I took advantage of Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale pricing to get myself a PB Swiss interchangeable screwdriver set, available with “trendy” tool roll colors.
I had previously dismissed these rollups and other PB Swiss rollup tool sets as excessively priced, and they are pricey. Right now, they’re $76 via Count on Tools at Amazon, more on Count On Tools’ website.
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Plus, I’m not usually a fan of interchangeable shaft screwdrivers. 1/4″ bit holders are different. Interchangeable shafts work with a proprietary system, leading to potential issues. What if I need a replacement bit? The only option is usually a few bucks plus lots more for shipping.
Here’s my thought process for ordering 2 sets for review: 1) I really like PB Swiss tools, 2) this would be a great opportunity to try out a bunch of tools I wasn’t compelled to buy in the past, and 3) this is probably the best pricing we’d see until next year.
I ended up splurging on a bunch of PB Swiss Tools – more than I care to admit to right now. Part of the reason is I was still sick that weekend and had lost my mind a little, part of the reason is wanting to do more PB Swiss tool reviews on ToolGuyd (nobody else is doing them).
And a big part of it is that I ended up missing the Cyber Monday ordering deadline. I spoke to Count On Tools on Tuesday, telling them what happened and asking if there will be another sale later in the year. They said that if I ordered that day, they’d be willing to apply the Black Friday/Cyber Monday discount. Somehow, that led to my order more than tripling in size.
SORRY! Back to the set.
This set comes with a SwissGrip handle, 2 precision screwdrivers, 4 slotted screwdriver blades, 2 Phillips screwdriver blades, and a pointed awl for making small holes. There’s also the tool roll.
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That’s not a lot for $76. That’s for 11 pieces, including the tool roll, so figure $6.90 a piece.
See Also: PB Swiss Screwdriver Set
Alternatively, there’s a 6-tool screwdriver set for $59, including separate Phillips and slotted drivers. I have that set, and I love the screwdrivers, but I don’t know if I’d buy the same set again for $60. I was comfortable spending the $30.50 it cost me back in 2008.
PB Swiss tools are pricey. But, the tool quality is PHENOMENAL.
As to why I think this set might be a great gift item, I like to gift items that recipients wouldn’t buy for themselves, and it’s great to receive things I wouldn’t buy for myself.
For me, this set is too pricey for personal use. But for a pro or industrial user who needs a compact screwdriver set, maybe it’s much more justifiable.
In my first draft of this post, I wrote a lot more about the pricing, but I then started looking at Wiha and Wera pricing on similar products, and they’re not that much better.
I’ve only used this screwdriver set a few times, but I’m really liking it. The performance compares well to regular PB Swiss screwdrivers, and I find that the shaft sizing works better in some applications than bulbous bit holders.
There are 5 color choices – purple, grey, blue, blue-green, brown, and I think there’s still a black roll set out there.
If you’re not yet done with your holiday gift shopping, or requests, considering adding this one to your list.
And other times of the year, just remember – the superb performance of these excellent tools will last a lot longer than the sting of the high price will be felt. Good or bad, I convince myself of this far too often these days.
Zack
I’m giving a bunch of german-made Felo driver sets this Christmas. These are $24.50 from KC Tool Co:
https://www.kctoolco.com/felo-62411-ergonic-6-piece-set-slotted-phillips-with-case/
Stuart
I <3 Felo Ergonic screwdrivers. They're not great for everything, but they are good everyday screwdrivers.
I gave a 3pc set to my father, figuring the handles would be easier on his hands.
