Tool brands ranked by quality.

[Jimmer411]

1. Screwdrivers
What ever is handy. I really like the Husky drivers from home depot fro prying and Kleins for turning.

2. Sockets
Tekton
Greys Pneumatic
Craftsman universal sockets

3. ratchet handles
Craftsman
Pittsburg pro

4. Pliers
Knipex

5. Wrenches.
Gearwrench


No tool truck tools for me. If I cant buy it off the shelf it aint worth buying imo.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

1. Screwdrivers: SnapOn, ProTo
2. Sockets: ProTo, SnapOn
3. Ratchet Handles: SnapOn, ProTo,
4. Pliers: Klein, ProTo, SnapOn
5. Wrenches: ProTo, SnapOn, Armstrong, KD

I cheated a bit by listing three or more for some entries; but when it comes to a tie; I ain't gonna draw no straws.. The full polish Armstrong and KD metric wrenches from Cripes have had very little use, but they have a comfortable feel, and are eye pleasers. I can only rate tool quality based on My experience. An ugly or uncomfortable tool can fall short of My grace. It is ironic that SOME of My older ProTo wrenches are the ugliest I have; due to flaking chrome. But due to their durable service, I not only keep on using them; but duplicated that sae set a few years back. ProTo metric counterparts were also bought at the same time, but the Armstrong-KD metrics bumped them from the shop box to a secondary tool set.

 

[mudflap]

1. Screwdrivers
What ever is handy. I really like the Husky drivers from home depot fro prying and Kleins for turning.

2. Sockets
Tekton
Greys Pneumatic
Craftsman universal sockets

3. ratchet handles
Craftsman
Pittsburg pro

4. Pliers
Knipex




5. Wrenches.
Gearwrench


No tool truck tools for me. If I cant buy it off the shelf it aint worth buying imo.

If the thread was "Top DIY brands ranked by quality"...i woud agree with some of your picks.. SK is not widely regarded as a "Tool truck" brand...??

 

[Snap_cap]

I would like to get peoples thoughts on their top 2 tool brands for each of these categories.
1. Screwdrivers
2. Sockets
3. ratchet handles
4. Pliers
5. Wrenches.

Must be from real world experience and not marketing /word of mouth /etc.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Screwdrivers:
1. Snap-On (old style hard handles; if the choice were between the new tri-lobe style handles & Wera then Wera would be #1 and Snap-On #2)
2. Wera

Sockets:
1. Snap-On
2. Mac

ratchet handles:
1. Snap-On
2. SK

Pliers:
1. Knipex
2. Snap-On
3. Channellock

Wrenches:
1. Wright
2. Snap-On

Just based upon my use of the tools.

 

[shifterkart]

Screwdrivers:
1. Snap-On. (High HRC hardness scale i've tested, 2nd only to Klein, but Klein has antique handles from the 1960s).

2. PB Swiss (High HRC, finely made tip)

Sockets:
1. Koken (Sockets is their bread and butter. Sockets is all they make. Any size, type, length, or material you can think of. Largest assortment of sockets)

2. Koken

Ratchet Handles:
1. Nepros (each handle is finely crafted and polished. Lots of variety of handle styles. As fine as a handle you can ever find. There is no 2nd)

2. Nepros (Because snapon ratchets are made by Bahco)


Pliers:
1. Knipex
2. Knipex

Wrenches:
1. Snap-On Flank Drive+ (nothing i found grips better, if there is, please let me know)

2. Snap-on Flank Drive+

My choices of the finest tools is borderline OCD and expensive. If anyone know of any brand of tools better than the ones i've listed above, please enlighten me. As far as i know, my list is the finest list there can ever be.

 

[Dave455]

Screwdrivers - Snap On in Inch sizes (the older “hard” handles), PB Swiss in metric. Wiha and Wera make good quality screwdriver blades, but their soft finish handles are far from optimum in the real world.

Sockets - Snap On or Nepros, at least for regular sockets. For hex or Torx it would be Hazet and KoKen. Koken a close third anyway.

Ratchet Handles - Snap On or Nepros

Pliers - probably Keiba or Victor, but Knipex offer more styles, more sizes, better availability and are probably a better choice for most people.

Wrenches - Got to be Snap On or Nepros again, with Hazet a close third. The Hazet are very “real world” useable, and can be used without fear, which counts for a lot.

 

[BrandoJames]

From DIY use:

1. Screwdrivers: Vessel, Craftsman Softgrip
2. Sockets: Craftsman USA, Blue-Point
3. ratchet handles: Snap-on, Matco
4. Pliers: Doyle, Blue-Point
5. Wrenches. Snap-on, Craftsman Professional (USA)

 

[richfinn]

1. Wiha/Wera

2. Koken/Snap-On

3. Snap-On/MAC spinflex (old USA design)

4. Knipex/NWS

5. Stahlwille/Snap-On

As above I can't realistically tell you my picks are better "quality" than anybody elses

They are "favourites" that I prefer after 35 years of spannering on vehicles

 

[anndel]

Screwdrivers:
1. Snap-on both hard handles and comfort grip
2. SK
3. Old Craftsman Professional

