Vic swisscard vs. Sears craftsman : 4 way screwdrivers

coyote711

coyote711

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Sep 19, 2009
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Every once in a while there's a thread asking questions about these things. So, thought I'd post a few comparison shots of the size of these two keyring or wallet carry screwdrivers. Pics are pretty much self-explanatory, so I'll just add that for my purposes the Sears is much more useful than the Victorinox. YMMV. ;) Credit goes to Jackknife for bringing these little tools to the forefront of my mind! :thumbup:
 

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Good comparison pic's!:thumbup:

I've found the sear's 4-way to be an almost indespensable piece of equiptment. Being just one single piece of tool steel, it will stand up to torque that would pop a vic soldiers rivits. I've used mine as an emergency pry tool, and once doing a make shift repair away from home, I got a rusted screw out by using a cheap stainless steel fork as an extention handle. It bent up the forks tines a bit, but it was a cheap fork, and the screw did break free with a loud squeeking. The smallest bit on the 4-way works very well on number 2 phillips and larger screws.

Good post 'yote!

Carl.
 
I tried to carry one of those once as a SAK replacement but found the edges sharp enough to be uncomfortable through the pocket material. So then I went to those screw key thingees and ultimately went back to a SAK.
adam
 
Thanks Carl! I also took your earlier advice and filed down the tips of the blades to give it a better "bite". ;)

Adam, with the above modification the edges are even a little sharper yet - I carry mine in a slot in my wallet instead of on a keychain.
 
coyote711 said:
Thanks Carl! I also took your earlier advice and filed down the tips of the blades to give it a better "bite". ;)

Adam, with the above modification the edges are even a little sharper yet - I carry mine in a slot in my wallet instead of on a keychain.
Click to expand...

Yep, that's where I put mine. It and my P-38 fit in the zipper part of my wallet. That way, they have went right through TSA security when I fly. I can't do that with a sak.
 
Is the smallest bit on the Victorinox model the same size as the eyeglass screwdriver which stores in the corkscrew?
 
Jeez, why didn't I think of that...that would also make it much easier to use without a bunch of keys hanging off of it.
adam
 
houdini28 said:
Is the smallest bit on the Victorinox model the same size as the eyeglass screwdriver which stores in the corkscrew?
Click to expand...

I don't have the eyeglass screwdriver you're talking about, but the smallest screwdriver on the Vic 4-way is still too large to fit the screws on my eyeglasses. It could probably be filed down pretty easily to make it fit.
 
coyote711 said:
I don't have the eyeglass screwdriver you're talking about, but the smallest screwdriver on the Vic 4-way is still too large to fit the screws on my eyeglasses. It could probably be filed down pretty easily to make it fit.
Click to expand...

In a pinch, I've used one end of the tweezers of my classic to snug up a loose screw on sunglasses. Don't torque down on it till you bend it, just till you feel it flex a bit. This will snug it up till you get home.

Improvise.

Carl.
 
Nice comparison:thumbup:

The Sears looks more useful to me as well.

However, I haven't seen these around here and when I have to order them from the US, I'm afraid I will pay more than $0.99

Heck, for the money to get it here I could probably buy another Classic AND a Vic Screwdriver:grumpy:
 
spydutch said:
Nice comparison:thumbup:

The Sears looks more useful to me as well.

However, I haven't seen these around here and when I have to order them from the US, I'm afraid I will pay more than $0.99

Heck, for the money to get it here I could probably buy another Classic AND a Vic Screwdriver:grumpy:
Click to expand...

Spydutch, send me a message or an email with your address, and I'll mail ya one - I'll tape it between a couple of index cards, put it in an envelope, and send it off. ;)
 
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jackknife said:
I've found the sear's 4-way to be an almost indespensable piece of equiptment. Being just one single piece of tool steel, it will stand up to torque that would pop a vic soldiers rivits.
Click to expand...

I'm a bit skeptical here. It might be able to stand up to that kind of torque, but could you apply that much with just your fingers?
 
mnblade said:
I'm a bit skeptical here. It might be able to stand up to that kind of torque, but could you apply that much with just your fingers?
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Just fingers, no. But I have used a few different means of getting more torque. Like I said in a few posts back, I once used an old dinner fork that was around, another time a couple of thumb thick sticks sandwiching it and push and pull on the wood sticks. I saw my dad do this and never forgot it. Anthing with a slot in it will do. Even opening up a regular pocket knife and putting the 4-way in the blade spot and using the open pocket knife as a T-handle. Wrap the blade in a bandana first.

You improvise.

Carl.
 
I've carried one for years to take license plates off towed m/v's. I just bought a bunch to hand out to my brothers. For a buck apiece I buy 5-6 at a time and give them to friends too.
 
jackknife said:
Just fingers, no. But I have used a few different means of getting more torque. Like I said in a few posts back, I once used an old dinner fork that was around, another time a couple of thumb thick sticks sandwiching it and push and pull on the wood sticks. I saw my dad do this and never forgot it. Anthing with a slot in it will do. Even opening up a regular pocket knife and putting the 4-way in the blade spot and using the open pocket knife as a T-handle. Wrap the blade in a bandana first.

You improvise.

Carl.
Click to expand...

I notched a slot for mine in an old branch that I had left to dry out. It can provide massive amounts of torque. It nice on outer screws and prying open paint cans, but beyond that is a little limited. I currently keep mine chained to my keys.
 
spydutch said:
However, I haven't seen these around here and when I have to order them from the US, I'm afraid I will pay more than $0.99
Click to expand...

We made our own in autoshop in high school. (We were bored.) We would use an old thin washer, and grind it into somewhat of a square shape, with flat points. We used an old Craftsman 4-way as a pattern. They worked okay, and already had the hole for your keychain.

We were banned from ever making them again when our shop teacher found one stuck in a wall. (Think: 'ninja-star'. :rolleyes:)

~Chris
 
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I carry a Craftsman 4 way like the one pictured in the original post, but honestly I have never used it. I might try to file two of the points into flat phillips style tips. I think I will get a new one so I have both.
 
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