Abstract: An air ratchet hand tool has an elongated, generally cylindrical handle portion with an axial air inlet passage therethrough, and having an outer surface with two longitudinally extending channels formed therein, each communicating with the air motor. A thermoplastic grip jacket covers the handle portion and cooperates with the channels to form therebetween two exhaust air passages which exit at the distal end of the handle. Longitudinal ribs on the jacket project radially inwardly into engagement with longitudinal recesses in the handle portion to inhibit relative rotational movement, while a lug on the handle portion extends through an opening in the jacket to inhibit relative axial movement. A flexible and resilient trigger cover covers the valve trigger and the jacket opening through which it projects.