zuspiel
Well-known member
A few months ago, somebody posted about a set of small PB Swiss picks which perked my interest. So I decided to check out their tools. I've lived in Switzerland for 15 years, making it even more interesting.
PB Swiss has been around for 130 years. They should know a bit about manufacturing tools and the prices are actually pretty good. They mostly make screwdrivers in all possible variations, insert bits, Allen keys, and some other stuff. You can find their wares on Amazon or at their US distributor Count On Tools. The latter is quite a bit more expensive. You can order a print catalog for free here or download one in PDF form here.
Let's start with the set of mini picks mentioned above. They work well and I haven't broken one in the two months I've had them, which is a first for me (Amazon, $15).
The radiator hose picks (Amazon, $16) work equally well. These are full size and not mini. The handle is their 'multicraft handle' which I like best of all the ones they make. It's a hard handle with a slight texture that's really comfy. Nothing fancy, but it works well. They also make a similarly shaped soft handle (SwissGrip) which I haven't tried, yet.
Next is a set of what they call 'detach wrenches' (Amazon, $18). No clue why you would call that a wrench... Pops off trim clips and other fasteners like a charm, though.
Here, you can also see one of the special PB Swiss features: Each tool has a unique serial number that they can track all the way back to the original batch of steel that entered the factory.
The tips are nice and thin. They fit under almost anything and don't tear up the trim.
I've always wanted a T-handle for the small insert bits for places where more torque is called for. This one (Count On Tools, $38) fits the bill. Very strong magnet holds the bits in place and there is hardly any "wiggle". The price is a bit of a joke, though: It's listed in the print catalog for 34 Swiss Franks which is quite a bit less than $38... Still nice, though.
Well made, spins freely, but doesn't have any fancy internal retainers. The grip is held on by C-clips:
One side of the handle has a screw cap, so it can hold up to 5 regular size bits.
Now we get to one of jewels of their tool collection: the insert bits. I needed some power bits and couldn't resist these. They really have thought about the whole bit business. All their bits are color coded: One overall color for the type of bit and a colored ring for the size.
First, here are some metric hex and Torx bits (Amazon, $20, pic on the website is wrong).
Here is another set (Amazon, $22, pic is wrong) in a bit holder with a belt clip.
If you have the holder clipped to your belt and you open it, the bits always end up perpendicular to the belt, making it easy to pull them out. There are gears in the holder that ensure this is always the case.
Finally, unless you're color blind, you're able to tell the difference between a phillips and a pozi bit from a mile off. Plus, they just are so damn pretty. No clue yet how well the finish will hold up. The color is not painted on, though. More like a metal finish similar to black oxidized (w/o the rust).
Some of you might have noticed a certain obsessiveness in my tool organization. It always bothered me how the screwdrivers wobbled around on the peg board... These holders solve that problem nicely. However, they aren't that cheap (Count On Tools, $12-17).
The black loops are made of rubber and springs are used as spacers. For bulkier handles, you can just pop out a loop or even take out the spring. In my case, it was best to only remove a couple of loops, leaving the springs in place.
They come in three different lengths. I got the medium (above) and large (below) sizes. Might have to order one or two more to put on my tool cart. I'm really happy with how they hold the stuff.
The holders also don't seem to mind holding screwdrivers from north of the border
Now, the big question is always how well the tools will hold up. In the tools I brought from Europe, I found this:
It's a 4mm slotted screwdriver which is at least 15-20 years old. I think I found it in my parents attic. Must have been a leftover from a contractor. The handle is the PB standard handle. It has been well used...
However, looking at the tip, it's in great shape! Yes, there's a tiny bit of peeling chrome, but you can hardly tell by eye. The actual tip (black) looks pretty much like in the catalog. The angle on the corner is a feature. They say it moves the pressure point on the screw away from the very edge, reducing the damage to the screw head.
The bottom line: I think PB Swiss is a good alternative with decent prices. The stuff seems well made and some things are quite innovative. Check them out (especially the stuff on Amazon which is downright cheap for the quality).
Other comments:
Autoace might be able to add something here about another PB Swiss tool
Stuey, you hereby have my permission to re-post this on toolguyd.com, if you like. Both complete and in parts.
