Instinct screwdriver handles: love or hate

[f121]

Snap on instinct handles seem to trigger strong opinions, let’s see what the split is

 

[plinker]

I'm in the meh category, for mini tip screw drivers they are ok, anything bigger then a Ph no.1 size handle is way to big and obnoxious, could just as well be a pry bar handle at that point, similar to the S-K green hard handle style that gets mentiond at times. If they would have kept them in proportion similar to the Craftsman pro's that may have been ok.

For as soft as the S-O blades seem to have gotten over the last while, I'd look elsewhere these days. Example; Bought a T10 for TPMS sensors, blade has been replaced three times in about a year that I remember. Since the S-O guy wasnt showing up, I picked up a T10 from Matco (Witte) and it has far far outlasted the Snap-on in the same time frame.

Edit, My glove size is a tad bigger then XL, so tiny hands isnt a problem.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

They grip okay in my hand, but I don't do soft grip.

Soak them in brake fluid, caked in dirt, wiped with grease... comfy grips just get nasty and are a pain to clean. Touch them and your hands have black filth on them. On ratchets they're wider, making space more of an issue.

IMO the ball-driver design from vessel is the ultimate torque producer. I use Williams and SK hard handles mostly. I have little interest in anything that isnt metal or plastic, even the ball driver has rubber bits which get gross.

 

[X1 Mike]

Probably my second favorite handle design, right behind the traditional hard handle.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Not a huge fan of them. I have a 9 piece torx set in the instinct handles because I don’t use them a lot and because I could only find the 9 piece with the instinct handle not any hard handles so it’s what I got. I like the hard handles better they feel better to me and don’t get sticky and color choice too like my awesome power blue ones. Even the hard handle instinct I don’t like I really don’t care for the shape or sizes of the handles either.

 

[Zewnten]

Definitely prefer hard handles but out of available tool truck offerings I like the instinct better but maybe that's because I'm more used to them than I think.

 

[Fedwrench]

I can't friggen stand them. I refuse to anything with the Instinct handle.

 

[seber]

If I need a lot of torque, nothing else comes close. For normal work, a smooth hard handle is better. The only ones I hate are those with grooves that bite my hand.

 

[CS454]

Non wooden handled screwdrivers are gross.

Instinct handles.... it's in the name, trust your instincts and save your money.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I can't friggen stand them. I refuse to anything with the Instinct handle.

If you buy their drawer-slide removal tool, it is only available with an instinct handle.

Luckily I don't change slides often.

 

[redwrench60]

I’m in the hate em category.

The hard handle Instink version they are an awkward tri lobular *************.

The soft Instink version are a slippery sloppery awkward tri lobular *************.

 

[M6erfan]

I have one S-o Instinct handled tool, a pick. I like the pick part, but not the handle.

I won't say I hate it, but it's definitely not my preference.

 

[lardy1]

For me, nothing is better fit in my hand than the square hard handles (Snappy, Williams, Tekton, etc.). I've never held an instinct handle so voting would be based on conjecture. I several Wera, Felo and Wiha with their version of the comfort handles and they're alright. I'm a cabinet guy so my expectations of a screwdriver are likely far different than that of a professional auto mechanic.

 

[charger 73]

only have a few instinct handles due to warranty replacement of a few old handles that started leeching oil.
while I like the larger handles on some , others feel to large. still prefer the old contour handles they replaced.

 

[Ton ton]

Hate instinct handles. Even AutoZone has something I like better.

 

[Jtels85]

Bought a set of the Instincts once and sold them on eBay not long after. I went with the MAC Duratek’s and never looked back. They have a more comfortable feel in the hand and don’t “roll” my skin when turning them like the Instincts did.

It looks like Snap On still makes their hard handles, but the 8 Pc. set doesn’t come with stubbies, it looks like a 1/8” flat blade and #0…. So, that’s a deal breaker.

Snap On’s screwdriver game is weak.

 

[bsaint]

Instincts are my fav. It's 95% of my screwdrivers. I love the trilobe design as most top screwdriver designs go with.

I think the handles are a good size for me and I don't even have big hands.

