Snap-on Instinct- Hard or soft?

[Taylor J.]

Hi guys,

I'm looking at buying a new set of Snap-on screwdrivers. What are your thoughts on the hard or soft handles?

Thanks for the input,

Taylor

 

[Brandon_K]

I'm a fan of my soft Instinct's.

 

[blown94conv]

I like the hard handles, they are easier to clean IMHO.

 

[nolatoolguy]

Personally I prefer the hard handles. The hard handles are alot easier to clean. However the soft handles feel better. I think it all dpends on your job though. See if you can get your hands on both a hard and soft handle then decided what to buy.

 

[Burgerkong]

+1 on the above...hard handles hold up better, but may not be as comfortable as the soft ones.

 

[GT89mustang]

I was just going to make a similar thread for this question. Im leaning towards the hard handles.

 

[hammergodthor]

Soft handles give you more torque IMO but are harder to clean.

 

[fordbroncodave]

as hard as you can get them. easier to clean a screwdriver without rubber on it.

 

[mrshaun]

soft = great torque
hard = easy clean up
buy both sets

 

[egdede]

soft = great torque
hard = easy clean up
buy both sets

I have the pre-instinct soft grips and love them. I first saw their kind in my brother in law's possession. They were battle scarred with grease. I use them for woodworking, they rule! I use Wrench-Force wrenches in my garage (Williams manufactured for bicyclists in an industrial finish; Snap-on style hard handle).

 

[LGMechanical]

I bought the green classic hard handle set. Cleans up with just a rag. Go with hard handles if you are pro wrenching.

 

[Merkava_4]

Santoprene covered handles will allow you to transfer more torque to the fastener without having to hold the handle so tightly. I'm referring to screwdrivers in general, not the Instincts specifically.

 

[mrshaun]

i sell the soft grip instinct 10 to 1 over the instinct hard grip. so customers here prefer the soft grip and they like the sgdx60bg set the best.
they just showed on MY snapon.com page a 10 inch flat tip softgrip screwdriver
SGD10BR_SGD10BO_SGD10BG
10" Slotted Screwdriver w/Instinct Handle

 

[Mike83]

I have the soft grip instincts. They are very comfortable, but were looking bad after a while. I used some WD40 and a rag and they looked like new! I was like "damn"! The soft grip keeps them from getting slippery too.

 

[chadster1]

I prefer the hard grip but like others have said, it is a personal preference.

 

[Zrexxer]

I have the soft grip instincts. They are very comfortable, but were looking bad after a while. I used some WD40 and a rag and they looked like new! I was like "damn"! The soft grip keeps them from getting slippery too.

That's why I tend to think all the people crowing about the soft handles being hard to clean have probably never used one. I do the same on mine, spray some WD40 on a red shop rag and they wipe off looking just like new. It's a non-issue as far as I'm concerned.

 

[mooman]

Love my soft grip instincts!!!

 

[GT89mustang]

Would someone who has both be able to post a side by side picture for comparison?

 

[WSMC633]

I have the hard handles and I like them a lot. Never really felt the softs though to compare. I bought the hards because I like the famous old hard handles a lot.

 

[O RLY]

Soft grip FTW

But I am not a mechanic so getting tools greasy is not really a problem for me.
Depends on how your going to use them I guess.

 

[Vinko]

soft = great torque
hard = easy clean up
buy both sets

Have both. The soft aren't really too soft. At least not like those ones I've seen that were pre-instinct or first generation or whatever it was.

I bought the soft because the set was a really good deal that day, and the hard instincts I only had a few of, incl. an awl and pick. Good stuff. I'm a believer now, after thinking that the old school hard handles were the best way to go.

 

[HumbertASE92]

The "pre-instinct" handles you are referring to are actually called "Comfort Grip" if I'm not mistaken, my Torx "screwdrivers" are this handle style. I have the Instinct grips on my screwdrivers and picks. I love the added grip and ability to really torque on things without fear of the tool slipping in my hands. Although I think everyone must have a slight soft spot in their heart for the classic look of the SO Hard Handles..

 

[The Frisco Kid]

Hard handles are my preference, but they are next to impossible to find these days on a real truck. I do have a soft grip set of Felo's that I use inside the house. They will never get dirty though.

 

[GSMotorrad]

Wrench-Force wrenches in my garage (Williams manufactured for bicyclists in an industrial finish; Snap-on style hard handle).

I feel like I think I've seen some like that before, but I can't remember and googling, "wrench force wrenches" didn't come up with anythign like that.

What are these called? Wrenches that have screwdriver handles on one end? Ratcheting, reversible box-ends would make me want to buy some. I googled some results:

 

[Roobaix]

I've got the soft grips and like them a lot but I'm usually only getting them dusty and not greasy.

 

[kelwar]

I have soft in my standard screwdriver set and hard in the set of long ones. Never had a problem getting enough torque with the hard instincts I have twisted the tip off #2 Phillips like 3 times. If I were to do it over I would buy all hard handles. My brother also has soft instincts and didn't like them fwiw.