Vintage Screwdriver ? a little help on this one please.

[Russamadman]

Cant Identify this one, I believe it is a screwdriver but could be for something else. anyone know what the marks stand for ?

 

[Zrexxer]

Sometimes just searching prior threads can yield a wealth of information...

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=235174

 

[454ragtop]

I have some that are very similar, believe they're called Perfect Handle screwdrivers. Almost seem to work better as wedges, than screwdrivers, with the striking cap, but I like them a lot.
Jim

 

[Russamadman]

I just saw that thread while i was looking, is there anymore info on these.

 

[pendragon1998]

Yes, Perfect Handle is correct. They can be rehandled.

http://showcase.netins.net/web/iabonsai/Grandstaff/how.html
http://showcase.netins.net/web/iabonsai/Grandstaff/various.html
http://www.nonesuchtools.com/perfect/index.htm

 

[lbgradwell]

I just saw that thread while i was looking, is there anymore info on these.

What specifically did you want to know?

 

[Russamadman]

looking for a year and the actual name, is it a machinist screwdriver ? What wood are the handle pieces ? Not getting rid of it, but like to know what it is when asked. Things like my Hargrave bar clamps are pretty easy but this is a little harder.

 

[lbgradwell]

Yes, like the screwdriver pictured in the first link above, you have a No.610 Machinist's model.

Your driver is a Tobrin, so later than this 1920 catalogue as Tobrin took over production only after H.D Smith ceased making the screwdrivers. I'm not certain if Tobrin was an offshoot or a successor company, but I suspect successor. Tobrin was formed in 1923.

The scales are Beech (according to Scott Grandstaff - who would know), though this is not mentioned in the catalogue...

 

[Russamadman]

AWESOME, boy do i love this site, Thank you so much for the info.

 

[vintage nut]

I have never seen anything like that! I thought the old wooden MAC screwdrivers were cool!
If it was me, if I was rehandling it id be tempted to use something like lignum vitae or rosewood, just to make it something really nice.


you can never have too many tools

 

[mike_paxton]

Russamadman:

I remember seeing my first Perfect Handle screwdriver, with the owner having various sizes. Unfortunately, he wasn't willing to sell.

Fast fwd and I now have a nice collection of them, but recently saw some very small perfect handle ones and again, owner not willing to sell those, so I'm again on the hunt.

Guess its all about the chase!!!

 

[Plombob]

You could start a collection. I've got one I'll part with. PM me if you want it.

View media item 49053
View media item 49054

 

[nadogail]

I bought very similar screwdrivers, made by Irwin in 1979. I found them at a K Mart in Brunswick GA..

I no longer have them.

 

[gungatim]

wow cool thread and cool screwdriver! I have a small collection of about 10 antique drivers hanging in the woodshop. now that I know they are actually machinist screwdrivers, i'll have to move them to the other shop. didn't know anyone else collected those but I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

 

[clippedwings]

Here is a matching hammer. Something I got in auction box years ago.

 

[vintage nut]

Here is a matching hammer. Something I got in auction box years ago.

That is probably the coolest hammer I have ever seen!

you can never have too many tools

 

[Russamadman]

I have never seen a hammer like that, that is cool

 

[mike_paxton]

Here is a matching hammer. Something I got in auction box years ago.

Like the others said, I haven't seen a Perfect Handled hammer before, so will now be on the hunt.

 

[pendragon1998]

Plombob, if you're giving that winged screwdriver away, and the OP isn't interested, I'd be happy to give it a home. I'd eventually like to restore a set of those perfect handle tools, but it will be a while. I've got one or two waiting in the wings, pun intended.

mike_paxton, there is a hammer like that on ebay right now, I believe.

Check out this wacky one I found on ebay today (and did not choose to drop a c note on). It's a triple lever perfect handle screwdriver.

 

[Ratchet.]

Interestingly these style of screwdrivers were fairly common over here, and still turn quite often, i have quite a few though most are unnamed/unbranded from what i remember, will have to dig them out to see.

Some were originally my grandads and I seem to recall him saying they were bought from Woolworths at some point (long standing but now defunct store chain in the uk, was related the US one from what i remember)

They are certainly tough as most of the ones i own have obviously been used as chisels, prybars etc in their lifetime as they bear the scars of misuse

 

[clippedwings]

Found this 17" PH scewdrver in a crate today. I was looking for something else. Still have'nt recovered from last years move. This one has been abused by me and others before me.

 

[why worry]

In researching an old ND Smith Triple Lever screwdriver that I picked up for a buck at a local estate sale I found this thread and thought I would add to it. The screw driver has a bit of surface rust but otherwise in very good condition. Especially for a tool that was first brought out in about 1910. Oh the stories it could tell if it only could talk.
Dave