Wera is usually known for their screwdrivers, but they are no stranger to mechanics tools. In recent years they have come out with their Zyklop ratchets and sockets, Koloss hammer ratchet, and mini ratchet bit driver. Their recent release is a new line of ratcheting wrenches.
Wera’s Joker combination wrenches feature a unique open-end design and conventional uni-directional ratcheting box-end. The wrench design is named after the Joker playing card, given its tendency to increase a player’s chance of winning a card game.
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The Wera Joker combination wrench is advertised as being vastly superior to ordinary wrenches. Wera says that the Joker is faster, better, more stylish, and can do a whole lot more.
Wera Joker Wrench Fastener Holding Function
The Joker’s open end features a fastener holding function that somewhat resembles the cap-stop function on some of Gearwrench’s ratcheting wrenches. The fastener holding function means that nuts and bolts can be held in the jaw with a stop-plate for easier positioning. This can potentially reduce the hassle sometimes associated with getting fasteners started.
If you don’t like the idea of a stop-plate, it looks to be removable via a small Torx-head machine screw.
Secure Fastener Grip
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In addition to the stop-plate making bolt and fastener installation easier, it also serves to prevent slippage when turning longer fasteners. It is incredibly frustrating to use wrenches on such fasteners where there is no top or bottom reference to keep the wrench in contact.
A ratchet and socket will typically work even better for this type of application, but if you can only use a wrench, the Joker should perform better than traditional designs.
Anti-Slip Double-Hex Open-End Wrench
Instead of parallel jaws, the Wera Joker wrench has a double-hex design, similar to that of a 12pt line wrench, to provide an improved fastener fit. The replaceable stop-plate features hardened gripping jaws that bite into stubborn, rusted, or rounded fasteners.
Very Small Return Angle
The Joker, with its double-hex jaws, has a 30° return angle. This means that the Joker’s open end can be effectively used even in confined areas. A traditional open-end wrench, with jaws angled 15° to the side, has a 60° return angle if used in one direction, and 30° range of motion if you flip the wrench over.
Fine-Tooth Ratcheting Box-End Wrench
Oh yea, and the wrench has a ratcheting 12pt box-end as well. Wera’s product literature and demonstrations minimize this feature, but it’s still nice to see. The fine-tooth ratcheting mechanism features 80-tooth gearing.
Wera Joker wrenches are available in metric sizes 10mm, 13mm, 17mm, and 19mm, and will be sold individually or as part of a 4-piece set.
Thanks to Dana for the emailed tip!
Here’s a nice demonstration video showing the Wera Joker in action:
lwlobo
New wrench designs get silly sometimes, but Wera’s got an interesting combination of ideas going here. I like the small return angle on the open end.
When is it going to be available? Any info on the price?
Stuart
The wrenches were just launched, and so I think it may be some time before they’re available in the USA. There’s also no word on pricing, but I’m hoping to find out later this week or next.
jesse
You should have said “resembles the CAP-stop function…”.
Stuart
Nice catch, thanks for the correction!
NCD
After watching the video, I do think this tool has a few positive merits. However, one would have to be quite inapt to swallow all that is presented. On more than one occasion the person using the wrench should have and could have used the box end or better yet a socket and ratchet. It reminds me “a bit” of the gimmicky tools Sears sells. Time will tell. JMO.
davidvnyc
hmm, i didn’t see any. unless you count part that demos the anti-slip open end.
Anthony
i thought wera actually finally figured out how to make a ratcheting open end ..i would kill for one of those.. this is an interesting design and i may be in for a set.
Chuck Forster
Craftsman has had them for a while. http://www.sears.com/craftsman-8-pc-inch-dual-ratcheting-wrench-set/p-00914755000P
jesse
You can get a lot of hits by searching YouTube for “ratcheting open end wrench.”
Anthony
i know i have them..the problem is they suck i.m.o….
Noah
@NCD
I thought the same thing, “Why not just get a socket wrench?”
I supposed making more corner cuts in the open ended side is an advancement tho.
AndrewC
I’ve been bitten before with gimmicky wrenches- still have a set of craftsman wrenches from 15 years ago that are similar to the linked dual ratcheting wrench set, except they didn’t have the black button on the open end side, so they are worthless for 95% of applications.
