Amazon is holding what they describe as an Overstock sale on this Wera Zyklop Pocket ratchet set.
At the time of this posting, there’s a countdown showing that 28% of the allotment has been claimed so far. If this was on your shopping list, you might want to act fast.
The Wera Zyklop Pocket ratchet combines some of the best aspects from two of my favorite Wera tools.
Advertisement
At the front end, it has a pivoting ratchet head with 5 locking positions – similar to the Zyklop Speed ratchet – but instead of just a standard 3/8″ square drive anvil, it has a 3/8″ square drive with a built-in 1/4″ hex recess for holding screwdriver bits.
At the rear, there’s an extendable bit holder cartridge with space for (12) insert-style screwdriver bits.
This version of the Zyklop Pocket comes with (2) Phillips, (2) Pozidriv, (4) Torx, and (4) metric Hex-Plus screwdriver bits.
The bit holder cartridge can spin and even pivot a little bit, for easier bit access.
The ratchet has a 72T fine-tooth design with 5° minimal arc swing. Thanks to the pivoting head, it can be used inline for quick turning in the same manner as a screwdriver, and then switched to a right angle (or an intermediate angle) mode for use as a traditional ratchet for higher torque deliver.
There are other configurations that come with a couple of sockets, but this one only comes with the ratchet and (12) screwdriver bits.
Advertisement
Sale Price: $80.70
I bought one when it came out, and it has grown on me. It’s half multi-bit pocket screwdriver, half swivel-head bit ratchet. The handle doesn’t have the best-ever ergonomics, but I can overlook that for its 2-in-1 convenience.
Other Configurations
Pocket Ratchet w/ Imperial Bit Loadout – via Amazon | KC Tool
Pocket Ratchet Metric Kit – via Amazon | KC Tool | Acme Tools
Pocket Ratchet Imperial Kit – via Amazon | KC Tool
Sold Out? Consider the Wera Kraftform Kompakt
If or when the Zyklop Pocket sale sells out, or if you’re looking for something different, consider the Wera Kraftform Kompakt, which is one of my favorite multi-bit screwdrivers.
Not only is it a multi-bit screwdriver, the locking bit holder can extended to different lengths, or be removed for use with a cordless drill or screwdriver in a pinch.
It comes with the handle, Rapidaptor style bit holder, (6) screwdriver bits, and a belt pouch.
I bought this version a while ago, and it came with Phillips and slotted bits. You can swap 1/4″ hex bits as you wish.
You might want to wait until next week, as the Kraftform Kompakt sometimes goes on sale for Black Friday.
Ian M
Don’t know what time you posted this but it’s out of stock already
Stuart
I don’t know what you’re seeing, but I see it as still available at only 41% claimed.
I checked when signed in and in a private browser window – it’s still available in both, meaning it’s not a Prime-only deal.
In-stock and available for delivery as soon as tomorrow.
Ian M
Maybe it’s my region but I am still showing out of stock.
I am in New Zealand but regularly buy tools from Amazon due to how much cheaper they are than buying locally.
All my current Wera tools were bought on Amazon.
Stuart
It’s over now.
It could be regional, but if you were shopping Amazon.com, it should have showed the same price. I wonder if it tried to default to a different seller.
Scott K
Still available as only 43% have been claimed. Also available from a 3rd party seller for ~$74.
dcoleman88
Stuart – Is the description supposed to read “… 3/8″ square drive with 1/4″ hex recess”?
Stuart
Sorry – yes, thank you!
3/8″ drive.
1/4″ doesn’t have enough wall depth for a 1/4″ hex recess.
Blocky
Does it have a center, non-ratcheting position?
Stuart
No.
BigTimeTommy
Use Wera chiseldrivers daily and I’m kind of embarrassed to be seen with them considering how they just don’t deliver the quality I’d expect for such an outrageously expensive brand. Probably have to make up for the inflated marketing budget, paying all the viral marketers they have on Reddit etc can’t be cheap.
fred
Before the Pandemic hit, I was in Germany looking for a Wera socket wrench set that an in-law had on their wish list. The folks I talked to in my search were certainly willing to get me the set – but all seemed incredulous that I wanted Wera instead of what they thought were much superior tools like Stahlwille or Hazet. For my part, I like Wera screwdrivers and bits – but some of their other tools look (I have no firsthand experience) a bit too plasticky for my tastes. They certainly do seem to promote themselves pretty well on this side of the pond.
