In brief, it sucks.
This is one of the most expensive screwdriver I’ve ever bought. It was an impulse purchase when I saw it on the shelf with its pistol grip on display. I had never seen a screwdriver like this and immediately understood its benefit and decided I wanted, no, I needed one.
Pros
When it comes to handles, size matters – its large chunky handle fits well in my hand. This is in stark contrast to some big brands that produce screwdrivers with tiny handles which you can barely grab, let alone produce enough leverage.
I’ve only once needed to use the screwdriver shortened. To do this, you remove the long shaft and place the bit directly in the handle. So it’s a nice-to-have feature, and only because the shaft is so long.
The ratchet knob at the front of the handle doesn’t get in the way, unlike some other screwdrivers where you can change the direction inadvertently.
Cons
After using it for a short while, the magnet inside holding the screwdriver bit fell out. I returned it and got a replacement.After using it for a longer while, I found out that I never really needed the pistol grip. With a long screwdriver, you can always angle it in the corner if needed.
However, the biggest drawback with this Stanley screwdriver is the handle base holding the spare screwdriver bits. It just unscrews and falls out eventually as you hold the handle and use the screwdriver. And this always happens, not occasionally. Fortunately, I’ve always heard it falling but one day it will fall on a soft surface, in the grass, and I will lose it forever. Very annoying.
The ideal screwdriver
- Ratchet function that cannot be changed by accident. Ratcheting makes it fast to screw.
- Large, long-lasting handle, not made of rubber as it will wear out too quickly despite the superior grip.
- A handle that securely stores bits so you don’t need to carry them separately or forget to bring them.
- It would be nice to have a hexagonal shaft. It’s not too much to ask, instead of a round one.
The most important feature is that the screwdriver has a bit holder at the end so you can change bits and only need to carry a single screwdriver. It will also never get worn out – you only need to change the screwdriver bit when needed.
Summary
So what did Stanley get right with its fancy looking screwdriver? The size of the handle mostly. The rest are gimmicks really:
- removable shaft
- pistol grip
- removable base – essential actually but poorly implemented
Update
I’ve just bought a ratchet screwdriver from Lidl. Not the best place for a quality tool but so far it seems to tick all boxes of an ideal screwdriver.
The bit storage is quite nice. It is spring-loaded and doesn’t come off completely, so it will never fall off. The bits are securely held within, so will never fall out when the handle is opened.
The shaft isn’t hexagonal. Shaft and bit holder are one piece that you drop in the handle the way you’d drop a bit in the bit holder. You can adjust the length of the shaft but it is all a bit gimmicky. A simple, solid, hexagonal shaft would be more than adequate.
Update 2
The ratchet mechanism of the Lidl screwdriver at £4.99 broke after just a few uses. I returned it within a month of purchase. Also, the bit storage at the base of the handle was getting unscrewed. The adjustable shaft length is indeed gimmicky, I never used it.
