Archived from the Tools In Action forum (Hand Tools). This thread is read-only.
My dad wants me to find the best screwdriver possible for him to use for probably the rest of his life.
I have found 3 companies of good screwdrivers, but I don’t know which one is the best. Can you please help me figure this out? Is there a review website that would help with that?
Here are the brands and some notable information about them:
Wera- Made in Czechoslovakia
Wiha- Made in Germany
PB Swiss Tools- Made in Switzerland
Please help me decide!
I have heard nothing but good things about Wera or Whia screwdrivers. Hopefully Conductor can see this and add his input he is the hand tool guru around here
this a good topic AT im also in need of some good screwdrivers and will be learning about all 3 of these brands as I haven’t used any of them.
Welcome to the forum. I have Wera Screwdrivers. I actually bought the Wera Kraftform Plus 334/6 set. These are honestly the best quality screwdrivers I’ve ever owned, the grips look weird but they are unbelievably comfortable. They are designed to fit in the cup of your hand or while using finger tips to give purchase. The tips are laser etched giving them a lot of grab. Made in Germany and have a Lifetime warranty. Also they have easy to read markings on the handle if you keep them in your tool belt or even if you keep them in the mountable carrier they come with for quick identification. I’d also like to mention Klein. I only have a nut drive but it’s a really nice quality driver and more importantly it’s made in the Good Ole USA.. Amazon has my Wera set For a little over $30 with six drivers (mixed) and a mount. Also tons of others including electricians sets, ratchets etc… Good luck!
Never heard of any of them. Doesn’t craftsman have a lifetime warranty.
So can anyone help me decide which brand? Has anyone used PB Swiss Tools?
You gotta decide bro! Read the reviews but I’ve thrown my 2 cents in. Wiha is supposedly good too but for the most part what I have heard is Klein is great and first hand knowledge of Wera shows they are quite awesome. I’d suggest going to Woodcraft and checking out the Wera brand first hand, they grips and etching are really what make these tools awesome. Plus the lifetime warranty.
Also….Wera is not made solely in the Chekz. ,my set is German made and the Chekz make the set without all the good extras.
I trust my life on WERA insulated screwdrivers…
Protos new line of screwdrivers seem to look like the most dependable easy to clean, chemical resistant screwdrivers on the market… Check the review that woodstock did.PROTO Duratek Screwdrivers – MADE IN USA:
I have matco german screwdrivers made by whia… They suck…hard as hell to clean and grip tape wears off fast.
Let’s not neglect the tried and true made in the red, white, and blue Klein screwdrivers!
TylerDama wrote:
Let’s not neglect the tried and true made in the red, white, and blue Klein screwdrivers!
The only problem with Klein screwdrivers are the price, they are good, but many other manufacturers have better products at lower prices. Our company issued hot screwdrivers are Klein and they are not as good as my WERA personal set, or even Milwaukees set.
I keep a klein 5 in 1 in my tool bag and it gets me through just about any job that I run in to. However, for the price, selection and warranty I think a good old fashion set of craftsman screwdrivers is the way to go. It Depends on how much you are turning your wrist with a screwdriver everyday but for the every day handyman I wouldn’t hesitate to go with this proven brand.
I use Wera and am very happy with them, the tips fit well in the fasteners and hold up great. I don’t have very long term use with them but so far so good
I’ve Been enjoying my wera screwdrives lately, the handle shape for me is amazing
Wera has some really good screwdrivers – friend of mine just has those in his electrician bag…
need to get my hand on those too
I like the tried and true Klein screw drivers. The round handle helps speed things up for me. I typically use my Klein 14-in-1 for most tasks.
I have mainly multi screwdrivers or specialty screwdrivers. I want to invest in a set of dedicated screwdrivers. I have my eye on the Wera Kraftform Plus. I may just try them out. They look comfortable and ergonomic. I have heard many positive reviews.
I have some Felo Ergonics and some Wihas, I like ’em both. I’ve not tried them, but PB Swiss have an excellent reputation.
Another suggestion: Williams black hard handle drivers.
Seriously, when you get to this level, Pops needs to go and fondle whatever he’s looking at. The tools are all good, but there’s going to be more of a difference on how the tool works IN HIS HANDS.
Wow guys a lot these I haven’t heard of but I gotta check them out! Thanks guys I fell lost in the screwdriver world
Well, I finally went with the Wera screwdrivers.
I would really like it if Eric and Dan would do a review on the Wera, Wiha, Klein, PB Swiss Tools, and Felos in one video! They need more presence on YouTube and in stores!
BK13 wrote:
I have some Felo Ergonics and some Wihas, I like ’em both. I’ve not tried them, but PB Swiss have an excellent reputation.
Another suggestion: Williams black hard handle drivers.
Seriously, when you get to this level, Pops needs to go and fondle whatever he’s looking at. The tools are all good, but there’s going to be more of a difference on how the tool works IN HIS HANDS.
BK13, can you expand on how PB Swiss tools have such a good reputation? Any sources online that you can provide? Because I don’t think many jobsites use them, even though I think they are the best.
yea review would be great
Search around at Garage Journal. Those guys friggin’ LOVE their PB Swiss…
I like wera and klein screwdriver
The Proto DuraTek’s are awesome. Ergonomic, durable, easy to maintain, a real pleasure to use.
The Wera Kraftforms are nice. Very comfortable, though not quite as durable as the Proto’s.
