What is the absolute "Best"

[~UB~]

Combination Wrench you ever put in your hand???

 

[therealwormey]

one that was free

 

[diesel research]

comfort? fastener fit? Otherwise I think you might be instigating.

 

[~UB~]

All of the above. Those two are very important!!!

 

[diesel research]

Different ones fit into favorite of various category. Never met a single wrench maker that covered it all. For example, a very popular wrench maker of quality wrenches, cuts my hand when using them. The one that fits into my hand very comfortably, others complain that theirs have wavy chrome and are too short.

Another popular homeowner brand that I do not like, many others LOVE.

___________________________

Combination wrenches are like ratchets or screw drivers. If I am using them, it's not because I want to.......but because I have to.

 

[tonydanzah]

Stahwille

 

[Freeborn John]

If my Snap ons disappeared in the night I'd seriously consider replacing them with Stahlwille, purely on comfort in use.
The slim design might just get in where others won't but I find it a little too sharp on the hand, the fluted design Stahlwille use is far more comfortable.

 

[slipjointed]

For wrenching on cars, Snap-on.

Everything else, Wright hands down. I just love them.

 

[metalgodlb]

Hmm.. I never owned Stahlwille but really itching to buy some. Those things look like piston rods crafted into a wrench! Indestructable I bet.. As far as looks go (don't lie guys, some of us care) I would have to vote for the Facom 440 series but for function I feel they are just too short (roughly same length as standard Craftsman). Right now my main go to sets are Williams Superrenches for SAE and Blue Point (older script, satin finish) for metric and both are very comparable. Basically the Blue Points are more oval shaped and the Williams are more rectangular almost like Macs but not as rough. Not sure which of the two I prefer just yet but both are great and inexpensive with snap on comparable quality (except flank drive plus). Btw all the wrenches I'm discussing are combination 12 pt. Just never seen the point in carrying double box end or open end wrenches unless to save space and money. Ok enough rambling. If i had the money to spend I would take my chances on the Stahlwilles but if I were in a pinch for cash the Williams Superrenches and the Blue Boints have been awesome for value and function. Snap on are excellent, don't get me wrong but If I'm spending that kinda dough I want something thats "stronger than any bolt!"

 

[William Payne]

I love the way my stahlwilles feel in my hands, but recently got a CAT branded snap-on and it feels as great as my stahlwilles but in very very different ways. I think I will just have to get full sets of both.

 

[diesel research]

Wal-mart branded raised panels.

 

[tankboy_taylor]

Snap On Combos, Id give Cornwell or Bonney second place

 

[Jononon]

Facom 440. By far the most comfortable I've used.

 

[Stephenw]

Snap-on Flank Drive Plus.

 

[bart1]

I think the most comfy, beefiest feeling I have ever used are my Hazet 600Ns. I have used Snap On and thought the beam was a little thin and "sharp", but love the tooth grip thingy they have in the open end. I have not tried Stahlwille (yet), but have held them. Very comfy. Note that a German magazine test that has been posted here before found SO and Hazet to be stronger than Stahlwille.

Disclaimer: I am not a pro wrencher and have not used every brand.

I'll run out of this thread before I get piled on now.

Here is another wrench I would really like to try - heavy duty Wright - has Wright Grip and a super comfy looking beam:

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

I like my Mac KS2's. If for some reason I had to buy a new set it would be Bluepoints.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Stahlwille Open Box 14 for me. Love the finish.

 

[warmpancakes]

Bonney Made Matcos, the rest are just toys

 

[Jawn]

Taiwanese Stanley.

I know, I know... I need to get out (to the garage) more.

(edit: I'd like to try some new SK wrenches tho... just might have to upgrade)

 

[darkk]

I prefer skinny women but I really love the feel and comfort of a fatter wrench like SK or Craftsman style....snap on and mac ****, they have edges that are just too thin for my liking/comfort.

 

[RKSpeed]

S-K SuperKromes for me, used to use CMan Pro's but the open end of the wrench would spread too easily.

 

[r6_cannibal]

another vote for Stahwille type 14

 

[K5blazer83]

I have all Snap-On Flank Drive Plus and honestly, I prefer MAC KnuckleSaver's or the Bonney-made Matco's

 

[mrpowderkeg]

the ones I like the best are my proto t500. They feel perfect, and are a top quality wrench

 

[theoldwizard1]

I'm not a pro, so almost all of my tools are good and affordable, which for me is Craftsman.

Several years ago, I was at a small Sears that was closing down. I picked up a set of combination wrenches with 6 point box ends that was on clearance. Boy was I glad I did ! First, always having a spare wrench IS useful. Second, less concern about rounding off rusted fasteners. I wish they had had metric ones on sale then too !

 

[bushhawg73]

The Cornwell's are very nice, they have a nice thick beam that is very easy on the hands.

 

[Monte]

Stahlwille

 

[DrkMtnDew]

everyone has mention beam/handle comfort but as far as fastener fit i like the SO Flank Drive Plus. if i were to go off of in-the-hand feel i like the fatter handles on my Northern wrenches.

 

[justin10054]

Plomb are my favorite, but the best I've used are some old Bonney streamline I inherited from my grandfather. I only wish I had a full set. Haven't yet run across any at swap meets either.

 

[otis66]

The best wrenchs are Snap-On OEX.

 

[treasureseeker]

Sk for Combination and Snap-on for double box

 

[garfunkle24]

1. Hazet 600N
2. Stahlwille Open Box 14
3. Mac KS2

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

I own Snap-On, but I like the feel of MAC wrench that does not hurt my fingers when applying some torque.

 

[speed bump]

Proto ASD

 

[bowtie3]

For function especially the open end SO flank drive plus, nothing else even comes close. For feel and appearance Mac. I cant understand for the life of me why SO makes the beams of an otherwise superior wrench so sharp and uncomfortable.

 

[bigbob302]

snap-on flank drive (not the plus). I have Matcos and when you really man up on them the open end spreads and brakes your knuckles at the same time rounding the bolt. never tried macs or other tool trucks but the snap on combo wrenches are the best that "I" have ever had in my hands ( including SK, Wright, and just about every other USA non truck brand) I have tried to brake them, I have tried to round bolts off and I cant do it. I am not afraid to hit a wrench with a 3lb hammer. I am a heavy equipment mechanic and work on 20 year old caterpillars that have not moved for years, there is no such thing as a bolt that comes out easy haha. As far as the beam thickness goes i have no problem with them. i usually grip it at the end of the wrench. when using the open end on the fastener the box end makes a nice thick and round mass to press your hand against vs grabbing the beam itself.

 

[Hammer1963]

I like the feel of my Matco Opti-torque XL wrenches, just flat out comfortable, but I also like my Snap-on Flank drive plus wrenches for open end use.

 

[ryan_289]

Bonney

 

[truckwrench1]

i like my sk superchromes and the gearwrench non ratcheting combos feel great to almost like my sk's

 

[Singlecut]

I like this thread.
I had a nice big set of CMAN raised panels as my first set of wrenches and I loved the hell out of those. I once held a flank drive plus and thought is was too thin for comfort. SK raised panels feel good. Yesterday, for the first time ever, I held a Gearwrench flex ratcheting wrench. 10mm. It changed my life. I absolutely LOVE the ridges they cut into the side.