Lowe’s launched a new limited edition Klein 5pc Blackout screwdriver set for the holidays.
As with other Klein screwdrivers, these are made in the USA.
At this time, it looks like they are only available in stores, but that might change later in the holiday deals season.
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I was on the fence about this, but decided to buy a set for ToolGuyd exploration and review purposes. I liked the idea of the longer Phillips and slotted sizes, and self-justified the rest of the drivers. I’ll let you know how it goes.
It’ll be interesting to see how these compare with my USA-made Milwaukee screwdrivers. While at the store I struggled to recall if I’ve tried Klein’s standard screwdrivers before. I don’t think I have – all of my memories (going back nearly 20 years) seem to be of their various multi-bit screwdrivers.
Despite these being a limited edition, the price is about the same as for other Klein 5pc screwdriver sets.
True to the name, the screwdrivers have an all-black design.
Compared to standard Klein drivers, these have a black-finish shaft, as well as black plastic handle. The cushion grip looks to have been unchanged.
Here’s a quick comparison between Klein’s Blackout and regular screwdrivers.
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One thing I like is that the end caps have the sizes clearly marked. I examined other Klein screwdrivers while still at the store, and they had model numbers on there too, making the exact sizing less clear.
I also liked the size selection. Here’s what you get:
- Phillips #1 x 3″
- Phillips #2 x 4″
- Phillips #2 x 6″
- Slotted 3/16″ x 6″
- Slotted 1/4″ x 4″
Price: $29.98
It doesn’t really need to be said, but I’ll say it anyway – these are NOT the screwdrivers to bring into dimly lit spaces, or anywhere they can be dropped into dimly lit spaces.
As far as I am aware, this looks to be a Lowe’s exclusive.
If you’re not a fan of the all-black color, or want something more compact, Klein’s 11-in-1 is a tried-and-true favorite.
Joe E.
I like the idea of blackout screwdrivers, but never been fond of Klein’s handles. It would be awesome to see other brands come out with all black tools.
fred
The old Crescent-Bridgeport handles were almost identical to the Klein style – and some of the offerings from Pratt-Read were also close. So, I guess this is a tried-and-true design liked by many. I once thought they were good until I tried some European drivers – which seem to fit my hands more to my liking.
will
It’s hard to beat German hand tools especially wera. I have a few of there kits and regular drivers and prefer them over any other brands I’ve tried,especially with the etched tips for better grip on the screw. Wiha is solid but I don’t have as much experience with there hand tools. Knipex’s insulated screwdrivers look great as well and if working near electricity the extra $15 for a 5 pack would be worth the extra cost. German’s mostly don’t outsource there work either,and offer much higher quality imo. Then again we are talking about screwdrivers so whatever fits best and like yoy I’ve never liked the rubber coated handles. Yes Klein layers to electricians but if you’re thay worried about electricity you’re better off going the fully insulated route anyways.
Slow & expensive
Both Wiha and Wera have been the OEM for Knipex who afaik doesn’t manufacturer any screwdrivers.
Stuart
And Witte – I believe Knipex has partnered with Witte before.
Patrick coombe
All black inside of mostly black tool pouches, bags and boxes is a no for me as they will be too hard to see. I prefer steel looking and colored handles .
These definitely look cool and I could see a lot of people turn this into an all black aesthetic.
Mitch stout
You will sure loose a bunch of them on job site can’t see them in dirt in a attic, old school style is best.
Darren S. Pearce
I’ve used Klein hand tools extensively over the last 40 years for good reason. I’ve had ONE #2 phillips shear off at the tip, while most hang in there for years of daily use. 11 in 1 units? Yeah, I always have 2-3 floating around and they’re fine when you need a condensed tool set, but constantly changing tips is a pace-killer. Klein and Fluke have always been the go-to choice of almost every electrical professional that I’ve crossed paths with. That said, I have an outstanding Brymen process meter that stands toe to
toe with my Fluke 289 (until you need the logging/graph functions) and I’ve just bought my first Knipex pliers and Wiha insulated screwdrivers. So far, I’m impressed. Cheers
David Mon
I own some Craftsman industrial all black screwdrivers I purchased probably 30 years ago or possibly even longer than that. I’ve never had an issue losing those tools because they are all black. They were made as a heavier duty screwdriver than the typical craftsman clear handle screwdrivers and they have more comfortable grips and magnetic tips. Love them and haven’t lost a single one yet? And the Philips #2 I’ve been carrying in my electrical pouch for the same 30 years and it’s been abused and still works great. Not sure about these Klein tool screwdrivers but don’t worry about the black on black design.
