To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Let's show our wood (screwdrivers)

Farmer J.

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 18, 2016
Messages
1,995
Location
UK, Cornwall/Hertfordshire.
Here's an example of a half-round handle or "no roll" screwdriver, so-called because when you put it down, it doesn't roll off your workbench and underneath something where you can't reach it, causing you to bump your head standing up, cursing, and making your wife holler down the basement to see if you're okay.

Also has a sort of two-tone dove-tail jointed ferrule, which I have never seen before - until looking at the jealousy-inducing Winchester ferrules upthread.

Marked only "MADE CHAMPION INC." on the cabinet type (implying electrical work...) shank.

Could it be Champion as in Spark Plug related?

I like that. Much better than the costly new ratcheting plastic snap on one, which rolled off the bench and stabbed me in the foot..!

Hope not a silly question, (not seen one like this before) but was yours originally made with a flat on the handle? It's not just like that because a chunk of wood has split away on one side? If the flat area doesn't follow the grain and was obviously cut, then it must have been made like it.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Mintgrun

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 7, 2015
Messages
2,122
Location
Kingston, Wa.
I'm eagerly awaiting Lugs' comments on that one. It appears to be made by Androck and they made kitchenware. I did not know they made tools as well.

In my mind, spatulas are kitchen tools... and just as much fun to collect.

005.jpg

If only we had a vintage spatula thread...

Tom
 

Private Lugnutz

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 30, 2012
Messages
30,546
Location
The Authentic Jersey Shore
Yes, I cracked that mystery several years ago.

Androck Phillips head screwdrivers like the one Don is showing have shown up in the UK and elsewhere in the ETO and also in the US for many years and became a WWII collectors' choice, especially for Dodge 1/2 Ton 4 x 4 trucks, and later, for GMTK's, as a somewhat questionable alternative with questionable provenance for Vlchek screwdrivers of the same type. Questionable because there was no substantive information or evidence other than them showing up in surplus lots, and, as Mintgrun alluded to, the fact that the name "Androck" is found on antique and vintage kitchen utensils (spatulas, strainers, sieves, sifters, wisks, etc). Putting two and two together, I tracked it down to a brand name of the Washburn Company, which was largely converted into a defense production plant during WWII. Products included tent slips, tent pegs, and can openers, but also bomb parts (arming wires), and of course, tools, including a $53,000 contract with the US Army Ordnance Dept in late 1942 into 1943. ORD owned the tracked and wheeled vehicle maintenance role and they bought tools for that responsibility as spares for on-board toolkits that the vehicle OEM's were supplying as well as equipping rear echelon depot maintenance shops.

EDIT: They are somewhat rare. I have only found a few in the wild.
 
Last edited:

outofbounds

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 23, 2019
Messages
1,393
Location
Michigan
Found this decent 12" Tobrin flat head in a freebie Plomb 9980 toolbox that I raced across town for. The interesting thing to me is they have a metal insert installed in the top of the handle to encourage misuse as a chisel, apparently.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_7933.jpg
    IMG_7933.jpg
    148.1 KB · Views: 38
  • IMG_7934.jpg
    IMG_7934.jpg
    141.3 KB · Views: 35
  • IMG_7935.jpg
    IMG_7935.jpg
    66.9 KB · Views: 41

Private Lugnutz

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 30, 2012
Messages
30,546
Location
The Authentic Jersey Shore
The through-shank on heavy duty and extra heavy duty screwdrivers (including the "perfect handle" types....) is for striking. They were advertised that way. To knock a screw loose or to clear the slot.
 

d42jeep

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 22, 2014
Messages
16,531
Location
Northern California
The lower long shank screwdriver has that metal through the handle feature. It was probably used plenty as a chisel. I’m not sure of the brands on these two.
-DonC06EA8B5-5F4D-4AC3-96FE-21F4EEF11FEA.jpg
 
Last edited:

d42jeep

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 22, 2014
Messages
16,531
Location
Northern California
Here is a small selection of Stanley slotted screwdrivers. One is ready for the
“no-roll” modification.
-Don0A8C6ADD-347D-4A4D-9F65-37C4A2D07EA2.jpgF40EB74F-4740-48EC-9F1C-7C68F3A3D736.jpg
 
Last edited:

Mintgrun

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 7, 2015
Messages
2,122
Location
Kingston, Wa.
Nice. I have a couple of that style as well, but with a slightly different handle shape. I like your little one.