I'm sure that, as usual, I haven't covered everything here...
PB Swiss has been around for 130 years. They should know a bit about manufacturing tools and the prices are actually pretty good. They mostly make screwdrivers in all possible variations, insert bits, Allen keys, and some other stuff. You can find their wares on Amazon or at their US distributor Count On Tools. The latter is quite a bit more expensive. You can order a print catalog for free here or download one in PDF form here.
Let's start with the set of mini picks mentioned above. They work well and I haven't broken one in the two months I've had them, which is a first for me (Amazon, $15).
The radiator hose picks (Amazon, $16) work equally well. These are full size and not mini. The handle is their 'multicraft handle' which I like best of all the ones they make. It's a hard handle with a slight texture that's really comfy. Nothing fancy, but it works well. They also make a similarly shaped soft handle (SwissGrip) which I haven't tried, yet.
Next is a set of what they call 'detach wrenches' (Amazon, $18). No clue why you would call that a wrench... Pops off trim clips and other fasteners like a charm, though.
Here, you can also see one of the special PB Swiss features: Each tool has a unique serial number that they can track all the way back to the original batch of steel that entered the factory.
The tips are nice and thin. They fit under almost anything and don't tear up the trim.
I've always wanted a T-handle for the small insert bits for places where more torque is called for. This one (Count On Tools, $38) fits the bill. Very strong magnet holds the bits in place and there is hardly any "wiggle". The price is a bit of a joke, though: It's listed in the print catalog for 34 Swiss Franks which is quite a bit less than $38... Still nice, though.
Well made, spins freely, but doesn't have any fancy internal retainers. The grip is held on by C-clips:
One side of the handle has a screw cap, so it can hold up to 5 regular size bits.
Now we get to one of jewels of their tool collection: the insert bits. I needed some power bits and couldn't resist these. They really have thought about the whole bit business. All their bits are color coded: One overall color for the type of bit and a colored ring for the size.
First, here are some metric hex and Torx bits (Amazon, $20, pic on the website is wrong).
Here is another set (Amazon, $22, pic is wrong) in a bit holder with a belt clip.
If you have the holder clipped to your belt and you open it, the bits always end up perpendicular to the belt, making it easy to pull them out. There are gears in the holder that ensure this is always the case.
Finally, unless you're color blind, you're able to tell the difference between a phillips and a pozi bit from a mile off. Plus, they just are so damn pretty. No clue yet how well the finish will hold up. The color is not painted on, though. More like a metal finish similar to black oxidized (w/o the rust).
Some of you might have noticed a certain obsessiveness in my tool organization. It always bothered me how the screwdrivers wobbled around on the peg board... These holders solve that problem nicely. However, they aren't that cheap (Count On Tools, $12-17).
The black loops are made of rubber and springs are used as spacers. For bulkier handles, you can just pop out a loop or even take out the spring. In my case, it was best to only remove a couple of loops, leaving the springs in place.
They come in three different lengths. I got the medium (above) and large (below) sizes. Might have to order one or two more to put on my tool cart. I'm really happy with how they hold the stuff.
The holders also don't seem to mind holding screwdrivers from north of the border
Now, the big question is always how well the tools will hold up. In the tools I brought from Europe, I found this:
It's a 4mm slotted screwdriver which is at least 15-20 years old. I think I found it in my parents attic. Must have been a leftover from a contractor. The handle is the PB standard handle. It has been well used...
However, looking at the tip, it's in great shape! Yes, there's a tiny bit of peeling chrome, but you can hardly tell by eye. The actual tip (black) looks pretty much like in the catalog. The angle on the corner is a feature. They say it moves the pressure point on the screw away from the very edge, reducing the damage to the screw head.
The bottom line: I think PB Swiss is a good alternative with decent prices. The stuff seems well made and some things are quite innovative. Check them out (especially the stuff on Amazon which is downright cheap for the quality).
Other comments:
Autoace might be able to add something here about another PB Swiss tool
Stuey, you hereby have my permission to re-post this on toolguyd.com, if you like. Both complete and in parts.
I'm sure that, as usual, I haven't covered everything here...
