Satin vs. Full Polish Wrenches

[ChunkyLover53]

Hello,

I just wanted to get an idea of what the pros and cons are of satin finish wrenches vs polished / chrome ones. I'm assuming the chrome / polished ones are easier to clean? But does the chrome chip off? Forgive me, I don't know much as I have only ever had Craftsman without the polished finish.

Thanks

 

[astroracer]

Six in one hand, half a dozen in the other. I have never really considered finish as a good or bad point. I have both and use them with the only criteria as to which tool box is closer when I am wrenching on something.
Mark

 

[CWP1616L]

Polished chrome can be very slippery when covered in oil, or very sticky when they're dry and your hands are clammy.

 

[joe_padavano]

Full polished tools are for poseurs. Sorry, but besides the no-skid benefits of non-polished tools, if you are really using them, they won't be polished for long, anyway. If all you want is art to hang on pegboard in the garage, then spring for the polished.

 

[Chris_L]

Full polished tools are for poseurs. Sorry, but besides the no-skid benefits of non-polished tools, if you are really using them, they won't be polished for long, anyway. If all you want is art to hang on pegboard in the garage, then spring for the polished.

 

[devan7815]

I'm starting to prefer the satin (non-polished) style common on German wrenches such as Gedore, Elora, or Stahlwille. Also whether or not there is a raised or recessed panel , or etched logo will affect the feel in your hand as well as visible wear. If money were no object I would get the Gedore B series combo wrenches with the offset box end in a heart beat! But in the mean time I'll just have to make do with my Husky's -You know that whole wants/needs thing and all-

 

[ChunkyLover53]

So basically the benefits of non polished wrenches are that they don't slip out of the hand as easily?

Is there a reason companies make the polished tools besides how they look?

I wasn't looking for opinions as that turns into non productive conversation. I am considering wrench sets and was just wondering the intent of a company when they make one vs the other. Such as easier cleaning, better fastener grip, slip resistance, etc.

 

[devan7815]

They do clean up easier without a doubt. A quick wipe and you're done.

 

[CWP1616L]

So basically the benefits of non polished wrenches are that they don't slip out of the hand as easily?

The satin finish wrenches give you more grip when they're oily, but less grip when they're dry.

 

[byoungblood]

I can't say I've noticed that much of a difference in grip between a satin finished wrench and a polished one, oily or not. There's not enough texture (not to mention it is still chrome plated) to make much of a difference.

I do like that the polished ones are easier to keep clean.

 

[devan7815]

I think a lot of what drives this issue on the tool makers' side is just maintaining marketing and sales trends more than the way it affects the users day on the job. As a rule American tool makers have marketed their top of the line sets fully polished vs. the European makers whos' buyers seem to prefer the textured feel.

 

[ChunkyLover53]

Cool. Does the chrome chip very easily? Or as long as you don't take a torch, saw, or any crazy abuse should they hold up pretty well?

Basically with regular use do they all end up failing?

 

[Stooge]

I generally reach for my full polished wrenches, just my preference i suppose. Im constantly using my SK sae set and with the exception of some fine surface scratches they are still in great shape, no chipped chrome etc. Trans fluid makes em a little slippery but i have satin sets for that.
I think any quality chrome set wont chip very easily whether its domestic or import like some of the off brands which may have issues quicker

 

[devan7815]

They're all likely to chip over time, but there are so many environmental variables that contribute to plating wear. Some times the worst thing for tools is just to sit there and not get used.

 

[bobemmerich]

I don't have a preference either way. I have sets of both. I do like that the full polish do clean easier, though. The one thing I DID notice was that the larger size satin wrenches seem a bit more beefy.

 

[gagreen]

Cheaper the tool the more likely to chip ***Generally*** I've worked in FOD sensitive areas since for close to 10 years now and have yet to see a snap on full polish chip can't speak for others really. I prefer a polished wrench mainly due to cleaning, I don't like to take anything with me from one job to another including grime. Wash my hands and wipe my tools when going from one aircraft to another. (in moderation but I always keep a rag on me to at least wipe down a wrench that gets fluid or grime on it)

 

[kc-steve]

Scratches take their toll on polished wrenches. I have some old used S-K polished and some new polished and the difference is striking side-by-side. So recent purchases have been Wright's satin finish (WrightGrip) which is finer than the typical satin finish but no where near showing scratches. And they feel good to my hands as well.

Steve

 

[dleonard1122]

Full polished tools are for poseurs. Sorry, but besides the no-skid benefits of non-polished tools, if you are really using them, they won't be polished for long, anyway. If all you want is art to hang on pegboard in the garage, then spring for the polished.

