Working With The Vic Combo Tool

O

okBookGuy

Joined
Dec 29, 2005
Messages
145
Does anyone find the screw driver on the combo tool (like on Scientist, Compact, waiter etc. . .) harder to use to loosen and tighten screws than the screw driver on the bottle cap lifter tool found on most officer model knives (like on the Spartan and Tinker)?

What about the can opener on the combo tool? How does it stack up against the usual dedicated can opener on the Spartan?

I've heard some folks like the combo tool better for opening cans.

But it seems I'm having a little more trouble using the combo tool screwdriver than I do with the Tinker and Spartan bottle opener screw driver.

What do you think?
 
I dont like the combo can opener! It does not work nearly as well or as fast as the wenger or any other standard can opener. The bottle/can opener works much better but they dont work as well either as a blade designed just for opening cans.
 
I have a harder time using the combo tool screw driver than I do the
cap lifter screw driver. I keep slipping out of the slotted screw head
when I get to going with it. I didn't have that trouble doing the same job
with the Tinker.

Does anyone else have this problem with the screw driver?
Does anyone else like the combo tool screw driver better than the other Tinker/Spartan version??
 
I agree - the combo tool does not seem to open cans as well as the "delta" shaped can opener/small screwdriver blade (for lack of better words). It requires more force to put the blunted tip in.

For me, despite eliminating an extra blade (the bottle opener/large scredriver blade), I feel the extra blade is justified when considering the can opener is "dedicated" to handling food items while the separate bottle opener blade can be used for tasks you don't necessarily want to be in contact with food. For example, attaching plastic screws in a toilet seat (!!) At least the bottle opener can be used while separate from the can opener (unlike the combo tool). At least it seems better that way...
 
Ultraman said:
For me, despite eliminating an extra blade (the bottle opener/large scredriver blade), I feel the extra blade is justified when considering the can opener is "dedicated" to handling food items while the separate bottle opener blade can be used for tasks you don't necessarily want to be in contact with food. For example, attaching plastic screws in a toilet seat (!!) At least the bottle opener can be used while separate from the can opener (unlike the combo tool). At least it seems better that way...
Click to expand...

I like the combo tool because it makes it possible to eliminate a layer, so I'm predisposed to disagree with you a bit (:) ) but for what it's worth, I just squirt a little alcohol on my SAK's blades/tools every morning to keep 'em reasonably clean (I use that alcohol sprayer to clean my glasses every day at the same time, so it's not really that obsessive a thing to do...)

- Tim
 
Not a problem at all! In fact, I agree about the weight and space savings the combo tool gives :thumbup: It's a *good* thing!
 
Better than nothing, when storage space is a premium. I carry a Compact most of the week, since I wear scrubs 3d/12hr. I find the knife to be optimal in terms of tool selection and size. Usually carry it in my lab coat pocket, so it's very unobtrusive.


In other situations though, I would never compromise. Still rely on the trusty SwissChamp to do the dirty work.
 
I like the combo-tool - but then again I'm somewhat biassed.

Can opening -
I did a side-by-side comparision between the combo-tool and the standard Victorinox can-opener - and as control used a kitchen turn the handle opener too - it in this Post #30

Before you think I'm too biassed see the follow up post #33

all from this thread - My EDC Story - Victorinox Combo Tool Story

Screwdriver -
I can use the combo-tool screwdriver fine - this was a very important feature for me - if the combo-tool screwdriver was significantly inferior to the standard screwdriver it would not have been acceptable for me.....

and probably because I am used to it - I think I find the screwdriver on the combo-tool slightly easier to use than the standard screwdriver - reason for me - despite the strange hook like shape of the combo-tool the actual screwdriver blade is more central in-line with the handle - whereas the standard screwdriver blade is somewhat off-set.....

But as always YMMV - I think we're talking minor and subtle differences here -
and like the can opening differences - there is not enough difference - since a standard kitchen turn the handle is so much easier that any differences are moot -

Just so one can put this into even more context - there was a demo once of someone who was so good with a SAK can opener - that he consistently beat people using kitchen openers......

what does that prove?

simply one can get used to anything, and with practice one can excel with it.....

--
Vincent
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2006
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2005
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2004
http://clik.to/UnknownVincent
 
tcolling said:
(I use that alcohol sprayer to clean my glasses every day at the same time, so it's not really that obsessive a thing to do...)

- Tim
Click to expand...

Just don't use Windex! :eek:

-- Craig
 
UnknownVT said:
the inner corner will fit and work with Phillips screws
(the standard screwdriver can't do that - at least not as well)
Click to expand...

True, but when you have the standard screwdriver you also have the small screwdriver on the can opener - and that small screwdriver will also work with Philips screws.

It works quite well too. I have not tried the combo tool with Philips screws so I can't comment on that.
 
The inner corner trick works but like my Dad said, "right tool for the right job".

I figured that by not torquing it too much, it is ample enough for screwing around...:eek: :D
 
gatch said:
True, but when you have the standard screwdriver you also have the small screwdriver on the can opener - and that small screwdriver will also work with Philips screws.
It works quite well too. I have not tried the combo tool with Philips screws so I can't comment on that.
Click to expand...

The small screwdriver tip on the can-opener is actually designed to fit #1 & #2 Phillips and is spec'd that way - so it does work well.

However the point is a combo-tool does virtually all the functions of the two separate screwdriver/cap-lifter and can-opener tools - all in a single tool -
and saves a backspring/layer......

Minimalist SAKs

--
Vincent
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2006
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2005
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2004
http://clik.to/UnknownVincent
 
I like the space saving the combo tool allows, but I peronally don't think it is as good of a screwdriver or can opener as the dedicated tools are. nor as strong. Like Vincent said, you get used to it and can use it very efficiently with some practice.

That said, I usually carry a SAK with the combo tool because it allows me to pocket another tool layer comfortably and having a tool you can use is better than having none at all.
 
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