Wiha Micro Finish Screwdrivers

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I think that's the difference between real tool freaks and "normal" people -- "toolies" love handling and using high-quality tools, while the rest of the population couldn't care less.

If you know what I'm talking about, (and if you don't, you're probably thinking by now that I'm nuts!) you'll also realize that most of the time, you can count on getting that extra-sensory "feel" from highly polished, chrome plated, bare metal wrenches like those made by Snap-On, Armstrong and others.  There aren't many screwdrivers I've found that give you pleasure just in holding them.

But these Wiha Micro Finished screwdrivers, made in Germany, have such a great balance and feel, I find myself opening my toolbox when I pass by just to touch them again.

OK, so I am nuts!

Wiha has many hundreds, if not thousands, of tools listed on their website.  So I probably would never have found this set, if it wasn't for Paul Allen, the Vice President and General Manager of Wiha Tools in the U.S.A. 

Paul had visited webBikeWorld and liked our review of the Wiha bit drivers, so he offered to send over this set.  The secret is that Paul's one of us!  Yep, he rides a motorcycle!  I'm guessing that Paul's never lacking for tools in his garage.....

One of the first things you notice about these tools is their weighting and balance.  They feel hefty without simply feeling heavy.  I think that's one of the differences in really high-quality tools -- they are nicely balanced in your hand. 

This usually translates into less strain on the user and better fit on the nut, bolt, screw or whatever else it is you're using the tool for.  Each handle is proportional to the size of the blade to help prevent over-torquing. 

These Micro Finished screwdrivers are the "top of the line" for Wiha.  The Micro Finish refers to the type of finish on their non-slip handles (see photo left).  They are covered in a type of rubber or vinyl that has a very slightly rough finish for grip.  

Wiha claims they deliver 50% more torque than normal screwdrivers; I believe this is because the ergonomics of the handle, combined with the weighting and the grip's finish, combine to require less driving force than normal screwdrivers.

They also have a nice steel cap on the end of the handle, and a hex bolster at the end of the blade (opposite the drive end).  Although if you need to put a wrench on the bolster to help you unscrew something, you've got big problems.

The tips of the screwdrivers are precision machined for an exact fit (see photo below).  Anyone who's used a screwdriver like this knows that this type of finishing can help prevent the tool from jumping out of the screw and ruining the drive slot.

 The blades are made of special Wiha tool steel, and they are "vapor chromed" to help prevent corrosion.

I always feel that when I use a tool like this, the repairs are easier and turn out better.  It's probably all in the mind, but....maybe not!

The bottom line? Sure, you can buy a set of screwdrivers for $6.95 at your local WalMart.  And they'll probably be good for one or two uses around the kitchen.  But if working on your motorcycle gives you as much pleasure as riding it, and you want a set of tools that you can hand down to your grand kids, why not make the investment for what will basically be a lifetime of pleasure?  

My feeling is that 58 bucks really isn't that much for a set of screwdrivers like this.  Ask for a set for Christmas!  Just think of how nice your toolbox will look and how good you'll feel when you pull open a drawer and you see these screwdrivers sitting in the drawer!