NAPA NHT screwdrivers. Who made them?

[1Bad55Chevy]

Like 20 years ago (i was a young buck) I use to work at a NAPA store and was purchasing their professional line of tools (NHT line) at cost. I know the wrenches/sockets/ratchets were being made by Danaher at the time but idk who was making the screwdrivers. I had bought 2 sets of screwdrivers back then but now I would like to replace them with something equivalent because they have the best handle IMO. The handles just say "Made in Germany" and idk where to start looking. Here is a picture I pulled off Google for reference. Any help would be appreciated!

 

[Dave455]

Look like Witte. That handle shape is very distinctive.

They make a lot of drivers for third parties.

They offer similar drivers as standard in their own colours.

 

[ecotec]

Look like Witte. That handle shape is very distinctive.

They make a lot of drivers for third parties.

They offer similar drivers as standard in their own colours.

The Matco rebranded MaxxPro Witte are terrific. I watch for them at estate sales.

They feel so good in your hands.

 

[Fedwrench]

I have a bunch of those blue/yellow NAPA screwdrivers made in Germany. Witte is my guess as well. The classic handle shape. Nice screwdrivers!!!
This set from KC Tool is probably the closest current version.

Witte Pro Slotted and Phillips Screwdriver Set, 6 Pieces

Witte Pro Slotted and Phillips Screwdriver Set, 6 Pieces - high quality German engineering at the lowest price

www.kctool.com

 

[KnurledNut]

They were based on the original Witte ProTop line, which I believe is now discontinued.

Matco offered the same handle, but it had flocking over the hard plastic. They also offered a solid hard handle based on the Witte Top10/Three Kant series. Cornwell offered a Protop-based line, but with proprietary dimensions and just hard plastic with flocking, no rubber.
NAPA also had precision screwdrivers. And Williams sold Witte insulated screwdrivers similar to their Triax line.

I share the sentiments and really like the original Protop screwdrivers and all the versions that followed. Witte is underrated in my opinion. They have some very tough tips, great balance, excellent ergonomics, reasonable cost, a variety of options and good availability.

 

[bonneyman]

I am not able to get a picture of mine currently but here is a google picture of the Matco solid hard handles I referenced above:
View attachment 2317949

Dang, those look nice!

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

Awesome! I don't necessarily need new screwdrivers because mine are all still in fantastic shape I just want a matching set. I really appreciate everyone pointing me to Witte! I was exploring their site and they have picks and everything at really good prices! I am going to keep my NAPA screwdrivers and start piecing together a complete matching Witte set in my box and start throwing away all my junk!

 

[KnurledNut]

Dang, those look nice!

They came in several other colors too and were used on more than screwdrivers.

 

[Buster21]

Like others have said, Witte ProTop.

 

[bonneyman]

View attachment 2318021

A few of those look like tools my dentist uses. Ouch!

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

They came in several other colors too and were used on more than screwdrivers.
View attachment 2318021

Where do you find these? I did not see these options on the Witte website. I did see impact screwdrivers, got to get me a set!

 

[neophyte]

They were based on the original Witte ProTop line, which I believe is now discontinued.
View attachment 2317923
View attachment 2317924

Matco offered the same handle, but it had flocking over the hard plastic. They also offered a solid hard handle based on the Witte Top10/Three Kant series. Cornwell offered a Protop-based line, but with proprietary dimensions and just hard plastic with flocking, no rubber.
View attachment 2317925

I am not able to get a picture of mine currently but here is a google picture of the Matco solid hard handles I referenced above:
View attachment 2317949

NAPA also had precision screwdrivers. And Williams sold Witte insulated screwdrivers similar to their Triax line.
View attachment 2317926

I share the sentiments and really like the original Protop screwdrivers and all the versions that followed. Witte is underrated in my opinion. They have some very tough tips, great balance, excellent ergonomics, reasonable cost, a variety of options and good availability.

The flocking if you weren’t aware, was yo provide grip with oily hands, similar to the Wiha Microfinish, but with a slightly different texture and feel.

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

The flocking if you weren’t aware, was yo provide grip with oily hands, similar to the Wiha Microfinish, but with a slightly different texture and feel.

Is the flocking cast into the plastic or is it like a textured rubber piece that is held onto the handle with epoxy? I have never had an issue with the regular handles even covered in oil.

 

[neophyte]

Is the flocking cast into the plastic or is it like a textured rubber piece that is held onto the handle with epoxy? I have never had an issue with the regular handles even covered in oil.

The flicking on the Witte handles, and Microfinish on the Wiha handles is not a separate piece.
I’m honestly unsure how both the Wiha and Witte finishes are accomplished.
My thoughts were maybe that the handles are somehow heated in a particular area, then textured, maybe with the flocking/texturing material, sprayed onto the handle while the plastic is hot and melted, but I don’t know for sure.

 

[cody1325]

All I can say is--better keep a lookout for them. All my NAPA items are my (incomplete) set of nut drivers in SAE and Metric, and all of those are US-made with acetate handles.

 

[KnurledNut]

The flicking on the Witte handles, and Microfinish on the Wiha handles is not a separate piece.
I’m honestly unsure how both the Wiha and Witte finishes are accomplished.
My thoughts were maybe that the handles are somehow heated in a particular area, then textured, maybe with the flocking/texturing material, sprayed onto the handle while the plastic is hot and melted, but I don’t know for sure.

The Wiha MicroFinish uses a chemical and impact resistant cellulose acetate overmold that is sandblasted to give it the texture. (The regular Wiha SoftFinish uses a thermoplastic elastomer overmold.)
The Witte handles use a microfiber coating that is applied to specific panels of the base handle material. I would say it is less durable as it has come off in places on some of my screwdrivers.

 

[SS5150]

I agree with the others these are great screwdrivers. I bought a couple sets about 10-12 years ago after discussion on this board. They are by far my favorites. Wish they still offered them new.

 

[KnurledNut]

Another Witte rebrand I forgot about, Klein.
Hard handle with flocking but in the old style, and an actual embossed name.
They called them Grip-It and are still listed on Klein's website but have been long discontinued.
Options were cabinet tip, keystone tip and phillips. Some had wrench bolsters.
https://www.kleintools.com/catalog/.../grip-it-profilated-phillips-screwdriver-3-18