Southwire Tools is coming out with a range of new Made-in-USA screwdrivers, as seen on Amazon and their social media channels.
It’s unclear as to whether there will be any sets, but so far we’ve seen a selection of screwdrivers and nutdrivers on Amazon, priced at ~$10 to $16 each, but that’s subject to change. (We’ve learned not to take Amazon preorder pricing too seriously.)
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Here are the common features, as taken from the Amazon product pages:
- 22% larger cushion-grip (compared to their previous generation screwdriver)
- Corrosion-resistant shank
- Tether hole for lanyard attachment
We reached out to Southwire hoping for more detailed information, but have not seen any press materials yet. We also haven’t seen any press materials about their new electrician’s hammer, but we’re hopeful we’ll learn more.
At the time of this posting, we can see listings for new Southwire Tools screwdrivers with Phillips, slotted, square, and SAE nutdriver tips.
The new Southwire USA-made screwdrivers are said to have a lifetime warranty.
Buy Now(Southwire USA-made Screwdrivers and Nutdrivers via Amazon)
Compare(Klein USA-made Screwdrivers via Amazon)
Discussion
Southwire first came out with a selection of USA-made wire cutters and strippers back in 2017, and I think new USA-made screwdrivers are welcome.
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The new tools definitely look to be quite different from the traditional cushion-grip screwdriver designs that electricians tend to gravitate towards. All of the Amazon listings describe the handles as being 22% larger than Southwire’s previous generation screwdrivers and nutdrivers. Assuming that they mean 22% wider, that could make them more comfortable for higher torque applications.
Personally, I’m not a fan of thicker screwdriver handles, but the tapered shape of these drivers do make them look welcoming and hand-friendly. All of Southwire’s product images show the tools being gripped in gloved hands, but I don’t think there’s any conclusion to draw from that.
Because of the lanyard hole, the screwdrivers don’t look to have full-length tangs, a potential downside for some users. Although, users who want this feature could also pick up a pair of inexpensive demo-style screwdrivers, which typically have full-length tangs and metal strike caps.
It’s a bigger deal that the product photos don’t show driver-end size identification. In other words, let’s say you have a couple of screwdrivers and nutdrivers in your tool pouch. Without driver-end size markings, how do you quickly determine which screwdriver you need to grab? This is a feature a lot of users consider a must-have.
It is also interesting that Amazon has the first product listings for these screwdrivers. At the time of this posting, Lowes’ website only shows the older style of Southwire cushion-grip screwdrivers, and none of these new models. The new Southwire hammer is currently shipping from Amazon, but still doesn’t appear on Lowes’ website.
Klein Comparison
If we’re talking about USA-made hand tools aimed at electrician’s, one of the first questions to ask is how they compare with Klein.
Price-wise, the Klein tools come in a bit lower, but that could still change. For instance, the Klein Phillips #2 screwdriver is (as of the time of this posting) $8.13 on Amazon, and eligible for extra $0.26 savings if you “clip” a coupon. The Southwire Phillips #2 screwdriver is currently listed at $11.93 at Amazon.
We don’t yet know the full scope of Southwire’s product launch, or whether they plan to release additional screwdriver styles down the road. Klein’s selection of screwdrivers and nutdrivers is quite mature, but I would guess than a few SKUs are the most popular by a large margin.
From what I could find, Southwire is launching two sizes of Phillips #2 screwdrivers. As evident from a quick Amazon search, Klein offers a larger selection of lengths and styles. Southwire has room to grow, and that also gives them potential opportunities to innovate and adapt to developing trends. For instance, Southwire gave their new drivers handle holes large enough for tool tethers and lanyards. If Klein is to offer the same functionality, they’d need to start from scratch with a new handle style.
Which would you rather use? A question like this is always hard to say without having both styles of screwdrivers in-hand, but personally I might like that the Southwire handles are cushion-gripped, rather than being cushion-wrapped. A lot of people favor Klein’s traditional screwdriver handle styling, but it has limitations. For instance, you need a roughly cylindrical shape. Southwire’s screwdrivers have a tapered geometry, which necessitates the molded cushion grip. I have really grown to like Euro-style screwdriver handles, which tend to have more complex geometries, and so neither style would be my first pick.
