Icon Locking Flex-Head Ratchet Bit Set RX FT35: A Compact Kit That Punches Above Its Price

Introduction

A few months of everyday carry screwdriver coverage has shown just how much demand there is for compact, well-thought-out driver kits. The Icon locking flex-head ratchet bit set RX FT35 sits just above pocketable, but it may be close to the perfect kit to stash in a bag, a car, or a workshop drawer. It is also a very strong candidate for anyone getting into multi-tool modding.

What Is Icon?

Icon is the premium house brand of Harbor Freight, sold only in stores and made in Taiwan. The line carries a lifetime guarantee, and across Icon products the general consensus is that quality is top-notch for the price. This particular set appears to follow that same pattern.

First Impressions and Build Quality

The case is where the quality shows first. It has a rubberized finish on the outside and a sliding latch that pops closed when squeezed, which feels satisfying in daily use. There is little to no rattle with this kit, and once opened, every bit sits exactly where it should, making it easy to pull one out and put it back.

Inside, the bit selection is generous: security Torx and regular Torx from T10 to T40, standard Torx from T6 to T9, two different sets of hex bits covering metric and SAE, two sets of Phillips bits with a slight distinction between them, and a couple of flatheads. It is a genuinely good combination for the size.

The Locking Flex Head and Ratchet

The real stars of the kit are the two ratchet pieces. The ratchet can be palmed with a bit seated, which is exactly the kind of driver that works well for multi-tool modding, where one hand manipulates the tool while the other holds the fastener side. The bottom also has magnetic retention, giving another way to drive bits.

The indexing head adds even more flexibility. Indexing heads can feel fragile because of all the moving parts, but feedback from owners who have been fairly abusive with theirs suggests they hold up, and the lifetime guarantee helps build confidence.

T-Handle and Extender Tricks

The included extender unlocks several useful configurations. Need more torque? Slot it into the bottom of the ratchet for a much longer arm, a setup the manufacturer itself recommends. Working in a tight spot? Index the head so the bit tucks into the work area.

There is a cleverer trick too: the extender has cut lines with a spot that lets it pass all the way through, turning the assembly into a T-handle for non-ratcheting, high-torque driving. Between ratcheting, angle changes, magnetic retention, T-handle use, and even socket capability, there is a lot packed into this kit.

The magnet also holds other tools with just enough tension. For example, Fix It Sticks, which were standouts among compact EDC drivers, can seat in the ratchet as an additional T-handle while the ratchet works the other side. In many ways this kit is simply the next step up from that style of driver: more bits, more functionality, and real ratcheting action.

Who This Kit Is For

This is a great starter screwdriver kit for many people. It covers the common bit families, offers a T-handle for high torque, ratchets, changes angle, and reaches into small spaces. It also accepts sockets, which extends its usefulness well beyond a basic driver set.

Buying Advice

The kit costs about 40 dollars with the case included, the same price as Fix It Sticks, making it excellent value given everything it does. It is available only at Harbor Freight, so it is worth visiting a store to handle it in person; returns are straightforward if it does not suit you. The next rung up in this category is something like the AWR kit, which runs around 80 dollars, roughly double the cost.

Conclusion

For roughly 40 dollars, the Icon locking flex-head ratchet bit set RX FT35 delivers a ratcheting driver, a flexible indexing head, T-handle torque options, a broad bit selection, and a lifetime guarantee in a tidy case. As a starter kit, a bag-friendly tool set, or a companion for multi-tool modding, it is hard to argue against.