So, the new Wera 2020 Advent Calendar is now available via KC Tool (model 136601). Thank you to everyone who wrote in about it! The question is – should you buy it?
Wera tools are without a doubt fantastic hand tools.
Wera’s 2020 Advent calendars provides a mixed collection of hand tools aimed at all kinds of users, as did past years’ versions.
This is a good way to be introduced to Wera hand tools, if you haven’t experienced their products before.
On the other end of the spectrum, it’s also a way to provide complementary functionality and features to your existing kit.
Or, if you’re more of a tool collector with a tool box loaded with everything Wera makes, the 2020 Advent Calendar gives you a couple of new exclusives you’ll enjoy owning and hopefully also using.
Wera 2020 Advent Calendar Tool Set
Here’s everything you get:
- Zyklop 1/4″ Drive Mini 3 Ratchet
- 818/1 Stubby Bit Holder (with pop up bit storage)
- Stubby Bottle Opener (323)
- 8794 1/4″ Drive Wobble Extension
- 8790 HMA 1/4″ Metric Sockets: 5.5, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 10, 12, 13mm
- 8767 Torx 1/4″ Bit Sockets: T20, T25, T30 x 28mm
- 8740 Hex-Plus 1/4″ Bit Sockets: 4.0, 5.0, 6.0mm
- 851/1 BTZ Phillips Bit: PH1, PH2 x 25mm
- 855/1 BTZ Pozidriv Bit: PZ2 x 25mm
- 867/1 BTZ Torx Bit: T20, T25 x 25mm
- 800/1 BTZ Slotted Bit: 5.5 x 1.0 x 25mm
But it’s not just a jumble of tools, you also get a handy organizer for keeping everything together nice and tidy, not to mention portable.
What’s so special about this year’s set? First, you get a Wera Kraftform Stubby screwdriver bit holder, plus it has pop-up bit storage.
This is going to be the star of the show. I looked around and I don’t think you can buy this same screwdriver handle elsewhere, or at least I can’t find it at the moment. The closest I could find is a green-handled stubby bit holder without the Kompakt pop-up bit holder design.
If you think you could do better, look for model 818/1.
And, it’s blue! Well, blue and black. But still, this looks to be a new and unique Wera 2020 Advent Calendar-specific color.
You also get a couple of Torx and metric hex sockets.
I’m thinking I could use these about the hex bit sockets.
You also get a Wera Zyklop mini ratchet, which is one of my favorite Wera tools*, a wobble extension, and an assortment of metric hex sockets.
Lastly, you also get a new and exclusive-looking blue-handled stubby bottle opener.
Reminder: Use Coupon code TOOLGUYD4LIFE at checkout.
Price: $66.55 after coupon
Shipping is free with $50+ orders.
For overseas readers, Amazon UK and DE also have this in stock. Amazon UK and DE also often ship to the USA.
Buy Now via Amazon UK
Buy Now via Amazon DE
Should You Buy it???
If you’re new to Wera, this set gives you a taste of everything they have to offer – a mini ratchet, a stubby multi-bit screwdriver, sockets, bit sockets, a wobble adapter, and a cute bottle opener.
I am not new to the brand, but could definitely still use the stubby screwdriver and some of those bit sockets, not to mention the mini ratchet.
I never like paying for duplicate tools, and so it becomes a question of whether not the color scheme and tools most appealing to me are useful enough to justify the $66 and change after-coupon price. So far, I’m leaning towards “yes.”
* I was under the initial impression that this set came with a Wera mini bit ratchet, which is one of my favorite Wera tools. But, with a closer look, you actually get the Zyklop Mini 3 Ratchet.
The 1/4″ bit socket version is the Wera Zyklop Mini 1, and comes with a 1/4″ hex to 1/4″ square socket drive adapter. With this set, you get the Wera Zyklop Mini 3 ratchet, with built-in 1/4″ square drive. The two tools are very similar, but the Mini 3 works with 1/4″ sockets without having to fiddle with any adapters.
I have gotten a lot of use out of my past Wera Advent Calendar tool sets and the individual tools and parts that have since been scattered among my different work areas and tool bags, but I also use other Wera tools and sets even more frequently.
This set isn’t a must-have, and it’s not for users who are first building up their tool collection with essentials.
You might also consider snagging a Wera Tool-Check Plus (via Amazon/via KC Tool) during the next winter holiday deals shopping season. But, while both options have some overlap, the exclusive stubby screwdriver of the Advent Calendar makes a strong selling point.
Keep one thing in mind – I have yet to hear anyone complain about buying a Wera Advent Calendar and regretting it, but I typically hear “oh no I waited too long and missed it!!” a couple of times each year once the tool sets sell out.
I never use every part of the Advent Calendar tool assortments. But, those that I always initially plan on using do tend to be worth the money. As a bonus, some initially less needed or wanted tools have also come in handy with time.
This is more of a fun, convenient, and collector-oriented tool set, and that’s okay if you could use it and are comfortable budgeting for it.
Buy Now via KC Tool – use code TOOLGUYD4LIFE
Buy Now via Amazon UK
Buy Now via Amazon DE
Also Consider These Other Wera Tools
Okay, so $66 and change (after coupon via KC Tool) seems a bit much for tools you aren’t sure you could use. Well, consider these Wera hand tool favorites:
The Wera Kraftform Kompakt screwdriver has built-in bit storage and an extending Rapidaptor bit holder. I bought mine 9 years and have had zero regrets.
Wera’s mini bit ratchet set is also another good introduction into the brand.
I bought one of these sets ages ago, and then a couple of Bit-Check Plus sets after that. This is a good buy if you don’t need the screwdriver handle (available separately) or the sockets included with the Bit-Check Plus assortments. This set is also much more compact and even pocketable.
