What is your opinion on these wrenches?

[In The Ten Ring]

One of the side effects of working on my truck has been my ever-increasing need or just desire for more tools. I assume this is not a unique phenomenon. Anyway....

I see a use for a ratcheting wrench....what is your opinion on these two and why is the second design more expensive you think?

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-cm-wr...&blockType=G12

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-7-pc-...5&blockType=G5

[midnight rambler]

I have a set. I like them been geeting a lot of use, i still use box end wrench to torque it down.

[donut]

I've looked at both at Sears.
First ones were kinda big and clumsy, Second were chrome (easier to clean) and the open ends are smaller.

I have the non-swivel, chrome set and for me it's working.

[earl84]

Couple quick thoughts. The smooth chrome ones are easy to clean, but if your hands are a little sweaty, gripping them can be an issue, but not it you wear mechanic gloves. I have smooth chrome, flex head Gear Wrench brand, they have held up very well.
The other thought is that I really believed the flex head would be the cat's meow, but have found there are situations with limited access where the flexing is a real disadvantage, and I have put it down and grabbed a regular wrench that worked MUCH better. And I try to never use the ratcheting end for really serious torque applications, I just don't think the super small mechanisms are up to the task.
My advice, buy them both.

P.S. A REALLY great time to buy is Black Friday. I know it's a long ways off, but you can save a bundle of cash.

[GM-power]

I have the chrome craftsman non swivel ones. I dont use the to much as I actually prefer regular wrenches most of the time. Everyone in the shop I work at has gearwrench. They seem like a great value for the $$$.

[Bigdav160]

Smooth chrome wrenches all the way. Much more comfortable to use.

I don't use ratcheting wrenches that often but prefer the ones with the lever to change direction rather than turning the wrench over.

[BMERDOC]

I use GearWrench wrenches (non-swivel) in a professional enviroment almost exclusively. I have them in 8mm to 25mm and in varying lengths. I have had to warranty several but not many. If the racheting head gets stuck all you have to do is drop it and it will free itself. Mine have been worth their weight in gold and don't owe me a dime.

[ERASER5]

I have not been convinced that the "all purpose" prong box end is the way to go yet. I like correctly fitting wrenchs. Af far a ratcheting wrenches go, i love mine. I have the gear wrench X-Beam Flex head ratcheting wrench set. Once you go X-beam, your old wrenchs just turned to "do I have to" wrenches.

[Tinkermc]

I have Gear Wrench SAE nd Metric to includ the larger size in both., Never failed me yet. Sold and waranty everwhere.

[72 K20]

I have Stanley reversible, crescent flip over , gear wrench flip over , and black hawk reversible ratchet wrenches,, My favorites are the Blackhawk and Stanley . I use all of them but the Black hawk wrenches are what I use at work every day ,

I prefer the reversible , offset wrenches to the straight flip over type.