Buy Now(Southwire USA-made Screwdrivers and Nutdrivers via Amazon)
Compare(Klein USA-made Screwdrivers via Amazon)
It’s a big deal for Southwire to launch USA-made screwdrivers and nutdrivers, and it’s definitely welcome. Southwire has their work cut out for them if they’re to carve out a bigger chunk of the hand tool business. But I wonder – would they develop and launch new USA-made hand tools if they hadn’t already made inroads? They have made a lot of progress in five years, and I have the feeling they’re going to push forward, with more hand tools to come in the next five years.
The new Southwire screwdrivers look interesting. Hopefully Southwire can share more about these new screwdrivers and what went into them; we’ll report back if we learn more.
MT_Noob
Something I thought I’d never say… “that is an ugly screwdriver”. It would have to fit/feel perfect in my hand for me to buy one. It looks worse than cheap. I understand the desire to deign something that stands out. But this thing is just painful to look at. I’ll apologize in advance for being shallow, but I am just passing along my initial impressions of looking at this thing.
Vards Uzvards
And I like the look of these new Southwire handles! Usually I don’t even want to touch drivers which handles are colored red-and-black, like Milwaukee or Craftsman. But it might be because of proportions, not colors, for I have some red / red-and-black pieces from Felo and Wiha, and they look and feel very good.
MT_Noob
Thumbs up to Vards. It is a great time to be around. There are so many choices nowadays that everyone can find something they like. Personally no one has ever accused me of having good taste. So it is no surprise that other people might like the color and style even if I don’t.
Toolfreak
I’d also agree that the design actually looks pretty good, but I haven’t touched one yet so yeah, it’d have to be comfortable and functional to be useful.
The only thing I don’t like visually is the brown color Southwire uses. Brown. Geez.
I would have liked to see some other color for better visibility.
Hilton
I like the tether hole. Useful up a ladder or on scaffolding.
Just a pity there are no Pozidriv and Torx models.
Nathan
I was going to say it looked cheap too but I can’t put my finger on why.
meanwhile few questions – corrosion resistant. Do we think that means a form of SS shank? or Chromed?
Common I would see phillips slotted and torx heads so that should be interesting.
Not an electrician by trade but my preference when buying a standard screwdriver is to have one with a hex bolster or some method for applying additional torque if needed.
as far as size and type markings I wonder if those picture are a pre-production prototype?
Andrew
I noticed the top. The Klien has that extra grip tip and the southwire has nothing and looks like the buck fifty craftsman that anybody who has ever owned a tool has.
Stuart
It’s hard to say. Some of their other screwdrivers are described as having chrome-plated steel shafts, but some are described as having “chrome-plated stainless steel” shafts, which doesn’t make sense to me. So, I think that these are definitely chrome plated, but it’s less clear what’s under the surface.
In the product images, the end of the driver looks to be tapered to allow for the lanyard/tether hole, and I don’t see any size markings. They don’t show a clear end-on angle of the screwdrivers or nutdrivers. If they did have markings at the end, the product photos or feature slides would show it off.
Jared
Re: “…my preference when buying a standard screwdriver is to have one with a hex bolster or some method for applying additional torque if needed.”
Just use a second screw driver through the lanyard hole – now you have an impromptu T-handle.
Mike (the other one)
I like seeing another USA-made choice, but it’s gonna be a hard sell. Klein’s are trusted and cheaper too. The tether/peg hole is the only neat feature.
Really, the only reason Southwire tools exist is because you can’t get Klein tools at Lowe’s anymore.
Bob
Teather hole is nice but I wonder about durability if dropped on the top? Also it’s hard to tell from the pic if it’s wedge shaped or flat Like the tops of most screwdrivers? I’ll reserve final judgment till I get one in my hand.
My better screwdrivers are made from and marked Cr-v chrome vanadium. They are not chrome plated but rather the metal has chromium as part of its alloy (makes for a more wear resistant, tougher and corrosion resistant steal) Some were inexpensive Pratt and reed and some older Stanley’s etc. Chrome plated mystery metal is a nonstarter for me. If it’s good steel, and there certainly are some that are not very corrosion resistant they should call it out.
I applaud the made in USA. I’ll give them the once over if they show up in my big box store and see if the grip is agreeable.
