After trying out dozens of different styles, I’ve settled on this one

Anyone in our line of work knows that bits may look unremarkable, but when it comes to the job, they can drive you up the wall.

Stripped threads, chipped edges, worn down after just a couple of turns… Only those who’ve been there can understand the frustration of having to swap bits mid-job.

Last month, a friend recommended a set of Impact Bits to me. To be honest, my initial thought was: ‘Yet another new brand – what’s so special about it?’ But after using them for a fortnight, I’ve added them to the small toolkit I carry with me every day.

What does a truly durable bit feel like? In the past, when buying bits, I’d only look at hardness, material and the figures on the brochure. Later, I realised that whilst those specs looked impressive on paper, in reality, they’d be ruined after just a few turns with an impact driver.

The moment this set of Impact Bits changed my mind was when I was tightening a rusty Phillips screw – the sort that usually gives me the big trouble, as the bit’s edge curls up the moment it’s slightly off-centre. Yet this bit gripped the screw firmly, without slipping at all. When I finally got it out, the cutting edge looked as good as new, with absolutely no damage.

The material treatment is certainly different. I looked it up later: they use S2 alloy steel combined with a special heat treatment process. Although these terms sound like marketing jargon, as someone who uses tools every day, the feel in my hand doesn’t lie: it has sufficient toughness so it won’t snap; it has sufficient hardness so it won’t wear down easily.

Why is it better suited to pneumatic tools? The torque from a pneumatic impact driver is both rapid and intense; ordinary bits simply cannot withstand that instantaneous twisting force. Many bits aren’t worn down, but rather ‘snapped’ – metal fatigue and internal damage mean they suddenly snap one day.

This set of Impact Bits was designed with this in mind: the base of each bit is reinforced, making the area under the greatest stress less prone to breaking. Furthermore, each bit is clearly marked with its specifications, so you don’t need to lean in to check—you can tell at a glance, saving you time.

Another feature I particularly appreciate is the spot-on magnetic strength: some bits are too magnetic, causing removed screws to stick to them and be impossible to shake off; others are too weak, causing screws to fall off before they’re even aligned with the hole. This set’s magnetic strength is just right to hold the screw securely in place, yet allows it to be released effortlessly once aligned with the hole.

One set does the job of three, so my workstation is no longer a mess. Previously, my tool drawer was a jumble of bits: Phillips, Torx, Allen… I’d have to rummage around for ages every time I needed one. This Impact Bits set, however, includes all the common sizes: Phillips PH1 to PH3, Torx T10 to T40, and Allen H2 to H6, covering virtually every job you’d encounter in daily use.

The storage case is also designed with practicality in mind. It doesn’t use those flimsy snap fasteners that pop open at the slightest knock; instead, it features a magnetic closure. You can open it with one hand, and once shut, it locks securely in place, so the bits won’t scatter even if the toolbox gets jostled.

To be honest, after using a set of bits for a while, you develop a certain rapport with them; you know exactly when they’ll grip properly and when you need to adjust the angle. With Impact Bits, I feel confident they won’t let me down when I need them.

If you’re fed up with bits that wear out after just a few screws, why not give this set a try? The time you’ll save and the frustration you’ll avoid are well worth the small price difference.