I don't fully agree with this. I think the Full polish tools look alot nicer, and perhaps a reason that some people prefer them is that they may hold value longer if they are nicer looking. So I agree with you point in how, performance wise they may be equal, but if I had to choose between two sets, one polished and one non-polished, for equal price and quality I'm going to chose the polished 10 times out of 10.

 

[gagreen]

Scratches take their toll on polished wrenches. I have some old used S-K polished and some new polished and the difference is striking side-by-side. So recent purchases have been Wright's satin finish (WrightGrip) which is finer than the typical satin finish but no where near showing scratches. And they feel good to my hands as well.

Steve

Used a set of wrights service wrenches and really dig the satin finish on those. They are on the "I think I need list" But I can't get myself to trade in my snap on chromed out blingy combinations for anything lol. But yes the WrightGrip is very nice.

 

[Iron Cat]

I have and use both but generally I go for the polished wrenches.They do seem to clean up easier.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Are we calling the Craftsman RP satin?

 

[David W]

Cool. Does the chrome chip very easily? Or as long as you don't take a torch, saw, or any crazy abuse should they hold up pretty well?

Basically with regular use do they all end up failing?

A couple of jobs ago the company I was working at supplied a full polish Armstrong wrench for the community tool box that did chip. That chrome hurts when you pick it up, not realizing its chipped.
That said, I think full polished looks cooler but I don't use them enough to give any pros or cons on this issue.

This sounds like another front in all the other holy wars that go on here!

 

[JJThrasher]

Personally I don't care about a tool's looks. I keep all of my tools clean and in a good state of repair. Any tool that get really dirty get cleaned same day, beyond that I try to wipe most of them down weekly. Once a month I try to do a good wipe down of all my tools, and boxes. Yes I do use my tools professionally. Lots of fully polished chrome looks really good to customers walking through your shop.

 

[Farmall450]

Anyone bring up black oxide yet?

I have both, still reach for the raised panels often but in my experience full polish wrenches are sleeker, and you can tell the difference when using.

Then again I'm comparing cman raised panel to cman industrial, not super fair.

 

[k-os]

Anyone bring up black carbide yet?

I have both, still reach for the raised panels often but in my experience full polish wrenches are sleeker, and you can tell the difference when using.

Then again I'm comparing cman raised panel to cman industrial, not super fair.

I think you might have meant Black Oxide.

I really like my Full Polish wrenches now that I've got a full set for Metric and SAE.

 

[CWP1616L]

Cool. Does the chrome chip very easily?

In my experience no.

 

[wise]

I've never chipped any of my SO FD+ wrenches since I've owned them, and I really like them and use them hard. I was using a set of Mastercraft Maximum wrenches which are pretty cheap for years, and a few chipped, but I bent the open ends apart on two, and bent the beam on three of them.

There are primo quality tools in both Full Polish and Satin and Black Oxide... Wrenches are one of those tools you'll always have a need for, so buy the best you can afford.

 

[Farmall450]

I think you might have meant Black Oxide.

I really like my Full Polish wrenches now that I've got a full set for Metric and SAE.

Yup, sorry brain dead right now...

 

[Ad13]

Once wrenches get old, the polished ones start to look like ****

 

[crewchief888]

Full polished tools are for poseurs. Sorry, but besides the no-skid benefits of non-polished tools, if you are really using them, they won't be polished for long, anyway. If all you want is art to hang on pegboard in the garage, then spring for the polished.

really?

guess i been a poser for 30 years.

my tools sure dont look like it...

maybe they didnt get the memo

 

[Hootbro]

I don't fully agree with this. I think the Full polish tools look alot nicer, and perhaps a reason that some people prefer them is that they may hold value longer if they are nicer looking. So I agree with you point in how, performance wise they may be equal, but if I had to choose between two sets, one polished and one non-polished, for equal price and quality I'm going to chose the polished 10 times out of 10.

If peoples primary consideration on their tool purchase is "resale value", they strike me as posers and being about the perception of the tool box and not what they actually accomplish with their tools.

 

[dleonard1122]

If peoples primary consideration on their tool purchase is "resale value", they strike me as posers and being about the perception of the tool box and not what they actually accomplish with their tools.

I absolutely agree, if resale value is their primary consideration then I have no problem calling them a poser. Obviously I think performance and quality are the most important qualities of a tool. But I still think resale value is something that can be factored into a buying decision.

 

[crewchief888]

So basically the benefits of non polished wrenches are that they don't slip out of the hand as easily?

Is there a reason companies make the polished tools besides how they look?

