Give me your general screwdriver thoughts and experiences

[hickory n Steel]

I'm on a bit of a screwdriver kick lately, had an experience with one of my WF Craftsman's a couple weeks ago that pushed me to try some others that I might replace them with.
I made my purchases based on my preferences and like what I bought, though that doesn't mean I wouldn't mind trying some others out in the future.
I'm not really looking for more at the moment and not looking for recomendstions, but screwdrivers are still on my mind and I'd like to learn any general things I can use to guide any future purchases.

For me there's a handle size that fits my hand best, handle material I currently favor, and I gotta have a stubby #2 , but I expect some things will change as my experiences grow.
There's not much more I could say, not that my level of experience warrants me saying it.

Let's hear your general thoughts or preferences on screwdrivers , like your go-to brands / series and what types / sizes and features you mostly consider necessary or unnecessary.

 

[goodfellow]

Williams black handle set are a copy of the venerable Snap-On sets that were so popular some decades ago. Great deal on one of the best drivers ever made. Price is right as well.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002NH5F30?tag=duckduckgo-d-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1

If you want basic drivers and GREAT quality -- Proto has the lock on that end with the Yellow Handle series. These have been in pro toolboxes forever.

https://www.harryepstein.com/13-pc-proto-screwdriver-set.html

[muddy]

Second what Ray said I love my Snap ons at work

Sent from the twisted mind of the Mudman

[bonneyman]

I also agree with Ray here.

For absolute bulletproof-ness, try and find the old MALCO screwdrivers. The pukey orange handled ones made in the USA. Made from polycarbonate, indestructible. You can't miss them in a tool bin because they stand out so well.

[skfarmer]

i am a fan of the old hard handle sk's made by facom. they have a squarish handle with a  nice taper and hex bolster on the larger sizes. i also like the felo ergonic screwdrivers. they have the   "felo" sbape handle with a hard rubber/plastic base and a squishy rubber overlay and again hex bolsters on the larger sizes. made in germany of course. i also have some felo woodies. they are just pretty to ool at and feel real nice.

felo screwdrivers are often seen displayed with bondhus items who i think import them. they also make a driver set for bondhus that is very similar to the ergonic.

[bonneyman]

While we're talking about screwdrivers, what do you'all think of the bolster style? Never did anything for me - if I needed more torque than I could get from a handle I switched to another tool.

But they have their following.

[hickory n Steel]

The Proto set looks like a great value, and I've wanted to try them but I'll have to find a 6pc or so set.
I tend to stay away from larger sets of most everything because you tend to get number of tools you don't want / need and miss something you do.
When I went looking I went with Stanley 100 plus and Pratt Read sets I could expand on if I wanted and would do the same with anything else I try.

[hickory n Steel]

While we're talking about screwdrivers, what do you'all think of the bolster style? Never did anything for me - if I needed more torque than I could get from a handle I switched to another tool.

But they have their following.

I'd like to know as well.
Seeing it gives me confidence in the strength of a screwdriver,  but that could be the intention for a lot of companies.

[skfarmer]

While we're talking about screwdrivers, what do you'all think of the bolster style? Never did anything for me - if I needed more torque than I could get from a handle I switched to another tool.

But they have their following.

i like a bolster on a screwdriver. do i always use it? no. but it is a feature i like to see on larger drivers for another option of how to use. why bust your wrist when a nudge with a wrench will help? maybe you can't get a grip because of an odd location. it's nice to have when and if you need it and when you don't it's just there and it doesn't bother anything.

i will take a driver with a bolster over a handle all buggered up from a pipe wrench, pliers or vice grip every day and twice on sunday! 

[hickory n Steel]

While we're talking about screwdrivers, what do you'all think of the bolster style? Never did anything for me - if I needed more torque than I could get from a handle I switched to another tool.

But they have their following.

i like a bolster on a screwdriver. do i always use it? no. but it is a feature i like to see on larger drivers for another option of how to use. why bust your wrist when a nudge with a wrench will help? maybe you can't get a grip because of an odd location. it's nice to have when and if you need it and when you don't it's just there and it doesn't bother anything.

i will take a driver with a bolster over a handle all buggered up from a pipe wrench, pliers or vice grip every day and twice on sunday! 

Saw a YouTube video recently claiming that the classic WF acetate driver Handel was shape so you could put a wrench on it and break a fastener.
I call BS on that, And I've seen a fair share at the flea market that were wrecked from a wrench and still overpriced simply because Craftsman is all imported now.

[DeadNutz]

I grew up using Craftsman and have a ton of them now. I also have in my boxes wood handle Proto L.A., yellow handle Proto, Cornwell, Klein and several other brands. I have been using the Klein Multi-bit quite a bit lately with the Robby bit. I do have a large driver with the bolster but have never put a wrench on it.

[goodfellow]

Sorry to hijack this thread for a minute, but speaking of screwdrivers; have you guys seen the ebay prices of the US made Craftsman Professional Series screwdrivers lately? Amazing, how that line has appreciated over the last five years. It was a good quality driver product, but not extraordinary. Yet the prices are sky high.

[walrus]

Williams black handle set are a copy of the venerable Snap-On sets that were so popular some decades ago. Great deal on one of the best drivers ever made. Price is right as well.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002NH5F30?tag=duckduckgo-d-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1

If you want basic drivers and GREAT quality -- Proto has the lock on that end with the Yellow Handle series. These have been in pro toolboxes forever.

https://www.harryepstein.com/13-pc-proto-screwdriver-set.html

The Snap On # 2 have ACR tips, williams don't.  I'd take Snap On hard handles over any screwdriver ever made. I'm still using the same handles from Drivers I bought in early 90s

[bonneyman]

Sorry to hijack this thread for a minute, but speaking of screwdrivers; have you guys seen the ebay prices of the US made Craftsman Professional Series screwdrivers lately? Amazing, how that line has appreciated over the last five years. It was a good quality driver product, but not extraordinary. Yet the prices are sky high.

Maybe it's a nostalgia thing. Lots of people recognize the Craftsman name, and now that those particular drivers are no longer made, there's a rush on any around.
I'm kicking myself for not grabbing a set of the metric Professional combo wrenches Craftsman offered (I think S-K made them?). Oh well if you snooze, you lose!

[hickory n Steel]

So what are some driver sizes and such you consider necessary, and some that may come in larger sets which you'd consider unnecessary or just filler for the average person ?