Don’t count out Carlyle for drivers either. They’re nice robust handles, strong tips, kinda put me in mind of a Witte driver.
AssociatedTechnology wrote:
Well, I finally went with the Wera screwdrivers.
I would really like it if Eric and Dan would do a review on the Wera, Wiha, Klein, PB Swiss Tools, and Felos in one video! They need more presence on YouTube and in stores!
German companies are hard to deal with sometimes. Wiha never even answered my emails and after 2 reviews Wera forgot our number.
Conductor562 wrote:
German companies are hard to deal with sometimes. Wiha never even answered my emails and after 2 reviews Wera forgot our number.
Call them, and keep calling them, I am sure they would not say no.
What do you mean by reviews?
AssociatedTechnology wrote:
Call them, and keep calling them, I am sure they would not say no.
What do you mean by reviews?
I wrote a couple of reviews for Wera last year:
http://professional-power-tool-guide.com/2014/02/wera-kraftform-kompact-25-review/
http://professional-power-tool-guide.com/2013/08/wera-kraftform-review/
They liked the reviews and asked me about doing a couple more. Then they vanished. I called the guy a few months ago and he stopped just short of hanging up on me
that sucks
Conductor562 wrote:
I wrote a couple of reviews for Wera last year:
http://professional-power-tool-guide.com/2014/02/wera-kraftform-kompact-25-review/
http://professional-power-tool-guide.com/2013/08/wera-kraftform-review/
They liked the reviews and asked me about doing a couple more. Then they vanished. I called the guy a few months ago and he stopped just short of hanging up on me
Just keep calling. Don’t give up
I dunno, Travis is providing them with free press to a pretty sizable group of people who spend a LOT more money than the average on tools, yet it seems as if they want him to beg? No thanks.
Agree!!
I think your going to like your new drivers AT, I absolutely love mine. Nice holder too. They are very comfortably and have etched tips that’ll grip really nicely.AssociatedTechnology wrote:
Well, I finally went with the Wera screwdrivers.
I would really like it if Eric and Dan would do a review on the Wera, Wiha, Klein, PB Swiss Tools, and Felos in one video! They need more presence on YouTube and in stores!
BK13 wrote:
I dunno, Travis is providing them with free press to a pretty sizable group of people who spend a LOT more money than the average on tools, yet it seems as if they want him to beg? No thanks.
It will set the channel apart from others on YouTube. You will be able to see unique tools from different manufacturers and compare them to the screwdrivers that you see in stores. I think you should keep trying.
I finally bought the Wiha insulated screwdrivers. It’s a 6 piece set. It has great reviews and for the price they are a great value.
wizbang wrote:
I finally bought the Wiha insulated screwdrivers. It’s a 6 piece set. It has great reviews and for the price they are a great value.
Are they made in Germany? If not, where are they made?
Where did you buy them?
I got mine on sale at Sears. They were $34.99. I paid about $20, because I had some rewards points I was able to use towards my purchase. The set comes with 3 slotted and 3 phillips screw drivers. The handle on them says made in Germany.
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Nice I love those reward points they come in handy!!
Great deal you got there wiz….
Whats the product number? ???
Wrong smiley. Cant edit while using my phone
I believe it’s the Wiha 32092 Slotted And Phillips Insulated Screwdriver Set, 1000 Volt, 6 Piece. I could be wrong, I’ll double check later when I get home. Amazon has them on sale for about $34. They only have one layer of insulation. I have seen others (Milwaukee) have a yellow layer and a red layer. So you can visually see if it’s time to decomission that screw driver.
Love my Wiha screwdrivers,Wera too.
Wera, Witte, Felo, and Wiha all are noticeably better than Klein in you your hand.
I have some 20 year old klein drivers that outlasted a set I purchased last year. If I wanted a round tip screwdriver or a chipped one I would go with Klein because that’s what I end up with after a month.
I used to own a set of wera screwdrivers, but i just kept going back to Klein ended up selling them to my cousin
I just got my set of Wera’s this morning. They look good but all of the flatheads are pretty close to the same size. Time will tell how they feel and work and such
Your gonna love me! The laser etching really helps in avoiding cam out. Plus wicked comfortable.
I have,,,,,,
Armstrong
Craftsman
Craftsman Pro
Carlye
Cornwell
klein
Gearwrench
SK
Snap-on
Wera
IMO the best bang for the buck are the craftsman Pro. These are the same as SK and Armstrong. To me ease of warranty is a big factor as screwdrivers are something I can tear up easily.
The brand that seems the best to me overall are the Cornwell. IIRC correctly they are rebranded Wittes. Cornwell has two lines of screwdrivers. The rebranded Wittes that have the gray flacking on the handle and the square handles that are rebranded Sunnex.
I’ve been tempted to try the new Proto line. I’m not sure friendly the warranty process is.
Ive had the Weras for a few weeks now and they are great. Only thing is i wish i could get them with a PH#0, PH#3, and PH#4. I know you can for other sets they sell, But i really like the look of my Red/Grey ones and they dont seem to be available for mine, and i like my sets to match. Another set may be in the works then so i can get the ones you can hammer on.
I’m not too concerned with the handle shape, but out of the ones I’ve used, (Wera, Craftsman, Klein, Snap On) The Wera is the only one that the tip of the #2 phillips doesn’t round off on. Even after the laser etching wears of, and it does at least for me, they still grip the screw the best and the tip is still the same shape as when I bought it.