Bolster
Well-known member
In a previous thread I stated I was "done" with P#2 screwdrivers. Clearly the evidence does not support my claim. It's a shame the Phillips #2 came into such widespread use. It was designed to cam out. Sort of like how the qwerty keyboards we all use were designed to slow the typist down, back in the days that typists got their mechanical keys tangled if they went too fast.
So I've been looking for better P#2s than the Cmas I've used (and disliked) for years. I can't think of a way of testing these screwdrivers without risking cam-out and destroying them...maybe someone here has a good idea on how to conduct a non-destructive head-to-head test.
For the time being I will have to confine myself to subjective opinions, which, as we all know, "everybody has one" and mine are no more or less valid than anyone else's. So here goes.
Let's start with the Snap-on. I've had it the longest (vintage 1990s), so its tip shows the most wear (sadly) as it's the most expensive of the bunch. Not sure how much more use I can get from it. Handle's good for cranking hard, but not so good for spinning, which I often need. Also the handle is blockier than I'd prefer.
Clockwise to the Williams. Same as Snap-on? Well if you look at the tip (see below), the Williams has anti-cam-out grips on the tip (maybe the modern SO do, too?). Same issues with handle as the SO. You do get the feeling that the SO and the Williams do a good job of "filling up the screw," ie, are sufficiently large to make good contact.
Felo is a new acquisition. My first set were their black soft-grip handles which I disliked so much (too soft and squishy, was afraid the handles would tear) I returned them for the wood-handled versions. I like these, although the grip is overly chunky for my preference and doesn't feel quite as ergo as it looks. Haven't got much use on these but the tips are good so far.
Wiha. Also a "globular" hand-filling grip, more rounded for a bit less grip when cranking hard, a relatively firm handle which I like with a nice almost "tacky" feel, but a little easier to spin quickly than the blocky handles because there are narrow portions of the handle fore and aft. Wish they had made the yellow end of the handle hard smooth plastic so you could "palm" the driver (let the handle end slip beneath your palm when spinning rapidly). Recently posted about my disappointment of these camming out, and learned that they're not the ideal driver for what I was driving, which were the terminal screws on outlets. Still, the tips of the Wihas have an odd shape, with the tip more pointed, and overall a smaller tip (see below). They're not the drivers I reach for if I'm trying to avoid camout. I know many people disagree with me, and perhaps my set is just worn enough I should replace them. But the tips seem smaller than ideal and don't give me the sense they're "filling" the slot as others are.
Cman. Seems mine are soft. Not investing in any more Cman. Although I DO like that knob on the end, makes it easy to palm.
PB Swiss Driver + Bit. This is currently my go-to setup. I own both magnetic and clip versions, and prefer non-magnetized bits so the clip is preferred. The PB Swiss bit fits the driver like hand-in-glove, no slop. The thin shaft and chamfered areas near the bit's hole work well and don't snag. I like the idea that when the bit gets dull, pitch it and get another, but I've also heard these PB Swiss bits are exceptionally hard and durable, so only time will tell, but I'm hoping I really don't need to change bits all that often. I really like the trim handle which spins easily and quickly. Trade-off here is a little less ability to "crank down" hard...which has the unintended consequence of limiting cam-out a bit more.
PB Swiss 193. (at the 12 o'clock position.) This is a heavy duty, confidence-inspiring driver. It has the most "overbuilt" feel to it, and notice the remarkably large shaft and tip. Bolster for extra grip. The handle is trim enough to be able to spin, but is large enough for a secure grip. So despite all the attempts at "ergo" by other manufacturers, I think this is my favorite grip for sheer usability and ease of cleaning. Also I am expecting the tightest "lockup" with the screw on this one, given the robustness of the tip. This beast is new, so I'll have to report back after usage.
PB Swiss 8190. New, so I don't have usage data yet. A delight to touch. Of all the drivers this is the one I'd most like a complete set of. The handle is just barely soft enough to have a pleasant feel, but still very firm. The finish is a little "tacky" for lack of a better word, and you get the feeling you could pull hard on it without your hand slipping. Yet it avoids feeling blocky; it feels right. The yellow end is hard plastic so you can "palm" it, which is a thoughtful touch. IMO all soft-grip drivers should have hard ends that slip under your palm. Looking forward to using this one, and will post impressions after use.
