Klein Phillips screwdriver opinions?

[90zcar]

I have a set of snap on screwdrivers and I like them but I can't stand the large size of the instinct handle on the #2 Phillips screwdriver.
I would like to get a similar quality p2 driver and was looking at the kleins
Any opinions on these?


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[unisawone]

I have both the Snap On and Kliens, I like both of them but wonder how the handles on the Kliens will hold up to grease ? I dont use them on greasy jobs. They are very good qaulity though. Good luck

 

[Ainsley]

I have a full set of Klein drivers in my electrical bag and they are good quality. That said I prefer my wera screwdrivers to them, but I use them for fairly clean stuff so I'm not sure how they would hold up to an automotive environment.
At work (industrial maintenance) I have a set of Stanley expert screwdrivers and they have been great for their price point.

 

[SantaAna12]

I used Klein for many years in low voltage work. IMO, the quality has gone down in the last 5-8 years, and they are no longer a top tier driver.
I still use my older ones, and would not sell them.

 

[BMack37]

I like the shank on the Kleins and the handle is comfy but I hate how they roll off anything you put them on. I have the Instinct and personally I prefer the Witte/Matco screwdrivers but they probably aren't good with greasy hands because of the scotch bright grip and I wish they marked the back of the handle. The USA made Tekton's are rather comfy to use, smaller than the Instinct and they're very reasonably priced.

 

[camd64]

I have had Kleins since even before I started wrenching for a living and have been happy with them. I also own Snap On, Craftsman, Mac, and a few oddball ones. They have held up just as well as the truck branded stuff, no seeping problems with mine and all I do is the typical wipe down at the end of the day like I do with all my other tools. I still even have a few of my dads hand-me-downs from the 80's.

 

[Brownsfan]

I use the Klein #2 pretty much all day. Im working on cars but not the greasy parts. Just interior mainly. No issues at all. Great quality and decent price. And USA made. Some have said they are soft. But I use mine daily for the past 3 years and still going strong. I wouldn't hesitate to buy them again. If you like the instinct type handles but a little smaller try and find the last craftsman pros or get the SK cushion grips. I find my craftsman pros to be the most comfortable drivers I own.

 

[abvw]

The Instinct fits my hands perfectly, but I would try the Vessel Impacta if you want a smaller handle. I use the #3 on rotor set screws and the tip still looks brand new.

Snap-on does have the anticam ridges on their Phillips that nobody else have.

 

[kv501]

Gonna throw in a pitch for Felo screwdrivers. Don't have many German-made tools but I bought these in the 6 piece set with a tray/case. Love 'em. They also have a hole in the handle that you can use as a T handle. I would choose them over the Instinct Handles for sure (I have a 1/4 driver with an Instinct handle that I use all the time so I know what you mean).

 

[BMack37]

The Instinct fits my hands perfectly, but I would try the Vessel Impacta if you want a smaller handle. I use the #3 on rotor set screws and the tip still looks brand new.

Snap-on does have the anticam ridges on their Phillips that nobody else have.

Wera has something similar, actually I've heard it works a lot better. Bosch has it on bits.

 

[hautpot]

you really cant go wrong with any of the name brands.

Klein is readily available at Honedepot, Amazon, etc....

 

[90zcar]

I grew up as a kid always using the wf craftsman. But many years ago I got rid of them because the tips wore out too much. I guess I'm just used to those thinner hard handles.

I thought about trying to track Down a smaller snap on handle like what they use on a P1 driver


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[DSLTRK]

If you use a Phillips screwdriver correctly, it will tend to work harden.

As soon as you start stripping out in a tough fastener, forget it.

That being said, the old Kleins do seem to have lasted longer than the new Mansfield TX Kleins.

 

[Lugnutz]

Klein have gone downhill, as others have mentioned. They are just too soft and wear rapidly if you use them frequently.

If you want a high quality, modern screwdriver, THESE are about as good as it gets in a currently made driver.

