Harbor Freight launched a new Icon screwdriver set that they describe as being for professionals and mechanics.
The new Harbor Freight Icon screwdrivers have a similar style to previously released mini and mini Torx screwdriver sets, as well as hollow shaft nut drivers.
The new Icon screwdriver set comes with 8 sizes – 4 Phillips and 4 slotted.
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Sizes include:
- Phillips #1, #2, #2 stubby, #3
- Slotted: 3/16″, 1/4″, 1/4″ stubby, 5/16″
The full-size Philips #2 and #3, and slotted 1/4″ and 5/16″ have wrench-ready hex bolsters for higher torque delivery.
The Icon screwdrivers feature anti-cam-out ribs on the Phillips drivers, to promote better fastener engagement and help prevent damage.
The handles are described to be chemical-resistant – which we’d expect from screwdrivers marketed to mechanics and – and also have the drive type printed on the end.
It doesn’t look like there are size markings on the end, although maybe the handle widths should provide sufficient clues.
If you look closely, the front of the handles have anti-roll flats. There’s also a bumpy texture in the finger-spinning zone.
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The screwdrivers are bundled with what Harbor Freight describes as a “premium heavy duty” storage tray.
It looks like a regular blow-molded tray to me.
Harbor Freight recently launched Icon tool sets with foam trays; it’d be nice to see that as an option for the new Icon screwdriver set.
Price: $50
Model: ACSD-8; SKU: 70309
The tools are covered by a lifetime warranty.
Harbor Freight says that their Icon screwdriver set compares to Snap-on’s Instinct line of drivers.
Misc Competition
Gearwrench has a 10pc set (via Amazon) for $60, and also a 20pc set for $75 at the time of this posting. They have hex bolsters, but no anti-cam-out tips that the Icon have on the (larger?} Phillips sizes.
Williams has a USA-made 8pc hard-handle screwdriver set (via Amazon) for $75.
Sunex has an 8pc screwdriver set for $35 (via Amazon).
Milwaukee’s 6pc made-in-USA set is $55 (via Home Depot).
Readers brought up the Wera 6pc Kraftform Plus set (~$27-28 at Amazon) in the comments section.
While I’m extremely fond of my Wera screwdrivers, I think the Chiseldrivers (shown just above and ~$52 at Amazon) are closer in essence to the Icon’s.
Jared
Those handles are just two colors of plastic right, not a rubber overmold? Do we know what the handles are made of?
All-in-all these screwdrivers look good. I’d like those serrations on the flat blade too personally, but maybe they are absent because flat blades often get used for prying.
Personally, I like when they put a hole through the end of the handle so I can make an impromptu T-handle for torque, but that’s a pretty small detail.
Jared
I’d add Proto Duratek to the misc. competition too. Tekton also has a hard handle set, but it’s not quite as feature-rich and I’ve not tried them personally.
BigTimeTommy
They look find but at that price I’d rather pay a little more for Williams or a little less for Sunex. IDK who is going to HF to buy Icon tools at premium prices but they seem to be popular.
Harry
Are the Durateks still being made? SBD closed the South Carolina factory that was making them. MAC switched to French made screw drivers. I love my bolstered Durateks. The non bolstered blades, not as much. The Tekton hard handle is sweet but, the hardness of the screwdriver tips leaves a bit to be desired. Not bad for the price though.
Stuart
All HF says is that they have “oversized ergonomic grips.”
It *looks* to be dual-molded with hard (red) and soft (black) plastic, but they don’t specify and it’s hard to tell from the images.
However, the “compare-to” Snap-on set has hard handles. The soft-handle Instincts have a different model number.
mark
In my experience with eera, they put the ribbed tip (couldn’t resist) on the larger flatheads & it DOES help with all cam out of flathead screw heads.
Idkall this icon stuff just isn’t cheap or innovative enough for the price. Just leaves me kinda grossed out by how much they cost others, then it’s not even cheap enough to be impressed with them pulling it off.
Munklepunk
Icon is good quality. A bit overpriced when compared to the brands it rebadges from. But the warranty is the best thing about it.
Stuart
They’re filling holes.
Who is going to buy these? Someone looking for higher-grade professional screwdrivers? Or someone pleased with a prior Icon purchase and who has a 25% off coupon in-hand?
Steve
I just bought the Milwaukee USA made set. They are at Home Depot but they are in the electrical tools section. They are worth it, though the sizes are a bit odd. ICON tools are actually quite nice too, but I’m going with Milwaukee 9 out of 9 times if it’s the same price point.
mikedt
I do like the knurling on the Milwaukee drivers.
Analyst
Milwaukee needs to put a #3 Phillips into this set. It is a glaring omission.
jake
A a #3 Phillips screwdriver is included in this set.
https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/Hand-Tools/Fastening/Cushion-Grip-Screwdriver-Sets-USA
Stuart
The Ph #3 is the first one in the above image.
JR Ramos
I think if I were looking and didn’t want to shift from the fantastic Felo grip (or similar Wera) I’d get more from Tekton and possibly the Milwaukee set/versions you listed here. Screwdrivers have always baffled me somewhat in that there is absolutely constant “evolution” and new products introduced – I mean constantly, for the last 40 years or better – and yet it seems like there’s always some hole to fill. I’d pass on these from HF but I mean they work and they aren’t cheese, so…
The Gearwrench tri grips are actually pretty decent although not as durable as their predecessors from Klein and Vermont American (who I think licensed theirs from someone else that I can’t recall now). I just haven’t found other grips that are as comfortable and ergonomic as the Felo which may not seem like such a benefit until you have to drive a lot of screws by hand. I’ve noticed lately that there are some Chinese copies of that Felo design and they’re awfully close…got some triangle-tip versions and they’re actually good with decent steel.