Robert
I bought the 5 piece set of regular Klein Torx screwdrivers about 4 years ago, T15 T20 T25 T27 T30. I’ve been pleased with them. For how much I want to bear down they give me good control, so the handles have been comfortable for me. If I need more torque I go to a Wera ratcheting T-handle bit holder, or to a cordless impact driver. I like the regular Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets color scheme of Klein’s regular screwdrivers. I think they are handsome screw drivers. From the pictures these all black are not as appealing to me, and they have the practical drawback of hiding in dark places of the world.
will
I love those wera kits with the small 1/4″ sockets and bits with drivers included. Slick little kit thay find into cramped spaces.
NoahG
Murdered out Kleins. What a time to be alive.
Harry
Which size will get lost first? I need bright colors not all black.
Jared
You and a half-dozen other people responding to this post don’t like how easily these screwdrivers will be misplaced. I have a different view – it’s not like these are the only screwdrivers Klein offers, or that they’re switching to all black permanently.
The new look is just for kicks.
It makes sense that they won’t work for everyone. It’s just a fun seasonal option. If it appeals to you… great!
Ben
Probably a dumb question but… Why blacked out?
Is someone doing tactical electrical work?
Stuart
Style?
Last year’s holiday season limited edition had sparkly handles. https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/klein-limited-edition-pliers-2023/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Ben
Nice. I just wasn’t sure if I was missing something. Style works.
Whitlow
Oh yeah they should have made them black with sparkles! 😁 I mean Harbor Freight gives away their cheap easily breakable black screwdrivers so they need a little more to differentiate them.
Jamel
When you drop this tool outside at night…
Frank D
So they’re easier to lose and harder to find. No thanks.
Gino
Coming soon to a ceiling tile near you. These will be lost instantly by apprentices.
Chuck McAlexander
I haven’t tried this Klein set, but am pretty much indifferent to the aesthetic of my screwdrivers. I am more concerned with hand fit and tool durability. I have had good luck with Klein tools in the past and would buy them whether racing stripes, polkadots or children’s drawings were the look of the day. My preference for the grip would be easy to clean neon orange.
T
Are the slotted screwdrivers hollow ground?
Stuart
No – they’re tapered.
Jared
Do you have an opinion on hollow ground versus parallel flat-ground tips? I’m thinking of PB swiss specifically.
I don’t need more screwdrivers, yet I’ve wondered if I should try the PB Swiss slotted screwdrivers since their tip geometry seems unique – unless, are there any other options in that style?
Stuart
There are others – look at Grace screwdrivers for a completely different stye.
PB Swiss slotted screwdrivers are pretty sweet, but I’m not sure I’d miss them. I’d absolutely miss my Phillips and other screwdrivers. But for say 3/16″ and 1/4″ sizes, I don’t find it to be critical for *my typical needs*.
Slotted screwdrivers are miserable to deal with. Using hollow ground screwdrivers makes the process a little less miserable.
Jared
Thanks! I’ll check those out.
Nathan
I was going to ask if this was sparkly or glow in the dark etc? Makes no sense
Klein needs to come out with an ergo handle. Nearly everyone else has one
eddiesky
I have Klein highvoltage drivers and prefer them over the yellow (smellow) acetate handle. Actually, I knicked a flatblade edge on my best Klein which fit receptacle faceplates the best, when it fell off a ladder (this one didn’t have that driver hole in the top of the ladder).
But I have Wiha ESD and other drivers and found the large grips great…at first. But removing and installing 40 T20 screws became painful. Figures I had an extended torx bit set somewhere in a tool box and could have used a screwgun. Sheesh.
I like Klein. I’m thinking of getting they parts storage since its orange and visually I’ll know its electrical connectors and screws.
“If its Klein, its mine!”
