If you’re of a certain age, you distinctly remember the clear, color-coded acetate handles that used to be staples of Craftsman screwdrivers. A Colorado-based company called Western Forge manufactured them from the mid-1960s through the beginning of the 21st century, and they became synonymous with the many Craftsman screwdriver kits introduced over time. In addition to making Craftsman’s screwdrivers instantly recognizable, they also seemed indestructible, further cementing their legacy within the tool industry.
Unfortunately, you can’t find brand-new Craftsman screwdriver sets featuring the same Western Forge handles anymore, since this company no longer exists. However, Craftsman routinely goes back to its roots and releases screwdriver sets, such as the Craftsman 14-Piece Screwdriver Set, that include handles that look similar to the WF ones used for so long. You can get a better look at the 14-piece set, which has a near-perfect rating at Amazon thanks to over 1,700 five-star reviews, for a low price of just $36 right now, down from its regular retail price of $50.
This high-quality Craftsman set comes with a full complement of screwdrivers in a variety of Phillips (#0 x 2.5-inch, #1 x 1.5-inch, #1 x 3-inch, #2 x 4-inch, #2 x 6-inch, and #2 x 8-in) and slotted (1/8-inch x 2.5-inch, 1/8-inch x 4-inch, 3/16-inch x 1.5-inch, 3/16-inch x 4-inch, 3/16-inch x 6-inch, 3/16-inch x 9-inch, 1/4-inch x 4-inch, and 1/4-inch x 6-inch) sizes. These screwdrivers boast alloy-steel blades that go through a heat-treating process to enhance their strength and durability. They’re also coated with satin-nickel finishes to minimize rust and corrosion.
But if you’re buying these, it’s probably at least partly because of their handles — and they don’t disappoint. They’re comfort-optimized handles designed to help with both high- and low-torque applications. More importantly, they take on the appearance of Craftsman screwdrivers released 60 years ago, which is a welcome touch for anyone who grew up using these tools.
“When nostalgia meets usefulness,” one reviewer wrote. “This set brings back a lot of great memories of being a young, dumb kid who never said no to trying to fix something. Now, I’m just an old, dumb kid doing the same thing, and I’m happy to report that these screwdrivers still look like they will provide many years of service.”
You don’t need to be a long-time Craftsman user to appreciate this set, either. “It’s a top-notch product that offers exceptional quality,” another shopper added. “It’s hard to find a better set for the price, and it’s a must-have for anyone who needs reliable and effective screwdrivers.”
Deals We’re Loving
- Craftsman 2-Piece Flat-Head Screwdriver Pack, $14 (was $36) at Amazon
- Craftsman 44-Piece Ratcheting Screwdriver Set, $20 (was $31) at Amazon
- Craftsman 20-Piece T-Handle Ratcheting Wrench Set, $23 (was $32) at Amazon
The Craftsman 14-Piece Screwdriver Set is 29% off at Amazon. Order one today and enjoy taking a trip down memory lane when it arrives.
About the author
Chris Yuscavage
Commerce Writer, Autoblog