BigTimeTommy
I worked as a technician at a company where guys loved spending entire paychecks on the “best” tools and plastic boxes. One of the guys was Wera obsessed so I had opportunities to try this ratchet and some other bit holders. They all felt like cheap garbage. I had to pretend it was great stuff because guys would get really upset if you don’t love the tool they spent 4+ hours of wages on.
Rog
I never understood the Wiha and Wera obsession. Especially tools like this, just look like cheap gimmicky things we’d mock if they came from Temu.
Jared
This conversation thread has some HARSH criticism of Wera in my opinion. I don’t think that’s merited…
I can agree with the proposition that Wera tends to be pretty expensive for what you get, but that doesn’t make it “garbage” or a Temu product.
Their laser tipped screwdrivers are quite good, as is the “hex plus” tip design. I can get a six-pack of screwdrivers in Canada for ~$25-29, hardly outrageous pricing.
Lots of Wera tools are pretty novel too (like the subject of this post, for example). That won’t work for everyone, but it’s neat.
They also make lots and lots of tailored “kits”. Totally useless for someone working out of a tool chest, but if your work is mobile – it’s a different story.
JD
For me it’s the bits. Especially for torx, both Were and Wiha fit better than the brands I used to use. I like Weras lasertips. I got a set for $29 a few black Fridays ago. For most of their other tools, I just don’t see the appeal. The ratchets seem great, but they are too chunky for precision work in hard to reach areas.
I think their tool kits might be good for maintenance techs who need a compact package, but that not me.
BigTimeTommy
@JD
The tool kits are handy but you can assemble a high quality kit on your own without overpaying. Personally this stuff is all going into my pockets or a little bag if I’m walking into a place for a quick job, so there’s no real reason for me to pay extra to put it in a nice little gimmick case.
James
I’m not ragging on Wera in general. My experience with them is very limited and I don’t have any of their tools.
However, I was VERY disappointed with the build quality of the product that i thought was going to be a daily user for me. Like it honestly felt like a dollar store tool. I tried a couple more Wera tools in my hand while I was there and none really impressed but this one was the worst. Flimsy.
I was going to pick up a Bit-check at the same time because I’ve had my eye on that for a while, but I was turned off completely.
I have to say their Allen keys still look really nice, except they’re missing a couple of key SAE sizes which is once again a turn off at their price points.
James
After a bit of online digging I thought this was going to be my every day pocket multi driver. I actually got excited about it and then went to my local tool store, picked it up, and put it right back down. Feels super cheap. $100 is highway robbery for a kitchen drawer multidriver.
Instead I picked up a Klein 14in1 which is a little bulkier in my pocket than I would like but has lots of nice features and I can torque it until my elbow ligaments tear..
If someone knows of a compact but full length multidriver that beats the 14in1 for every day pocket carry, I’m all ears.
Koko The Talking Ape
Wera’s Kompact pouch set is a bitholding screwdriver with retracting shaft. Only six bits though, and it doesn’t ratchet (though the holder locks onto bits.)
https://www.amazon.com/Wera-05051024001-Kraftform-BithoCSLDing-Screwdriver/dp/B001HSNHM2/?th=1
And not really a screwdriver, Wiha makes a set with 26 bits in a nice little case, with square drive adapter, bit holder extension, and ratchet style handle. Pocketable but maybe a bit thick, like a candy bar. Comes with a wide variety of bits (metric hex, Pozidriv) but you can swap in your own, of course. Everybody who sees mine wants one. 🙂
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MVNQ2KZ/
Leo B.
Check out Picquic for a compact screwdriver with a good bit selection.
Koko The Talking Ape
Oops, Stuart mentioned the Kompact in the article. Never mind!
James
I like the look of that Wiha kit. I find that the form of a screwdriver is generally better for technician work where I have screws sometimes in hard to reach places. I do like how many bits the case stores and I wonder if you could throw in a couple of 3/8 & 5/16 but drivers..
I’m not a huge fan of Picquik for a couple of reasons: I don’t really like the way the bits are stored (couldn’t tell you why – maybe traumatized by some poor quality copycats loaded down with rusty bits….) and I also don’t gravitate to the hard handle and prefer a handle that feels nice. I do have a couple of stubby’s that sit in tool bags hoping for a little bit of work one day, but as with all my stubby’s, they very rarely get pulled (although when you need them they’re the ticket!).