P.S. If you're ordering from KC Tool again soon, keep in mind this coupon they arranged for us: TOOLGUYD4LIFE. 10% off everything. =)
RKA
No question their prices are hard to justify. I think you have to pick and choose carefully. Even then it feels a bit like tool box jewelry. I have an older bit driver and frankly hate the handle. It’s a little too skinny to really get torque on it. On a whim (in part thanks to you) I took advantage of the BF sale and ordered some hex and torx keys, spare 1/4″ bits and somehow their ratcheting driver with the long shaft. The handle on that is much better and the ratcheting mechanism is very smooth! The bit storage in the handle is clever as well. I’ve got a couple ratcheting drivers, but this is now my favorite.
fred
My first (50 years ago) set of this sort was from VACO (absorbed by Klein Tools) the slotted drivers were OK the Phillips ones – pretty awful. I switched to the Xcelite 99PRN 14-pc set that can be had for about $79. The nut-driver blades were good the screwdrivers not-so-much. Knowing PB Swiss and looking at your pictures – these look better – but ultimately all screwdriver tips wear if you use them a lot – so what happens to a set is that some of the blades (typically PH#2) need to be replaced before others.
firefly
That’s probably the bigger concern. I can fathom the idea of paying $70 something for the set of screwdriver that I love. It’s a one time cost. It’s definitely expensive but justifiable. For that price I think it’s important to consider how much replacement bit will cost and how readily available are they.
Anton
I can’t fathom who the target market for this would be. It looks like the two precision screwdrivers are flatheads as well so that makes it 6 flatheads, #1 and #2 phillips and an awl (really?). I don’t know where this combination of tools would be useful except for working on older things before philips became common but in that case the precision and durability of these is a moot point. A pro would either not want to deal with having to interchange tips or would be more inclined to use the much more versatile and easier to replace hex drive.
The combination of colors, the word “trendy” in the description, combination of tips, and the quirkiness of interchangeable shaft (vs hex) leads me to believe they are meant for some kind of tool hipster. Even amazon seems to be confused on what to do with them since the sponsored products are all goofy colored design/ accents items.
I’m sure these are great tools but the alternatives make much more sense starting with 11-in-1 Klein screwdriver and ending with any hex bit set that uses 3″ bits such as https://www.amazon.com/Wiha-76087-MRO-Service-61-Piece/dp/B01B6SFBLW/
PS Stuart, what do you think about 3″ hex bits being used to assemble a super minimal/ light weight portable tool set?
Stuart
The “trendy” color mention is only in some official product references, but I felt it appropriate to add in. That way the sets are easier to find if someone wants to look up more info or check prices elsewhere.
The PB Swiss site mentions hobbyists and DIYers, and I remember some of the other sets being offered in “his” and “her” varieties.
I have been using slotted screwdrivers more and more, such as on mini terminal blocks, spring-loaded wire terminals, and other such things.
The awl is out of place, but I’ll find for use for mine as a punch replacement.
PB Swiss really excels at slotted screwdrivers. On one hand I’d like to have seen a PH #0, but I think I ordered one separately.
I think a pro might carry something like this. An HVAC duo came out to help with a troublesome humidifer, and we needed 3 sizes of slotted screwdrivers. One for the push-release levers on the control panel, one to get the too-tight thumbscrews off, and another for the terminal block in the HVAC panel.
I don’t know if they would have used something like this.
I’ll see how things go. Maybe the set will see a lot of use, maybe not. Somebody’s got to be the guinea pig.
fred
Is the shank style interchangeable with a similar looking and very ubiquitous Xcelite 99 series shafts? Or does the PB variation differ enough to make them incompatible. I can’t tell from the photo – but it looks like the drive tangs may be a bit further up the shaft on the PB Swiss compared to Xcelite.
Stuart
I don’t have an Xcelite 99 to check. I’d think that they’re similar, but a lot of 2-winged bits and shafts have similar geometries.
Yes, the bit socket is a long way inside the handle. I’ll try to take measurements of it for the forthcoming review.
fred
Your right – but my experience is that some of them are close enough copies of the older Xcelite 99 design to fit. Maybe that’s because the knock-off or no-name brands that some of them came from were not all that scrupulous about proprietary or patent rights. Anyway – I would thing the original Xcelite patents have long since expired.