Sockets:
1. Snap-on
2. SK
3. Old Craftsman

ratchet handles:
1. Snap-on
2. Carlyle
3. Tekton

Pliers:
1. Snap-on
2. Knipex
3. Channellock
4. SK

Wrenches:
1. Snap-on
2. SK
3. Old Craftsman RP

Old Craftsman = those Made in USA

 

[toolaholic]

1. Screwdrivers wiha, sk
2. Sockets proto , craftsman industrial
3. ratchet handles Armstrong ,Wera
4. Pliers knipex, channel lock
5. Wrenches. Stahlwille, proto

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Screwdrivers- Craftsman USA, Snap-on hard plastic handle
Sockets- SK, Craftsman USA. The Snap-on are good too but not my favorite.
Ratchet Handles- are the Snap-on hard handle for sure or the Matco
Pliers- Snap-on or Knipex
Wrenches- Snap-on, SK




Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[putergod]

This question is highly subjective, but IMO:
(Bold means I own it. Not bold means I want it, but haven't been able to justify the cost since I have a tool that meets the need)

1. Screwdrivers
Armstrong/OS Craftsman
Channel-Lock
(I don't care for ergo or softgrip screwdrivers)

2a. Sockets (Chrome)
Armstrong/OS Craftsman (US made Laser etched specifically)
SK
Snap-On

2b. Sockets (Impact)
SK
Proto
Armstrong/OS Craftsman (US made Laser etched specifically)

3. ratchet handles
Snap-On
Proto/MAC
SK

4. Pliers
Knipex
Channel-Lock

5a. Wrenches (12pt Combination)
Wright (Wright-Grip)
Snap-On (Flank Drive)

5b. Wrenches (Ratcheting - Reversible)
Proto (Polished I-Beam Spline specifically)
Snap-On

5c. Wrenches (Ratcheting - Non-Reversible)
SK (X-Frame)
Snap-On

 

[autobon7]

I would like to get peoples thoughts on their top 2 tool brands for each of these categories.
1. Screwdrivers
2. Sockets
3. ratchet handles
4. Pliers
5. Wrenches.

Must be from real world experience and not marketing /word of mouth /etc.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

1. Wera-----Fatmax
2. Snap On----Facom
3.Facom-----Proto
4. Knipex-----Wright
5. Facom----Snap On

 

[designer485]

1. Screwdrivers
- Snap-On / Williams Hard Handle
- PB Swiss Swiss Grip

2. Sockets
- Snap-On / Williams
- Koken ( I don't own any, but damn they look good)

3. Ratchet Handles
- Snap-On
- Nepros (Again, don't own any, but reviews and looks tell me I should)

4. Pliers
- Knipex / Orbis
- NWS

5. Wrenches
- Williams SuperCombo
- Gedore / Hazet / Stahwille


I would love to see a top 5 as well. I felt a bit limited especially in the screwdriver category (would easily add Wiha and Wera to the list) and the wrench category (would add Snap-On for sure, especially for ratcheting wrenches).

 

[JRPAviator]

Screwdrivers
1) Felo
2) PB Swiss
3) Snap on

Sockets
1) Wright
2) Nepros/Koken
3) Snap on

Ratchet handles
1) SK LP90
2) Snap on
3) Wright Contour Grip

Pliers
1) Knipex
2) Channellock
3) Germany

Wrenches
1) Wright
2) Snap on
3) Sk

 

[Ton ton]

1. Screwdrivers
- Snap-On / Williams Hard Handle
- PB Swiss Swiss Grip

2. Sockets
- Snap-On / Williams
- Koken ( I don't own any, but damn they look good)

3. Ratchet Handles
- Snap-On
- Nepros (Again, don't own any, but reviews and looks tell me I should)

4. Pliers
- Knipex / Orbis
- NWS

5. Wrenches
- Williams SuperCombo
- Gedore / Hazet / Stahwille


I would love to see a top 5 as well. I felt a bit limited especially in the screwdriver category (would easily add Wiha and Wera to the list) and the wrench category (would add Snap-On for sure, especially for ratcheting wrenches).

I'm glad to see a Snappy ratchet wrench fan on garage journal.

 

[magicrat]

screwdrivers
1. snap on cuz I got some screws out after stripping them with another brand
Sockets
To me most six and 12 point sockets all work. I use mostly Gearwrench because of cost

Ratchet handles
Easily Snap-on
Pliers
Knipex, Klein,
Wrenches
To me most wrenches do what they are supposed to do. And I mostly like ratcheting wrenches. Gearwrench, snap on, Matco, tekton, or SK. Doesn’t mattter to me.

 

[autobon7]

1. Screwdrivers
- Snap-On / Williams Hard Handle
- PB Swiss Swiss Grip

2. Sockets
- Snap-On / Williams
- Koken ( I don't own any, but damn they look good)

3. Ratchet Handles
- Snap-On
- Nepros (Again, don't own any, but reviews and looks tell me I should)

4. Pliers
- Knipex / Orbis
- NWS

5. Wrenches
- Williams SuperCombo
- Gedore / Hazet / Stahwille


I would love to see a top 5 as well. I felt a bit limited especially in the screwdriver category (would easily add Wiha and Wera to the list) and the wrench category (would add Snap-On for sure, especially for ratcheting wrenches).

The original poster stated "Must be from real world experience and not marketing /word of mouth /etc." You said you don't own any of the Nepros or Koken.