Today I was using my Klein 14in1 and the bit holder / reversible nut driver fell off into a big garbage can…strangely the bit stayed on the magnetic tip…I dug through the garbage and found it but although it’s the best I’ve found the screwdriver isn’t perfect.
James Potter
Hi – not trying to start a war here – but what exactly felt cheap to you? I have one and it feels pretty solid to me. Good weight, comfortable/solid grip. At first I thought the “lock” was off on some of the non-0/90 degree angles until I realized those were intermediate spots it wasn’t supposed to lock on. I can also agree that the wobble on the bit holder when extended feels a little odd at first, but haven’t noticed any durability problems. I’m not expecting it to be a primary/100% solid socket or bit driver but rather a reasonable all around multi-use tool. It sounds like that is what you were after as well. And you are comparing it to the Klein 14 in 1 , which is a fine tool, but with much less functionality.
James
@James Potter: I appreciate my thoughts and opinions being challenged.
My first impression was that the handle was small and weak. I felt like I could break the handle if I squeezed too hard. While this probably isn’t true, it gave me immediate doubts about needing to reef on a fastener that is super tight. Although it did seem like it would fit ok in my pocket..
Second, I opened the bit holder, and several bits (the bits do seem really nice) fell on the floor of the store. Had it been rattled loose in transport? Did I open it too fast? I don’t know, but that whole floppy wobbly mechanism coupled with the bits on the floor was very disappointing.
Third, the ratcheting mechanism seems nice but forcing me to ratchet (there is no middle lock position) is odd and seems like an oversight.
Then, just beside the Wera collection was the Klein stuff and I saw the 14in1 for $30 which I’ve always turned away from before because of the random bit selection (I’ve now just put the bits I want there) that comes with it. In terms of functionality, no ratchet, no 90 degree drive, more of a basic screwdriver, albeit one that comes with an extending shaft and two nut drivers (the 5/16” nut driver is a daily user for me). Bit storage is simple but solid. Klein handles are fantastic for my hands, although the handle is a little bit big in my pocket…compromise…
I really wanted to like the Wera. And when Stuart posted this I did another dive to see if I was being silly, but I just can’t shake that feeling I had of being able to break the handle. 1 star reviews are typically part of my buying process and there are several reports of this item breaking, which contributed to my thoughts no doubt. What’s your experience? Is it durable?
James Potter
James – Thanks for the long and thoughtful reply – I’m glad you took my question with the intent in which it was delivered. And if I wasn’t clear in my first post, I agree that Klein handles definitely feel beefier than this handle. And this handle also has some dimensionality to it that isn’t quite as nice as Wera’s standard screwdriver handles. And what I didn’t say before but should have is, yeah, price on pretty much anything Wera is probably higher than it should be.
As to my experience – is it durable? It has been for me, but I have to stress I did not pick this up for heavy use – I’ll stick to dedicated screwdrivers and ratchets for that. I got this more to toss in my desk drawer with a small socket rail and in that capacity it has been great. I pull it out for small jobs when I’m too lazy to walk down a couple flights of stairs to the basement to get a “real” tool 😉 And like you, the wobble on the bit holder when open gave me a lot of pause, but it has held up so far and the bits are still tight. So it is durable enough for this purpose.
So, assuming you can get past the high cost, I think it really comes down to your use case as to whether this is a good choice or not. For my use case it is fine, but I think you’re probably right that it isn’t the best tool for the usage you describe.
BTW, my strategy when buying something is to look at the 2 star reviews as so many of the 1 star reviews seem like people that didn’t understand a product/are too full of hyperbole.
James
That’s what this site is all about. Hopefully by sharing our experiences we can help each other and others over the long haul.
Wera: I have no tools and very limited experience using it but I’ve been super impressed with their take on many things. Maybe I just expected it to feel more premium….I guess my question might have been better if I had asked: would you use this as your one and only multidriver in a professional environment.
My use case is I’m a technician with a van full of well organized tools and a couple of Veto bags setup for installation/service (big bag, all the tools) and maintenance (small bag, not very many tools…all duplicates from the big bag though). I never want to have the big bag and realize something is only in the small bag. For bigger / different jobs, I roll in a Packout stack with power tools, specialty tools, testing equipment, fasteners, fittings, etc.
I work on large industrial systems up to 4” piping down to small laboratory systems with 1/4” tubing. I work in steel mills and clinical laboratories. So, by nature, I need to keep a wide variety of things and sometimes they sit in my van for a year or more without getting touched. But when I need them, I really need them.
