Stupid screwdriver handles

[NDIHC]

I wish I could get the old Snap On screwdrivers with the square black handles. They quit making them and replaced them with the bigger ones like the all red one. Those still may be available, haven't checked. The last set I bought were the cushion grips and I hate them. The little 1/4 screwdriver with that big, bulky oversized handle is a major pita when you have limited room to work in. Plus the plastic is soft and scratches and gouges easily. The rubber part never seems to come clean. Give me the old black ones or even a Craftsman when they still made decent tools 35 years ago. I'm working on a dash panel and the handle on my #2 philips Snap On is just too big to fit where I have to go. I know...grab a different screwdriver and carry on. I'm just not impressed with the Snap Ons for the price I paid for them.

 

[drsportster]

Yes but when my set was worn I got a whole new set for free

 

[NDIHC]

Yes but when my set was worn I got a whole new set for free

Realize that. I have tens of thousands invested in Snap On, Mac, Matco, Cornwell etc. Just wish they had the option of getting the old 80s style handles is all.

 

[Gambles]

My recommendation won’t be liked by many, but if you have to have a certain tool from the past, look on eBay for what you want and make sure you are bidding on “picture is what you are bidding on.”

 

[SkipperII]

Realize that. I have tens of thousands invested in Snap On, Mac, Matco, Cornwell etc. Just wish they had the option of getting the old 80s style handles is all.

I feel your pain. My 10mm Mac combination wrench got lost, and couldn't find it's way back home. Tool truck was over at the neighbors cycle shop a while back, so I decided I needed a new one. Well; They UPGRADED ? them. Changed the profile, and it won't fit in my wrench holder. #@*%@#

 

[NDIHC]

My recommendation won’t be liked by many, but if you have to have a certain tool from the past, look on eBay for what you want and make sure you are bidding on “picture is what you are bidding on.”

I keep my eyes open for older tools that I like on our local for sale site.

 

[John in Ct]

I prefer the old Snap-On square handles too. Try Ebay. The only thing wrong with the old square handles were some would disolve/ fall apart on their own or just give off an odor.

 

[gears]

I agree about those stupid soft grip. I spend more time cleaning the darn things than I do using them...

 

[Texgasser1]

A suggestion a LOT of people don't like, But it works. If I can't stand a screwdriver handle, bust it off and make a wood one.

 

[drsportster]

My Snap-On screwdrivers used to leak what I called the tears of Jesus Some liquid deterioration of the handles would sweat up drop of liquid Very strange

 

[RESLLS]

Last time I got new I got Mac. They are the same shape as my old snap on, just red instead of black. My black snap on from 1986 the handles crumbled. Got the new snap on set a few years ago exchange. Big and bulky. No rubber on mine. Can get a good grip on them, but just don't like them as well as the old ones with the hex on the shank.

 

[kevinj54]

20 years ago I pretty much went to all Klein screw & nut drivers.

I do have a set of Milwaukee screwdrivers but have not used them enough to give an opinion other than they fit the screws much like a Klein.

 

[NDIHC]

I prefer the old Snap-On square handles too. Try Ebay. The only thing wrong with the old square handles were some would disolve/ fall apart on their own or just give off an odor.

That's interesting. I have some of the old square black snap on screwdrivers from the 80s and haven't experienced that. Must be a thing though since several have posted about it. I used to like the old Craftsman, Irwin, SK, Vermont American and others.

 

[4wdtom]

For one at a time use or low volume use any shape handle almost will work but for continuous use or production use the three lobe shape will fit your hand as you "ratchet" your hand around the handle when turning the screwdriver. Stanley had this shape some years ago. I have collected quite a few. First used this shape when I was driving a lot of screws on one of my first jobs in the 70s and was looking for a "good" screwdriver. The larger diameter handle gives you better torque to the screwdriver and the three lobe shape the same grip as you slip or ratchet your hand around the blade. They are the best.

 

[Hobo,NC]

I wish I could get the old Snap On screwdrivers with the square black handles. They quit making them and replaced them with the bigger ones like the all red one. Those still may be available, haven't checked. The last set I bought were the cushion grips and I hate them. The little 1/4 screwdriver with that big, bulky oversized handle is a major pita when you have limited room to work in. Plus the plastic is soft and scratches and gouges easily. The rubber part never seems to come clean. Give me the old black ones or even a Craftsman when they still made decent tools 35 years ago. I'm working on a dash panel and the handle on my #2 philips Snap On is just too big to fit where I have to go. I know...grab a different screwdriver and carry on. I'm just not impressed with the Snap Ons for the price I paid for them.

I never liked those black handle and glad they are all gone. I am sure you have 100's of screwdrivers and a few you like to use when needed. SK Suregrip Is a good replacement for those black Snap-ons. The best screwdrivers I have used were the old Mac wood handle they made the tip parallel to the square. Why they offset the flat blade tip to the square today I dunno other than to discourage one from using it as a pry bar is my guess.

I will agree those handles get nasty and for a quick grab a screwdriver for a quick job you need to clean it. I hope you ware nitrite gloves so you can dirty them up using a screwdriver. The day will come someone will open one of my tool box's and wonder why I paid $250 for a set of screwdrivers. I have told my kids to bury me with my long handle snap-on ratchets as no one will value them as much as I do. : )

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

 

[gmccool]

I wish I could get the old Snap On screwdrivers with the square black handles. They quit making them and replaced them with the bigger ones like the all red one. Those still may be available, haven't checked. The last set I bought were the cushion grips and I hate them. The little 1/4 screwdriver with that big, bulky oversized handle is a major pita when you have limited room to work in. Plus the plastic is soft and scratches and gouges easily. The rubber part never seems to come clean. Give me the old black ones or even a Craftsman when they still made decent tools 35 years ago. I'm working on a dash panel and the handle on my #2 philips Snap On is just too big to fit where I have to go. I know...grab a different screwdriver and carry on. I'm just not impressed with the Snap Ons for the price I paid for them.

I'll trade you some old Black handle Snap On screw drivers for some new style ones. I like the new ones better. Gerald

 

[Sberry]

My drivers are a collection like the wrenches and recenty we spent 75$ if that at HF on the ones in bulk, we had tested some and I spose the Icon may be better but we got 3 doz new in sizes we want and like them as good or better than any I ever used and at 1.50 today vs 6 or 7$ for a Klein 25 yrs ago.
We would guard a few new ones nack in the day but these are better, phillips 5x as good as Klein ever was. They are different than the flea types of old, have not broke a tip, never even work te ones we used daily for test for while.
Not only as good but better, better marking on handles, better grip and better tip.

 

[Sberry]

The world of tools has changed. I have a few Snappy piecesm its great and cant argue hat it aint the best but the survivors are a collection and a lot of it we got into by accidet and for convenience then it started getting so good that we got seconds. Sears became junk in the 80s and the other started to get better. We bought dollar wrenched from the bargain bucket in the 90s we intended for the day or the week and we been beating them with hammers since.
I have come to value those as much as any I own.