Klein sent over a magnetic wrist strap for review consideration. I put it aside thinking “I’ll be sure to test that soon!,” but I never quite came across a task that called for it.
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I’ve come to the idea that magnetic wrist straps are great in theory, but in practice they require some getting used to, at least for me.
I like the idea of magnetic wrist straps, although I don’t quite think I’d benefit from one. If you’ll need a couple of fasteners, the Klein magnetic wrist strap lets you bring them with you, and in a very easily accessible spot.
Me? I’ll bring an entire box of fasteners with me, or for parts that aren’t sharp, I might put them in my pocket.
I can see it being useful if you need a couple of parts while working up on a ladder.
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You don’t have to wear it – the strap is large enough to wrap around this 2″ x 2″ workbench leg. Klein marketing materials also show the magnetic wrist strap hanging off a tool bag.
Klein’s magnetic wrist strap seems to be well made, although I have barely tested its durability. It also seems larger than other brands of magnetic wrist straps I’ve seen, but I can’t be sure without doing direct comparisons.
It’s made with 1680d ballistic material with a mesh interior for greater user comfort, and secures via hook and loop closure. I tested the strength of the magnets with small fasteners and even small diameter threaded rod. This isn’t the product for holding large lag screws, but I would describe it as being reasonably capable. Are you really going to want to have lag bolts attached to your wrist?
I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m not really a magnetic wrist strap type of person. Maybe that will change someday, perhaps not. I started cleanup up again, and this is an accessory I’m finding both hard to love (due to personal habits and workflow preferences) and hard to give up. I’ve been trying to wrap it around workbench legs and tool bag handles.
You know, I could probably have used this today, or at least I probably should have tried harder to find a use for it. I was mounting wall cabinets in the basement and lost a screw on the floor. Maybe it would have still dropped if secured to my wrist, but maybe not.
So, let me ask you: How would you use this Klein magnetic wrist strap?
Price: $20
Buy Now via Amazon
Compare: MagnoGrip via Amazon
There are less expensive straps out there, but it looks to me that Klein’s is larger. Maybe it’s a little more robust?
Thank you to Klein for providing the review sample.
Mark Lee Shelton
I make custom cabinets. I use a ton of screws. I use magnetic stud finders. I store the stud finder in the chest pocket on my bucket bros bib. I use the magnet to hold the different screws I am using while working. Saves me a ton of time.
Popgun42
I have several kids I do maintenance work for. I am down on the floor or up on a. Ladder and only need a few fasterners. Often I will drop one and have to get up or get down to fetch it. Trying to hold the screw and hold something usually means drop. The screw always goes under something. With one of these at least it is secure.
Sam
I have one of those magnetic pouches that is indispensable. Magnogrip, the exact model I think has been discontinued but I’ve had it for years. I can either run my belt through it or use the pocket clip. Same story as (I imagine) anyone who is pro-magnets on here will say: saves time by holding onto screws securely. A wrist strap seems like it’d just get in my way. I need my arms and hands as free as possible, and anything has the potential to hamper movement or get stuck on things has no place in my work area. Those pouches are lifesavers though.
Amazon link of the closest version I can find to what I use:
https://smile.amazon.com/MagnoGrip-002-405-3-Pocket-Magnetic-Pouch/dp/B00P9AVTZG/
Jp
Have a non-Klein version. Never used, unsure why. I suffer from all the issues such a magnet is intended to fix, but I still don’t use it. Mine looks terribly uncomfortable, but I don’t think that’s why I ignore it either.
John
The key to the usefulness of any item is whether you have it with you when needed. I have several, one from Klein and one an off brand. I keep each wrapped on the handles of my most commonly used tool bags so if I grab a tool bag, then I see one is already attached. Even then I don’t always use it. They are bulkier than they need to be but are quite handy at times.
Champs
Seems better than using your mouth for fasteners, not just in quantity but with exterior treatments.
Scott K
This seems like the kind of thing that would be beneficial if you would rely on it- and therefore use it- regularly. Otherwise, I think it would end up at the bottom of a toolbox and you would only remember it’s there when you wish you had it. I would definitely not get use out of this, but if you’re often up a ladder or in awkward spaces, it seems handy.
Frank D
Looked at it in the past, seemed it might be useful, thought about it, waited … never thought about it again or even missed it. Between tool holders, magnet bas, tool belts and pockets … I don’t think I’m missing storage on my wrist … where I wear my smartwatch that already is not happy with utility gloves, winter gloves, …
Jason
I use the magnetic parts holder from harbor freight for 2.99. Cheap enough to have multiples to separate different screws or bolts.
VindalooDiesel
I use my strap on top of ladders. Light fixtures and wiring jobs, etc.
PJ
I have one of these screwed to the wall next to my garage door. Its just big enough to slap my keys on it and a small spiral notebook. Maybe not the intended purpose but I already owned it and was at least able to make use of it.
Just a Medic
Didn’t realize such gadgets existed. Mental note to buy one and try it next time I climb a ladder with screws. Wonder if it would fit on my forearm, a bit higher than the wrist, like a quarterback’s cheat sheet.
