... but I Still Miss the Screwdriver

If you want something smaller than the TL-29, you might look for a Camillus Cub Scout knife. They are a bit smaller than a BSA knife and the awl can be filed down to a 2 tanged Phillips driver easily. The awl and standard screw driver (ignore the indent - no idea what it's for) both lock. Older ones are carbon. Newer ones are stainless.
281536-Camillus%20Official%20Cub%20Scout%203%20blade%203%20%203-8%20inch%20knife.JPG
 
pertinux said:
I suppose it is!

The funny thing is, in my original post I mentioned that I didn't want the cap-lifter tool. ;)

(Not picking on you, Fausto, it's just amusing to me that so many recommended something I ruled out in my original post, if not as clearly as I maybe thought-- a cap-lifter, and/or an additional tool to do the job.)

It's the little, straight nail file/screwdriver found on the Vic Classic (SDs-- which stands for "screw driver;" some have pointed nail files, similar to the Wenger Executives) that I reach for and then miss if carrying a "traditional" only.

Carl, I carried a Classic only for years (and years). I still have one or three clipped into various bags. I like to keep my car key chain as minimal as possible (the new-fangled key itself is too big for my tastes).

I was simply musing that, with all the very fine bone-handled knives I have, and as much as I love them, I think I'd like one with a slim screwdriver included, thus keeping the "carry" minimal (and: Classy :) while still having a small pry tool.

The electrician's knife comes closest, although I'd prefer a knife 3" and under (and I'm guessing the standard electrician's knife is bigger?), or simply less bulky. Maybe I'm just after a souped-up Classic, sans scissors...? If my Tiny Trapper had a small pry/screw tool instead of the clip blade, that would do it. (Though, should it even be a possibility, Case would probably replace the wharncliffe instead of the clip, and I would be Sad.)

[Pinnah, Victorinox replaces the scissors springs free, but I doubt that would even begin to address your Classic distaste. Heh. I consider the Wenger mechanism far superior. Until it jams.]

~ P.
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I know what you mean, the little screw driver on the classic is jus the right size to handle all those small phillips screws the world is held together with these days. I've lost count of all the things I've actually fixed using only the classic screw driver blade. As much as I love the bone and stag handled traditionals, the classic is one of the most handy items ever invented. I love it so much, that I team it up with my peanut. The peanut is my cutter, and the classic is my small urban tool. I guess I'm lucky, my old Toyota only has the thin little key, no bulky electronics. I even have to crank up my own windows.

I sometimes wonder that the knife companies like Case don't take a page from the Swiss, and offer some small tool on the smaller pocket knives in the 3 inch range. With the small size of a peanut, mini trapper, mini copperhead, a small nail file/screw driver would be a nice change. Kind of like those little Sheffield lobsters that have a few small non knife blades on them. Scout knives are big enough that they are in a different class. The TL-29 is much bulkier and heavier than the 3 inch and under knives I like these days, as is the Victorinox electrician. I guess this is just yet another lesson in there's no perfect pocket knife for all of us. I can only wonder what the pups would look like if they bred a peanut with a classic. I know that Case makes a pen knife with a scissors like the Vic, may be they'll put a small screw driver on one of these days. Just like I'd love to see a small stockman with the spey blade replaced with a Vic like combo tool.

We'll just have to dream on. Till then my Sear's 4-way will be in my wallet and my peanut in my pocket.

Carl.
 
pertinux said:
Interesting thought. That, or use the clip blade as a pry tool until it becomes a screwdriver. ;)

~ P.
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That's how my dad did it... :) A Schrade 34OT with a broken main blade tip is the perfect small screwdriver. My dad was really bad to try to pry stuff with a knife blade and a stockman with a broken tip was relatively easy to find around the house when I was a young adult. I''ll have to see if I can find it and take a photo of it.

Ed J
 
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Fanglekai said:
Only if you drink macro brews ;) Good beer is found in bottles with either a pry off cap or a cork. I think a bottle opener is a nice thing to have around, which is why I usually have a Victorinox knife handy.
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I don't use a bottle opener every often, a can opener that is something I wish this knife had. I carried a large folder but always needed a screw driver so I've upgraded to my Camillus and so far I'm as happy as a cat in a milk factory.
 
jackknife said:
the classic is one of the most handy items ever invented. I love it so much, that I team it up with my peanut. The peanut is my cutter, and the classic is my small urban tool.
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Ditto, though my cutter is seldom a peanut. I've carried a classic on my key ring for years, The only tool on the Classic that I don't use is the cutting blade.
 
P,
it seems I got you wrong. :)
I carry a Classic on my keyring as well (and an Ambassador - same SAK, different size - on my work keyring), but I have different feelings. I prefer the pointy version of the nail file (as opposite to the SD one), and use it for its intended purpose. For small "prying" tasks, the 4way SD works much better for me. Now I'm getting one of those small keyring tools, and we'll see how it goes. Interesting to hear that most people here prefer the SD tip though :)
Just like Frank, I never use the blade on my Classic, and honestly think that it could be better replaced with some other tool. I know, this may be blasphemy for many, but again, your mileage may vary :rolleyes:

Fausto
:cool:
 
Fausto,

One thing positive I can say about the Vic Classic is that I think that knife has done more to keep the tradition of a scissors blade alive and for that, they deserve credit. Even with busted springs, the scissors are insanely useful and the one reason I keep the busted derelicts hanging around the house and in my shop.

