P B Swiss drivers, are they that good?

[66HertzClone]

Bolster's P B Swiss addition to the Hot Deal index caused me to start looking at what they have to offer. They look like a real quality tool, the idea of how the tips of the drivers are shaped make a lot of sense. The bit sets seem like they are really expensive compared to what I'm used to, however, I do end up buying tip after tip since they seem to wear so quickly.

So, I'm in need of some chisels and punches, I made a list of what I want, and now I'm sitting here trying to keep from adding several screwdrivers to that list. Already in my collection are the 40 pc Wiha set on Amazon and 7 pieces of the Wera 300 series laser tip drivers. I have a huge collection of Craftsman drivers that I've collected over the years. So I don't need drivers, but these do look nice. Some guidance here please, should I pull the trigger and add some of these or not?

 

[scottg1952]

Why buy retail?
Might be nice drivers to use, but they are worth 10 cents on the dollar the second you take possession of them.

I have seen engine turned, solid brass and steel, with hand engraving, and mother of pearl inlay drivers sell for not all that much much more than this current retail craze.
OK, considerably more in some cases.
But...........................
Museum piece tools are still worth every penny you paid, the next day.
More if you hunt hard enough.
And the hunting is the fun part!!
yours Scott

 

[carsounds_dan]

I've got PB Swiss drivers and bits, the bits are really good and definately worth it. The drivers are also fantastic. I've got all three types of grips they offer and I find that the "swiss grip" are really good quality, with just the right amount of "springyness" to the handle.
I've got a set of PB swiss picks though that I could not recommend at all, they're massively brittle for what I use them for (removing trim panels from time to time) and I've managed to snap two of them in places where even my cheapy set would have been fine.

 

[Merkava_4]

PB Swiss-Grips are on my top 5 list of favorite screwdrivers of all time.

 

[The Muffin Man]

PB Swiss-Grips are on my top 5 list of favorite screwdrivers of all time.

I'm curious, what are the other 4?

 

[Fedwrench]

PB Swiss-Grips are on my top 5 list of favorite screwdrivers of all time.

Do you own any of them?

I'm curious, what are the other 4?

I bet none of them have holes in the handle.

 

[Stuey]

I <3 PB Swiss!

 

[Sloper0204]

What is a good set to purchase?

Am in the market for screwdrivers and am looking at the PB Tools and Wiha's currently.

 

[Merkava_4]

I'm curious, what are the other 4?

1
SO ergonomic hard handle made out of Tenite plastic from the 1990-1995 catalogs (out of production)

2
MAC Comfort Grip hard handle (still in production for a little while)

3
Craftsman Pro black handle (out of production)

4
Wiha red and black handle with the rubber top layer (still in production)

5
GearWrench ( still in production and damn nice comfortable handles, although they're made in Taiwan where the corporate taxes are lower)

6
The new Proto drivers with the red and gray handles are quite excellent and they're still in production.

7
Don't have an opinion on the SO Instincts yet, although I'm gonna buy a sample off eBay eventually.

 

[Vinko]

PB Swiss-Grips are on my top 5 list of favorite screwdrivers of all time.

Which particular ones did you get? I tried one long phillips #2 and it's pretty good.

 

[Merkava_4]

Which particular ones did you get? I tried one long phillips #2 and it's pretty good.

Haven't gotten any yet, but Zuspiel sent me a little Swiss Grip #10 Torx driver and it's sweet.

 

[Stuey]

In terms of drivers, I have the insider which I reviewed a few months ago, and the 8244 set.

I don't recall why I opted for the 8244 set, but it has a nice selection of slotted and Phillips.