This Beta BetaGrip screwdriver looks kind of boring, doesn’t it? At least that was my first impression. But it’s actually very comfortable to use and performs a lot better than I had expected.
My experience with Beta screwdrivers goes back a few years when I first bought a couple of different driver styles to try out. While all of their screwdriver designs were okay, I found myself really liking their BetaMax handle design.
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The BetaMax screwdrivers were comfortable to use, and they looked pretty high-tech too. But they were so pricey that I only bought a Phillips #2 to try out. I didn’t really need more screwdrivers, so I ultimately didn’t buy a set. That BetaMax driver is still in my tool box and sees frequent use.
Earlier this month I was passing emails back and forth with Nick, the national sales manager over at Peerless Hardware, Beta’s North American importer distributor. He remarked that the BetaGrip handle style is 10x better than the BetaMax. I didn’t believe him, but agreed to try one or two of these new drivers out.
I tested two BetaMax drivers a couple of times this week, and I’m just about sold on them. One is a Phillips #3, so it didn’t see much use, but I used the slotted #1 driver for a few projects.
I said I’m just about sold because I find myself still attached to the BetaMax design. The BetaMax handle is a little more lobular, but the BetaGrip handle grip doesn’t really leave me at all wanting for any of the BetaMax’s features. The BetaGrip handle is different, and quite possibly better.
Some users won’t like the BetaMax drivers’ stepped handle design, where the rear palm-cradling area is wider than the front finger-gripping part. Most other driver styles have different thickness as well, but are typically engineered with a more gradual curvature and transition.
As far as premium screwdrivers go, these drivers are high up there. They’re not quite my favorite drivers, at least not yet, but I do like using them. The narrow front of the handle makes it easy to twirl the driver in your fingers while maintaining high comfort and control, and the bulbous rear of the handle allows for excellent power transmission.
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While I have not used the test samples long enough to comment on tip durability, my experiences with Beta screwdrivers have been quite positive. I have no doubt that the BetaGrip drivers will have strong and durable tips.
Pricing for individual drivers and sets are reasonable. For reference, a Phillips #2 driver with 4-inch shaft (100mm) is priced at about $9. Set prices are also reasonable: $35 for a 5-piece set (1263/D5), $45 for a 6-piece set (1263/D6), $55 for an 8-piece set (1263/D8), and $71 for a 10-piece set.
These 1263-series sets are all mixed slotted (1260 series) and Phillips (1262 series) sets, but Beta also offers BetaGrip drivers with other types of tip styles, such as hex, ball hex, and Torx.
More Info(via Beta)
Product List
Where to Buy?(via Peerless)
I would definitely recommend Beta BetaGrip screwdrivers to anyone looking for comfortable grippy-handled drivers. They were designed with auto racing mechanics in mind, so they should resist common shop solvents pretty well.
If you have any questions, please ask! I plan to test these drivers a bit more in coming weeks and will follow up with any updates or new insights.
Thank you to Peerless Hardware and Beta Tools for providing the review sample unconditionally. Review samples are typically given away, donated, or retained for benchmark and comparison purposes.
george
as a long time mechanic I liked the squared off kind of handles similar to snap on’s older style. could still get a great grip with greasy hands.
these look a little to round for me and how the heck do you clean those ?
Richard
The design certainly intrigues me… but I’m not sold they’re any better than my Wera Kraftform Plus’s or my Wiha Soft Touches.
Stuart, how would you say these compare to both of those?
Stuart
They’re on-par with Wera Kraftform and Wiha Soft Touch screwdrivers. The handle designs are so different that it’s difficult for me to say which – if any – is better or best.
My favorite drivers are PB Swiss Swiss Grip, and if I had to buy a complete new set of screwdrivers right now without thinking, it would be NWS. NWS, CK, Felo, and Irazola all make multi-bump handles that I tend to favor these days. My first choice would really be for Irazola/Bahco Tekno screwdrivers, but they’re impossible to find in the USA.
