Ultra Steel is a brand of tools sold in Walmart stores. The tools are generally cheaper than most other brands, but sometimes they are a good value because the tools work well. The UltraSteel 4 in 1 mini screwdriver (model #TS90354J) does not fall into this category.
The Ultra Steel mini screwdriver looks like a knock-off of Stanley's 4 in 1 pocket screwdriver (model #66344). It's a pen-shaped pocket screwdriver, a little over six inches long, with two removable caps and a pocket clip. The body is black, with a rubber coating, and the two caps are an almost-neon red.
This pocket driver comes with two metal double-sided bits. Unlike the Stanley pocket driver, the Ultra Steel driver does not have magnetic tips. There are two Phillips bits (#0 and #1) and two slotted bits (1/8" and 5/32"). The four bit sizes are printed on the driver body.
The bits slide into plastic slots in the driver, but the bits and slots weren't sized right because the bits slide in too loosely and can easily slide out. The caps that cover the bits are also very loose. General Tools makes a similar pocket screwdriver, with caps that loosen and fall off over time, but this Ultra Steel driver starts off that way. The one nice thing about the caps on this driver is that each one has a large enough cut-out near the tip so that you can see which bit is installed on that side.
The driver handle is covered in a cheap-feeling rubber that provides no grip at all, so if you're trying to loosen or tighten a stubborn screw, this driver won't be much help. The soft handle is comfortable to hold, but it provides no traction for your hand when turning a screw.
The Ultra Steel 4 in 1 mini screwdriver is made in China and sold at Walmart for $1.97. That may seem like a great price, but for this screwdriver it's way too much. For about the same price, you can buy the General Tools pocket screwdriver (model #744) at Home Depot, and that one is much better made than the UltraSteel driver. For about twice the cost of either of those pocket screwdrivers, you can buy Stanley's pocket driver, which has magnetic tips that won't fall out and is manufactured to be much more durable. This pocket driver gets 1 out of 5 stars.
(Originally published on Helium.com, April 2013)
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