One of my earliest Xcelite sets included Bristol Spline driver blades – #9961 through #9969. I had some UK-Made electronics from the 1960’s – and Bristol Spline socket screws were (I presume) used to impede DIY servicing.
fred
I should have mentioned that the Bristol Wrench Co and their Bristol Spline drive – had nothing to do with Bristol England (as in “Bristol and Shipshape Fashion”) Maybe the name just appealed to some Brit who was spec-ing out the screws.
susano
Back in the early 90s, Craftsman even had a set of 99 screwdrivers. It must of been a special deal they worked out with Xcelite. I still have it in my tool box, it was less than $20. Even the part number on the blades were the same.
Stuart
3″ hex bits? For pairing with a stubby or short style bit holder? That could work.
But… a lot of screwdriver bit holders work better with 1″ bits or grooved power bits. I don’t think that’s something to be really concerned with, just something to keep in mind.
It’s worth trying.
Bit selection might take some work. I’d say there’s better selection in 1″ and 2″ bits than 3″.
An alternative would be a bit holder, 1″ bits, and a couple of options of bit holders and extensions. A locking bit holder like the Wera Rapidaptor is nearly free of any play, at least in the socket end.
Hmm, but the bulbous bit holder would still get in the way. But I don’t know if that’s why you asked about 3″ bits.
Anton
Using the 3″ bits was to have more clearance around the blade then a bit holder would allow. It would also alleviate the issue of when a bit gets stuck on the screw head (that a Rapidaptor should solve). Having 3-6″ lengths of PH1 and PH2 bits would handle %99 of the situations otherwise. Wiha seems to have a very comprehensive selection in various lengths. I do agree using 2″ power bits would expand the selection and lower the cost.
The bit holder could be as minimal as the Craftsman Z drive or the Topeak ratchet. Up to Kobalt double drive QL3 since its the only handle you have to carry.
I’ll concede that theres more flat heads still used today then I realized but I still feel 2″+ bits are superior to interchangeable shafts in just about every way other then the wiggling of bits which can be solved by using a Rapidator or other locking holder.
Anton
Ok, I found what I was thinking of
https://www.kctoolco.com/wera-059297-kraftform-kompakt-62-pouch-set/?gclid=CPSr656rhNECFYpgfgod-4AL9Q
Everything has already been invented.
Stuart
Good points, and that does look like a good set.
I have a Kraftform Kompakt bit holder with in-handle storage and the 2-position Rapidaptor, but it’s a compromised tool. I haven’t used it in tight clearance spots, that I can remember, but the handle is a bit chunky.
donk
I appreciate the PB Swiss reviews. As you said, no one is doing them. Usually all a potential customer has to go off is a blurb and a stock product shot from PB Swiss or ToolLady. You can’t find them in stores anywhere. Hands-on experience is really appreciated.
I have purchased a number of PB Swiss items and have enjoyed everyone. Buying tools like this boils down to a few things for me. I’m buying these items looking for life-time use tools, and as a fastidious home-user, who cares about quality these are worth the money. For my purposes, barring being robbed, these will last me a lifetime and are probably some of the best handtools in the world. I feel pretty confident that the driver will always give me the maximum torque and surface area contact.
Stuart
You’re welcome, and thanks for the encouragement!
Screwdrivers do eventually wear.
I was having trouble with some screws that I was removing, and my PB Swiss (full-size driver) was camming out. I switched to a bit holder with brand new Apex bit, and it did the trick. But, by screw #3, the Apex was no better than the PB Swiss.
I’m not going to baby my PB Swiss tools, and haven’t in the past, and figure I’ll eventually need to replace my #2 driver, maybe eventually my #1 too.
That said, it’s lasting a lot longer than other Phillips screwdrivers I’ve used in the past.
Rick C
The Klein Switch Drive is a system to also consider for interchangeable blades.
Positives: Standard grooved 1/4″ power bits/blades (must be longer than 1″ though) so buying a new or replacement blade is as near as your local hardware store; nearly solid blade retention mechanism; cheaper than PB Swiss
Negatives: Handle heavier and bigger than dedicated driver; no adequate individual pouch holder due to blade release mechanism
Conclusion: I’m glad I have this, though I will use dedicated Klein drivers whenever possible