round or pear shaped rats

[indestro]

I like to be able to change direction with the same hand

 

[Stuart in MN]

I assume it has something to do with being able to flip the lever on a ratchet while you're holding it in your hand, but you may want to explain in a little more detail just what it is you're asking.

 

[indestro]

Yah, exactly, I do like the selector lever type ratchets.Curious as to if anyone else had the prefrence

 

[Kev442]

I prefer pearhead, but not in order to switch it one handed.

 

[Hiball]

I grew up Using RoundHeads, I own both and it Really doesnt affect me much either way. If you use them enough you learn how to change Direction with 1 hand, It doesnt take much resistance on the drive end to allow a quick rotation.

 

[GrantCee]

I prefer Proto pearheads. I like levers!

 

[MattT]

I prefer pear head because they're easier to switch direction, can be checked for direction visually or by feel and they're slimmer. About the only advantage round heads had was finer tooth count.

 

[crewchief888]

i grew up using round head SK's.
most of my daily use ratchets are pear head. i still have a 1/2" dr SK std round head, and a 1/4" dr taiwan (CM copy) long flex head w/spinner in my service truck.
garage ratchets are a mix of round head SK, & CM, mixture of pear shape from SO, mac, kobalt & duralast.

i dont really have a preference, the only "special" one is the long flex head, that gets used for one specific job

 

[indestro]

appreciate the imput, seems about 50/50. One thing I hve noticed is the round heads seem to slip more under pressure

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

I use both...........................
I like both,

 

[Hiball]

appreciate the imput, seems about 50/50. One thing I hve noticed is the round heads seem to slip more under pressure

Like everything else they require some maintenance to work properly, I've never noticed that much difference in regards to slipping etc.

 

[Fedwrench]

Again this choice is a matter of personal preference like red heads or blondes, Ford or Chevy, etc..
I have both styles but, prefer the pear head over the round style. First off, the pear head is usually thinner like the Gearwrench or other Danaher/Apex made 60 tooth models offering improved access. The pear head also offers one handed (or finger) direction changes. There are no teeth to strip out in the ratchet handle on a pear head.
There have been design changes in both styles where instead of only two teeth being engaged, it's more like seven or eight these days. There are great versions available of each style and no so great versions out there. Find what you like to use and wear it out..

 

[kc-steve]

This is an interesting question. I PREFER the pear head ratchet because the lever seems to be easier to use. My Craftsman ratchet collection has both kinds though.

However, I read somewhere that S-K was first to design and patent the round head. If a good deal on an S-K ratchet comes my way, I'll buy it over any other pear head ratchet. In other words, it doesn't make a difference to me I guess, I have both.

Steve

 

[thewheel82]

Pear Head - Just what I have always used plus like being able to switch directions one handed.

 

[Theloniousmonk]

depending on the ratchet, some round head (my proto professional 1/2) can have clearance issues my Armstrong mx or hazet 9 doesn't encounter. but, as said, totally a chevy/ford thing for the most part.

 

[Scout Driver]

Grew up with round-headed Thorsen ratchets. I have pear-heads too but find myself reaching for the round head ratchets out of habit. Haven't seen a noticable difference in using either one as far as practicality. Even with when I was younger and had littler hands, I could usually switch directions on a round-head with one hand.

Fedwrench mentioned preference between blondes or redheads. I myself prefer blondes.

Scott

 

[mrholeshot]

Like them both and can switch either with one hand without a problem. As long as it's tough I like it. I can't say that round head ratchets slip easier. I have some that havent slipped in 30 years of use. I think SK made the best round head ratchets ever made

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

I like the Wright better than the SK....
I also think JH Williams makes good ratchet too..

 

[Boiler]

I've taken apart quite a few neglected ratchets, no snap ons though...the two I have I can't get open yet...but anyway. I much prefer pear heads to SK when cleaning / getting them working again comes into play. Just a more simplistic design. That said, my 1/4" sk round head is a sweet ratchet. I just hated taking it apart and getting it working.

I also prefer screws for assembly / disassembly vs snap rings or coils. Craftsman snap rings aren't bad, but I've still yet to figure out how to put an SK round head back tother without my wife holding the ratchet and me raising the round head up into it. I suppose I could use the vise...

 

[mrholeshot]

I like the Wright better than the SK....

I've never owned a Wright ratchet that I know of. I'm going to buy a long handled 1/2 Wright on the 8th of October on my way back from MUSC. I hope it's as good as all the hype.

 

[Scout Driver]

I've never owned a Wright ratchet that I know of. I'm going to buy a long handled 1/2 Wright on the 8th of October on my way back from MUSC. I hope it's as good as all the hype.

I got a good deal on a Wright 3/8" ratchet this summer (thanks Hi-Ball). It's the round head with the dual pawl. Has a nice, satisfying "tick" like a fine watch. Very good ratchet. Compact head and needs very little swing to make it ratchet.

Scott

 

[rayzor32]

I prefer snap on ratshits!!

 

[Hiball]

I got a good deal on a Wright 3/8" ratchet this summer (thanks Hi-Ball). It's the round head with the dual pawl. Has a nice, satisfying "tick" like a fine watch. Very good ratchet. Compact head and needs very little swing to make it ratchet.

Scott

Your Welcome.. I bought a slug of them on the Cheap and dont mind passing the savings on to fellow GJ'ers.. I always get a kick out of the Dual 80 Die-hards when they claim that the "Dual 80 is the only ratchet that will accomplish some jobs" BS!!! Those old Dual Paw Round heads will do anything a Dual 80 tech ratchet will do and they pre-date them by 30 years. LOL