This Wera wrench seems pretty good however. It definitely overcomes the shortcomings of the craftsman dual ratcheting wrench- their open end had a very loose fit, no stop-plate, and needed a very long angle of motion to use.
The Wera has a tight fit, stop plate, and claims a low return angle.
Besides the gimmicky look and name, I only see one real issue with the design. I’ve never liked the straight ratcheting wrench design where you have to flip the wrench over, and prefer an offset design with a reversible toggle for the boxed end. You never have enough knuckle clearance with these straight designs, and the reversible toggle (don’t know the correct term) is much more user friendly.
Wantedabiggergarage
Are these going to be available in stubby form as well?
I am not sure I would consider these “gimicky” tools, but more specialized job tools (specific use tools, like the hidden nut on a 71 SuperBeetle starter).
Stuart
These were just announced, so there’s no telling what else might be in development.
Tool enthusist
I’ve several tools from Wera recently and every tool I’ve purchased works exceptionally great. I am going to be quite blunt though, yes some of products may have “gimmicks” but to be absolutely fair to Wera, some of these “gimmicks” on their products are actually quite helpful and Wera doesn’t use any more “gimmicks than any other company.
What I also like about Wera is that none of their products (including the value priced items) are created in where the physical company is located and the fact their prices are reasonable, even though there is often a large quantity of features on several of their items.
Their insulted screwdrivers/nutdrivers/slotted screwdrivers are easily the best on the market, not only because there are two variations on insulated line and are packaged with a weather proof/safety cap, but the insulation that is used is much more durable than any other insulated driver I’ve used in the past.
I really look forward to seeing a date on this product, as I am really impressed with this wrench. I have several wrenches (Craftsman, Crescent Wrench, etc) but with the exception potentially of my Crescent Wrench, I have yet to ever find a wrench this exciting, as I have with Wera’s.
Jim Toolguy
Get a set of 12 pt. flare nut wrenches and forget this garbage. Instead of a smattering of sizes, where is the confidence to produce a full set? For me, Wera and gimmicky are closely associated.
SteveR
Flare nut wrenches require you to have full access to a nut or the head of the bolt, which isn’t always possible in confined spaces. Wera downplays the closed end of these combination wrenches in their video, probably for that reason. The open end gets you in to start a fastener, which is often the difficult part.
I had just seen the video on Chad’s ToolBox, which apparently now has these in stock. There are larger sets available, too; the sets of four (SAE and metric) are composed of those sizes you might use most often (probably 75% of the time), but you can get a more complete set of either type as well.
SteveR
I didn’t realize this post was two years old when I sent the earlier response. Oops. As you can imagine, Amazon (and many others, probably) also have them available.
Johnny Peck
I have worked Heavy Industrial maintenance for 24 years. A real mechanic knows that when trying to remove a grade 8 bolt that has been in a machine for 15 years is going to be difficult to break loose. I, for one, would not use the Fine Tooth ratchet to break it loose. The JOKER’S open end would be good for this as you can put it on the bolt like a flare nut wrench to break it loose and finish removing it with the ratchet end. For all the Shade-Tree/Weekend mechanics (and you know who you are) leave the tool reviews to those of us that make our living using them. I am not saying that these are the perfect wrenches for everyone, but as a professional mechanic, I see the reason for the open end design and understand the cost associated with quality tools.
Robert
Wiem, że minęło już 8 lat od opublikowania tego tematu. Musiałem się pochwalić, że kupiłem sobie z ciekawości klucze Wera Joker rozmiar 13 i 10 mm. Są dość fajne, ale cena jest zbyt wysoka. Wykonanie pierwsza klasa, ale mógłym się bez nich obejść. Ale jak już je mam to nie oddam 🙂
https://i.postimg.cc/rsy0tXCX/IMG-2536.jpg
I know it has been 8 years since this topic was published. I had to boast that I bought a Wera Joker size 13 and 10 mm out of curiosity. They are pretty cool, but the price is too high. First class workmanship, but I could do without them. But if I have them, I won’t give them back 🙂
Robert
Dlaczego mój post nie został umieszczony ? 🙁
Stuart
Sorry about that! Something about your comment was flagged by the spam filter and it was sent straight to the spam folder. It might have been the way you linked to the image. Thanks for the alert, I was able to un-spam it.