Tips and Tricks 101 Witte Screwdrivers

[woody 73]

Funny how some GJ members will say which screwdriver or any tool for that matter should I get Item xyz or item zzz ; when I think this is the GJ you buy them both.

Then I see these posts on the web for best screwdrivers for 2018 (soon to be 2019), and I think you got to be smoking crack or something but soon reality sets in and the writer is pandering to the great mass of homeowners on a super tight budget that it must be cheap and quality is out the window.

So then even if you are on a super tight budget and you need for your money to go a long way you can do what I do and buy them used. The following few Witte screwdrivers were purchased used and for not much money for me to try them out and report back to on the GJ.

The good...

Fit and finish they are outstanding two thumbs up Those sucker have a fantastic grip and get the job done! well machined with a readable number (only lazer etched) on each shaft.

The bad...

This is just for me only as the handles are not very comfortable in my hands and after a long time my hands hurt from holding them. Like I said that is just my opinion because many of you will like them very much.

I see on their web-site they do private labels for any company asking for them like Matco, Cornwell, Napa, etc. and again if you do not mind buying them used you can save a lot of money up front.

The Witte Company got their start back in 1785 when Conrad Von Der Becke founded a needle and pin factory in Iserlohn, central Germany and that was soon taken over by Johann Hermann Witte.

https://www.wittetools.com/en/

https://www.wittetools.com/en/the-enterprise/historical-review/

 

[pistolpete1313]

I have at least one screwdriver from all the Germans and a Swiss, and snap on.

The wittes seem to have the toughest handle but cost just about the same as pb Swiss. I have big hands so like big handle. If comfort is number one, go with felo.

I personally have an affinity to wera but fwiw think Witte and stahlwille have the toughest feel

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[Fedwrench]

Unfortunately, NAPA no longer carries those yellow/blue handled German made screwdrivers but, they were a great buy when closed out at $1-$3 a driver.

there are a bunch listed on ebay but, not nearly as cheap in most cases.

 

[SS5150]

You don't like those Napa screwdrivers? Those are excellent, and I've tried the newer Cornwell and Matco styles as well. I keep going back to the Napa's.

I have a set of Wera's here too that my brother recommended and truthfully I don't get the hype. When I get around to it I'll probably be flipping them.

I will say that I have large hands so it's a factor in how these all feel/fit to me.

 

[bobcatdan]

I have Witte in both matco and John Deere. I find their Phillips is better than snap on in it will take screws out that snap on will start to slip in. I have no complaints on comfort of their handles.

 

[woody 73]

Just to repeat myself one more time...They are a fantastic screwdriver but I find the handle shape is not my cup of tea, (not for me).
After all you do want honest opinions and I do hope I come across that way in all my posts; having used them for some time now.
I do hope that you all have enjoyed all my other screwdriver posts and this is the first one that is not made in the USA.

Woody

 

[Fedwrench]

You made other screwdriver threads?

 

[Formula]

I have some Matco Witte screwdrivers I bought well over a decade ago. They are indestructible and I've never snapped a tip off the flat blades.

I did have one that was used and abused with a slightly bent shaft. My Matco guy warranted it out but before so asked me to stick it in a vice to see if we could snap the tip off. It would not snap off, just kept bending the shaft. It was pretty incredible to see, especially when so many other screwdrivers would snap off like glass.