One of my first introductions to Vessel tools came 7 years ago, when they collaborated with Sears to launch Craftsman-branded ball grip screwdrivers. I have purchased a couple of additional Vessel ball grip screwdrivers since then, with each experience adding to my positive opinion of the brand.
Engineer, another Japanese tool brand, introduced me to the concept of keychain bit carriers.
These bit carriers, available from a variety of Japanese tool brands, provide a convenient way to store power-style screwdriver bits while also keeping them easily accessible.
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Combining the two concepts, here’s the Vessel Ball Grip “carrying bit holder.”
I bought a couple of these from Amazon Japan, and it is now also available in the USA.
These Vessel Ball Grip bit holders are very different from the ones I have purchased and used from other brands. While other brands’ bit carrier keychains can only be used as bit holders, the Vessel Ball Grip can also be used as a screwdriver handle.
In other words, this is also a keychain-sized stubby screwdriver handle that works with standard 1/4″ hex power-style screwdriver bits.
So, you can use this as a stubby bit screwdriver handle, as a storage accessory, or both.
The idea of bit carriers has grown on me over the years, but being able to use them as screwdriver handles delivers next-level functionality.
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This is a great product for general use, and also for minimalist EDC tool kits when you want a compact and customizable screwdriver.
I bought Vessel’s Japanese-version Ball Grip bit carriers, and they seem to work equally as well with US and EU power-style bits as they do with Japanese power-style bits, which have slightly longer shanks.
Press the spring-action plunger, the part the keyring passes through, to disengage the lock and remove screwdriver bits.
As the Japanese-style version works perfectly (in my experience) with US, EU, and Japan brands and styles of bits, it’s likely the English-language packaging card is the only difference between US and international model numbers.
Price: $10
Model: QB-22RU (USA), QB-22R (Japan)
Keep in mind that this is intended for use with 1/4″ hex power-style bits. I have found that it will also work with my 4″ insert-style bits, but I don’t have a wide variety of brands to test it with. Do NOT use this with short insert bits, they’ll get stuck.
The red version is available in the USA. If ordering from Amazon Japan (more on that here), there are a couple of other color choices.
Jared
Neat! I’m going to need to try one.
I really like Vessel’s ball drivers.
fred
I have a set of Vessel Ball drivers. They are made in Japan. I have them at my summer place – so i use them infrequently.
For this little gizmo – Vessel seems to have switched to having it made in China
fred
Snooping around a bit more on Amazon – it looks like some of Vessel ball drivers are made in Thailand
Robert
I hadn’t seen the keychain variety of this. I have 2 or the original Craftsman branded versions at the top. I like the fact that they’re not only super comfortable and ergonomic, but they’re good basic universal 1/4 inch handles. It can take any 2 inch or longer bits or accessories, double sided work equally well, and they work like a champ.
They keychain version looks useful and intriguing. Obviously not intended for the greater torque of the previous, but would be handy. What I would miss however would be the smaller rubberized handle portion of the original. It gives more of a sense of tactile control, and allows for fast installs.
Koko The Talking Ape
Looks great! The locking function is especially nice.
But I wonder why they didn’t design it for 1″ inset bits, and maybe allow some space in the handle for bit storage.
Robert
Don’t know about the keychain version, but you wouldn’t want to attempt a standard 1″ bit. Not sure how you’d ever retrieve it if pushed all the way in.
Robert
The original longer versions have a deep insert. A 1″ bit would sink entirely into the grip. Again, I haven’t seen the keychain version, but I wouldn’t expect much if any of the tip of a 1″ bit to extend through the tip of the handle.
I would probably just use a 2 inch double sided Phillips/Slotted and carry it as an EDC. It would also be nice with a small Wera bit set with the included magnetic bit holder. That would make for a nice little versatile EDC.
Koko The Talking Ape
Well, if it were designed to take a 1″ bit, the hole would be shallower.
cafo
From what I’ve seen searching the Japanese amazon, they don’t seem to like 1″ bits or the impact driver bit holders for some reason. Almost all the bits I saw for sell on there were 2″ or longer.
Adam
Love to find the ‘bit’ pictured that has the hole drilled for a split ring, but can’t find any… Any help?
Stuart
Amazon Japan: QB-AD Quick Catcher Key Adapter – https://amzn.to/3rb1on2
Amazon Japan: QB-KBAD Quick Catcher with Adapter – https://amzn.to/3xgDuKt
I have not yet seen it in the USA.
The price is currently ¥ 252 (~$2.03 USD). You have to order a minimum of 3.
its_jake
ok THAT is kinda pretty cool. i couldn’t picture it that way with the tip pointing in and being used as a quick release for your key until i saw the vessel graphic
Reed Prince
I bought a couple of these a while ago from Amazon Japan. I like them. YouTuber Bzeug reviewed these earlier this year, and his chief complaint was that the top part (that has the hole for the key ring) does not rotate independently. He felt this made it harder to use the bit holder as a driver handle.
