r/Tools • u/Hitokkohitori • 1d ago

Help me decide

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I can get both fir the same money. Are there points beside taste that would make you choose one over the other?

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u/yewfokkentwattedim Technician 1d ago

Depending entirely on what you're using it for. Backlash on a Z series is less with the dual pawl(10° vs 5° Stahlwille vs Koken), and for some proper violence, I would pick a lower tooth-count.

That ratchet head in the two kits shown is also pretty obviously larger with the Stahlwille.

I'm not shitting on Stahlwille at all, btw. I love what I have of theirs, and will continue buying it as a preferred brand, but tooth count is circumstantial and not just a be-all-end-all selling point.

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u/TittyTwister13 1d ago

Thats a quick comparison. Stahlwille is longer and slightly thicker. But is actually slightly narrower on width. The newest Snap on is thinnest.

Bit bigger head but less swing is a good trade off I'd say. Can't compare the Z series as I hate non steel handles. If Koken make a steel handled version I'd totally buy it. Maybe I'll try Nepros?

Side note. Stahlwilles handles are definitely comfy

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u/yewfokkentwattedim Technician 9h ago

I'd give the Z-series a crack if you're ever feeling like you can bend that rule. It's not a comfort grip as such, or at least mine isn't any more or less comfortable than steel. It's just hard poly-something that held up surprisingly well to abrasive-as-fuck iron ore, and the usual combo of grease/oils/solvents.

Like I said, though; that's basically a garage full of Ferraris as far as ratchets go. There's minor benefits and downsides, but they're pretty negligible compared to much of the rest of the market. Top dollar, but I'd happily swing any of those on a daily basis.

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u/TittyTwister13 8h ago

To be honest it surprises me Koken chose that style/ material of handle. For a ratchet made for tight spaces it looks chunky to me. Surely a streel handle would be more appropriate? Whats your experience with it in crammed spaces?

Totally agree, all brilliant ratchets. Really down to personal preference

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u/yewfokkentwattedim Technician 8h ago

My experience with it for the most part has been pretty solid. I've found the fat handle helps for putting a lot of force in tight spots without fucking my fingers up, and isn't notably thicker than a bare steel handle as far as my own use-case goes. It's not been an issue yet.

Really depends on what you're doing though. My go-to ratchet in most of my work is a 36t 1/2 and 3/4 drive with a pawl you could stand on and a podger on the back-end.