Stanley Proto J5249XL 3/8-Inch Drive Premium Pear Head Ratchet, 8-1/2-Inch

Great ratchet. Perfect feel. I had an issue and returned mine, which was easy and convenient. Just as Stanley warranty is supposed to be. But this ratchet feels perfect in your hand. The grip is awesome. Its the type of tool that makes you want to find a project, if you don't have one. And the price makes a pro/industrial tool accessible to the weekend warrior.It is not low profile. Not a confined space ratchet. You've got long handles and flex heads for that. Covers everything else and can probably stand up to pretty high torque. Nicer than the classic base 3/8" pear head Proto offers. Handle blows that one away.

This ratchet is smooth operating with very low effort for the ratchet mechanism. The handle is a little longer that the classic proto ratchet making it hard to get into tight spaces. The head is smaller that the classic and that has it's advantages. The handle seems to fat and heavy but it is ok. it is a beautiful tool and I love it, although I use the classic proto ratchet most of the time.

Ratchet did not operate smoothly right when I got it. In disbelief that a brand new Proto ratchet could be broken I attempted to use. At times it seems to work fine but when tightening there is a spot in ratchet mechanism where it locks up.

Top of the line ratchet. Perfect feel and grip. All good!

I have the same style ratchet in 1/4" and I think they're both awesome. I like that Proto doesn't try to get fancy with high tooth counts in their ratchets, sacrificing strength in the process. The mechanics of the ratchet feel very tight and there isn't the type of slop you'll notice in cheaper ratchets. The chrome is very deep on this tool, and I don't see any reason it shouldn't be just as shiny 100 years from now if cared for properly. The head is also more compact than many others I've used, which is a huge bonus in my opinion. Did I mention made in the USA? I just can't think of a reason to give this thing less than 5 stars. Kudos, Proto.Edit: I was so sad this weekend when the lever on this thing gave out, and I felt duty bound to update my review. I noticed I was having trouble changing drive direction, so I put the ratchet off to the side with the intention of looking at it when I finished the work I was doing on my car(control arms). When I had the chance I removed the snap ring and faceplate to reveal that part of the lever had broken off on the inside. I never abuse my tools, I don't even use ratcheting tools to break free stubborn fasteners. I think it happened when applying what I would describe as medium torque with a 15mm socket. Very disappointing that a part of the lever that doesn't even carry the torque load breaks under stress. The only reason I'm not reducing my rating all the way to one star is because I could technically get it fixed under warranty. I won't seek a replacement, though, as tools that fail have no place in my Kennedy. A shame that the quality of American tool brands continues to decline...