Vessel TD6700W-23 Stubby vs TD6800 Full-Size Ratcheting Screwdriver: Which One Fits Your Kit?

Introduction

Vessel makes two ratcheting screwdrivers that look related but behave quite differently: the TD6700W-23 stubby and the TD6800 full-size model. Both use a 72-tooth ratchet, yet the internal mechanisms, bit retention, and even country of manufacture differ. After spending time with both, the stubby stands out as a solid, affordable entry point, while the full-size earns its keep with a noticeably tighter ratchet.

Vessel TD6700W-23 Stubby: Small Body, Solid Ratchet

The TD6700W-23 is a 72-tooth single-pawl reversible ratcheting stubby, and the packaging states it is made in Japan. It takes a different set of bits than the full-size model: double-ended bits that are slightly longer than typical short bits, which reduces clearance in tight spaces a little, though Vessel bits and other double-sided bits fit and hold well.

At roughly twelve dollars, it is an easy recommendation if you are getting into Vessel tools or trying a ratcheting stubby for the first time. It also has a bit storage carousel in the back, and the bits can occasionally stick in there if the driver sits unused for a while.

Vessel TD6800 Full-Size: Dual-Pawl Precision

The TD6800 is the full-size counterpart, and it uses a dual-pawl ratchet assembly. That design choice shows up in use: the lock-up in the center position is exceptionally tight, and with a little fiddling you can find a position with essentially no play. The packaging for this model lists it as made in Thailand.

Bit Retention: Magnet Versus Ball Detent

This is the biggest practical difference between the two. The full-size TD6800 uses a standard magnetic bit holder with a genuinely solid connection. The stubby instead uses a collar with a ball-bearing detent and no magnet at all.

That means regular bits sit deep in the stubby’s holder and can sink down quite a way. They remain usable in fasteners, but Phillips bits can be hard to pull out by hand, so pliers help. Slotted bits come out more easily since you are only overcoming the ball detent friction. Dedicated Vessel double-ended bits, however, fit the stubby just fine, and longer bit drivers stay in place well enough for the job.

Lock-Up: Where the Full-Size Model Shines

Centered lock-up is where the TD6800 genuinely impresses. Compared with other ratcheting drivers, the amount of play in the center position is minimal, thanks to that dual-pawl assembly. The stubby, with its single pawl, has half the engagement opportunities and correspondingly more play.

Against competitors, the comparison is instructive: some rival stubby drivers show considerably more rattle in the center position, while a few premium options match or beat the full-size Vessel. One premium Swiss stubby in this comparison had almost no play, though its bit did not seat quite right, and the manufacturer confirmed it was a known quality-control issue and sent a replacement.

Ratchet Direction and Handling

Both Vessel drivers reverse direction opposite to Snap-on style ratchets. If you turn the ring to the right, the driver tightens to the right; that matches the Snap-on convention, while most other brands, including PB Swiss, Wiha, and Milwaukee, run the opposite way. The stubby’s ring is also noticeably easier to operate than the full-size version’s, despite their similar appearance, and the full-size handle is larger and a bit slippery.

Buying Advice

If you want a small, inexpensive, well-made ratcheting stubby and you are comfortable with double-ended bits, the TD6700W-23 is a good solid choice at its price. If you prefer magnetic bit retention, tighter center lock-up, and a full-size grip, the TD6800 justifies the step up. Both carry the same 72-tooth ratchet, so the decision mostly comes down to size, bit system, and how much play you can tolerate.

For anyone starting a ratcheting screwdriver collection, the stubby is the easier, cheaper experiment. The full-size model is the one to pick if precision lock-up matters most in your daily work.

Conclusion

The Vessel TD6700W-23 stubby and TD6800 full-size look like siblings but serve different needs. The stubby wins on price, compactness, and easy ratchet action; the full-size wins on magnetic bit holding and exceptional lock-up. Matching the driver to how you actually work is what makes either one a smart buy.