Craftsman V-Series Ratcheting Wrenches Hands-On Review: The Perfect Introduction to the Line

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Deciding a favorite tool brand is a lot like picking your favorite car—it's not a choice; you just stick with what you're raised on. In my case, I was brought into this world with a Hurst T-grip attached to a Dodge Charger in one hand and a Craftsman wrench in the other. But like every other Craftsman tool patron, I've grown weary over the years. In the final days under the ownership of Sears, quality steadily declined as more and more tools from different brands began to populate my collection. When Sears passed the proverbial torch to Stanley Black and Decker things started to look up. While it has been shaky, Craftsman seems to be crawling back to its former glory. The Craftsman V-series ratcheting wrenches in my possession are proof of it.

The V-Series line aims to bring professional quality to the brand DIYers love dearly. However, many of us have been reluctant to check it out for ourselves. After all, we're all a little gun shy after years of riding an emotional rollercoaster and the new line being a little more expensive than we're used to. 

That said, Craftsman sent me a few V-Series tools for review. After taking on some heavy-duty work with the Craftsman V-series ratcheting combination wrenches, I have to say I’m pretty impressed and I think they serve as an excellent example of what the line is all about. 

Craftsman’s V-Series was introduced in 2021, declaring it’s built for the professional. While you might write that off as a brand that typically targets DIYers over-hyping itself, you should read into some of the discussions surrounding this particular set being and it's similarities to some MAC tools. The V-series ratcheting combination wrenches share a lot in common with MAC's Precision Torque series and Facom's 440 Series, both of which are under the ownership of Stanley Black and Decker. Regardless of how you feel about rebranding and copycat designs, it undoubtedly elevates Craftsman.

There's a lot to like about the Craftsman V-Series ratcheting combination wrenches. Starting with the basic specs, these wrenches feature an open