Bobby
I was hanging a shelf in my garage earlier tonight, and this would’ve been perfect. Better than keeping screws in my jacket pocket while on the ladder.
Mosh
I bought one (not klein) on amazon a few years ago the magnets are not strong enough but I like the idea or like ryobi has a magnet base on there drills…
Robert
Hmmm… If I had a wrist strap like that, it would have to have very capable neodymium magnets in it. Inside my work trailer I have large magnets magnetically attached to the top of my trailer (it’s metal) and that’s where all of my bits go that aren’t in a specific case. I probably have 30+ bits on the magnets and it makes it super easy to see and grab the bit I need.
However, many times I’ll be disassembling something that has Phillips, flat head and 5/16 hex screws used to put it together and invariably one of the bits goes into a pocket. This wrist strap could be set up with all my common bits (T25, #2 Phillips, Flat head, 1/4 and 5/16) so that I could just grab the whole thing, strap it on and not worry about whether I’ve got the right bit for what I’m doing.
But, once again, it would depend if the magnets were strong and could hold onto the bits securely.
Koko The Talking Ape
I have used a magnet attached to my belt at times. I put the magnet in in a little ziplock, so it doesn’t collect iron filings that are impossible to get off. Then I just clip it to my belt. Handy place to put a few screws when I am up on a ladder or something.
I wouldn’t like a magnet on my wrist, I think. It would pick up random stuff all the time, and if the magnet were powerful, it would pull on my wrist when near a big piece of steel. Or so I imagine.
Jared
The only time I imagine this being quite useful for me would be when on a ladder installing light fixtures. I usually stick fasteners in a pocket, but it would be nice to have a third hand. Otherwise though, I expect it would go for long periods unused – and perhaps longer still if I forgot to bring it with me for those times when it would be useful.
Kentwank
Have two different ones, both with inadequate magnets which have a limited grab area….. irritating. Handy when doing overhead work. The lame non stick areas are dumb. Do the people who design this stuff ever go test it? Live with the products for a day ? Working, grab some screws put them on and 3/4 of them fall off cause the magnate area is so small. Duh. Thought of putting some more magnates in but just use belt pouch or pockets.
Matt J.
My wife got me one last year for Christmas to keep me from storing screws and drill bits in my mouth (it’s a bad habit, I know…). When I remember it, it’s great. I just can’t always find it or it’s not worth the trouble to find…
Kentwank
To answer the question. Yes I would buy the Klein unit. Looks like lots of magnet area and Klein makes great products.
uin
Klein needs to add some pockets, like others have… maybe for version 2.0 🙂
Nathan
Like someone else said for years I seemed to always put 3-8 screws or bolts etc in my mouth when I would do some quick work. LIke that fan install example there. instead of going up and down on the short ladder or keeping the parts just out of reach from where I’m standing. I’ll put the 3 wire nuts in my mouth or such – do that step. Go down the ladder . . . . . . .
So a mag strap I would use as a hands placed mag parts tray like I use on the car.
Under the hood – or in the wheel well of a car I seems to put a mag tray on something steel – and then drop screws and bit on there.
Joe G
I would screw it to my ladder and use it to hold metal parts and light tools when I felt they might fall [such as when moving the ladder from one spot to another].
The What?
I couldn’t use something like this because I don’t like having something around my wrist. And it would be absolutely foolish for someone opt for this instead of a nail bag or a nail pouch when climbing a ladder. The only thing that I could see this being used for would be for holding my staples so I don’t stab my hand from getting them out of my nail bag pockets. I used to have a magnogrip hammer holster but I never saw any reason to use the magnetic thing cuz I’ve always used my nail bag for what this is supposed to be made for. If this had nickel sized rare earth magnets inside of the stitching it would be useful, but we all know that Klein didn’t make anything like that. Anything that can’t be contained in a pocket or box or in a bag or on a belt clip shouldn’t be going up the ladder.
Boggsy
Always have my pouch, but a little wrist magnet gets you the first screws in an– up the ladder, overhead sheet of 3/4 inch plywood just a few seconds faster. I’m a bit confused about your stipulations of ladder ascension and this not having a belt clip, or a box or whatnot… My screw pouch has snagged the ladder more than a wrist magnet ever has.
That said, just looking at it makes me sweat. Even the tiny harbor freight one makes me sweat. Even thinking about harbor freight makes me sweat.
Adam
Try this. Wear a shirt with a pocket. Stick a cheap strong magnet in it. Screws stick with ease to the outside.
adam
Wrapped around a drill or impact motor, it can be a nice addition to a value-engineered power tool. The old AVP wristband from Lowes, while too uncomfortable for flesh because of cheap velcro straps, fits perfectly around a Ridgid 12v impact.
GML
Seems like this would be perfect for crawling around in the roof or under the house with a bunch of screws/bolts that you will potentially need.
Charles F
I use them a lot, I keep one in my tool bag (not klein, the other usual suspect). I wear it on my right wrist and put screws on it when up a ladder. Works well for certain install situations.
Not a generally necessary item