Yep, the crapsman develop that odor when equipped with that acetate handle. I don't associate that smell with vomit though. It is an acquired taste. I buy Klein now but would agree the Snap On classic handled drivers I like as well.

Wiha- currently on sale:

https://www.wihatools.com/on-s...wdriver-12-piece-set

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:
Wiha

Wiha, indeed!

Thank you all for the recommendations.

As far as smelling the craftsman, I can smell it when I open the drawer.
It is truly disgusting.

I had a few in a portable tool box I keep in my truck.
Having that smell using the portable was the last straw.
No lining in the portable tool box.

I have a set of wood handled Grace, but those are strictly for my firearms.

I ended buying Klein:

Screwdriver and Nut Driver 11-in-1 Multi Tool, 32500

https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod...=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Screwdriver Set 8 Piece, 4 Phillips and 4 Flat Head Tips, d Klein Tools 85078

https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod...=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Long Blade Screwdriver Set, 10-Inch, 2-Piece Klein Tools 85072
I have a long handled #2 Philips that has been a favorite for years.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod...=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1


Total was $106.63 for all 3 on Amazon.
I had $11.30 on Amazon rewards so it totaled $95.53..

I don't mind paying for good tools.
But I've had enough of the Craftsman stink.

The clear Craftsman screwdrivers do have a smell, but there are a lot of other Craftsman ones that don't.

Snap-on ratcheting screwdrivers with interchangeable bits are very useful. I keep those and the fixed snap-ons, but also have a number of Craftsmans.

You can never have enough screwdrivers.

I can honestly say I've never smelled a screw driver in all my life.

quote:

Originally posted by Blume9mm:
I can honestly say I've never smelled a screw driver in all my life.

It's not about putting one close to your nose and sniffing. If you have them in a tool chest, the odor is very obvious when you open the drawer.

quote:

Originally posted by hrcjon:
I think wiha is the best price performance of the bunch. However for real work I still prefer snapon but if you are doing ok on craftsman you will be really really happy with wiha. On amazon.

^^^^^
This!

I had the stinky Craftsman screwdrivers as well, sold mine in a garage sale recently.

We had to bring all of our tools home from work since the company I work for requires us to use the ones they provide. All my screwdrivers are Snap-On which are good but no way I would drop that kind of money for them now. If I needed a new set of any kind of tools I would go to Home Depot or Lowe's.

Maybe go for the used condom smell?

Grip Dip

Ahhh, you guys do know that you can wash the Craftsman handles in warm water and detergent. It gets rid of the odor (for me).

I don't think any Craftsman tool is the "absolute top of the line" in quality. However, I do not discard/sell-off any serviceable tool that can be repaired/refurbished/repurposed.

My mother was a "McFrugal"

I just went out and sniffed my Craftsman screwdrivers......no odor what so ever. Mine are in a rack over my work bench, and not in a toolbox drawer. The age of mine run from 25-50 years old. I don't own any "new" ones.

quote:

Originally posted by pillboxesghost:
Ahhh, you guys do know that you can wash the Craftsman handles in warm water and detergent. It gets rid of the odor (for me).

The ones in question are gassing off. Mine have all been washed in water, solvent, acetone, and all kinds of other shop chemicals; the smell remains.

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:
When tool handles made of Cellulose Acetate Butyrate break down it produces Butyric Acid. Butyric acid gives vomit its distinctive odor.

Wiha is good stuff.

Facinating. I’ve wondered about the puke smell for years. Thought something died in my toolbox.

Any love for US made Tekton and their 3 sided handles?

Being a gun nut I have several screwdriver sets. First dedicated gun screwdrivers was a hollowground set of wood handeled by grace (if I remember correctly), next I bought a Chapman set, over the years I have picked up several other sets.

Since I lose them long before I wear them out, I haven't usually bought good screwdrivers. I can see the appeal, though... you can sure tell the difference when you're using one.

Let us know what you buy; you may start a rush.

quote:

Originally posted by whanson_wi:

Let us know what you buy; you may start a rush.

If you'd look a few posts up you'd find the OP said he bought Klein.

My wife hates the Craftsman screwdriver smell. I don't think it is that bad, mine are from the late 90s, my dad's from the 1970s-1980s do not have the smell. I blame the EPA, the old scent-free ones were probably made of leaded asbestos dipped in DDT.