Keychain screwdrivers

[jpilgrim]

I prefer my vintage Protokeychain slotted screwdriver, but these seemed kinda cool:

http://countycomm.com/screwkey.html

[Bolster]

The remake of a classic! Thanks for posting those up.

Custom knife/toolmaker Atwood also makes all kinds of nifty keychain tools too...check these out (http://www.atwoodknives.com/home/spindex.php).

[Stuey]

Yep, saw this on gadgets.BoingBoing.net earlier. Looks nifty, but I don't think I'd use something like this that often.

[Danglerb]

Those would have no more twist than a wing nut. The screwdrivers on my pocket tool swing out at 90 degree or 180 so I have some twisting power in the L configuration.

[Bolster]

True, but I find 9 times out of 10 I'm using a pocket screwdriver for prying, scoring, or some other non-approved action. Seldom am I using my pocket driver for an actual slotted screw.

I think the point of a keychain screwdriver is a "minimalist multitool."

For that reason, I've been carrying an Atwood Gasbaby on my ring recently. When traveling I also carry a few screwdriver bits (the type with detent balls so they won't go thru) to go into the hex cutout.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wVWOlWYv4a4/R1sKAjP2MPI/AAAAAAAAALs/m_7W_Pdajhg/s320/g2gasbaby1.jpg

[bchee]

For that reason, I've been carrying an Atwood Gasbaby on my ring recently. When traveling I also carry a few screwdriver bits (the type with detent balls so they won't go thru) to go into the hex cutout.


Just checked out the Atwood site. That's some cool stuff.
Stuey would go nuts over those multitools
http://atwoodknives.blogspot.com/
http://www.atwoodknives.com/

[Stuey]

lol. I have heard of Atwood and greatly appreciates the designs of his tools and heard nothing but praise for them.

BUT, Atwoods are not exactly retail tools and are difficult to buy. According to the Atwood's blog, there was recently a lottery to see who would be eligible to order a tool from the newly manufactured batch for $80+. One of the more frustrating things is that some Atwood buyers are serious collectors and quite a few are resellers, limiting availability to those that want one for legitimate use during brisk non-lottery sales periods.

[-B-]

keep an eye open here for Atwood stuff http://knives.cx/store/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=193&products_id=2298&osCsid=7f88bd449ded137abc4bba2aed328eef he generally gets far more tools than any other retailer.

[r6_cannibal]

the Atwood stuff is awesome, but i agree that it's near impossible to pick one up.
I've had a couple of those screwdirvers from the original post. they've lived on my keychain for over 2 years and they see seldom use. they actually function more as backups for when i forget my micra. they're a pain to use and tough to get decent torque out of, they'll probably be removed when i decide my keychain is too bulky

[Bolster]

BUT, Atwoods are not exactly retail tools and are difficult to buy...

True. And the tools are not particularly easy to use, given their size. Except for the limited pry function, I'd classify them as "tools of last resort." They're vastly superior to no tool at all, and they make great keychain jewelry, but even a cheap Chi-Com tool made for a specific purpose will generally beat a flat keychain tool at a given task.

For those who don't want to brave the botique collector market for an Atwood, there's also the widely available Gerber Artifact @ $9:

http://www.uncrate.com/men/images/2009/06/gerber-artifact.jpg

[chrislehr]

Im still looking for a good condition vintage plomb one!

[jpilgrim]

There seem to be a lot on fleabay, but I'm suspicious of their authenticity.

My dad gave me one as a kid, and I got the one I carry regularly at a pawnshop in Butte, MT. They're both "PROTO MFD. U.S.A."

[Thedroid]

An old timer I work with gave me his Proto. He left his keys in the forklift, and I spotted it, and had to have one. I asked him where he got it, and he told me that a vendor gave them out to everyone years ago. He took it off his keychain and gave it to me. I carry it on my keychain now, and might pass it down someday.

[Thedroid]

Here's mine.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m37/thedroid420/IMG_0657.jpg

[Elroy]

Additional examples of these key ring accessories are available here:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31426

[chrislehr]

Man, I want. Always get overbid :(

[Bolster]

There's been a lot of newer Protos on ebay recently, almost a flood on the market the past few months, I figured somebody found a lot of new old stock and released it?