I have found stubby screwdrivers and bit holders convenient to use and like them. What about you? Is it time you tried one?
I came across this Irwin 8-in-1 stubby screwdriver, and it seems to be a good buy. It’s a couple of dollars off of its regular price, but besides that, it also looks to be a good value.
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Update 3/8/21: It’s back in stock with a late-April shipping ETA.
Irwin describes this as an 8-in-1, and it comes with a 7pc bit set that is stored within the handle.
It looks like the bit cartridge is threaded, and Amazon user reviews confirm this.
I have no shortage of stubby bit-holding screwdrivers, and think this could be appealing for first-time users not sure of whether they want a stubby driver or not.
The Irwin screwdriver handle looks a little chunky to me – not a bad thing – and Irwin says it has a “ProTouch Grip” for maximum torque, comfort, and slip resistance.
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It looks a little cheap to me, but at $4, there’s little risk for anyone who’s not sure how useful a stubby screwdriver will be for them. And if it turns out that you like it, you could always upgrade down the line.
Price: $3.90
Amazon Prime members get free shipping, non-subscribers get free shipping as part of a $25+ shipped-by-Amazon order.
Upgraded Pick: Klein
If you want a more pro-oriented stubby screwdriver, this Klein has removable double-sided bits – the kind where the entire shaft slides out – and is priced at $10.
Mopar
I ordered that Irwin stubby a few months ago, and when it arrived my wife grabbed it, said “For me? Thanks!” and stuck it in her kitchen tool drawer. So I ordered myself another one. It’s actually a perfect kitchen drawer type screwdriver. It will handle just about anything that just needs a quick screw loosening/tightening; a hinge, knob, take off a switchplate for cleaning, stuff like that. Stuff you don’t feel like going to the basement or garage for an impact driver or your good screwdrivers. I’ll probably grab a few more, maybe one to keep upstairs, and one in the car. Maybe toss one in the bin of camping stuff.
Mopar
Like Stuart said, it *IS* a fair amount chunkier than a normal stubby, but it’s the tradeoff for being able to store 7 bits in the handle, and in most cases it’ss not a bad thing.
MoogleMan3
The irwin is at an all time low, so why not?
fred
I have one of these (Irwin) and find it uncomfortable in my hands (big hands) – so never use it. But others may like it – and for $4 it may be worth a try.
Another brand that might be worth a look is PicQuic (made in Canada when last I looked)
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=picquic&i=tools&ref=nb_sb_noss_1
The Malco – stubby bit holder is also nice – but more expensive – and comes as a bare tool – no bits:
https://www.amazon.com/Malco-Connext2-Change-Stubby-Driver/dp/B00JJ6O75A
Stuart mentions Klein – and they also have ratcheting stubby multi-bit drivers #32593 and #32594
Stuart
The Malco’s already on my list for discussion and maybe review after the holiday season =).
fred
What I like about the Malco is the locking bit holder. I like that feature on some Wera ones too. I find the hold to be better than friction fits or magnetic.
Jared
I was going to mention the Picquic too. That would be my recommendation for a stubby multi-bit screwdriver generally. I haven’t tried the Irwin though.
The screwdriver portion is made in Canada and the bits are imported – both are good.
In Canada there’s a Mastercraft-branded Picquic clone that sometimes goes on sale for about $5 for a two-pack. If a Canadian was on the fence about a stubby that’s what I would recommend because of the price.
I do own both the Mastercraft and Picquic. Mastercraft is about… 85% the same as a Picquic driver. The bit retention in the storage slots is the biggest difference I notice. Mastercraft has a piece of flexible plastic that protrudes slightly into the holes – it’s stiffer to replace and remove bits when new. It will break in over time and the bits become a bit loose. But again, $5 for two.
Handles are a little different too – I know I like the Picquic better but I’d have to go grab them and hold them side-by-side to recall what the difference is.
Stuart
The Picquic stubby has small
butsbits and a smooth handle. It’s not exactly aimed at the same types of tasks as this and other larger stubby screwdrivers.They have larger ones, but those are also too long to be considered stubby in my opinion.
fred
I think that you are thinking about the one they call “teeny turner”
They have another that is more like a 1/4 inch hex stubby – but I’m not sure if they don’t use some proprietary size other than the more common 1/4 hex.
https://www.amazon.com/Picquic-91102B-Stubby-Multi-Screwdriver/dp/B00QC21LEE/
fred
I should have read the Amazon reviews – one says it uses standard 1/4 hex bits
Jared
That’s the one I was thinking of too. Here’s the Mastercraft version. I couldn’t find the listing for the two pack of stubbies, so maybe they updated the package to include one standard size driver. Ignore the regular price, these go on sale for 70%-80% off somewhat regularly.
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/mastercraft-7-in-1-screwdriver-2-pk-0573609p.html
Stuart
Wow – I’ve been buying Picquic screwdrivers for well more than a decade, but never saw that stubby size before.
Still, I tend to like overmolded handles with a stubby screwdriver, to help with torque transmission.
Jared
That’s a fair point. Stubbies are harder to grip.
The Picquic does have a hex bolster if you really want to bear down – but that requires an extra tool.
Pastor Dan
Uh, I clicked the link to buy the Irwin via Amazon, and it sure wasn’t 4 bucks this afternoon. Free shipping, sure,but $10.27. Demand must have risen a bit.