 

[CS454]

Instincts are my fav. It's 95% of my screwdrivers. I love the trilobe design as most top screwdriver designs go with.

I think the handles are a good size for me and I don't even have big hands.

We've found the resident psychopath, ladies and gentlemen.

 

[f121]

Instincts are my fav. It's 95% of my screwdrivers. I love the trilobe design as most top screwdriver designs go with.

I think the handles are a good size for me and I don't even have big hands.

Same.

I really like the torque you can put into a instinct handle, they're pretty much the only screwdrivers I use, apart from insulated ones for domestic wiring.

 

[six-point socket II]

Love them. Back in the day, my Mr. Snappy had a little game: Bring your favorite (large) flat tip/slotted screwdriver, then he had a little sleeve that would lock my flat tip/slotted blade against his flat tip/slotted blade Instinct handle screwdriver and he challenged me to twist the Instinct handle screwdriver out of his hand ... The torque you can transmit via the Instinct handle is incredible, so I didn't stand a chance.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[Jagmandave]

Maybe someone could post a pic so we'd know what you're talking about?

 

[six-point socket II]

Maybe someone could post a pic so we'd know what you're talking about?

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[cliftonbros89]

The small instinct handles on the small drivers and picks don’t bother me. They’re fine.

I think the instinct handles on the large picks, hose picks, are fine too.

But the instinct handles for a screwdriver I do not like. Usually to big and bulky.

Why one and not the other? I don’t mind them on the hose picks cuz I’m usually not turning the pick. It’s a good sized handle to hold on to. But the handles for the screwdrivers I’m constantly turning. They’re not comfortable or efficient to turn constantly. I don’t care for them.

All in all I don’t care for Snap On screwdrivers at all, I’m a Wera user. But as far as picks go I will highly recommend Snap On.

My vote is Meh.

 

[bsaint]

I have the generation before instinct hard handles in a few Snappy and the Williams line. And while the Snappy screwdrivers are sentimental as they are one of my first few purchases getting into mechanics, like my yellow Protos (which are almost round) the square handles just don't do it for me. I also have random vessel and the a proto duratec #2, a couple weras - the round one is my least favorite. Those screw drivers I usually beat the **** outta because I don't like them. Except the Vessels. They are nice because it's that palm ball style.

 

[Jagmandave]

Are they square or hex shaped?

I also have a set of the original (?) black square handle screwdrivers and I like them fine, but I really like my Klein screwdrivers and they've become my go to daily's

Not sure how I would feel about these, there must be a reason they went to this style besides just looks?

 

[bsaint]

Are they square or hex shaped?

I also have a set of the original (?) black square handle screwdrivers and I like them fine, but I really like my Klein screwdrivers and they've become my go to daily's

Not sure how I would feel about these, there must be a reason they went to this style besides just looks?

No def square with rounded corners.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

SO Instinct handles are nice, comfortable and good grip.

 

[Alpine4x4]

I'm in the meh category. I like how they grip and the torque that can be applied by them. On the other hand they're bulky, hard to clean, and seem to attract every oil and dirt within the shop which starts to negate the torque. Theres some drivers that are only available instinct now so thats what I have, otherwise I'm a classic hard handle guy. Really wish they offered everything in a hard handle they do in a soft grip.

 

[trackwelder]

I like them. They work well in my beat up hands. I reach for them every chance.

 

[Briancapecoral]

I always go for a Wera. If I ask my son for a screwdriver he brings me an Instinct, they are nice but not my favorite.

 

[KnurledNut]

I didnt like them at first but the more i used em, the more they grew on me.
I find I use the round speed zones mostly, and the triangular area just for torque.

I really like the instinct file handles.

I did figure out early on that the PH tips are strong when used as intended, but brittle when hammered on.

 

[gearhead1]

They grip okay in my hand, but I don't do soft grip.

Soak them in brake fluid, caked in dirt, wiped with grease... comfy grips just get nasty and are a pain to clean. Touch them and your hands have black filth on them. On ratchets they're wider, making space more of an issue.

+1, I do not like that filth on them. I’m into way too greasy nasty stuff for soft grip. Even when you clean them, they don’t feel clean. It’s like walking bare foot on dirt on a hardwood floor to me.