Help me pick my Old World Screwdrivers

[arnwoodwheels]

I am looking to get a set of old world screwdrivers. I haven’t purchased any new tools for years and I want to spring for a full matching set,

Being a maintenance electrician most of my screwdrivers are Klein’s. Also like a lot of Industrial guys most of my hand tools are Proto.
On weekends I wrench on cars and vintage aircraft. I also work on a lot of vintage machinery.

I know it has been discussed before and I have read all the post's I could find on the subject and agree with the opinion that the best screwdriver made is not going to be used much if it doesn’t fit my hand.

With that in mind I have been trying out some screwdrivers. I am a big guy with beat-up big old hand's. So far I haven’t found something that fit's. One problem is I cant just go to the corner tool store and try out everything.

So far I tried out Wiha and Witte. Nether one works for me so I am going to keep trying out brands as I can find them. I will never own any tools from Asia so COO matters.

So my question is about the quality of some of the drivers I am interested in. Such as fit, tip life and the dreaded cam out. Some of the Screwdriver's like Wera have a lot of reviews but others not so much.

FACOM looks interesting but I don’t know much about there screwdrivers. I do however like some Facom tools I own. The connection to Proto is a plus for me. Kind of Pricy.

WERA seems popular and get a lot of good but I think they look **** funkley.

FELO may work and the price is right. Seems to get good reviews. I don’t think I would like the spongy one though.

PB Swiss is pricey and hard to find. Not so ****. But if they fit and if I like them I would get them.

BAHCO looks interesting? I have some Bahco saws that are really nice but they are also really old. Pricey, COO for screwdrivers?

BETA I could be way off but Beta tools look like china tools with a lot of sales hype.

So I would be great-full If anyone could chime in with advise.

Thanks in advance.

 

[franzdom]

Facom is importing a lot from Asia now...
You should really try the Wera, though they look funky they are really comfortable and nice to use.

 

[shoturtle]

If you did not like the wiha, you might not like the wera. Tip wise the Wera are pretty good not as hard as the wiha, but still good.

The PB Swiss might work for you, their handles works better for larger hands. And they have excellent tips like the wiha.

The Falo are nice, they just do not feel as nice. I like wiha and wera better.

 

[kissmeimgerman]

Pb Swiss, do yourself a favor and buy a set. I use felo at work, hold up very well and are comfortable.

 

[matthew]

The Bahco's are German. I've used them once or twice, and they are nice. Personally not as much a fan of the handle design as some of the others, but they did feel good.

I've also used my Dad's Felo's - the hard handled ones. I like them very much . If cost is at all an object, I'd probably pick those. If you like wood handled screwdrivers at all, they also make those (I'm a big fan of wood handles, it's underrated as a tactile material, IMO).

I've handled a Wera once before, and I'd also like to have a set of those. I'm not sure I'd prefer them to the Felo or not, but I'd like to have a set of each to try side-by-side.

You might also look at Hazet - JensPutzier (member here, and seller on Ebay) will ship them to North America, and they're actually reasonably priced.

 

[decaf]

BAHCO looks interesting? I have some Bahco saws that are really nice but they are also really old. Pricey, COO for screwdrivers?

Bahco are now these days made in Spain. No problem with the quality, they are holding up pretty well.

For 8-10 years ago, they where made by Belzer under a period. But no longer

 

[shoturtle]

Belzer are nice german made screw drivers as well. The Bahco belzers were very nice.

 

[Vibrolux]

Matco screwdrivers are nice, they're made by Witte and have a GREAT warranty.

 

[dlfiene]

arnwoodwheels, I have a full set of Gedore screwdrivers and a full set of Torx drivers. If you are interested we can talk price, these are no longer made by Gedore in this style.
They are all brand new. You can PM me and I can try to get some pictures loaded up.
Dustin

 

[MrMark]

If you have large hands those Witte Max Pro's are your best bet, but you turned up your nose at those. The Wera are for dainty hands. Same with Felo. Big hands = Witte.

 

[arnwoodwheels]

If you have large hands those Witte Max Pro's are your best bet, but you turned up your nose at those. Big hands = Witte.

The Witte max pros dont fit me at all, no matter how i hold them the Triangular handle is too small for me and the lobes dont line up.

The round handle Wihas are way too small for me.

 

[arnwoodwheels]

Pb Swiss, do yourself a favor and buy a set. I use felo at work, hold up very well and are comfortable.

What makes PB Swiss better? everyone seems to like them.

Who sells PB Swiss?

Thanks
Ron

 

[Holt]

I have wera felo and wiha. Mirrioring other comments they are more for smaller to mid sized hands. Have you looked into vessel drivers. Made by Japan.

 

[franzdom]

I have wera felo and wiha. Mirrioring other comments they are more for smaller to mid sized hands. Have you looked into vessel drivers. Made by Japan.

Last time I checked, Japan is in Asia

 

[Dillithium]

I have a lot of Wera stuff and love it, the tips have held up fine so far but I haven't had them for that long. Facom screwdrivers have a really thick, big handle so I think that might just be right you. I just don't know where in the states you could try them out. Other than the handle being big, they're fine screwdrivers.

 

[Holt]

Last time I checked, Japan is in Asia

My bad.

 

[archirelic]

I have Wiha, Wera, and Felo.

With that being said, I'm surprised you've already passed on the Wiha drivers. I've found them to be not only exceedingly durable, but they also have a great fit in my hand. Obviously, ergonomics are subjective to different folks.

