Corkscrew vs Phillips

Corkscrew vs Phillips

  • Corkscrew

    Votes: 44 62.0%

  • Phillips

    Votes: 27 38.0%
  • Total voters
    71
I used the Phillips on my tinker for a rusty old Phillips screw once. Once was all it took for the liners to buckle and warp out of shape. Apparently the back mounted Phillips is a weak assembly and won't stand a lot of torque. That did it for me.

But I have little use for a corkscrew as I really don't like wine. I'm a bourbon and beer guy. So I don't carry SAK with back tools anymore, and prefer alox for the SAK that will take a little abuse in an emergency. If I need Phillips, the tip of the can opener will do, or if need more force, the inner corner of the flat driver on a pioneer, cadet, or Wenger SI.
 
I was in the Phillips camp for years, carrying only Tinkers and Tinker-derived SAKs like the Fieldmaster, until I bought a Handyman and then an Explorer with Christmas money in the past few weeks. With the Handyman, I had to "settle" for a corkscrew to get the rest of the tools...at which point I discovered how useful the corkscrew is for undoing knots. The Explorer, of course, has an in-line Phillips driver, so I get the best of both worlds. I guess I'm saying that I no longer have a strong preference for one over the other.

...That is, provided the corkscrew has the eyeglasses screwdriver. Not only does it provide additional functionality, but it also fills in the gaps of the corkscrew and thus makes it more comfortable as a thumb-rest while using the small blade.
 
Last edited:
hsherzfeld said:
The Explorer, of course, has an in-line Phillips driver, so I get the best of both worlds.
Click to expand...

:thumbsup: I was going to mention the Explorer. Great knife if you're comfortable with a SAK this size.

hsherzfeld said:
... provided the corkscrew has the eyeglasses screwdriver. Not only does it provide additional functionality, but it also fills in the gaps of the corkscrew and thus makes it more comfortable as a thumb-rest while using the small blade.
Click to expand...

Yep! I generally prefer SAKs with corkscrews in part because you can put in that little add-on eyeglasses screwdriver. And, while I'm no connoisseur, I do enjoy a glass of vino from time to time!
 
Last edited:
guy g said:
I don't seem to miss either. My Must have is a can opener as I use it quite a bit.
Click to expand...
mnblade said:
I generally prefer SAKs with corkscrews in part because you can put in that little add-on eyeglasses screwdriver.
Click to expand...

These two sum up the main reasons why I stick with a corkscrew whenever possible. Holding capability for eyeglasses screwdriver and because the can opener is simply awesome and super useful, both as a can opener (must have survival/prepping/bushcraft tool) and Phillips screwdriver.
 
I prefer the corkscrew as I have opened a few wine bottles with it plus it is good at untying knots. Also I keep a Klien combo screw driver in my backpack (2 sizes of flat head, 2 sizes of Phillips plus the shaft itself has 1/4 inch and a 5/16th socket), I also have a small Torx driver with 8 sizes.
 
Corkscrew, as a rule. A tool of more uses than one. I've used it to open drawers and cupboards that only have handle holes.

The only advantage of the back Phillips for me is that it gives the knife a smooth feel in the hand is and easier on the thumb when using, say, the small blade and the saw (although the mini SD mitigates the corkscrew's feel to a degree as well as being useful occasionally in itself).
Enkrig said:
If I need to turn a Phillips screw, the tip of the can opener works perfectly for me.
Click to expand...
Me too.
 
Phillips for me... the T handle allows to exert more force than the can opener tip. It came handy a few times with backcountry sky bindings (loose screws)

Mikel
 
Rich S said:
Phillips- all the way. My EDC is my SAK Tinker for 30+ years.
Rich
Click to expand...

It is weird even though I like the Corkscrew for the Climber, my favorite 2 layer knife is the Tinker. I have to have scissors though on my SAK so the Climber gets carried more but that being said if I am just around the house the Tinker goes in my pocket.
 
Sawl Goodman said:
Corkscrew, as a rule. A tool of more uses than one. I've used it to open drawers and cupboards that only have handle holes.
Click to expand...
That's a great use for the corkscrew! I'll have to remember that one. In the limited time since I started carrying my Explorer, I've used the corkscrew to extract remains of dog treats from our puppy's "Kong" toy.

Sawl Goodman said:
The only advantage of the back Phillips for me is that it gives the knife a smooth feel in the hand is and easier on the thumb when using, say, the small blade and the saw (although the mini SD mitigates the corkscrew's feel to a degree as well as being useful occasionally in itself).
Click to expand...
Exactly! The Phillips driver has much better ergonomics when using the small blade because not only is it smooth, but it also has a smaller diameter such that it's almost flush with the scale surfaces (actually a bit below). That's why I prefer a Tinker-based SAK for whittling.
 
jackknife said:
So I don't carry SAK with back tools anymore
Click to expand...

Ever since I misplaced (I won't say lost) my super tinker, my recruit has been delivering for me, and I kind of appreciate the simplicity. I often carry a pocket Chapman screw driver set that really gives me the functionality I was missing in the tinker.

hsherzfeld said:
That is, provided the corkscrew has the eyeglasses screwdriver. Not only does it provide additional functionality, but it also fills in the gaps of the corkscrew and thus makes it more comfortable as a thumb-rest while using the small blade.
Click to expand...

Sawl Goodman said:
The only advantage of the back Phillips for me is that it gives the knife a smooth feel in the hand is and easier on the thumb
Click to expand...

That's one of my big complaints with the cork screw- it just feels weird. Aesthetically it doesn't really add to the lines, either... of course I always pretend that matters, but in my right front pocket I always carry a slip joint for the involved tasks.

Sawl Goodman said:
Corkscrew, as a rule. A tool of more uses than one. I've used it to open drawers and cupboards that only have handle holes.
Click to expand...

My dear mother gave me a gift card for Target for my birthday (value unknown), and I've had no idea what I'd buy there. I'd bet they carry some standard SAKs with cork screws. This comment and others like it might be driving me to try out a cork screw SAK for a while.
 
EngrSorenson said:
My dear mother gave me a gift card for Target for my birthday (value unknown), and I've had no idea what I'd buy there. I'd bet they carry some standard SAKs with cork screws. This comment and others like it might be driving me to try out a cork screw SAK for a while.
Click to expand...
I fear that you'll be disappointed if you're looking for SAKs at Target. They typically have a very limited selection of SAKs, usually just Classics and maybe one 91mm model. At least, the one near me does.
 
hsherzfeld said:
I fear that you'll be disappointed if you're looking for SAKs at Target. They typically have a very limited selection of SAKs, usually just Classics and maybe one 91mm model. At least, the one near me does.
Click to expand...
I wrote this from the local Target- can confirm. No SAK’s to be found. Gerber stuff only. I’ll check online.
 
Mark me down for Corkscrew.
Do I need a Philips driver more often than a CS? Yes. However, while the PD is a more common need day to day, it usually isn't long enough/the right size to be the exact tool for the job, and the can opener tip can can fill in "good enough".

However, when I need a CS, I NEED a CS. The CS on my Boker tool saved the day when my wife and I decided to have an impromptu wine date down by the lake of a place we were staying at a friend's wedding. Plastic dixie cups lifted from the gally kitchen, best $8 bottle of red you could find at CVS, candlelight via a Zippo. We still talk about it 5 or 6 years later. I won't leave home without a CS if a social engagement is possible.

Besides, my Leatherman already had a better driver, and I nearly shower with that tool on me:D. I NEVER leave the house without it
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top