Tom D
Nice thing about these is you always have an infinite supply of replacement bits from the impact sets (the 1 in bits are basically unusable in a impact driver – the adapters are a pita).
Blocky
I often use a 6” Milwaukee locking bit holder w 1” bits all day. The bits never drop and they spring out easily when I want them to.
Maybe this could make them work for you; I see a lot of folks are onto power-bits only.
Tom D
I’ll have to try that – the one I have is quik lok and boys get stuck in it.
Chris G
Just an fyi, I decided to get a bunch for gifts. Amazon maxed out my ability to order at 4, but greeted me with a “no rush shipping” option that saved me 10% on the total. That left me at 4 for $15.16 after tax and free shipping…3.79 each after tax.
I had wanted 5, I may try to create a second order to see what happens.
Juxtapose
Already sold out, Stuart? I only see it now available from other sellers at $9
Stuart
Sorry, it does look to have sold out. Might come back in stock once they check backorder ETA. =(. There weren’t any stock warnings when I published the post, such as no “2 left, order soon” message or anything like that.
Steve
Yeah it sold out, I got in before it did.
Karl Chow
$4 + $6.75 shipping = $10.75.
Not so good now…
Gordon R. Brown
The Irwin was sold out.
I chose the Klein stubby screwdriver with the ratchet for a few dollars more.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01I2KJ91K/
Les
For those that still want this, it’s been going in and out of stock for close to 2 months now.
Flotsam
Got one of these at my local Re-Store for a $1.
Nice to have
Steve
It arrived today and Holy Smoke! Its the size on an apricot! I think this thing is getting returned.
Scotty.
looks sold out again, although can still be ordered at $10 for delivery later in February
Scott K
I had this on my Amazon wishlist for a while and it was frequently out of stock. I went with a set of individual Stanley stubby drivers (slotted and philips). The handles could be chunkier, but they’re pretty comfortable to use and engage fasteners well. I bought them because I had a need and the Irwin wasn’t available at the time. About $8 for the pair.
Bob B.
$10.25 on Amazon now
KevinB
damn, missed this both go arounds was going to put this in my electrical bag. I did make out this weekend and grabbed the last Hart folding work table for 50 bucks at my local walmart, so I dont feel all that bad.
Greg
$4 USD or $20.10 CDN at amazon.ca … sigh
Dave P
Not if it was free.
I’ve bought many dozens of sets of screwdrivers over the years and they all come with stubbies. While the more useful screwdrivers wear out, get lost, or simply become scattered throughout over a dozen vehicles, the stubbies remain and have taken over the shop toolboxes. Even though I’ve thinned the herd several times over the years, I have dozens and dozens of them and maybe ONE of them gets used ONCE a year at best.
Not to mention it’s an Irwin-yuk.
Steve
I ended up returning it and Amazon said, ‘You know what? Just keep it’, I want this exact thing just not super fat, less than $10 and it doesn’t need on board bit storage but accepts 1″ bits.
Vards Uzvards
These two bit holders are much slimmer, and shorter, than the aforementioned Irwin:
Felo 438
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ABWTKMA/
Wiha 281
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004A910HO/
Steve
I like them but I was hoping to find one for less, I don’t think there is anything though.
Vards Uzvards
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004AEZDKO/
Once I got this Stanley screwdriver for about $6, but quality was not as good and bits were falling off sometimes, and then the magnet went missing as well.
Mark A. Moeller
Amazon shows the price as $10.27, not $3.90 (yesterday and today)
Stuart
Thank you, I updated the post. Looks like it sold out again.
W00dy
Hultafors has a nice 1/4 bit stubby with hanging hole, I have one here somewhere 🙂 made in Germany no bit storage though..
Hilton
Thank you, I just nabbed three.
I don’t need them of course but having a couple at work at this price is a no-brainer.
Bill Bahmuller
Still active this morning, but delivery date is pushed out to mid May.
Analyst
DENIED AGAIN! It’s back up to $9.51 with a four week delivery, I’ll catch it at $4 one of these days…
TylerC
Just got an email from Amazon saying my shipping date on this order of May 16th changed to March 20th!
And I also just checked the pricing and it is down to $3.90 right now!
Hopefully you can get the deal this time around!
Stacey Jones
I’ve got one stubby and am not overly fond of it. For some reason it’s not very comfortable to use and cramps my hand if I use it very long. Need a longer handle.
Stuart
Which brand?
I have found that some stubby screwdrivers work better than others. Some are slim and meant for lighter duty tasks, while others are shaped for high torque delivery in tighter spaces.
Alex
The stubby screwdriver that has been with me 5 days a week for the last 5 years is a PB Swiss PB-8453. They generally run around $35 on amazon but they are well worth it. I pair it with a Malco MSHC 1/4 & 5/16 Reversible Hex Chuck Driver for even more utility. This pair easily fits in your pocket and has avoided me hundreds if not thousands of trips back to the truck over the years (definitely enough to pay for it many times over). It has been so useful that I have bought one for all my technicians and insisted that they consider it part of their uniform. Every single one of my guys have given it rave reviews and I highly recommend the combo for anyone seeking this style of tool.
Charlie
It’s back for $3.90 on Amazon.