PB Swiss

Why r/BuyItForLife recommends PB Swiss

10 mentions from real owners

• #1Dec 20, 2025

  Need BIFL Recommendations as a Graduation Present!

  You have some sweet parents. A few thoughts: don't expect breville to last. It's nice initially, but designed to break (eg. my breville food processor died in 2 years because of capacitors designed to fail. In contrast robot coupes and vitamixes last decades with abuse). I can think of a few excellent presents depending on what category: kitchen: a good knife, a good Dutch oven (either really old cast iron, or staub/le creuset). For coffee, I like a good grinder or a travel French press. Woodworking: some really great chisels, or a nice hand Plane. If you're more a utility woodworker, an excellent block plane. Measuring/marking tools are nice too. Lee Valley and Lie Nielson have heirloom quality western woodworking tools. Covington and sons is my recommendation for Japanese woodworking. Not sure about sewing or painting, as IMHO those are very into disposables. Maybe a PB Swiss screwdriver? They make BIFL tools, and some of the very best bits on the market (but are very expensive). I have my eye on the precision stubby for computer stuff.

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• #2Oct 5, 2025

  how do you find a product that actually lasts online?

  I'm going to disagree with this. Maybe we're thinking about different types of distributors. I'm talking about professional/industry distributors that literally carry brands and products you don't find in more general places. Examples would be: * Tools, especially non-power tools. A lot of the best tools I have are European, especially German, and you don't get these from Home Depot. These would be brands like Wera, Wiha, PB Swiss, Stabila, though I have high-end American stuff too like soldering equipment from Metcal and JBC. There are tons of specialist tooling distributors, often times for specific types of tools. Examples would be woodworking, automotive, manufacturing (for example, [here](https://www.gotopac.com/) is a distributor I use for tools and and other manufacturing-grade equipment), and all sorts of hand tool distributors. * Lighting. Compare a lighting store (including common ones like [Lamps Plus](https://www.lampsplus.com/)) to a hardware store. You'll realize that a lot of the products at the hardware store are cheap copies of the brands they carry at actual lighting stores. * Plumbing. Another easy one. Water heaters for example use cheaper parts for many of the big box store models (which is also annoying in that you sometimes can't get off-the-shelf replacements at a plumbing supply store and need to order from the manufacturer, which takes time and is more expensive). Also, many brands of fixtures aren't sold at hardware stores. * Lumber. General hardware stores typically carry lower quality lumber. * Audio. You can find a decent amount of Hi-Fi at some large electronics stores, but the selection will be limited. Same goes for pro audio gear at something like Guitar Center. I could go on, but you get the point. Sure, you can find small distributors that are selling the same things as giant ones, but in this case, that's not what I was referring to.

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• #3Oct 2, 2025

  Which everyday item do you wish had a true BIFL version?

  Regarding hand tools. If Knipex makes it, it’s probably great. If PB Swiss makes it, it’s probably really good. Of Wera makes it, it’s probably good enough for most.

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• #4Sep 5, 2025

  Please recommend a screwdriver set before I lose it on these curtain rods.

  Basically any screwdriver set you get at Home Depot will be fine. I got a Milwaukee set for the tool library and they're holding up okay. Screwdrivers do wear out, so then you regrind the tips if possible, or you toss them. Another option is to get a bit-holding screwdriver that take those short insert bits. That way you just replace the bit when they wear out. Also you can buy weird tips like Pozidriv, torx, tri-wing, pentalobe, and the various security heads. The downside is that the shaft is wider than the standard screwdrivers, so you might have trouble reaching into deep holes (like in toys, consumer electronics, etc.). If you want to spend more money, Wera is good, but yes, those handles are polarizing. So there's also Wiha, PB Swiss, NWS, etc. But even Kobalt, Husky, or Craftsman will be fine, and will cost a lot less.

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• #5Jun 13, 2025

  I have money to spend. Advise me.

  Trusco or Tone toolboxes Leatherman Nicks, White's, or Viberg boots Horween wallet Hamilton Murph watch Good tools. Knipex, Wiha, Wera, PB Swiss... Benchmade 940 Bark River fixed blade Rio Bravo GoRuck GR2 backpack

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• #6Jun 4, 2025

  What’s one thing you bought once and it’s still going strong years later?

  With their warranty, kinda. -PB Swiss, Wright, Knipex, Old SK, Milwaukee guy

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• #7Jun 3, 2025

  What are your favorite niche BIFL items that are currently available?

  *Over here PB Swiss costs about the same as Wera for certainly better quality* LUCKY!

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• #8Jun 3, 2025

  What are your favorite niche BIFL items that are currently available?

  Yeah, most of Wera's stuff is made in the Czech republic. I still like their tools though. I can't even touch PB Swiss and Nepros. They're the crown jewels.

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• #9Jun 3, 2025

  What are your favorite niche BIFL items that are currently available?

  Wera is not German, but they want you to think they are. Knipex is top tier, Wera is mediocre. Check out PB Swiss and also from Japan - Vessel and Koken for good value top end tools, and KTC/Nepros.

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• #10Jan 8, 2025

  List your 3 favorite BIFL items and at least 1 regret or fail

  1 Briggs and Riley carry on. Close to one million miles traveled with it 2 fiesta ware plates and bowls. Use daily for over 20 years now 3 PB Swiss screwdriver set. Lot ]s of brands you can pick but have had mine for over 5 years. Never need to replace. Regret - darn tough socks. I still have them but wool socks aren’t for me

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