Two things let to their fall from grace in my eyes though. First, as I noted, the break and break quickly. It's one of those things that is so cheap that it's not worth making a warranty claim on. I just hate disposable stuff. I suppose if I ever spend money on another one (very unlikely), I'd get one with Alox scales. But at this point, the small Leatherman tools have won me over as being flat out better in every regard.

Second, I grew to hate having a tool on my key ring. Just a preference thing. I can't stand using the tools when on the key ring so it was always a hassle to remove and put it back on. I went so far as getting a teeny little carabiner type thing and that helped. But, it's not enough. Also, I use the tools so infrequently that I can live with having the tool ride along in my small backpack, which is almost always nearby. I really don't much of anywhere without it.

In any event, this is one place I break from tradition. Given a choice between a Vic Classic and a Leather Micra (or Squirt), it's not even close for me.
 
Pinnah,
you know, as for the hate towards tools on the keyring, I'm still in the middle.
I rarely have my keys on my person (usually in my handbag or car). Sometimes I think I will end up with a small "tool ring" totally separated from my keys. Meanwhile, I do find the Classic very useful (mostly for scissors/nail file/ tweezers), even though I don't use it daily. As for the LM, I never owned one of the keuring sized models, so I can't really make a comparison.
As for the SD tip...I may accept the fact that I'm the only one who prefers the point tip :)

Fausto
:cool:
 
See here it is. This is totally me here. I want so much to be a "stockman guy"...I really do. Problem is I use my clip spyderco for cutting things (if I am in a situation where it is feasible to carry that) and I use the screwdruvers and the scissors on my SAK Vic Super Tinker a lot.

A nice stockman or congress or a million other of these wonderful traditionals are so classic and beautiful but the SAK is just so handy. Kinda bums me out really.
 
There are lots of examples from the "golden age" of pocketknives where you will see non-knife blades of various kinds.

Like Jackknife mentioned, the old lobster patterns often had non-knife blades. (Isn't the Vic Classic technically a lobster pattern too?)

I have seen the pictures in this subforum somewhere. There are some old pearl handled knives that look like they were the "Swiss Champ" models of their day.
 
The Government said:
There are lots of examples from the "golden age" of pocketknives where you will see non-knife blades of various kinds.

Like Jackknife mentioned, the old lobster patterns often had non-knife blades. (Isn't the Vic Classic technically a lobster pattern too?)

I have seen the pictures in this subforum somewhere. There are some old pearl handled knives that look like they were the "Swiss Champ" models of their day.
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Yeah, I love those pictures, usually posted by smiling-knife, of those beautiful old Sheffield lobsters. It's a funny thing, as a young man I had zero interest in those gentleman's knives, but now I appreciate the heck out of them. As an older retired gentleman of leisure, a small knife with some tools on it has become a nice thing. Those old Sheffield lobsters packed knife blades, reamers, nail files, pipe tools, button hooks, and some other things into a small frame that would fit in a vest pocket nicely. Smart people those old English guys.

I can only wonder at the huge popularity of multitools, why Case has not borrowed from the Swiss Army knife idea and put a few of the smaller tools on the knives in the peanut to small stockman frame sizes. I'd love a peanut with the Vic nail file in place of the pen blade, or a Texas jack with a combo tool. A little bit of both worlds in a small package with nice jigged bone or stag scales. It would have some soul unlike the sterile sak's.

Carl.
 
pinnah said:
<stifling my gag reflex>


I get those little trinkets given to me quite a bit - a frequent tradeshow give-away. I've probably owned as many Vic Classics as all of my other knives combined.

The toothpick and tweezers disappear, in that order, in about 6 months time. No loss. Neither of them work for intended purpose. After that, the big question is, which will bust first; the spring on the scissors or one of the scales. By the 18th month or so I get my answer. By 24 months, it doesn't matter. I keep the busted ones laying around. The scissors are insanely useful and if I was King of GEC, I would be making a 4 blade camper with the can opener replaced with (Wegner style - more durable) folding scissors. But still... If I never have to hold another Classic again I would be happy.
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Funny how two people could have polar opposite experiences with the same product.
If I have a sliver, I look for a pair of Vic tweezers. Much better than the full sized bathroom version tweezers that everyone has.. The toothpic, while a bit gross, does work well. The only part of a Vict knife that I have EVER broken is maybe a scale popped off.(alox takes care of this problem)
The only tool that I dont use much?? Scissors..lol ...Because I have a blade to cut things. If I was to use a scissor, The Vict. beats the Wenger version, hands down.
Mark
All that said, I dont care much for the classic (too small). But, I think Victorinox consistency is unmatched.
 
Well there's got to be some more knives with screwdrivers?
 
I never go anywhere without my Swiss-Tech Micro Tech tool on my keyring, saved my bacon more times than I can count. I had to use it Friday night while setting up my tent to do a little shock pole repair since it seems one of my sons broke one last time they used the tent and failed to tell me...
Oh, and I had the following with me:
SAK Huntsman
Rough Rider Scout knife
no-name Leatherman type pliers
Case yeller Peanut
GEC Scout

It does add weight to my keys, but I just have to have it. I lost one years ago and immediately ordered a new one. I even have one that's gold plated as a backup, a gift from one of my Scout's dads for helping them with a merit badge.
 
Fanglekai said:
Good beer is found in bottles with either a pry off cap or a cork. I think a bottle opener is a nice thing to have around, which is why I usually have a Victorinox knife handy.
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Remember, there are lots of ways to pop the cap off a good bottle of beer. Take a lesson from this guy! :D :thumbup:

-- Mark
 
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