SteveR
Stuart–Nothing is impossible; it just hasn’t been done yet (space flight, splitting the atom, personal computers, etc. are more recent examples of things that took time to do or invent). Or, we just haven’t figured out how to purchase it. When I saw the name Irazolo/Bahco Tekno screwdrivers, I immediately thought of “Bahco”, which is a Snap-on owned line of industrial products. Have you contacted Snap-on or Bahco (or even Irazolo) to ask about their availability? Have you tried e-Bay? Chads ToolBox? Someone or some company, somewhere, either imports these or can get them for you if you ask the right question(s) of suppliers. Your chances of finding or buying them have vastly increased because of the personal computer and the internet, so things are looking up already.
For example, I’ve recently tried to purchase a SocketPro adjustable socket, but can’t find it anywhere. They’re made in Canada, and should be available from Motionware or Kobra Tools, or even Amazon, but no luck so far. I’ll just keep plugging along, and maybe I’ll stumble onto it.
Stuart
You’re right, I shouldn’t have said impossible, but extremely difficult and costly.
I tried contacting Irazola multiple times over the years in both english and spanish, but they never got back to me.
Ebay is one possibility, but one I’d like to avoid. Chad’s doesn’t stock Irazola, so they probably couldn’t do it. And if they could, they would have to special order it at a huge premium.
What I want is a constant stable USA source of Irazola screwdrivers. If that’s not possible, I’ll just keep waiting until the next time I visit England or Europe. Hopefully Snap-on/Bacho will bring the brand to the USA before then.
Stan
If you don’t mind me asking Stuart, with complete and all due respect, you seem to have an aversion to eBay and I am curious why.
I am not pro eBay, rather with some items, they are seemingly the only place to buy certain items. Especially items that are no longer produced anymore.
Stuart
I like consistency, predictability, and ease of acquisition, which is especially important about the tools I talk about.
With ebay, some days you might find 10x a certain item, other times you can’t find any.
I am also not fond of buying used products I am unable to inspect firsthand. I don’t buy used tools at all if I can help it.
Gary T.
Stuart, if you like the shape of the betamax and PB swiss grip, you should give the Vessel megadora screwdrivers (900 and 930 series) a try. They are my favorite.
I have Vessel, PB swiss, Wiha, Wera, Felo, and even a few Snap-on. Levelchrome.com has some of the megadora’s on sale right now. They are worth a try.
Stuart
Thanks for the suggestion, I’ll check them out! These days my screwdriver drawer is so way past critical capacity that I had to put a bunch into storage. I’m going to have to give a bunch away before I can try any more.
Scottthetec
Hey Stuart – Do you know if these are made in Italy?
Stuart
I believe they are. Beta doesn’t mark their tools, but many if not most of their core steel hand tools are made in Italy. Things like their scissors are made in Taiwan or elsewhere.
Toolfreak
Seems like a nice design for some work, though I can’t say it looks like they were made for getting dirty, smooth, slick handles, even with rubber patches, really lose their grip once they’ve been contaminated with petroleum products.
Biggest problem though, is warranty. Beta is very unclear on what their warranty is on their tools, particulary screwdrivers and even their wrenches. Even less clear is how you would go about getting them to honor the warranty.
This is the reason for not buying obscure, hard-to-find stuff that will see regular or even just hard use once in awhile. Beta only has a few distributors in the US that sell even part of their lineup. There’s a chance that MAYBE the distributor will honor the warranty – but on your dime to send the item back to them, and maybe even shipping back to you.
This is why people buy the less-fancy stuff at the local hardware stores – because that’s where you go back to for a warranty replacement on the spot. It’s too bad more of the upscale European brands don’t have more of a presence in retail stores. It sure would be nice to have 20-30 brands of screwdrivers to chose from, instead of just 2 or maybe 3 in each store.
Pete
Beta is fully committed to the US market and has a life time warranty on its hand tools that covers material defects and workmanship. Beta is now being imported by Peerless Hardware a third generation family business who stands behind the products it sells. The Beta distribution network is growing and the full line of products is available through all distributors.
Thomas
A screwdriver is just a screwdriver, unless you plan on using it all day. The handle cushion isn’t worth the extra money when other screwdrivers can do the same job.