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No marriages have ever taken place as a result of our podcast’s Dreamdate segments, but that hasn't deterred us from wanting to play matchmaker. Ported over to the hardware world, we'd like nothing more than if SmartPro and DuraPro would hook up and bear offspring. Both are molded almost identically and come with oodles of bits, but the DuraPro lacks a retractable magnetic pick-up tool. Instead, it throws in a magnetic bit extension, which solves the problem of picking up loose screws, but introduces a new level of wobble to the ratcheting action. With or without the extension, it's the longer of the two screwdrivers, but the DuraPro lacks the detachable stubby or rubberized thumb rest found on the SmartPro Tools version (or its own branded version, the VersaDriver).
Verdict: 7
$10, www.durapro.com
If a Greek Goddess of rubber exists, we're positive Husky Pro must have called upon her to fashion the company's cushion grip. Holding the handle can best be described as ethereal, we just wish Husky didn't leave nearly an inch of the plastic handle exposed. Almost three dozen magnetized bits means you can fix the PC, stereo, door handle, light fixture, and everything else without going back to your toolbox, and an optional attachment holds six bits for quick retrieval.
Verdict: 9
$20, www.huskytools.com
If you're going to win a swordfight using a screwdriver, this is the one you’d want at your side. The flexible driver shaft adds over a foot of length allowing you to deal damage from a distance, and when you're finished saving the galaxy (or the living room), the shaft comes in handy for maneuvering into tough to reach places. This can be particularly useful if you own a poorly designed heatsink that expects you to contour your hand into unnatural positions in order to screw it in. A reversible ratchet, several extra bits, and an in-handle storage area round out the feature-set. It's just too bad Olympia didn't make the handle more sturdy and comfortable, and the lack of magnetic tips is a bummer.
Verdict: 6
www.olympiatools.com
Make this one your everyday screwdriver and you'll hold more wood than Heidi Fleiss. But before being grossed out (or turned on), understand we're referring to beech wood, which the company claims "will not encourage blisters." Both the main screwdriver and included stubby sport smooth wooden handles with a linseed finish. Sturdy construction and nine magnetic tips move the Elemen'tary towards the front of the class, but the high price tag knocks it down a grade.
Verdict: 8
$65, www.elementarydesing.co.uk
Comments are closed on this article
Jantmass
September 24, 2008 at 1:35am
Where's the Snap On ratcheting screwdriver? I work for a major airline (A and P cert.) and everyone has at least one. They are worth every dollar spent. Lifetime warranty too! Various styles available from "T" handle to 90deg.
John A Antkowiak
"Vir prudens non contra ventum mingit"
Tekzel
September 24, 2008 at 3:41pm
I have 3 Snapon screwdrivers in my bag, one I bought years and years ago (and it still works perfectly!) with a long fixed shaft, and a stubby and normal one with interchangable shafts that I have had for years. I use them just about every day at work and if someone stole them, I would be flagging down the nearest Snapon truck and begging him to let me buy a replacement. I think I paid $75 for the first one, and the other two were part of a kit that was $150.
mlee19
September 24, 2008 at 12:53am
I thought you guys were joking about this review...have they run out of cools things to review?
Haipyng
September 24, 2008 at 3:54am
This is an MPC blog post, not one of the magazine articles. There are definetly more cool things to review than they could ever put into the magazine. I for one enjoyed the story. :) Nice one Paul.
On the Swiss Tech Utili-Key 6-in-1, I actually have one of these as a backup to my backup. It's better than using an actual key, and that is all that can be said about it. Your more likely to cut your own fingers using it than anything else, but it does work. I would have said a "2"
dozer
October 23, 2008 at 3:23pm
I do like reviews like this because not everyone has the time to go out themselves and test screwdrivers. But, there is one question I do have, since when do you work on a computer with a screwdriver with a magnetic tip? This was the largest NO NO that was brought to my attention long ago when I killed a motherboard from the magnetic tip!!!
Elihu
October 29, 2008 at 1:07pm
No you didn't, you left an extra standoff in the case, or failed to discharge yourself. We have used mag tips for 13 years with NO problems.
Best screwdriver out there is a DeWalt power screwdriver with torque adjust, we have three here in the shop.