I own and like Snap On screwdrivers for automotive, but I'm not thrilled with their new designs. Been using WIHA for 20+ years in aviation and electronics, where they are well known/respected by techs. Their driver bits are excellent too. Hell, everything they make is good. It's all in the steel alloys and heat treat. Those Germans know a thing or two about that. .and YES, still made there!

 

[stg454]

I have the Kleins and Snap On hard handle and instinct. I've been very happy with them

 

[Davefr]

Old Kleins were good but the new ones are terrible. The tips are no longer hardened and as soft as warm butter. One camout of a philips bit and the tip is ruined.

Try PB Swiss, Felo Ergos, Proto Durateks or Williams hard handles. Those are my 4 favorites.

I got rid of my Kleins because they just don't hold up.

 

[Brownsfan]

All that are saying the Klein's are soft. Have you used them recently? I have a set I got from HD for my service van tools and I use them daily with no issues. The p2 sees the most action and has been nothing short of great. Klein recently changed the Phillips tips and they claim to be the best they have ever made. I also got the demo drivers for touch stuff and those are fantastic. I think it was the drivers from the recent past that had the issues.

 

[stg454]

I bought my most recent set of Klien screwdrivers a little over a year ago. I have no complaints. They still work great.

 

[Davefr]

All that are saying the Klein's are soft. Have you used them recently? I have a set I got from HD for my service van tools and I use them daily with no issues. The p2 sees the most action and has been nothing short of great. Klein recently changed the Phillips tips and they claim to be the best they have ever made. I also got the demo drivers for touch stuff and those are fantastic. I think it was the drivers from the recent past that had the issues.

My latest Kleins were from a couple years ago and were soft. I have not tried current stock.

Maybe they fixed the quality problems but I don't care. "Once bitten, twice shy".

 

[RRmech]

Xcelite

 

[Dave455]

O.P. I know what you mean!

I think the Snap On are about optimum for mechanical work, but sometimes you want something smaller!

I'll vote for PB - I use them a lot if I'm doing electrical installations, alternatively CK!

 

[redwrench60]

I remember seeing a product announcement from Klein promoting their new revised screwdrivers and the upgrade to the steel after hearing feedback from tradesmen on the durability of the current drivers. Lemme see if I can dig it up.

Here it is: http://www.kleintools.com/content/our-secret-sauce-new-improved-screwdriver-steel

 

[Wamsutta]

They're one of my favorite screwdriver designs. You can really get those round handles with the grippy vinyl flutes spinning pretty fast. The long shank #2 Phillips Klein is my go-to screwdriver if I need to get a lot of leverage on some Phillips screw heads.

 

[nieuport17]

My Klein Phillips screw driver tip is also soft ( not as soft as craftsman).
I bought them about 2 years ago.
I wouldn't recommend them.
For the price, I would get something better.

 

[rodsnratfinks]

I have both. The Kleins don't see automotive work. The few times they have, the handles got all sticky and gross. Oil and solvents vulcanize the rubber. While I've wired many buildings with Klein screwdrivers, I don't really like them for automotive purposes, (unless interior). I like Matco (Witte) for this. Much better grip when dirty, better torque feel, more leverage. I like them so much, I hardly use my Snap On hard handles these days. My only complaint is that I would like it if the shafts were longer relative to the handles. I'm used to cabinet drivers, so the extra shaft length gives me more room to spin with.

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[Joe B.]

I too have been disappointed with the tips on Klein screwdrivers. Mine were made 5-10 years ago I would guess. That said, they are my favorite handle of any screwdriver.

The tip softness problems do not seem to impact the 5-in-1, 11-in-1 screwdrivers. I have the 10-in-1s stashed everywhere I go. (all cars, desk at work, in the kitchen, etc.) I think these are the single best screwdriver for places where you can't have a full set.

My favorite P2 is a Witte. I like using it on hard things to see if I will fail. No luck yet.

