I was looking for a knurled thumbscrew style key to finger tighten with the option to use wings/handles. This drum key fit the bill however the ratchet style means not ever knowing which direction it will turn; it was frustrating enough for me to make a return.

I'm usually forgiving and will forego returns on items I don't truly want but *can* find a use for but a simple focus group trial for this would have probably sent this key back to the design team.

Damon was super cool about returns, so thanks to the Sweetwater team.

I didn't want to like these as much as I do, but they're extremely well made, highly durable and a lifesaver in tough-to-reach positions.
Admittedly I've taken to using mine as fidget-spinners during boring meetings, so there's that too.
I will be buying these again!

I bought this drum key despite having several floating around in my stick bag, on my key chain, and in several drawers around the house. When I saw it, my first reaction was, "what took so long for somebody to do this?" Granted, there are other ratchet style drum tuning devices, but this one adopted the same ergonomics as a regular key.

I'll start with the good:
1.) it's stupidly simple. Use one side to tighten, the other to loosen.
2.) Works as advertised and allows for quick tuning changes without having to remove the key every time you turn the key.
3.) Very well made. Extremely smooth action. My guitarist (engineer by day) was even impressed with it.
4.) Knurling on each end allows you to finger-tighten easily and quickly.

Now for the not-great:
The sockets on either end are a little on the shallow side, so it doesn't completely settle down on the lug all the way. It still works, but it's a little sloppier than I'd hope. For example, if you leave it to sit on a lug while you play, it's a little wobbly.

Nevertheless, that's one relatively minor complaint on an otherwise very cool item, and certainly a giant leap in the comcept of the simple drum key. Going to pick up a 2nd one as I like to tune both sides of the drum at the same time when putting on new heads.

The knurled sections at the top and bottom make it almost the fastest way to change heads while being much more compact than a drill. They also work well for getting the heads finger tight.

This is a delightful fidget toy that also happens to work as a drum key. My only annoyance is that it's difficult to know which way is "forward" and "reverse." Adding a bit of paint (pictured) solves that.

This isn't a revolutionary drum key but it improves on some basic things really well. I really like that it's basically the same size as any standard drum key so it fits into those tight spaces between drums/hardware that larger keys sometimes won't. The ratchet function is smooth and silent unlike other ratchet drum keys I've tried. When changing heads, the knurled ends give a good grip to twist and loosen the tuning rods quickly. It's light weight and it fits on a key chain easily. The FF improves on the essential drum key functions really well imo.

I purchased this key to expedite changing heads on my drums. It doesn't really do that for me. It's a great ratchet and is well made, but the lugs on most of my drums don't have enough friction to utilize the ratchet function. You can spin it until it gets to the rim, but you can do that with just about any drum key. You can put your fingers on the lugs and hold them in between twists but that's pretty inefficient.

All that's fine, but with the two ended design, when you get to fine tuning and need to go up or down a fraction of a turn you have to switch sides. I've found that it actually takes me longer than using a regular drum key.

It's a really cool design that looks good and works as a great ratchet drum key, but I can't say that it's a time saver. I gave it a rating of 3 because it does what it says it does, it just doesn't actually accomplish what they say it's made for.

What makes this key so great is that the design allows you to get into tight spaces where you'd normally have difficulty with a regular key. We all know how it goes on drum kits; moving one piece of hardware a certain way results in an obstruction with another. Adjusting it a different way results in another obstruction. Slide your cymbal stand up, suddenly a wingnut is in the way of something else. Etc., etc. This key allows you to get into tight spaces around your hardware and completely tighten or loosen lugs with minimal movement. No lifting on and off over and over, just get it on and even the slightest rotation gets the lug tight or loose, lightning fast. And as stated in other reviews, it makes putting on new drum heads, removing old ones, and tuning them in general fast and easy.

The only "downside" of this I can really think of is that it's a little bulky, as far as having it on your keychain and whatnot, but that pretty much goes for any ratchet or other type of specialty key. It's not nearly enough of a negative to outweigh its usefulness.

This is a very smooth ratcheting drum key. I use the knurled tops till it is finger snug then use the ratcheting feature. I changed a whole kits of heads (tops and bottoms) with ease.

Buy one you'll love it!!!

The only thing faster is a powered drill, but not by much, and even then you can't (shouldn't) use a drill to tighten your screws. This drum key is incredible. Kinda weirds me out how fast it is.

Been using this for awhile.. super silent east to use with one hand.. I highly recommend

Why didn't I buy this years ago? What a great tool to have in your bag.