That’s the context.
Probably 50% of my customer visits require almost no tools, because I’m changing filters or taking readings or having a look to see where a leak might be or reprogramming some electronics or it’s a “sales” call. But then I might need to adjust a PRV (5” Knipex pliers wrench) or tighten some fittings (above + 5” Cobra) or open an electrical panel, etc, and I hate either always taking a bag of tools when I probably won’t need or going back to my truck when I do need, and so I committed to getting a sccrewdriver that would ride in my pockets with the Knipex buddies and flashlight, pocketknife, notepad, etc.
And so whichever screwdriver gets chosen is going to get A LOT of work, and durability is a big deal.
So far so good with the Klein although the handle is just a hair bigger for the pocket than I would like…
Sorry for the novel, but maybe something in the above helps somebody…
And as for the reviews, I’m with you, 2 and 3 star reviews tend to be most valuable but a) often there are only 5 star, 4 star, and 1 star, and b) I like to do a quick scan of the 1 stars just because I am a “buy once cry once” person and so I want to check that durability factor which tends to end up as 1 star when things break on people. All reviews with a grain of salt..
Stuart
Not to mince words, a lot of Wera tools do feel cheap.
Has it been a problem? Not in my experience. I haven’t dropped this one too much, but I’ve dropped, banged, and thrown my Zyklop swivel-head ratchets, and they’ve handled well.
This one is a compromised tool. I bought one, and while I don’t love it, it’s useful. Irreplaceable? No. Would I buy it again? Yes. Would it be my first Wera Zyklop or ratcheting tool? No.
I didn’t post about it because I thought everyone should buy one, but because I know some readers want one, and it’s good to save money.
The only Wera tool I broke so far was a hex bit socket. THAT really bothered me because the tip exploded 2 or 3 fasteners into my first use. Apparently that happens a lot to some of their hex bit sockets due to a retaining ball in the tip. It’s not like I was using it to break a fastener loose, I was using it with a torque wrench well within what it should handle.
esss
I like wera packaging and presentation. I like their softcases and the toolcheck plus set. Wera bits and screw drivers are quite nice as well as well as their hex plus keys. I also love their ergonomic soft handles.
I don’t find their ratchets anything special though too.
Project Farm video. Gearwrench is the overall winner.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kay3z8qSEok
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMUgzCvi0L8
TonyT
I’ve Chisel drivers for years, and like them a lot, with no problems so far, including using them as, well, chisels.
YMMV.
BigTimeTommy
They’re fine. They should be better considering the price and hype. The rubber overmolding deteriorates easily, the strike caps are too small, the handles are cheap ABS plastic, and the blades don’t stand up to abuse any better than other brands I’ve abused. At $15 for A Screwdriver they should be good enough that I never consider anything else.
TonyT
As I said, YMMV – that’s not been my experience with Wera or Wiha.
It did help that I got my Chiseldriver sets at closeout, but looking KC Tools, a set of 6 with rack is ~$55.
Mopar4wd
I have a few Whia and Wera tools Screw drivers mostly and one ratchet. I agree they feel plasicky and not that expensive but they work really well. I think of festool the same way their tools feel cheap in the hand but work really well.
eddie sky
The Kompact w/hex toolset looks ideal for IKEA assembly! (if it comes with PZ bits…)
Koko The Talking Ape
It comes with three PZ bits (and no regular PH, so that’s something to take note of.)
I’ve been giving bit drivers and PZ bits to young friends when they move into their first apartments.
Kris Petrie
I really like the idea of that tool for a single pocket tool running HVAC service but not at that price.
Kavi
Missed it, but I’m not too mad about it. I’ve been eyeing set 4 for a while, but it doesn’t have much availability yet: https://chadstoolbox.com/wera-05004285001-8009-zyklop-pocket-set-4-27-pieces/
The inclusion of the case and a couple of common sockets will make it really great to replace a some of the tools in my “everyday handyman stuff” toolbox.
Stuart
In my opinion that type of kitting defeats the purpose. If you’re going to carry around or pack up a large tool pouch, get a standard Zyklop Speed set with ratchet and separate bit holder.
bob
seems expensive (really expensive) considering
Stuart
That could describe everything in Wera’s catalog.
Some are worth it, some aren’t. With this one, I figured I’d mention it for those who have the tool on their shopping list.