 

[Davefr]

I remember seeing a product announcement from Klein promoting their new revised screwdrivers and the upgrade to the steel after hearing feedback from tradesmen on the durability of the current drivers. Lemme see if I can dig it up.

Here it is: http://www.kleintools.com/content/our-secret-sauce-new-improved-screwdriver-steel

So in other words Klein cheapened the process by skipping the heat treating process until they got complaints about soft tips so they scrambled to bring it back and now market it as new and improved steel

 

[redwrench60]

So in other words Klein cheapened the process by skipping the heat treating process until they got complaints about soft tips so they scrambled to bring it back and now market it as new and improved steel

That's kind of how it strikes me too. They cheapened them a little to save money and it appears to have bit them. I'm curious to know when the upgrade took place and how you can tell if you're buying an improved model.

 

[BMack37]

That's kind of how it strikes me too. They cheapened them a little to save money and it appears to have bit them. I'm curious to know when the upgrade took place and how you can tell if you're buying an improved model.

I would imagine it was at least a year ago. I have a Klein that I bought about two months ago and the tip is not what I'd call soft. I still don't really like the screwdriver but the best part of the screwdriver is the shank. I got it at Home Depot, which is a pretty busy HD.

 

[redwrench60]

Is it just me or does that linked page about the new stronger Klein screwdriver tips read like something a 2nd grade teacher would say to her students? Man, they need to do a better job of knowing their audience. I could have sworn their demographic was professional tradesmen, not tool newbies. Without telling the exact steel formulation and heat treatment process they could've at least mentioned how much the durability, fit, etc. actually improved (through testing and/or examples), if the hardness was increased compared to the older versions, new higher maximum torque levels possible, etc. When they started talking about McDonald's french fries and Coca-Cola I began having flashbacks of learning how to do math using colored M&M's.

Lol I like the part near the end of the fourth paragraph where they say that when you try to screw too fast It doesn't work......... Tampa in 3...2...1.....

 

[redwrench60]

Well I was at the Home Depot today to snag some paint and supplies and stopped by the electrical section and checked out the Klein screwdriver offerings. I saw several Phillips screwdrivers with packaging that touted "strongest tip yet" They had a revision date of 2014 on the packaging. Not all the phillips had this on them and had a revision date of 2003. Could this be the improved drivers?

Well I picked up a NO.2 long Phillips to try out. If it ***** I've spent more money on dumber **** than this.

 

[Brownsfan]

You won't be disappointed. I really like mine. They get used a lot. They are good quality screwdrivers.

 

[90zcar]

Red wrench........how much did u pay for that?
I think I may get one and pull off the black grip.


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[redwrench60]

You won't be disappointed. I really like mine. They get used a lot. They are good quality screwdrivers.

Hey, Brownsfan it does appear nice and I've always liked the feel of Klein screwdrivers. I have a couple of their demolition screwdrivers and they rock. Tough as hell.

Red wrench........how much did u pay for that?
I think I may get one and pull off the black grip.

90zcar, my receipt says $9.98 from the Home Depot. part # 603-7

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[popparoach]

HF free screwdrivers,FTW!!

 

[Gummi Bear]

I have carried Klein tools since I started in the trade over 20 years ago.

Sure. I wear some out, and occasionally I abuse one and break it. They always make it right, and they feel good in my hand.


I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately - Thoreau

 

[90zcar]

Got one

$9.58 from Home Depot



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[redwrench60]

Mines longer. sorry I had to! You'll like it, I like mine so far but all I've done with mine so far is install a door lock set and striker. Nice grip on it and no deformation to the tip.

 

[SantaAna12]

HF free screwdrivers,FTW!!

YEAH!

uh......no.

 

[mikebaker1129]

That's kind of how it strikes me too. They cheapened them a little to save money and it appears to have bit them. I'm curious to know when the upgrade took place and how you can tell if you're buying an improved model.

Me too !