Victorinox screwdrivers

J

JJNH

Joined
Mar 4, 2009
Messages
11
Hey all,

Can anyone weigh in on the merits of the end mounted vs. center mounted Victorinox phillips screwdrivers? I carry a Spartan and find myself constantly wanting a phillips and a saw, so I'm searching for the right upgrade using the selectors. Unfortunately, it looks like Victorinox has something against putting the saw and the end mounted phillips on the same tool until you get to the Huntsman lite, and at 5 layers that's just a bit too big. So I'm starting to come around to a hiker, but I'm curious how people like that center mounted phillips instead of the corkscrew. The other option is to mod an Explorer and replace the scissors with a saw.

So is the center mount driver as useful as the end mount or would it be worth it to try to do the mod on an Explorer?

Hope that makes sense. I know I'm an ideal candidate for a Scibeer custom, but he's not available to do any at the moment (I asked!)

Thanks!

PS- Also considering trying this with a Farmer for those alox scales..
 
i like the center mounted phillips on my centurion and super tinker which give you good grip and its good for drilling the screw through something, but you can't spin it as fast as the end mounted one. So jobs with a center mounted may take longer. It's a fuller head than the end mounted one. its a toss up.
 
I tend to agree. It's a trade of torque for a bit of reach. On the other hand, the knife handle kind of prevents getting into really tight spaces if it's end mounted anyway, so a lot of the time you aren't giving up that much real reach.
 
I have both, and prefer the end mounted screwdriver. I find it much quicker (and easier) to drive a screw into a board with the in-line Phillips. I've also had a situation or two on my bike where I couldn't get close enough (because of angles) with the center mount but the end mount did fine. The Champion Plus is probably big by your standard, but not really bad in a pocket IMO.

If choosing between the center mount screwdriver and a corkscrew, I'd much rather have the screwdriver. The only use I have for the corkscrew is to hold the mini-driver, and to keep the stick pin from falling out.:) I do like the corkscrew on "Plus" models.

Also, I might disagree with the others above concerning strength. I feel that I can get a better turn on a screw with the in-line, while the center mount seems to twist somewhat if you really torque it.
 
Does the can opener screwdriver not work on the phillips screws that you need to turn? It's not as strong as a dedicated screwdriver but I've never had a problem using that. So you could get by with the Farmer or Camper. I for one use the corkscrew for knots and the mini driver so I like to have it there.
 
Removing the scissors layer from an Explorer is not that difficult.
Is that what you want done?
The knife then becomes a "Passenger" model, which is now discontinued by Victorinox.

Passenger.jpg
 
I don't like the center mounted phillips at all. It invariably is too short to get where I need it. Also, the tip of the end mounted phillips is more capable in terms of both larger and smaller screws. If you don't believe me, try it sometime, with different sized screws side-by-side. Also, you can't get into tight places with the center mount. It sounds to me like you need a mod, where you can specify your particular tools, since I know of no currently produced (or old one for that matter) Vic less than 5 layers, that has an end-mounted phillips and a woodsaw. I'd lookup Scibeer and spec something out. You'll probably have the knife in a week or so, once you get the final plan down.
 
The only limiting factor on a mod is the backspring used on the end-mounted phillips. The only tools that work with it (AFAIK) are the LED light or the magnifying glass. I think the simplest way to get what you want (if I am reading your post correctly) is to have a "Passenger" mod done, or to search for an original Passenger which will probably be expensive. Your mod could have both the end mount and the center mount phillips, or keep the corkscrew and use it to hold the micro screwdriver.

--Mike L.
 
Although I'm not a fan of the LED module, I find the magnifying glass useful, and certainly not out of place on an outdoors tool. Map reading and even in a pinch fire starting. come to mind...Yes, it can be done with the right conditions, but it ain't easy. If I'm not mistaken, the Passenger (Canadian Explorer) does not have a saw, so you are back to a mod anyway, unless you want the Huntsman Lite.
 
I apoligize, I missed the part where you already contacted Scibeer.:o

However, in cruising eBay I was reminded of a Vic made special order for SMKW, the Master Gardener. Unfortunately, it has the LED module. It has both center and end-mounted phillips and a hawkbill blade for grafting. It's only 4 layers so it might meet your needs.
 
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The only thing the backspring phillips is any good for , is a field expedient fist load . Gimme end mounted an a corkscrew any day !

Chris
 
I positively don't like mid mounted phillips screwdriver. I have encountered many situations where this particular screwdriver placement made my life more difficult than it already was. In several instances it made the screwdriver useless, so I was forced to use the small flat head at the tip of the can opener to open awkwardly placed phillips screws.
 
MikeL: Sort of, but after removing the scissors layer I'd replace it with the saw from a camper or hiker. I can live with 4 layers but I don't really want to go to five (huntsman lite). I can't remember ever really needing scissors, but about a thousand times where I'd want the saw or a decent phillips tip.

The passenger looks pretty sweet though, those are easily all the tools I would use the most, and it reminds me a lot of the scientist. I wonder if I'm just odd in my tool needs or if there is some reason Vic seems to discontinue the models I think make the most sense (Passenger, Scientist, Original Yeoman)

I'm seriously considering that "Master Gardener", I think that might hold me over while I make up a custom mod or until Scibeer can help..

Thanks so much everyone for the suggestions!
 
I think for your needs, the Master Gardener is a great bet, at a great price. Take care of it while you use it, and put it away. 10 years later you'll triple your investment. Trust me on this one. Oh, and when you put it away, take the batteries out of the LED!
 
SAKsRCool said:
Does the can opener screwdriver not work on the phillips screws that you need to turn? It's not as strong as a dedicated screwdriver but I've never had a problem using that. So you could get by with the Farmer or Camper. I for one use the corkscrew for knots and the mini driver so I like to have it there.
Click to expand...


Ditto here,
The center mounted phillips is still more useful than the corkscrew imo.
Mike
 
I love the can-opener for philips, especially if its an already stripped or damaged screw. It doesn't seem to tear up the head like regular philips driver, and if it does at least you get another chance. Its my biggest reason for buying Vic instead of Wenger.

Can't say that I think much of the midmounted philips however. I have one model with one and wish it was a corkscrew to showoff to friends.
 
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