Best hand tool

Jegs · Nov 28, 2021

In particular ... screwdrivers. Favorite brand of screwdriver, I've got a few different one's and my favorite is an old Craftsman Professional set I have. Can't remember how old they are (maybe 25 years old) but they have black grips, are very comfortable to use, tough and the one's I seem to grab most of the time.

Curious to hear opinions on screwdrivers.

MarkB_MI · Nov 28, 2021

The best screwdrivers I have are forty year old Macs.

Fawteen · Nov 28, 2021

Not screwdrivers in general, but for working on motorcycles (and a surprising amount of other stuff) I have a set of Vessel JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) screwdrivers.

Absolutely outstanding tools.

When I worked at the cannery, I had a set of Wiha electrical safety screwdrivers. If I could afford them, I'd have a set in my tool box now.

caterpillar guy · Nov 28, 2021

The one that is not bent twisted or broke on the tip whether it be flat or Phillips. I have not found a good brand yet. Probably from over working them or putting vise grips on the shanks, to turn things out when nothing else fit them. And the vise grips to turn, while somebody could lean hard on them to hold it in the screw. Never found one of those ones you hit to twist out tough screws. Always wanted one of those. Figured it would save me a lot of screw drivers.

Sprint 6 · Nov 28, 2021

There is no replacement for the gripping power of a Snap On phillips screwdriver.

Phill Tibbetts · Nov 28, 2021

Best Philips I have ever had are Apex. I've taken out screws that a regular driver wouldn't bite into enough without jumping out of the head. Aircraft mechanics swear by them

4wdtom · Nov 28, 2021

To me the best screwdrivers are the older Stanley's with black 3 lobed handles, some with square shanks others with round but they give a good grip while feeling good in the hand. Even though I have a good selection I usually pick them up when I see ones in good condition at swap meets, yard sales, etc.

Geo-TH,In · Nov 28, 2021

My favorite is a 6 in one screwdriver with a large handle. All brands work for me.

Janicholson · Nov 28, 2021

Harbor Freight for 14 bucks, or others with bigger shanks. they work. Replaceable bits are common. Jim

Hobo,NC · Nov 28, 2021

(quoted from post at 18:08:23 11/28/21) There is no replacement for the gripping power of a Snap On phillips screwdriver.

Have you used a Vessel JIS ... If not they are worth the investment I was impressed so impressed I brought anther Vessel JIS #2 . Few take on all comers a Vessel JIS will : )

Hobo,NC · Nov 28, 2021

Those old square shank wood handle Mac's were top dog till plastic came along. Wood did not take kindly to a hammer and we all are gonna strike them plastic are not : )... The last run of mac wood they went to a round shank they were never the tool a square shank was.

I have a few that survived most were turned into a specialty chisel are pry tool of some sort...

40/50 years ago cheap screwdrivers had not hit the market yet. Some of the cheap sets of today are a good tool we did not have cheap back then. Most had a square shank they off set the flat tip to the square they did not make a good pry tool they would damage the part. Round shanks resolved that issue but they were never as good as the square shank.

A question how many would pay in excess of $200 for a set of professional screwdrivers. I have a set of Gearwrench hanging on my box day in day out they get the job done about as good as my snap-on. Neither will go get a Phillips like a Vessel JIS. That being said I do work on a lot of Asian cars/trucks a Vessel JIS is a must if you want to get them out nice and clean. It would help if all Philips style were JIS the j-a-p-s got that one right...

Goose · Nov 28, 2021

I thought a Phillips screwdriver was milk of magnesia with vodka in it.

charlie n · Nov 28, 2021

Snap-on with the 70s handle.

Eric in IL · Nov 28, 2021

Ya know, when the going gets tough, I hunt up my 1970's chain saw wrench. It has a double ended spark plug socket for a handle. You can really put some twist in 'er tail.

dr sportster · Nov 28, 2021

I never buy a used screwdriver at a garage sale I take really good care of mine [never pry or strike]. I have two Snap-On sets and two Craftsman industrial.

Tony in SD · Nov 28, 2021

used to be Craftsman but now I use Klein.

Jegs · Nov 28, 2021

Good info all, thanks!

Jegs · Nov 28, 2021

Ive had a couple of Klein wire snips for over 20 years now.

Jegs · Nov 28, 2021

Ill have to take a look at those, thanks!

SVcummins · Nov 29, 2021

I bought a set of Matco just because he happened to stop that day holy cow i about three a whole drawer of crapsman in the dumpster also had a snap on mini set there wasnt a trailer plug i couldnt get apart with them

Charles in Aus. · Nov 29, 2021

I have a set of Dowidatt screwdrivers , the larger ones have a square face at the top of the shank for extra leverage with a spanner .
They cost $2 each second hand at a flea market and must be forty years old if a day .
They are my favourite set and never let me down

sammydwm · Nov 29, 2021

Proto hands down....my dad picked up a few at various pawn shops after he got out of the navy in 61 and I still have a couple of them that are in useable condition. Bought my son a set of their yellow handled ones for Christmas a few years ago and they look like they will hold up just as well as their older cousins...
I have a set with their newer handles and they have been holding up quite well and are quite comfortable to use.

When I ran a service truck for a local dairy equipment dealer I used Klein just because they were sold at the parts houses...I will never own another one...Tips of the phillips would smear and become worthless almost immediately. The flat tips would break very easily...They make some of the best plier type tools but the only good thing about their screwdrivers is that you can get them replaced at the parts store...

DR. EVIL · Nov 29, 2021

One of the editors of Hot Rod Magazine back in the 1960's think it was C.J.Baker wrote excellent tech articles, one month it was how to build your tool collection. His suggestion was buy a good set of screw drivers, I've bought SEVERAL, maybe more than several. And he said by one screwdriver to misuse and abuse. I bought a big Stanley, 3 lobe handle, square shank flat blade to pry, scrape, chisel, whatever. 50 years later it's still the best screwdriver I have! I've bought a couple Craftsman screw driver sets, with the clear & red handles, not happy with them at all, bought a black & gray set with black oxide treated shanks & blades, they are better but I haven't used them a lot, just glad I didn't spend over $100 for a set of Snap-On's. I use cheap disposable screwdriver bits as much as possible, when they slip I toss them. I'm a HUGE fan of TORX style screws. I bought a 10# box of TORX deck screws and two of the dedicated driver bits 2 years ago to replace to floor on our small deck and the railings. I used half the screws with my Craftsman impact driver and the first bit is still perfect, it never slipped at all.

Best hand tool

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