Stuart
It’s possible these aren’t plated, since the previous drivers were imported and these new ones are produced in the USA.
Southwire still hasn’t issued a press release or official details, and so it’s impossible to say just yet.
Ed S
Are they gonna smell stinky in 10 years?
Nathan
Funny you mentioned CR-V steel. My better drivers are either CR-v or CR-MO-V S according to the markings.
I wonder if southwire is using something like that vs a SS bar. Klein I don’t think is – but then they are marketed for specific use and I suspect are better insulated.
Corey Moore
That looks ridiculous lol I view screwdrivers like pizza, in that even a bad screwdriver is still a decent screwdriver which will turn screws. I’m sincerely curious how much market revenue changes between companies based solely on their screwdriver offerings, it can’t be that significant over such a rudimentary tool. Yet companies routinely “renovate” their offerings and market the new models as significantly better than the previous/competition. I’ve moved to Wera, and appreciate them very much so, but I also see nothing at all wrong with Klein or anything really that has some grippy parts and a generally cylindrical form factor. This genuinely looks like a bad version of a screwdriver, though.
Christos X
I’ve been an electrician for almost 40 years and always used the Klein acetate rubber overmold screwdrivers. A few years back I switched to the now discontinued Klein “Journeyman” series. Slimmer profile handles with no overmold. I liked them. Also tried a few different Milwaukee sets and recently switched to Wiha, which I really like but wished the sizing was more consistent with traditional U.S. phillips and cabinet tip models. Most of my diversion from the original Kleins was based on fitting in my tool pouch better, a not unimportant consideration. As far as ergonomics, everyone is different and new handle geometry takes some getting used to. As mentioned above, any screwdriver will drive a screw. The real measure of how well it works is the longevity, durability, and comfort of that screwdriver. Again, everyone has different preferences. Most electricians use the traditional Kleins while most mechanics swear by Snap-On solid handles. Is one better than the other? You tell me.
Chris
Toolfreak
I’ve been pleasantly surprised that companies like Southwire, Tekton, etc are slowly offering more USA-made tools in their lineups.
I’d like to see the rest of the Southwire tool lineup be Made in the USA as well.
Pliers, testers, etc.
I wonder if they will be coming out with a USA-made set of insulated screwdrivers as well, using this same handle design/shape.
Madcapp
Looks interesting, but many soft-touch plastics just fall apart too quickly…it often becomes tacky over time, turning whatever item you have into useless junk. These days, anything coated with soft-touch plastics is immediately disqualified from me spending my hard earned money on.
Lynyrd
Yeah for USA Made. But, not a fan of screwdrivers in which the shank doesn’t extend into the handle at least halfway.
As much bad press that Acetate handles are getting these days Why Hard Plastic Screwdriver Handles Smell Like Vomit https://toolguyd.com/why-hard-plastic-screwdriver-handles-smell-like-vomit/ , it’s curious why Southwire went with this. It’s probably made by Pratt Read (Same company that makes screwdrivers for Klein).
Frankly the “smell” never bothered me, and in fact, when I open my screwdriver drawer of Made In USA Craftsman, it just reminds me of working with my Father in his shop.
KevinB
yeah thats the first thing I noticed, looks like it’s a 1/4 inch in there.
I got plenty of craftsman myself , the Acetate smell doesnt bother me, there’s been a few tools from HF that have an overwhelming burnt rubber smell that is too noxious for me, I air them out in the garage.
Noah
I wonder if these are the same Western Forge shaft most USA drivers use or if they have a new OEM. I’ll certainly grab a P2 at some point.
PeterC
Does any US manufacturer make a screw driver that is designed for the JIS cross head design? I never understood why most Phillips screwdrivers cammed out and ruined many deck and motorcycle screw heads. Then I learned that the JIS standard is significantly different. It is why many desk screw makers include a cross head bit in their packages.
Bobby
Interested in how the handles are. My gripe about Klein is the rubber seems to break apart after some use.
Rick C
These appear reminiscent of Milwaukee’s gen 2 cushion grip drivers, so they should feel good in the hand for those who don’t like hard handles. The Milwaukees have more constant diameter handles, hex bolsters, and a small section of knurling on the shanks.