I wasn't looking for opinions as that turns into non productive conversation. I am considering wrench sets and was just wondering the intent of a company when they make one vs the other. Such as easier cleaning, better fastener grip, slip resistance, etc.

it's mostly a matter of personal preference.
i have full polish, satin chrome, as well as black oxide

most of my working tools are (were) full polish, most of my home tools are satin.

i cant recall seeing any chipped chrome on any of my polished wrenches.
i do have a couple 3/8" dr chrome sockets with some chipped chrome.
i'm betting they are CM.

what i have noticed, it seems (to me) the satin chrome finish will pick up a little surface rust before a full polish finish.
i've noticed on one of my competition single stack 45's that
the fully polished raw steel of the sides of the slide show no surface rust, but slightly worn (blued) areas show some slight surface rust.

 

[Hootbro]

I absolutely agree, if resale value is their primary consideration then I have no problem calling them a poser. Obviously I think performance and quality are the most important qualities of a tool. But I still think resale value is something that can be factored into a buying decision.

Me and you are on two different wave lengths then. I just do not understand any thought process of when buying a tool, "what will the value be when I sell it?".

Let's face it, at a minimum tools once put into use, depreciate at a minimum 50% or more. They are not an invest plan as static assets. Their value is in your use and the value you create in the services you render with them.

I guess if some people have lives the predicate the need to liquidate assets in a hurry for bail money, then I guess resale value is for them but it is fool hardy reason IMHO.

 

[ChunkyLover53]

I really wasnt taking into consideration the resale value. I work maintenance and have mostly mid range tools and craftsman that my work place provides. Although when I notice myself using certain tools hard and things going missing around the shop at work by other employees I consider a purchase of my own.

I have never owned a high end set of wrenches, but I am considering a set of Proto combination wrenches. When considering a purchase of a high dollar amount to me I like to investigate as much as possible.

If this were another harbor freight purchase, believe me, I wouldn't have asked the question.

 

[dleonard1122]

Me and you are on two different wave lengths then. I just do not understand any thought process of when buying a tool, "what will the value be when I sell it?".

Let's face it, at a minimum tools once put into use, depreciate at a minimum 50% or more. They are not an invest plan as static assets. Their value is in your use and the value you create in the services you render with them.

I guess if some people have lives the predicate the need to liquidate assets in a hurry for bail money, then I guess resale value is for them but it is fool hardy reason IMHO.

Bail money? Really there was no need for that but, The way I see it, If given the choice between something that holds value and something that doesn't hold value, all other things being equal, then I see no problem choosing the thing that holds value. It's like buying a car, just because the one that doesn't hold its value does the same job as the one that does, we would all buy the one that holds value because its logically a better choice if all other things are equal.

I feel like we've hijacked the OP's thread however, I think what it comes down to is personal preference because there clearly is mixed reviews on full polish vs non polished.

edit: I think it also needs to be pointed when i used the word "value", non-monetary value also plays a factor. If someone genuinely likes using a tool then I could see that as a "value." My previous use of the word "resell" was probably not the best word choice.

 

[celticbhoy]

I currently use satin wrenches and I find that they do give me a better grip than the polished ones, but if I had polished ones instead I wouldn't be selling them to get satin... they're all good to me.

 

[Midman914]

I buy a lot of second hand tools and have noticed that the high polished ones can and do chip at times. Looks to be more from hard use abuse or cheaper chrome process on the lesser brands. On the flip side I have a few satin wrenches that outer coating starts to lift and chip, and as another poster stated it hurts. Again this seems to be from hard use or abuse. So I just grind down the flaky spots and oil them up. Problem solved. One thing I like about the high polished wrenches are that they tend to be smooth and flat, where as the Cman raised panels can be a little sharp at times when torque is being applied. This isn't really the fault of the satin finish though and I have used some great satin finish wrenches. Me being me (read frugal, but into high quality tools) would opt for the less expensive satin finish. With my money saved I would buy another tool.

 

[directedguy]

I like both, so I own both.As far as the chrome finish wearing off I have never seen that on a high quality tool and if it ever did well thats what warranty is for.

 

[gagreen]

I really wasnt taking into consideration the resale value. I work maintenance and have mostly mid range tools and craftsman that my work place provides. Although when I notice myself using certain tools hard and things going missing around the shop at work by other employees I consider a purchase of my own.

I have never owned a high end set of wrenches, but I am considering a set of Proto combination wrenches. When considering a purchase of a high dollar amount to me I like to investigate as much as possible.

If this were another harbor freight purchase, believe me, I wouldn't have asked the question.

Looking back, now that I've bought the bulk of my tools, I would have bought a lot more proto. Not a bad way to go at all and a decision you won't regret. Personally I'd get the full polish because I like the smooth finish, when wearing a glove they really grip. And being a higher end brand you should not have to worry about chrome chipping, I have proto sockets from the stone ages that do no show chipping like cheaper brands. Proto is also big in aviation and tools that chip are generally unacceptable. Buy what you like and leave the typical forum bs out of it lol.