Well, it turns out I'm just lazy. I didn't have a need for any shellac/lacquer, and didn't want to buy one I might not actually use for something else, so I ended up just exchanging them at the store for a "fresh" set, and put it on Craigslist. I'm meeting someone tomorrow at noon to buy 'em for $15. (they were $27 full price, on sale for 22.99 (I know I got them cheaper than that). Before I listed them online, though, I did pry the side of the packaging open just a bit to get a whiff...and it was a strange mix of vanilla, lemon, and vomit. I've read that one company mixes vanilla scent in their plastic to help mask this odor.
Seeing the look on the cashier's face when he stuck his nose in the bag after I told him they smelled, though, was amusing. He whipped his head back, and went "Whew!"
I was actually at OSH, Sears, and Home Depot today and had a hard time finding *any* screwdrivers that weren't the same material, or other plastic but with rubber (I have had so much bad luck with rubber deteriorating and getting sticky)...except multi-bit screwdriver things, which they make in other hard plastics all day.