IMG_4440.jpg
 

Mintgrun

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 7, 2015
Messages
2,122
Location
Kingston, Wa.
Hurwood comparison. Two from the sweetheart era and two that must be later. All four have the chisel style handles.

IMG_4475.jpg IMG_4476.jpg

These are all marked STANLEY on the handles. The red handled one I found two days ago. DEFIANCE, by Stanley.

IMG_4477.jpg IMG_4479.jpg


The top one of these two long-bladed short-handled drivers is one of my favorites to reach for.

IMG_4480.jpg

As are these two, which are similar to the one RTM posted above.

IMG_4482.jpg


Here's a ratcheting Yankee driver with pant spatter that I think I'll just leave on there.

IMG_4483.jpg
 

Tostal

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 1, 2020
Messages
893
Location
The Emerald Isle
I'm eagerly awaiting Lugs' comments on that one. It appears to be made by Androck and they made kitchenware. I did not know they made tools as well.

In my mind, spatulas are kitchen tools... and just as much fun to collect.

005.jpg

If only we had a vintage spatula thread...

Tom

Here's my "vintage Fiat" spatula, anyone familiar with the older Fiats may recognise the wood handle. It's a one-off. :)

T~
 

Attachments

  • STA70455.JPG
    STA70455.JPG
    82.9 KB · Views: 34
  • STA70457.JPG
    STA70457.JPG
    82.3 KB · Views: 41

Private Lugnutz

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 30, 2012
Messages
30,546
Location
The Authentic Jersey Shore
Found an old Vlchek flat tip screwdriver today. The plain fluted handles are the same as the handles they used on their nut drivers in that era. And they favored black. The tiniest of V-Shield forge marks confirmed my ID.
 

Attachments

  • 20200725_175133.jpg
    20200725_175133.jpg
    146.2 KB · Views: 31
  • 20200725_170427.jpg
    20200725_170427.jpg
    154.4 KB · Views: 38
  • 20200725_170445.jpg
    20200725_170445.jpg
    154.3 KB · Views: 36

d42jeep

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 22, 2014
Messages
16,531
Location
Northern California
Found an old Vlchek flat tip screwdriver today. The plain fluted handles are the same as the handles they used on their nut drivers in that era. And they favored black. The tiniest of V-Shield forge marks confirmed my ID.

I may need to take a closer look at the one in the middle when I get home. What do you think?
-DonADCFBCD3-8538-4F3B-811C-211BD6EDD813.jpg
 
Last edited:
OP
G

gungatim

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 8, 2013
Messages
8,101
Location
west mich
Found an old Vlchek flat tip screwdriver today. The plain fluted handles are the same as the handles they used on their nut drivers in that era. And they favored black. The tiniest of V-Shield forge marks confirmed my ID.

nice, totally forgot about wood handled nut drivers, I think I have a few somewhere I'll need to dig out...
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Private Lugnutz

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 30, 2012
Messages
30,546
Location
The Authentic Jersey Shore
nice, totally forgot about wood handled nut drivers, I think I have a few somewhere I'll need to dig out...
Thanks, Tim. If you dig up any extra or orphan Vlcheks you're not wedded to, I need a No. ND-12 (3/16"), a No. ND-28 (7/16") and a No. ND-36 (9/16") to complete that set. :) (Note that I wasn't trying to expand your thread beyond screw-drivers. Just making the handle comparison there...)
 
