I have more screwdrivers than I do bones, yet I’m still on the lookout for the perfect EDC driver. Although not perfect, the Wera Kraftform Kompakt 25 comes pretty darn close.
The Kompakt 25 features a hidden bit compartment that is revealed with the push of a button, and an extendable shaft Rapidaptor locking bit adapter. The screwdriver is compact but still a little large for pocket-carry, but it does come with a nice low-profile belt pouch. Also included are 6 standard-size insert bits – 3 slotted and 3 Phillips.
Buy Now(via Amazon)
Average street price is $30-40.
If I need a more compact screwdriver or one with greater bit-holding capacity, I still have my trusty PB Swiss Insider. But to be honest, the Wera Kraftform-style handle is much more comfortable.
I’ve found my perfect EDC driver in the Picquic Dash 7. I bought one at Sears a few months ago for under $10. It has 7 bits: 3 philips, 2 slot & 2 square. There are 6 bit storage slots in the handle. Bits are removed by using the 7th to push the others out. That keeps you from setting them down and losing them.
The bits are good quality steel, not brittle at all. They’re long enough to get at recessed screws. And the magnet is strong enough to hold them. The screwdriver shank has a hex bolster for extra torque and a handle that doesn’t allow it to roll off easily when set on a flat surface.
The 7th bit can also be stored by doubling up with one of the 6 in the handle. That makes it about 4.5″ which is plenty short for pocket carry. I don’t know how it compares to the Kompakt 25 in terms of size but I carry it in my front pocket all the time.
Ringo,
I’ve seen the Wera and completely agree with you. The Wera might be my choice if the prices were similar. Then again, maybe not. Regardless of that, $30.00 for the Wera compared to the Picquic for less than $10.00 makes the Picquic a great choice. Although the Picquic doesn’t have a locking chuck, it’s still a standard 1/4 in system. It’s handy, and I think even easier to carry. In addition, in some ways I like the magnet in the Picquic better anyway.
If something happens to the Picquic, you can walk in to most Sears stores and buy the Dash 7. I have an original Sixpac Plus and a Dash 7 and love them both. The Wera’s are great, but I don’t love them 30 bucks worth.
Robert
I have a few Picquics as well, and you’re both right – they are very economical drivers without any sacrifice in quality. They’re not perfect, though – the full-size drivers takes long 1/4″ hex power bits, and this can limit bit selection at times. I don’t have long hex or Torx bits, but I do have plenty of 1″ ones.
I scored my Kompakt 25 for $20 during a random short-lived sale on Amazon. Is it worth twice the price of a Picquic? Absolutely.
Bear in mind that the removable locking quick-change bit holder itself is normally priced at about $15. I have actually used it with a cordless drill a couple of times when my small Rapidaptor was too short for the task at hand and I couldn’t find any of my longer magnetic bit holders.
If I could find it at $20-25, I’d buy another one should I lose mine. At $9 on sale, I ordered two Picquic Sixpacs. I like the Picquics, but they don’t really hold their own against the Wera Kompakt.
I see your points Stuart. Whether or not somethings is worth the price however, is a subjective thing. We’ll have to agree to disagree on that one. I’m sure that Ringo is aware, as am I, of the limited availability of hex bits in the 3 inch variety. Nonetheless, they all have their perspective advantages and disadvantages. Let’s face it, the same tools are used by many people every day for countless reasons. The advantage of removing the shank for example and chucking it into a drill driver, is great of that’s your intention. For many of us though, it may not be. If you’re carrying the Wera because it’s compact and primarily for incidental tasks, many of us don’t carry about that under those circumstances anyway. I’m not exactly concerned about my drill driver if I’m carrying it as the “Leatherman” of the screwdriver world.
If you encounter a deep pocket screw that would otherwise call for a standard driver, I’ll promise that you’ll be better of with a three inch bit as opposed to the chuck on the Wera. In fact, that’s one of the biggest claims to fame for the Picquic. As far as quality overall, I also don’t buy that the Wera is vastly better. Now the bits that come with the Wera absolutely are. That not up for much debate.
I’ve personally examined the Wera and the Picquic. I’ve had issues with bits occasionally hanging up in the Wera chuck. I’ve never had a solitary issue with the Picquic. I do like the Wera, and would like having one for a some incidental tasks. I purchased one for a friend as a birthday gift. I wouldn’t have purchased it if I didn’t think it was a quality tool.
Different tools are great for different people. I’m not making a blanket statement that the Picquic is better for that reason. By that same token, I don’t take stock in blanket statements to the reverse. When you get down to it, we’re just discussing personal preferences. That said, I personally wouldn’t pay $30.00 for the Wera, at least for myself. For the $20.00 you mentioned, I might consider it.
Overall I still prefer the advantages of the Picquic Dash 7 over the advantages of the Wera. Incidentally, I’ve mixed 2 different types of Picquic drivers into those points. Obviously the Dash 7 has 2″ and not 3″ bits like the full size models. Then again, the 2″ are also much more obtainable.
Robert