Ratchet.......what is your preference?

[CJM8515]

I prefer bare metal really.Easy clean up and long lasting. Soft handles arent bad, but they do get worn and ratty looking and then fall apart sooner or later.

 

[nelstomlinson]

Unless it's below zero, I prefer metal handles. The shiny Wright ratchets if I'm not getting oily, the knurled SK if I am.

I might really like the Snap-on hard handles, but I won't know until I find a cheap example to try.

 

[ssdave]

Bare metal, no knurling. I have several different brands that I really like, but they all have the same type handles. I have hard and soft plastic handled ones, and knurled ones also, and have a marked non-preference for plastic handles of either type. The knurled ones are too tough on my dainty hands. My favorites for heavy work are the Williams S51 tapered square handle or the Indestro square handle. Followed by the SO and Cornwell sculpted round handle. Dead last in preference in what I have are the knurled SK round heads and Proto pear heads because of their knurled round handles. The only ones that I've owned that fall below that in usability are the Craftsman raised panel. Those are just plain tough on your hands. Concentrate force on the wrong part of your fingers and hurt your hands.

 

[Wamsutta]

Bare metal, no knurling.

I can't think of a better handle that meets that description than Cornwell.

 

[Tonyuk]

Bare metal, it'll last forever.

Comfort grip is nice, but i consider it disposable, it'll rot away eventually.

I like the snap-on hard handle grip, but again it wont last forever.

 

[jsmeece]

I know a lot of fellow GJ members are not going to like my answer, but I really like the hourglass handles on the Armstrong ratchets. I like bare metal handles, I have a few Blackhawks with knurled handles, but I prefer no knurling.

When cold outside, I prefer the Carlyle or Gearwrench comfort grip handles. Most of my ratchet handles are bare metal including Armstrong, Gearwrench, Craftsman, Blackhawk, Proto, older Napa, Allen, and older Kobalt. I keep the Blackhawk ratchets in a toolbox for in-the-house use.

 

[rmsg0040]

I like the ultrapro ratchet comfort grips, Canadian version of the carlyle ratchets. Not as soft as SO comfort grips

 

[M6erfan]

I like and use both but my favorite is Ko-ken knurled handle.

 

[Parrothead]

Bare metal handle, 3/8, quick release and at least 60t

 

[Fialaja]

Bare metal

 

[mmason7764]

Chrome handles preferred:

1 - Wright contour grip

2 - SK knurled

Haven't tried a Cornwell yet but they sure look good !!!

Mark

 

[ngk22r]

Chrome handles preferred:

1 - Wright contour grip

2 - SK knurled

Haven't tried a Cornwell yet but they sure look good !!!

Mark

Cornwell metal handled ratchets are comfy, as are the new Mac axis ratchets and the slim line Matco 88

 

[JMQ4]

My favorite ratchet, although it is oftentimes not the most appropriate tool for the current job, is an older craftsman, long handle, flex head in 3/8”. It has a black, I assume plastic, handle. I was going to buy another before the local sears went under, but it just didn’t feel the same. Besides that one, all other ratchets I own are without handles.

 

[pilotmotor]

Grip type handle for me.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Bare, smooth metal.
Square with radiused corners so it doesn't twint and a larger end to keep my hand from slipping off.

 

[The Fall]

Bare metal. In order of numbers owned: SK round heads (knurling), Snap-on Dual 80s (smooth) and Proto pear heads (knurling). I don't own any ratchets with comfort grips.

 

[DadsTools]

I always preferred bare metal. Yes, cleanup is a factor. But more than that is the feel. I want to be able to easily shift my hand position along the shaft for mechanical/leverage advantage and to sometimes bypass obstructions by shifting my knuckles to a different spot. The rubberized or plastic contour handles almost force you to grasp them in the position the mfr determined you should be holding it. There's something in my 'muscle memory' that resents that. They feel like they're almost in the way of my grasping the ratchet, kind of awkward. I'm a bit of an old-timer so habit and tradition probably plays a role in this.

My favorite rats are the old New Britain RHFT Kilness design with the round knurled handles, followed by the similar S-K, but the Kilness has a more compact and lighter head so it fits in tighter places, is less clunky and better balanced.

Least favorite of all the major brand names I've handled is the Craftsman raised panel handles. Ugh. Come to think of it, I never liked anything about the CM RP rats. Something about them almost seems like an imitation or impostor ratchet, like the 'plus opening act' band at a concert. Yeah, it's a band, it plays, there's music to listen to, but.... It's purely subjective and ambiguous, I know.

There's something very **** and seductive about the Cornwell bare steel 'coke bottle' handles. Perhaps the best-of-all-worlds design. But when it's time to get down and dirty, I still grab the Kilness rats. Go figure.

 

[Al Borland]

Usually bare steel. Knurled preferred.
I have a couple ratchets I pressed a section of heater hose onto the handle, and I have a couple HF Composite wrenches, but steel seems more satisfying.

 

[M_George]

Reading this, I've been using the same SK Wayne 45170 for so long nothing else feels right in my hand. I have the new SK 80200 and it just didn't feel right so I put it back and got out my old trusty round head 45170. All the ratchets mentioned are great tools, it just boils down to which one feels right.