OP
G

gungatim

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 8, 2013
Messages
8,101
Location
west mich
Thanks, Tim. If you dig up any extra or orphan Vlcheks you're not wedded to, I need a No. ND-12 (3/16"), a No. ND-28 (7/16") and a No. ND-36 (9/16") to complete that set. :) (Note that I wasn't trying to expand your thread beyond screw-drivers. Just making the handle comparison there...)

no problem, don't mind expanding. I like old wood tools, saws, bit braces, levels and planes have been done to death, but hadn't seen much on screw/nut drivers or even awls...

will let you know what I find on the nut drivers...
 

Private Lugnutz

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 30, 2012
Messages
30,546
Location
The Authentic Jersey Shore
I have shown my nut drivers on the Vlchek thread before. And we have a thread on Xcelite nut drivers that has included some older wood-handled jobbies, and some older original wood-handled Walden-Worcester SPINT-TITE and newer wood-handled Stevens-Walden SPIN-TITE nut drivers show up in WW/SW threads. But overall, or in general, you're right.

Meanwhile, as long as you're open, here is my favorite woody. From the shape of the handle, the hue and grain of the wood, to the brass ferrule, just my favorite. It's a nut driver or spinner. The service opening in the socket on the end of the shank is 3/8" and the socket on the **** end of the handle is 7/16". It is not marked. I have never been able to identify a manufacturer. Guessing 1920's. Maybe 30's at the latest.
 

Attachments

  • Spinner 4.jpg
    Spinner 4.jpg
    126.9 KB · Views: 35
  • Spinner 3.jpg
    Spinner 3.jpg
    123.3 KB · Views: 32
  • Spinner 2.jpg
    Spinner 2.jpg
    97.3 KB · Views: 34
  • Spinner 1.jpg
    Spinner 1.jpg
    152.1 KB · Views: 39

Provincial

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 21, 2011
Messages
6,865
Location
Near Salem, OR
I found a Bridgeport 354 #4 Phillips screwdriver at an estate sale last weekend.
 

Attachments

  • Bridgeport No. 4 Phillips.jpg
    Bridgeport No. 4 Phillips.jpg
    141.4 KB · Views: 48

Fred Knox

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 28, 2018
Messages
333
Location
Nor Cal
I pulled together 21 of my favorite wood screwdrivers. Most are "perfect handles" from H.D. Smith, Worth, Federal, Dunlap, Pexto, and Germany, of various lengths and versions. I have a couple baby Stanley Hurwoods that I love, one Herbrand, and a couple strays that came home with me.
 

Attachments

  • 9176BEA4-1E14-4702-97E7-67D68807E7E2.jpg
    9176BEA4-1E14-4702-97E7-67D68807E7E2.jpg
    154.2 KB · Views: 65

McFarmer

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 29, 2009
Messages
2,139
Don’t know anything about this driver, got it from my FIL.



I’d be interested in getting some more like it.
 

RTM

Well-known member
Joined
May 13, 2019
Messages
13,140
Location
SF Bay Area
It’s a Perfect Handle style. The originals were made by HD Smith, copies have been made by Irwin, and many others as noted above in this thread.

You may have trouble finding more like that, since it’s clean and in nice condition. These are usually found quite beat up, as they can take a lot of abuse and still function.

Usually the mfg will be Stamped on the shaft, sometimes just Germany.
 
Last edited:

d42jeep

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 22, 2014
Messages
16,531
Location
Northern California
Many of the unmarked perfect handle screwdrivers started life as ink marked Irwins and over time the ink markings have worn off.
-Don
 

outofbounds

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 23, 2019
Messages
1,393
Location
Michigan
I'm co-opting this post with this leather handle screwdriver, since there has been some activity lately, and as in the immortal words of Richard Gere in An Officer and a Gentleman "I gots no where else to go!"

No markings, stoutly built metal construction end-to-end (like "perfect handled" wood ones)

Anyone have an idea of who made it or where one might go to look it up?
 

