Wera’s 2023 advent calendar tool set is now available.
We got an early look at this year’s Wera advent calendar a few months ago, and it’s now in-stock and shipping at US tool dealers.
Supplies are likely limited to what dealers have on-hand, with KC Tool’s product page saying that the tool set is not backorderable.
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You have a bit of time to think things over, but Wera’s advent calendars usually sell out ahead of the holiday shopping season.
The Wera 2023 advent calendar, 05136607001, comes with a 9-tool metric hex key set, micro screwdriver handle with 6 bits, screwdriver handle with 5 double-ended bits, slide-on screw retainer, bottle opener, fabric case for the screwdrivers, and a holder for the hex keys.
The hex keys have an ordinary appearance, with straight hex tips at both short and long ends, and a plain finish.
However, look at that case! The holder can rest flat on a benchtop or tool cart, with the tools upright and ready for picking up, or it can be wall-mounted.
And, should you need the tools to come with you, the holder can be quickly removed from its wall-mount for portability.
That seems pretty cool, and I don’t believe I’ve seen any hex key set organizers quite like this before.
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You also get a micro screwdriver bit holder and what looks to be a standard bit holder, plus a selection of bits for both.
Price: $84.57
As usual, this looks to be a decent introduction to Wera tools, and it might also offer enough to appeal to users who might already own a bunch of tools from the brand.
In my opinion, the hex key set holder is the star of the show. It also seems like great inspiration for a 3D printed solution for users already happy with the hex key sets they already have.
Will there be any Discounts or Deals?
A good question came up when I posted an early first-look in April.
Dan asked:
I remember picking up one of these calendars a few years ago at a greatly reduced price – it’s a great little tool set. Are there currently deals to be had on past year’s calendars in case I don’t want to wait until the fall to order this one?
Amazon has in the past discounted past years’ Wera calendar tool sets towards the end of their holiday shopping seasons, into the new year, and even considerably later. For example, Amazon had the 2019 advent calendar on sale for Prime Day 2021.
However, independent retailers regularly sell out of the Wera advent calendar by November.
I checked for 2021 and 2022 tool set availability after they sold out, and never saw them restocked anywhere, let alone discounted.
From what we have seen these past two years, there is a greater chance the 2023 calendar will sell out without it being discounted.
If you don’t care about the timing (this is a tool-a-day advent calendar) and just want the tool set, I’d say there are two potential paths to choose from.
If you buy now, there is a chance the price might drop in December so that remaining inventory – as this is a seasonal item – can be cleared out quickly. If you wait until December for a discount, there is a chance that the set will sell out before you can order it at any price.
Which would be more regretful, finding out you could have saved some money if you waited, or waiting and not being able to buy the set at all?
In my opinion, if you’re comfortable with the price, go ahead and order a set. If you’re not, sleep on it for a bit and then decide. If you wait too long and miss out, there are some unique and very cool aspects to this set, as well as the special colorway, but there are plenty of other tools in Wera and other brands’ catalogs that match this set’s general functions.
If anyone needs help being pushed off the fence to one side or the other, just let me know which way you’re leaning and in which direction you’d like a shove.
Jared
Do the hex keys have slightly concave flats? Some of Wera’s square drive screwdrivers do – and I’ve found it helpful, especially when trying to insert the tip into a rusted or painted-over fastener. The rendering makes it look like the hex keys might have a similar treatment.
E.g.: https://i.redd.it/nvovcdvxrax51.jpg
Stuart
Wera’s 950 L hex keys are advertised as having Hex-Plus geometry (except for 1.5mm), and so the tip corners are likely eased.
via Wera’s brochure (PDF):
“9 chrome-plated L-keys with Hex-Plus advantage preventing rounded screws”
Jerry
Wera Hex Plus are the best I have ever found for preventing cam-out. If I remember right, they were top rated by Project Farm, for the same reason.
Jared
This toolset isn’t really exciting me, but knowing the L-keys have “hex-plus” geometry does make it slightly more appealing.
I’d wager Mac’s “RBRT” hex design is king these days (also available from Proto and “half” of that same design on Craftsman V-series).
fred
Chad’s Toolbox is listing it too at the same price:
If I were buying one – it would be at KC Tool – based on their typically good service.
I’m also starting to see listings for the Hazet 2023 Advent Calendar – but only at EU sources so far:
https://www.conrad.com/p/hazet-santa-tools-2023-tools-advent-calendar-2797622
The same goes for Gedore:
https://www.conrad.com/p/gedore-red-r33003044-adventskalender-2023-tools-advent-calendar-2865536
Vendors like, KC. Chads, Haus of Tools may offer them later this year.
Eric
Those look like they would be much more useful sets, and at a better price.
rob masek
I want like 10 of those holders for all my machines for 13 piece imperial Allen sets.
Stuart
Hopefully Wera will make them available as part of their regular lineup, and even better as an add-on accessory that can be used with other brands’ hex key sets.
Alex
Worth mentioning that the Wiha Drive-Loc is a much better implementation of the sort of multi-blade screwdriver system offered by the Wera Vario here. Though, I’ve had issues with the flat head blades breaking on both of them when I used them daily.
TonyT
Wera and Wiha make compatible 6mm blades; I have both, and so far like the Wera ones better – double ended, with better finish.
Adam
Not as drawn in as past years. I feel the tool selection has a little less flair to it, along side a price increase. Maybe if the hex keys were colored, I’d feel a little better.
Probably doesn’t help I already have that color bottle opener
Eric
The hex bit holder is intriguing, and I wouldn’t mind having them in metric and sae. I can’t see being able to justify paying that much for this kit though. Maybe if they had some of the higher end hex wrenches. Instead of what appear to be pretty basic entry level wrenches.
TomD
I’ve seen some hex key holders that are magnetic – I wonder if this one is strong enough to pull a key out with one hand when it’s mounted without it popping off.
Dennis
Wouldn’t be a Wera advent calendar without a bottle opener. I love German tools. I love their tool advent calendars (particularly at clearance price, a couple months after Christmas).
But every year with the bottle openers, enough already.
MKY
Stuart –
“… there are plenty of other tools in Wera and other brands’ catalogs that match this set’s general functional.” ***functionality*** ?
Stuart
Sorry – *functions*