Jason
I guess if the options are to lower the quality so you have to replace more often or to launch limited addition color scheme, the color scheme option is better?
I don’t get it but always been happy with my regular Klein screwdrivers
Wayne R.
If these are being marketed to people who’ve not yet lost a tool in the dark, great. They look good, sorta, but make no sense to the rest of us who already 1) have such tools, and 2) know better.
If I were to get a new set of screwdrivers, I’d love a set of “normal” Klein drivers with good knurling on the shafts. On one hand, a minor change , but on the other, I think it’d be significant.
John E
Try a set of Vessel Megadora.
Robert
John,
any experience with the Vessel Rechargeable ball grip Screwdriver? How it compares to the Dewalt 8V Cordless gyroscopic screwdriver (DCF680N)?
Haus of Tools is highlighting it for $64.
https://hausoftools.com/products/vessel-tools-220usb11glul1-rechargeable-ball-grip-screwdriver-limited-kit-gold-edition
IronWood
I like my Kleins a lot, but would like them better with knurling. I got a couple of the USA Milwaukee drivers to try out and the shaft knurling is great. A little thing that makes a difference. And, like a lot of tradespeople here, so have zero interest in intentionally low visibility tools.
Mark. M
I saw these when I was looking for the v-series ratchet deals and they def caught my eye, but I feel the same way I do about about the blacked out Stabila levels…they look cool, and I would promptly lose them. If your’e only going to use them in a well-lit shop then yeah, maybe. I’m all about cool aesthetics but not to the point of not being able to see a tool in low light conditions.
Steven B
If I were a tool company, I’d want to sell you easy-to-lose tools.
I am sure Klein HATES it when you whip out one of their tools your dad used to use.
It’s kind of a problem when making quality hand tools. If you make a really good one, they last a long time.
fred
At least the pain of losing one is less with screwdrivers – since the price is not astronomical and tips do wear out in normal use (unless you are an infrequent user.)
Wayne R.
The funny thing is that Klein has a lot of glow-in-the-dark handles.
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=klein+glow+in+the+dark+tools&atb=v451-6&start=1&iar=images&iax=images&ia=images
Clark T
Brilliant marketing angle. Buy now for the cool factor…buy after the new year because you need them.
One for the price of two!
Rodney
So are we not going to talk about how they need to rethink their handles on all screwdriver whether it’s the ones with multiple bits or the standard ones or even the ratcheting ones. It seems like after some use the rubber bones loose and they start to dance within the rubber handle. They need to make a sturdier handle instead of coming out with these limited edition ones. Rework the problems that you have with your current line then. I’m from there.
Stuart
Loose is fine, free spinning is not. My oldest Klein multi-bit driver has a slightly loose rubber overgrip, but it doesn’t affect its use.
Mitherial
I have a set of Klein’s “standard” screwdrivers, and if you like the hand-feel of Klein’s excellent Multi-Bit screwdriver, then you will be perfectly satisfied with the separate individual screwdrivers.
Coming down to personal preference, Klein’s 11-in-1 mutlibit screwdrier is my absolute favorite multibit screwdriver (I own at least half a dozen and keep them everywhere), but prefer the fancy German brands (Wera, Wiha etc.) for “standard” screwdrier sets. With respect to the current set, on practical and aesthetic grounds, I am trying to move away from purely black tools of any kind (they all look the same and can never find them in a dark drawer or bag), but that’s largely a
Joe
Maybe if you guys are losing your tools that much, you might want to wear a tool belt. The all black aesthetic looks great!
Joe H
Should place flashlights for sale next to these because you are going to need one just to find the screwdriver you want inside a black tool bag or box.
will
With some glow in the dark paint.
John Stuckey
I have Milwaukee, etc screwdrivers. My favorite are Harbor Fright diamond grit tipped screwdrivers. About $16 a set, $12 with a coupon. Everyone I know that has them loves them. I have the expensive European diamond grit tipped bits too. They work as well as the HF ones.
Kuro
I typically buy most of my tools in bright orange so they can be found in a dark corner of an unlit room without trying too hard, so while these look cool, they aren’t likely to find their way into my box.
I bet my buddy that uses all black makita tools would be interested though.
Kris P
My local Lowes has a clearance tag on them now.