Anyway, if you've decided to pass on Wiha and are contemplating Wera and Felo in your selection, I'd tell you right now that while both are very ergonomical, they definitely are not meant for really large hands. As far as the Wera are concerned, I own both their laser-tipped sets and their chiseldrivers. Between these two sets, the chiseldrivers are much more beefy and durable than the laser-tipped counterparts. As far as Felo is concerned, I only own their ergonic line [think squishy handle] and have found their tips to be quite favorable to use over time and while the spongy handle takes some getting used to, I've found that I've really come to appreciate it in certain applications.

And again, I'm surprised you're also passing on the Witte drivers, as I've worked with a few and found them to accommodate larger hand sizes much better than many of the other brands you've listed.

Perhaps another option for you to consider are Hazet drivers, as they get pretty favorable reviews on the forum.

Whatever the end result, I'd be happy hearing what you eventually choose and then a follow-up on whether or not you've been pleased w/your selection.

Happy hunting.

 

[Davefr]

What makes PB Swiss better? everyone seems to like them.

Who sells PB Swiss?

Thanks
Ron

I have almost a complete set of PB Swiss. I would not recommend them.

They are hard to find, when you find them they're sold very close to MSRP, and the warranty is a PIA. (it was much better when Amazon sold them)

I've also found that the Phillips just don't fit all that well.

I would not recommend any of these boutique brands of screwdrivers. They're nice but just not worth the price. I'd go with Williams, CM Professional or SK and simply replace them when they get worn or damaged.

 

[Jure]

all i can say

 

[franzdom]

I wonder if the OP has tried Craftsman Professional or Snap-on Instinct, these both have larger comfortable handles.

 

[TheGrooveking]

Here is some damn fine old school

Wilde SW7 set at Harry Epstein's.

TheGrooveking

 

[Papa Tango 213]

I use PB Swiss drivers at work and they are first class tools. Tips fit screw slots very precisely and they wear well. Handles are comfortable. I get mine from "Count On Tools".

 

[Sparkfarmer]

I wonder if the OP has tried Craftsman Professional or Snap-on Instinct, these both have larger comfortable handles.

Yeah the Instinct design is really great for big hands if switching continents is in the cards.

 

[Tool Lady]

Yes, PB Swiss is expensive but if you buy them now from Tool Lady Inc at www.toollady.com, all the SwissGrip drivers are 20% off. The sale ended June 15th but if you order by the end of the month, you can have the sale price anyway. Just say 'Tool Lady sent me!' Try a few of the slotted drivers and you'll never go back to other brands. Lifetime warranty so you only pay once. Parallel tips for perfect fit, most durable alloy in the world and no cam-out. Check out the website. Or call toll free at 866.866.5523....

 

[SMKS]

To the OP-

Which Wiha handle style did you try? They have a couple different styles.

I have this set, and I think the handles are pretty large. It's a lower-priced set, but the same handles are used on some other drivers.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002FTA4A/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Here's a review of them posted on Toolguyd. It shows the handle compared to a regular Craftsman driver, so give you an idea of the scale.

http://toolguyd.com/wiha-ergonomic-screwdriver-set-review/


You may also want to look at Vaco Bull Drivers, if large handles is your main concern. They're made in the USA and have larger-than-normal handles. You can find them on Amazon or some other sites.
http://www.mytoolstore.com/klein/bd306.html

Vaco Bull Driver® Plastic Handle Screwdrivers
The most powerful screwdrivers you can buy.

Over-sized handle is 35% bigger, delivering up to 50% extra power to perform tough jobs with minimum effort and maximum comfort.

Exclusive Comfordome® handles, fully fluted with chamfered edges for fatigue-free driving. No sharp edges.

High impact, break-resistant handles are impervious to most acids and alkalies.

Durable chrome-vanadium tempered-steel shafts and nickel-chrome precision forged and polished blades with black tips.

 

[concealer404]

Vaco Bull Drivers are kinda awesome.

 

[arnwoodwheels]

Well after going around picking up and trying out the few old world screwdrivers available in my area.
I realized that I wanted a better selection to try out. I also decided that I wanted to really put the tools to work to see how I like them. Many of the screwdrivers that I wanted to try are not sold by anyone near me so I purchased a selection of possible candidates for a proper tryout. My selection is by no means a complete sample of all the old word screwdrivers available. Just the ones I felt I may like or ones that got a lot of good reviews or hype from others.

In the photo below is what I purchased. The handle on the Proto is made in England so I guess it counts as old world.

After I give the above drivers a workout I will follow up with some sort of review if anyone is interested.

 

[willhollin]

Nice selection!

 

[up_in_the_air]

Stahlwille Drall and 3K Drall handles are my favorite but unfortunately not made anymore and replaced by Drall + which IMHO are cheapened right up.

 

[zer0cell]

It would be interesting to see what choice you make. Personally... if I want to stick to European made drivers my preference at this point would be wera or felo. They are reasonably priced and widely available on amazon and are good quality. Wiha would also be a good choice for those reasons. Witte and PB Swiss are good but are more expensive and harder to find.

 

[Krokodil]

I'm really interested in the outcome of this test. Let us know.

 

[Scout Driver]

For the past two weeks, I've been using Felo Ergonic drivers. Nice handle shape and the tips fit fasteners well. Very reasonably priced too!

Scott