Stuart
The ones that do rotate independently cannot be used as mini screwdriver handles.
For frequent screwdriving use, one could add a small clip for easy on-off keyring action.
Diego
Dang it Stu. I’m trying to save money over here.
Stuart
=)
Gregg
I carry a Veto Pro Pack. It has a D ring on the side and I put a bunch of these bit holders onto the D ring that way when I need a certain bit it’s right there where I can grab it
Kevin
I’ve got the Engineer one holding a #2 Phillips on my keyring. You can use it as a screwdriver by turning it by the keyring. Not as nice as it seems it may be with the Vessel, but good enough for light duty stuff that only needs loosened a couple turns before I can spin it out with the bare bit.
I like the idea of the Vessel one more as a stubby bitholder for the toolbox rather than the keychain.
Ray
I’ll probably pick up the Vessel to keep in the toolbox. My keychain is bulky enough as it is, and I carry Fix-it-Sticks which use 1″ bits. I would love some of the engineer bit holders to carry extras if only they could fit the 1″ bits.
Wayne R.
Gotta say that the #1/#3 combo tip should get more attention. Does it work as intended? If so, I’d like to see more options on that!
Tim B.
I’ve always liked the ball grip type drivers… I’ve got some going back as far as the old style “easydriver” type, which though gimmicky, I think gave way to a lot of the newer stuff. Have been wanting to pick up another newer modern set though, and like the look of the Vessel ones…
So here’s the big question: Anyone here ever use one of the racheting versions? If so… thoughts?
Stuart
The Easy Driver isn’t just old these days, it’s “vintage.”
Vessel’s ratcheting screwdrivers are decent – I bought one exactly two years ago – but they’re tricky.
The ratcheting ball-handle drivers are two-piece designs, with a stubby ratcheting handle and long mini tapered ball handle shaft.
“Replacement blade” selection is limited, and its versatility outside of Vessel ecosystem is limited.
I don’t have regrets, but the limited offerings reduce its utility compared to other brands’ more universal-style ratcheting screwdriver handles.
Jared
They do make a set of the ratcheting ball drivers with several different screwdriver tips (i.e. each ratcheting handle comes with a separate screwdriver shaft, all nicely laid out in a foam tray) – or you can buy a single (the PH2 always seems to be the cheapest when I’ve searched on Amazon).
I never really looked at how the blades are attached – I assumed the ratcheting ball would have a female 1/4″ hex that would be compatible with 2″ and larger power bits too. Is that not the case Stuart?
I was thinking of buying just the single PH2 to try out, then maybe use it with bits I already own. If that isn’t possible I’d like to know!
Stuart
Yes, I’ve seen the 5pc set (https://amzn.to/3E7aAOp), but what if you want Pozidriv? Torx? Robertson? Hex?
Mine works okay with 1″ insert bits, less ideal with longer insert bits, and terrible with 2″ or longer power bits, because they get stuck in the retention ring.
The interface is unique and very effective at reducing wobble.
It’s a beautifully elegant solution, but it is limited.
I’m not sure how I would compare this against other proprietary shank screwdriver systems.
I can’t show it in photos in a timely manner, but I’ll try to describe it.
The ratchet looks like a stubby ratchet driver with extended bit holder socket. The replacement blades have a male 1/4″ hex shank inside, but they also have a cylindrical female socket that fits the ratcheting component’s bit holder.
So, it’s a double connection. The 1/4″ hex shank is used for power transfer, and the cylindrical interface is used for alignment and presumably wobble reduction.
Like I said, it’s elegant. When you pull things apart, you can hear a finger-in-cheek-popping suction sound.
Things are okay with 1″ insert bits, but it feels clunky with the longer bits I have. And as mentioned it doesn’t mesh well with power-style bits.
You can kind of use the ratcheting handle outside of the included screwdriver “blade,” but I feel like it’s almost a “just in case” afterthought. The screwdriver shafts have much less utility on their own.
There’s another assortment where it gives you just 2 ratcheting heads – one color-coded for their Phillips blades, and the other color-coded for slotted. But, I’d sooner order the full set and then repurpose one or two of the ratcheting heads.
Even then, there might be better stubby ratcheting screwdrivers specifically designed for bit-driving compatibility.
Tim B.
Thanks, Stu – as always, all the info I was looking for! =)
Stuart
You’re very welcome!
Jared
Thanks!
Reed Prince
I have red and yellow Vessel ratcheting ball-handle drivers, and also Anex’s version, the 397-D. I admire the design of the Vessel drivers, but once I got the Anex it soon became the one I kept in my toolbag. It might just be the way I grip tools, but I have a tendency to inadvertently turn the Vessel’s rotation direction selector. And the Anex takes standard Japanese blades.