The Every Day Screwdriver

[Nephronracing]

I had a Swiss+Tech Utili-key http://www.swisstechtools.com/proddetail.aspx?pid=5 on my key ring when I was flying on business. They said they had to confiscate it. I said, I'll come back through security in a few minutes. I took it off my keyring, put it up on top of a pop machine. Picked it up a week later when I returned.

 

[Onedivinehammer]

I had a Swiss+Tech Utili-key http://www.swisstechtools.com/proddetail.aspx?pid=5 on my key ring when I was flying on business. They said they had to confiscate it. I said, I'll come back through security in a few minutes. I took it off my keyring, put it up on top of a pop machine. Picked it up a week later when I returned.

I have one of those, as well. It's a great little device.

 

[chuckyfiche]

I have the Gerber Shard - I use it all the time.

 

[LordPsychon]

I have the Gerber Shard - I use it all the time.

How well does it hold up to force? I've been thinking about buying one and if it's not going to bend under hand driven force I'd make the purchase. I had one from a no-name manufacturer years ago that bent the first time I tried to use it...and I was 12 at the time so not a ton of force then.

 

[chuckyfiche]

No issues with torque at all - your finger-grip will likely give-out before you over-torque a screw with this little guy. The phillips works quite well and the bottle opener is decent. The design of the tip isn't the best for small slotted screws - but then I bought this specifically for the phillips. The wire stripper works - in a pinch. But I wouldn't want to count on it. I've never used it as a pry-bar - so I don't know how it would hold-up. You can get them for $7 - $8 so a really good deal.

 

[kythri]

http://www.countycomm.com/screwkey.html

Thanks for the link, those look GREAT!

Just placed an order!

 

[Slonaker]

My Dad always had the proto screwdriver on his keychain. I inherited it when he died. I need to dig it up.

Slonaker

 

[Kiwi Kev]

I have a Proto like in the pic. It has been in my pocket for the last 35 years. It was there when I met my wife of 30 years, it was at my wedding, when I first held my daughters, when I first held my grandaughters, all the first drives of projects, everytime I raced etc etc. Hope I don't ever lose it.

 

[Ratchet Guy]

I got 6 kinds of screw driver and a flash light in my keychain that I always carry with me.

 

[3baygarage]

^Philips- that's nice to have in this day and age. I'll have to look into the link Tweedlestan posted.

Did not expect to find another this soon but today sifting through a cardboard box of tools at the market I spotted this guy wedged in a corner.

I don't think Proto ever made a Philips version.

 

[Angry welder]

Just picked this one up for 25 cents today.

 

[F124C]

I've got a keychain screwdriver and it's CHROME plated.

Al.

 

[marty_p]

My Dad always had the proto screwdriver on his keychain. I inherited it when he died.

Ryan, I'll play.

I inherited my favorite screwdriver in the whole world from Dad when he passed almost three years ago. It was always on his key ring, and since then it has always been on mine. To this day, it still looks immaculate and it has served us both well countless times over the years. I always leave it either at home or in my truck when I fly, and if I never happen to find another one, I'm totally content.

Note: the company listed on the reverse side, Hollis Supply Co., Inc. of Houston, TX, was only registered with our Secretary of State from November, 1963 - June, 1971, so I'm guessing this rascal is at least 44 years old!

 

[Mr. T]

How well does it hold up to force?

I have one and it's pretty sturdy. However, it now lives in my truck because I got tired of it stabbing me in the leg.

 

[ersatzs2]

Does anyone else share my obsession for vintage keychain screwdrivers? I ask... because, ...
To read the rest of this blog entry from The Garage Journal, click here.

well no, d*mn you, I was never aware of them until now, and they look WONDERFUL I am going to start the search now...

 

[Toolfool]

http://www.countycomm.com/screwkey.html

Thanks. Just ordered this and a stubby screwdriver.

 

[rubberrodder]

I have one and it's pretty sturdy. However, it now lives in my truck because I got tired of it stabbing me in the leg.

That's why they call it a "SHARD"!

 

[HandToolGuy]

I can tell you all some info about the Proto keychain screwdriver.
I've worked for Proto (parent co.) for many years

1. we never made a phillips
2. we used to sell them w/o a name on the them - J100 was the part #
3. our distributors could get them with their name stamped on them - just had to pay a one time setup fee for their name.
4. as a sales rep i still have a few with my name on them
5. Depending on your status in the co. we made them chrome plated. Mine weren't
6. We made some chrome plated ones for our 75th anniv. TSA tool one of mine many years ago. I think I have one left.
7. During one of our cost cutting schemes we quit making them and "lost" the dies to make them again.

 

[impactsocket]

Leatherman Brewster

$5.00

http://www.leatherman.com/brewzer-46.html

 

[captain14]

I have the Gerber Shard - I use it all the time.

I found a stack of these at the clearance section at my local HD . Marked down to under $5. Rang up at just over $3.

 

[2000-cvpi]

Sorry to bump a older thread, but I have two key chain screwdrivers. My dads old Proto that he carried on his keys for as long as I've been alive. The other is a combo handcuff key with a small flathead on the side from Galls, a police equipment supplier. I was lucky enough to get my dads when he passed, I remember he told me that a man should always have at least a pocket knife and screwdriver on him at all times.

 

[four.cycle]

My father used to carry one of the flat round ones (with the four blades) on his keychain - chrome plated and stamped "Nic-L-Silver Batteries".
I tried to find one a couple years ago so I could have a small screwdriver for field repairs on a backpacking stove, and could not find one anywhere.
Finally went into a hardware store - can't recall where now - and described it to the guy at the counter, and he pulled his keys out of his pocket and said "Like this one?"
He took it off his keychain and gave it to me.
I sewed it to a tether on the inside of the stuff bag that I carry the stove in.

Thanks for the tips. I know where to find another one now!

 

[ghostly7]

i know this is an old thread but i just found it and have a couple of old screw driver tools that were my grandpa's. love these little things and they are definitely old.

 

[jcochron]

I can't relate.