Wish I knew more about the various tip treatments. Those of you who know, please chime in.
So I've been looking for better P#2s than the Cmas I've used (and disliked) for years. I can't think of a way of testing these screwdrivers without risking cam-out and destroying them...maybe someone here has a good idea on how to conduct a non-destructive head-to-head test.
For the time being I will have to confine myself to subjective opinions, which, as we all know, "everybody has one" and mine are no more or less valid than anyone else's. So here goes.
Let's start with the Snap-on. I've had it the longest (vintage 1990s), so its tip shows the most wear (sadly) as it's the most expensive of the bunch. Not sure how much more use I can get from it. Handle's good for cranking hard, but not so good for spinning, which I often need. Also the handle is blockier than I'd prefer.
Clockwise to the Williams. Same as Snap-on? Well if you look at the tip (see below), the Williams has anti-cam-out grips on the tip (maybe the modern SO do, too?). Same issues with handle as the SO. You do get the feeling that the SO and the Williams do a good job of "filling up the screw," ie, are sufficiently large to make good contact.
Felo is a new acquisition. My first set were their black soft-grip handles which I disliked so much (too soft and squishy, was afraid the handles would tear) I returned them for the wood-handled versions. I like these, although the grip is overly chunky for my preference and doesn't feel quite as ergo as it looks. Haven't got much use on these but the tips are good so far.
Wiha. Also a "globular" hand-filling grip, more rounded for a bit less grip when cranking hard, a relatively firm handle which I like with a nice almost "tacky" feel, but a little easier to spin quickly than the blocky handles because there are narrow portions of the handle fore and aft. Wish they had made the yellow end of the handle hard smooth plastic so you could "palm" the driver (let the handle end slip beneath your palm when spinning rapidly). Recently posted about my disappointment of these camming out, and learned that they're not the ideal driver for what I was driving, which were the terminal screws on outlets. Still, the tips of the Wihas have an odd shape, with the tip more pointed, and overall a smaller tip (see below). They're not the drivers I reach for if I'm trying to avoid camout. I know many people disagree with me, and perhaps my set is just worn enough I should replace them. But the tips seem smaller than ideal and don't give me the sense they're "filling" the slot as others are.
Cman. Seems mine are soft. Not investing in any more Cman. Although I DO like that knob on the end, makes it easy to palm.
PB Swiss Driver + Bit. This is currently my go-to setup. I own both magnetic and clip versions, and prefer non-magnetized bits so the clip is preferred. The PB Swiss bit fits the driver like hand-in-glove, no slop. The thin shaft and chamfered areas near the bit's hole work well and don't snag. I like the idea that when the bit gets dull, pitch it and get another, but I've also heard these PB Swiss bits are exceptionally hard and durable, so only time will tell, but I'm hoping I really don't need to change bits all that often. I really like the trim handle which spins easily and quickly. Trade-off here is a little less ability to "crank down" hard...which has the unintended consequence of limiting cam-out a bit more.
PB Swiss 193. (at the 12 o'clock position.) This is a heavy duty, confidence-inspiring driver. It has the most "overbuilt" feel to it, and notice the remarkably large shaft and tip. Bolster for extra grip. The handle is trim enough to be able to spin, but is large enough for a secure grip. So despite all the attempts at "ergo" by other manufacturers, I think this is my favorite grip for sheer usability and ease of cleaning. Also I am expecting the tightest "lockup" with the screw on this one, given the robustness of the tip. This beast is new, so I'll have to report back after usage.
PB Swiss 8190. New, so I don't have usage data yet. A delight to touch. Of all the drivers this is the one I'd most like a complete set of. The handle is just barely soft enough to have a pleasant feel, but still very firm. The finish is a little "tacky" for lack of a better word, and you get the feeling you could pull hard on it without your hand slipping. Yet it avoids feeling blocky; it feels right. The yellow end is hard plastic so you can "palm" it, which is a thoughtful touch. IMO all soft-grip drivers should have hard ends that slip under your palm. Looking forward to using this one, and will post impressions after use.
Wish I knew more about the various tip treatments. Those of you who know, please chime in.
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