Derek
I agree. I would buy the Wera set of 4 slotted and 2 phillips that’s been sitting at $27 over the Icon set: https://www.amazon.com/Wera-Kraftform-Screwdriver-Lasertip-6-Pieces/dp/B0001NQQCM/
You can pick up some stubbys or a #3 and still be under the Icon price.
My favorite grip screwdriver so far is the PB Swiss Swissgrip. Been really close to buying some additional ones lately.
JR Ramos
Reminds me, I need to pick up a PB Swiss insider…mine grew legs. I have several precision drivers of theirs which have proven to be superior to Wiha, which is saying something, and also have their stubby bit holder that I love. Wish they weren’t so expensive but the quality is absolutely there.
Julius Rosen
Or you could buy 30 sets at $1.50 each of a five piece set from Dollar tree and never worry about losing your screwdrivers again
BigTimeTommy
Klein screwdrivers still seem to be the toughest. My old Klein flathead has been abused much harder and longer than my Wera chiseldrivers and has held up much better. If Kleins didn’t have such skinny slick handles I’d go back to using their screwdrivers.
JR Ramos
My oldest Klein drivers are still going strong, even the phillips, but I have a couple newer ones (last 4-5 years) and they are showing wear much earlier…not sure if they changed something. The Felo to me have been much better. I have a lot of Wera bits but not any of their screwdrivers. Some of my favorites are the old short-lived Kleins with the tri grip and the roughed up grip patch on those (no idea what those were called but they were only around maybe five years or so, quite some years ago, but they were German blades). If you can find closeout deals on the Ideal drivers, those appear to me to be exactly the same manufacture as Klein…if not, they’re the same in hand and in durability from the couple I have used. The plain plastic Tekton are great as well…tips are surprisingly durable, wasn’t sure they would be…nice handles, too.
Mark M.
I used to fret over screwdrivers…if I needed to replace worn ones or get the latest greatest whatever. Now, honestly, I use my Dewalt subcompact 12v screwdriver (DCF601 if memory serves) at least 75% of the time. There will always be specific cases for using an actual screwdriver, sure, but it’s hard to get excited about sets and handle material and such when featherweight cordless makes the job faster and easier.
Joellikestools
I have the m12 screwdriver, and I use it as often as I can. Electric is quite nice.
Nathan
I’ve been recommending the tekton ones for a while now. I think they are only molded in the US. But still good quality. I used to only like drivers with hex bolster.
But I’ve bought 2 sets of tekton for my bil and they work well. What I would normally use the hex bolster for I now do with an impact driver
BigTimeTommy
I would’ve recommended tekton also until recently. Tip of my 1/8th inch tekton hard handle driver snapped off in a screw terminal. Definitely not over torquing it. Not a fan of tekton screwdrivers or pliers.
PW
Did you warranty the broken screwdriver? Supposedly that’s part of the argument for Tekton, the warranty…
Lincoln
I’ve also had good experiences, and really like both the hard handle and high tourqe screwdrivers from Tekton. The actual screwdrivers are 100% made in the USA by them in MI. The multi bit drivers and items like the 1/4″ spinner handle have Taiwanese driver shafts but the handles are molded in the USA. Their website is really great about country of origin on every part. I do like the hard handles, and and didn’t think I’d like the high tourqe, but I have to say they are really nice and the handle shape makes sense when you start using it. Kinda like Wera.
It’s also nice to know Tekton will actually replace them with no hassle if and when they do wear out
ITCD
The Tekton are 100% made here, with the exception of the ratcheting one(s) which just get the handles here.
Matt C.
I have the Tekton black handle screwdrivers. The grip is odd looking but surprisingly comfortable in the hand. But I already bent the tip of one of the flatheads. Tekton quickly replaced it for me. But I’m left with the impression that the business ends are not the most sturdy.
PW
That’s been my exact experience – I have a smattering of a few different Tekton screwdrivers. Both of their handle designs are great, with advantages to each. I really like that they’re MiUSA. But the tips are too weak for the premium price point they’re aiming at.
Roy
These look identical to the “Professional Mechanic’s Screwdriver Set, 8 Pc” with SKU 56508 that I bought from Harbor Freight in March 2020. Same price too. Pretty nice set.
Clientgraphics
The only difference I can see with the new sku is the anti-cam-out ribs on the Phillips drivers.
Otherwise a side by side comparison of the two the plastic and rubber molding shape and grip are the same. There does appear to be a slight color difference with the red being brighter in the new sku but again they feel similar.
I have 2 sets and they have been fine for the price with no issues. Would probably only by another set if there were additional colors other than red.
Wayne R.
If I was getting new screwdrivers, I’d either get something with knurling on the shafts (like the Milwaukee set), or *much* more likely, a set of the Vessel ratcheting ball drivers. The Vessel shafts have a great finger-spinning area (replacing the knurling), and the ball really lets me put a lot of torque on it when needed.
But I’m still using mostly my ever-faithful Kleins.
bob
And here i was thinking a screwdriver is a screwdriver, but the Milwaukee ones blew me away! They seem to have thought of it all.
I’m not willing to pay the price as I’d rather get a 15 piece Husky set for half the price of a 6 piece Milwaukee set. But I’m sure I’m not their target customer. But they are impressive.
Andy
Still to this day, I have yet to find anything that beats my Vessel Megadoro JIS screwdrivers. Not even the Snap-On’s
J J
It is just interesting to see all the comments from not even a real visit to HFT store and tried the Icon Precision Set. Everything on paper, every judgment on mouth. Sad.
Stuart
What’s sad is that you’re a Harbor Freight shill with nothing of value to say about the new products. All you can offer are criticisms of others’ thoughts and opinions? That’ll really change everyone’s minds.