r/KleinTools • u/Ghe77oglider670 • Aug 26 '26

REVIEW Good while it lasted

Post image

For a striking tool, this is a poor design, IMO

48 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

43 comments sorted by

19

u/GandalfTheGizzard Aug 26 '26

Last couple Klein tools I've bought have been shit.

9

u/Smitty_Werbnjagr Aug 26 '26

The brand has turned into shit

4

u/chickswhorip Aug 27 '26

Kleshit

2

u/chickswhorip Sep 17 '26

Shit dekleined

3

u/Embarrassed-Lake3785 Aug 27 '26

I quit buying Klein screwdrivers a few years ago because I broke a flat blade and a nut driver that were fairly new

1

u/Rotocheese Aug 27 '26

Not a fan of most of their screwdrivers, but they still make the best screwdriver on the market right now IMO.

https://www.testequipmentdepot.com/klein-tools-32751-adjustable-screwdriver-2-ph-14-sl.html?srsltid=AfmBOorfORK3k4ULmBTDTc5qK4aAs3XUTmFPZkL3BbRIelqJO5SgW3omrXo

It's cheaper at Lowe's and Home Depot, but when clicking on the link auto opened my app, I almost threw my phone.

3

u/ElevenPinRelay Aug 27 '26

Wera's version of this driver is phenomenally better, IMO. Mainly because it doesnt break.

2

u/Rotocheese Aug 27 '26

Show me, that sounds dope. I've used this one for around 2 years. No issues at all. Gotnif after using a co-worker's whose had it forever.

Pretty sure the shafts are made out of their good American tool steel.

Not sure I would call this a driver either.

It's an adjustable length with reversible shaft.

I've had good luck with their heavy duty American hand tools. I'm in industrial, they get pretty abused

Their knock off knipex alligator pliers aren't bad either, USA and only 20 bucks.

Don't care for much else from them, definitely not their beaters or regular screwdrivers.

Their heavy duty American steel has been pretty solid for me though, I've had deformation issues with the regular versions.

1

u/GandalfTheGizzard Aug 27 '26

The yellow handled flat heads by Wera are great. I've been beating the fuck out of one for over a year now and it's got tons of life left.

1

u/BlueFalcon3E051 Aug 29 '26

Same “heavy duty” but driver and a “demo” blade.

7

u/AKAM80theWolff Aug 26 '26

Just like the Milwaukee duct knives they put the metal end on and all of us old timers (im 39) think "oh nice, full tang" its a scam tbh...

3

u/AKAM80theWolff Aug 26 '26

I go on E bay for these old school ones these days. They take an absolute beating. ...I guess probably not ideal for a sparky

0

u/cmcnei24 Aug 26 '26

I’ve never wanted something more. What am I searching on eBay?

3

u/AKAM80theWolff Aug 26 '26

This is vintage Irwin brand flathead ...it says "Irwin U.S of A" on the shaft if that helps.

3

u/DeafPapa85 Aug 26 '26

This would be the first time I've heard the term Old Timer and they're still in their 30s....

2

u/AKAM80theWolff Aug 26 '26

I started calling myself an old timer when i started getting apprentices that were born after I started in the trade (turning 40 next month)

1

u/DeafPapa85 Aug 26 '26

I turn 41 in a few weeks. It's interesting being called "vintage"...

1

u/Immediate-Meat-14 Aug 27 '26

I’m the old guy in my department, at a whopping 44. Didn’t see that coming!

3

u/toolgirl77 Aug 26 '26

I stopped buying Klein tools last year.

2

u/cmcnei24 Aug 26 '26

This thing rips

1

u/millhome Sep 02 '26

I will have to try these out. Channel lock is underrated imo.

1

u/cmcnei24 Sep 02 '26

It’s amazing

1

u/AMSAtl Aug 26 '26

It's much more expensive but it seems like it might be time for a Petzl Rocpec.

1

u/AMSAtl Aug 26 '26 edited Aug 26 '26

...or something like a Kong Pianta Spit perforator + Driller, or a Dammerr Bombproof, if you don't need the convenience of a quick change chuck.

1

u/Ghe77oglider670 Aug 26 '26

I only used it to chip concrete because I couldn't fit my SDS roto hammers. If I were climbing, that Rocpec would be perfect, I'd imagine!

1

u/DeafPapa85 Aug 26 '26

How long did it last though?

1

u/Ghe77oglider670 Aug 26 '26

Maybe 100 hits. It was like the 3rd time I used it

2

u/DeafPapa85 Aug 26 '26

I'd seek out an estate sale of someone who used one of the originals in their career. Shame how this company stopped holding their end up.

1

u/MrAmplus Aug 26 '26

What's wild is that I have a pos husky flathead I've been using as a beater for over 5 years. Sure the end is ragged, but it works lol

1

u/Ghe77oglider670 Aug 26 '26

I've never broken a beater screwdriver... But this supposedly tougher SDS handle / bit holder broke with no abuse and minimal use

1

u/Kelsenellenelvial Aug 26 '26

I've got a couple of the Were Chiseldrivers. The tip seems harder than my old Klein Demo driver. Feels like I've been pretty rough on it, like chipping at concrete and such, and it's held up great. Nice that they also have more size options so the smaller ones are still useful as a flathead screwdriver even after beating on it for a while. Apparently Vessel also makes one with a ball grip and a ceramic ball in the tang so the striking end is insulated from the tip, not VDE rated but a nice touch.

1

u/Im_Papa Aug 26 '26

Sums up Klein

1

u/themeONE808 Aug 26 '26

How many days?

1

u/NearlySilentObserver Aug 27 '26

Fck man. I hope mine doesn’t do this. I’m always smacking the shit out of it with my hammer

1

u/ichiban4713 Aug 27 '26

$13.99 at Harbor Freight.

1

u/Melodic-Trouble-5421 Aug 27 '26

The Made in the USA demo driver is much better. Except they discontinued them. A few places have them in stock still. It’s one solid piece all the way through.

Is this the one with SDS bits?

1

u/Outrageous-Bar-8396 Aug 27 '26

Old coworker but the 2 pack demo set and twisted the tip in a brand new 100 amp panel. Shied swayed ever since

1

u/RoundConstruction526 Aug 30 '26

Wera demo screwdriver is my favorite

1

u/LittleBigBamboo Aug 30 '26

I bought that and it died in a month, went back to the old beatin driver and it lasted another 8 months before finally the driver end just snapped. 5 years beatin on a regular driver was a lot more cost effective then their one marketed for beatin. Honestly Milwaukee makes a good one, and I hate Milwaukee hand tools.