant see what the hell I'm doing!

 

[Monte]

I like the point of the non glaring...man I hate it when the sun reflects off my wrench and I cant see what the hell I'm doing!

yeah ! mat is better !