# Why are ratchet sockets smooth and slippery instead of rough and grippy? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 12, 2018, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-ratchet-sockets-smooth-and-slippery-instead-of-rough-and-grippy/815963 "2018-06-12T13:40:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2018, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-ratchet-sockets-smooth-and-slippery-instead-of-rough-and-grippy/815963/41 "2018-06-13T14:36:00Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > I’ve cracked several. > > But, I really, really, doubt that’s the reason for the chrome finish. Chrome is just a nice, smooth, clean, “professional” finish. Truth. Impact sockets typically have a matte black finish (does the chroming process affect the strength?) and if you were going to be concerned about a damaged socket, it’d be with impacts. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2018, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-ratchet-sockets-smooth-and-slippery-instead-of-rough-and-grippy/815963/42 "2018-06-13T17:36:14Z")
> [@minor7flat5](#): > > So, what would happen if a random guy like me walked up to the truck and asked to buy a socket set? > “Who are you? Get outta here!” “We don’t sell to the general public!” or “Sure, that’ll be $2,499 (or some other crazy high price the mechanics don’t pay)” Believe me, the mechanics pay the same crazy high price as everyone. Or more likely, they finance it. ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2018, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-ratchet-sockets-smooth-and-slippery-instead-of-rough-and-grippy/815963/43 "2018-06-13T19:12:49Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > Those look awesome! How did I never know about those before? > > Typically, I only want to turn a socket by hand when space is tight. There are times when there’s only room for the ratchet to go one click, so it’s a pain to go turn, click, turn, click, etc. Also, there are times when the bolt is too loose to give the ratchet enough force to rotate back, but too tight to turn by hand. If the socket was knurled, it would make it a bit easier to get some of those bolts off since I can get my hand into that spot and grip the socket itself. > > I don’t know how useful the little knurled band would be on those [Craftsman](http://www.sears.com/craftsman-19-piece-3-8inch-dr-inch-and-metric/p-00924963000P?plpSellerId=Sears&prdNo=16&blockNo=16&blockType=G16#) sockets. It seems too skinny to really make a difference. For tight spaces there are extensions, nut drivers (some with T-shaped handles for more torque), and flexible adapters. One of these will initially be needed to loosen the fastener. Using that tool for an additional few strokes until you are SURE it’s finger loose completely removes any need for the special sockets you desire. Wearing the right kind of gloves will also go a long way. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-ratchet-sockets-smooth-and-slippery-instead-of-rough-and-grippy/815963/44 "2018-06-14T00:39:31Z")
> [@Isilder](#): > > Its actually for safety . You are meant to spot a crack developing and cease using the tool. > Never happens at a home, but at a garage, sure they eventually crack a socket that is used for years. I could believe a safety issue is the reason they don’t do it. Would the knurling make the sockets more likely to crack? Could those indentations make it easier for cracks to form and follow those lines? It would explain why those Craftsman ones have such a tiny band of texture. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-ratchet-sockets-smooth-and-slippery-instead-of-rough-and-grippy/815963/45 "2018-06-14T02:42:44Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > Would the knurling make the sockets more likely to crack? Could those indentations make it easier for cracks to form and follow those lines? No, it makes it harder to _see_ a crack. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-ratchet-sockets-smooth-and-slippery-instead-of-rough-and-grippy/815963/46 "2018-06-14T04:28:02Z")
I have all different length extensions that have a rough surface pressed in, the rough surface does help a lot but you really don’t need it directly on the socket. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-ratchet-sockets-smooth-and-slippery-instead-of-rough-and-grippy/815963.md?page=2)