Attachments

  • LeatherHAmmer4.jpg
    LeatherHAmmer4.jpg
    73.4 KB · Views: 55
  • LeatherHammer2.jpg
    LeatherHammer2.jpg
    118.9 KB · Views: 40
  • LeatherHammer1.jpg
    LeatherHammer1.jpg
    106.7 KB · Views: 45
  • LeatherHammer.jpg
    LeatherHammer.jpg
    140.6 KB · Views: 46

d42jeep

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 22, 2014
Messages
16,531
Location
Northern California
This hard to find WW2 vintage 16” long ink marked Irwin arrived from an eBay seller yesterday.
-Don256588F1-A185-4502-8DBC-C3FC56750411.jpg577ADC5F-03BC-4EEC-9147-F9DF6D94BD77.jpg029A7D3E-EFD2-4F30-A98E-863768B9A601.jpg86BB6D6A-B6AC-4D0B-A373-E55E88FB9BE6.jpgB63215A1-EE82-47D1-A6CC-C3172C8E9902.jpg256588F1-A185-4502-8DBC-C3FC56750411.jpg577ADC5F-03BC-4EEC-9147-F9DF6D94BD77.jpg029A7D3E-EFD2-4F30-A98E-863768B9A601.jpg86BB6D6A-B6AC-4D0B-A373-E55E88FB9BE6.jpgB63215A1-EE82-47D1-A6CC-C3172C8E9902.jpg
 
Last edited:

McFarmer

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 29, 2009
Messages
2,139
It’s a Perfect Handle style. The originals were made by HD Smith, copies have been made by Irwin, and many others as noted above in this thread.

You may have trouble finding more like that, since it’s clean and in nice condition. These are usually found quite beat up, as the can take a lot of abuse and still function.

Usually the mfg will be Stamped on the shaft, sometimes just Germany.

Thanks, I have it in the wood shop, once in a while it’s just the right tool. I think of him every time I use it.
 

DanB_NY

Member
Joined
Oct 5, 2016
Messages
17
Location
Long Island, NY
Anyone have a guess as to who the mfg of this one is (is that a TT for Tobrin Tool or an H for...)?
 

Attachments

  • h-screw.jpg
    h-screw.jpg
    123.8 KB · Views: 49
  • h-screw closeup.jpg
    h-screw closeup.jpg
    92.6 KB · Views: 52

Private Lugnutz

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 30, 2012
Messages
30,546
Location
The Authentic Jersey Shore
Not saying it's not Tobrin, but the only Tobrin branding I have ever seen on a "perfect handle" screwdriver is the name roll-stamped around the shank barberpole style. That's a cool logo, though, whatever it signifies, with the double arrow.

Has that screwdriver been welded? Or is that a sort of false ferrule forged into the shank? See that raised area? What is that?

Also, for reasons that will become obvious clicking to another GJ thread linked here, I am jealous of that wooden rule. :D
 

d42jeep

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 22, 2014
Messages
16,531
Location
Northern California
All of my handle marked Tobrin drivers are simply marked “Tobrin”. I don’t recognize your marking although it looks kind of familiar. I thought of Stiletto and Thorsen tools but probably not.
-Don
 

Attachments

  • A37FA9D7-6938-4AC7-BA52-C04442BF37A8.jpeg
    A37FA9D7-6938-4AC7-BA52-C04442BF37A8.jpeg
    46.5 KB · Views: 26
  • 7638C906-3229-416D-8749-EC6F36A5D8F1.jpg
    7638C906-3229-416D-8749-EC6F36A5D8F1.jpg
    159.9 KB · Views: 35
Last edited:

d42jeep

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 22, 2014
Messages
16,531
Location
Northern California
Here is the Harrold logo on my dykes.
-Don
 

Attachments

  • D5B5AAA8-5BD7-43B5-8A7F-5246BCBD9300.jpg
    D5B5AAA8-5BD7-43B5-8A7F-5246BCBD9300.jpg
    59.3 KB · Views: 35
  • 075E3129-CA62-4DD1-9D56-5B84FA0354A6.jpg
    075E3129-CA62-4DD1-9D56-5B84FA0354A6.jpg
    121 KB · Views: 47
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom