Torx Drivers for Spydercos

[kennethsime]

Hi all,

A few years ago I had a set of stainless steel-handled jeweler's drivers made by Phillips. Well, I went searching for them at OSH the other day and they have since been replaced in their lineup by a cheap chinese knock-off brand. So I ended up picking up a similarly-priced set with thicker plastic handles, and more options (3-4 each of philips, flathead, and torx) but have been utterly disappointed with them. Not only is the torx sizing way off (for use on my Spydercos, the T10 fits my T8 pivot, my clip needs a T7 in their sizing but they didn't give me one), the central shaft (or bit) has started to come unglued form the plastic handles, making it completely useless. Currently looking for the receipt.

I would like to stay away from solutions provided by knife companies, as I've mostly had bad experience with them (with the exception of Kershaw's little keychain driver). Any Benchmade tool I've used, for example, has used very soft steel that strips far too easily.

So I ask all of you: What is your recommendation for a set of torx (and philips/flathead if possible) drivers which are compatible specifically with your Spyderco knives?

I have seen a couple posts on this subject but usually hidden in other threads, and thought it might be useful to get a slew of good recommendations in one place for easy searching.

[MarcusH]

Most knife afis here in germany use the Boker Toolkit Torx. The quality is pretty decent.
http://www.gpknives.com/bokertoolkittorx.html
It is made by the german company Wiha, which has quite a good reputation.

[Gunslinger]

Husky's screw driver and torx driver are pretty good, you get them at Home Depot.
Lowes has Kobalt brand which are are pretty good too.

[Timbo114]

Wiha 79242 TORX bits selector set
ten TORX bits. Sizes include T5, T6, T7, T8, T9, T10, T15, T20, T25, T30.
Molded storage box and magnetic bit holder.
TORX bits bit holder 1/4 magnetic industrial quality through hardened bits.

[flash900]

I like the fold-up torx sets. Everything is together and you don't risk losing one or two sizes.

The highest quality set I've tried is the Wiha PocketStar 353 P7 with T sizes 7 to 25. I bought this after someone on the forum made fun of my cheap set listed below. If you have to have the best, this is close to it.

But the Wiha folding tools lack a T6 -- apparently Wiha doesn't believe there is enough reason to have a 6. This is a serious omission, IMO. I've found too many scales that require a T6 and even a few pivot screws.

The Benchmade folding tool kit folds up smaller and comes in a small nylon pouch. It includes a T6, T8 and T10, the most popular sizes. Plus six hex drivers, a flathead screwdriver, a No. 2 Philips, a sharpening rod and a carbide sharpener. The street price is fairly expensive, about $30. And the quality is so-so: the sharpener broke out of the box. But it is convenient with all those tools and the small size.

The folding kit I enjoy the most is also one of the cheapest: The green-handled GorillaGrip 12632. It has T6 through T 25 and is under $10. No, it isn't super hardened steel, but I've never found that to be a problem. Mine is two years plus old and works just fine. If I ever strip any of the keys, I'll just buy another. The keys open easier than on either the Wiha or the BM sets. And the Gorilla has every torx key I've ever needed.

Here's a link:

http://www.amazon.com/Bondhus-12632-Gor ... grip+12632

Any of these folding tools will work (unless you need a T6.) As a cheapskate, I recommend the Gorilla.

[The Deacon]

The three sizes most frequently found on Spyderco knives will be T-6, T-8, and T-10. T-9, and T15 are less common, but have been used. Wiha makes good tools, but they're expensive and often impossible to find locally. I've been using a Husky HD-74502 set from Home Depot for going on nine years now and have yet to damage a screw or any of the drivers.

[kbuzbee]

The three sizes most frequently found on Spyderco knives will be T-6, T-8, and T-10. T-9, and T15 are less common, but have been used. Wiha makes good tools, but they're expensive and often impossible to find locally. I've been using a Husky HD-74502 set from Home Depot for going on nine years now and have yet to damage a screw or any of the drivers.

Same here, Paul. Good set. Good price.

Ken

[LC Kid]

Hi Mr. kennethsime!


I've had a lot of Torx, Allen, Imperial or Metrical sets of screwdrivers, some huge variety of brands and origins, and here I have to say that most of them are a pure and simple Sack of Crap :mad:

The only one that I can really recommend you as the very best among them, but I mean By Far, is this one:



And this set has everything you could possibly need with your Spydies :spyder:

BUT: it has to be USA Made, and the reason for that is just because when Craftsman puts in the market their chinese madestuff it uses to fall on the sack I mentioned before :eek:

[kbuzbee]

I'm sure those Craftsman are nice but that's a lot of real estate compared to my multi bit Husky set.



Ken

[LC Kid]

Hi Mr. kbuzbee!


It's not that expensive :D Actually, I don't remember how much money I paid for it, but I can assure you it was something between $ 5 - 7, like 9 months ago.

[shunsui]

I bought of set of these Wiha things on line. They weren't all that expensive.

[jackknifeh]

Since you would like common and phillips bits also I'd suggest a set in a red box with a clear plastic lid at Wal Mart. I have two different sizes (different number and selection of bits). Each set is under $10. I won't brag about the quality but I haven't had any trouble with them when using them on Spydercos. Manbugs and such need a T5 and I think one of the sets has T4-T10 and a T15. It also has common and phillips bits. Actually it's a very nice little set.

I have a little one from Lowe's that I like with only torx. It's a Kobalt and all the bits fit in the little handle. VERY compact.

My "best" set is a Eklind with seperate drivers for each size. They all fit very snuggly in Spyderco screws.

The only tools like this I've bought and had problems with are like the $1.99 sets from China on eBay or something like that.

[1623]

I have two of these sets in my kit, though the original T8 that was in the first set had to be warrantied due to the tip actually twisting out of shape while trying to remove a clip screw. I wasn't impressed to say the least, however, I've had no other issues since.

If I were in the market for a set today I would buy Wiha.

[jackknifeh]

I bought of set of these Wiha things on line. They weren't all that expensive.

Wiha make good tools IMO. How come that goofy looking knife is in your picture of your torx drivers? :) Just kidding.

[JD Spydo]

For the past decade or so I've been using an old school Benchmade tool kit that I got at a gun show here in Kansas City many, many years ago. The kit contains many different sizes of Torx, Phillips and other tools for pocket knife disassembly. I haven't seen it in any of Benchmades catalogs for a long time now. I was told at the time it was made for Benchmade dealers at that time.

But I'm definitely going to check out the German made tool kit from Boker that the one Brother from across the pond talked about. Also don't forget that American tool company "Snap On" has a great selection of Torx and other tools for all kinds of disassembly work.

Great thread!!

[kennethsime]

First off thank you all for your responses, I will be looking at all of these in depth. So far I think the Husky looks good, I enjoy the jeweler's style drivers the most. I will look at the Wiha brand more, but they look to be a bit pricey for now.

Since you would like common and phillips bits also I'd suggest a set in a red box with a clear plastic lid at Wal Mart. I have two different sizes (different number and selection of bits). Each set is under $10. I won't brag about the quality but I haven't had any trouble with them when using them on Spydercos. Manbugs and such need a T5 and I think one of the sets has T4-T10 and a T15. It also has common and phillips bits. Actually it's a very nice little set.

I think the set I had by Philips was very much like that, only it was philips and flathead only.

The folding kit I enjoy the most is also one of the cheapest: The green-handled GorillaGrip 12632. It has T6 through T 25 and is under $10. No, it isn't super hardened steel, but I've never found that to be a problem. Mine is two years plus old and works just fine. If I ever strip any of the keys, I'll just buy another. The keys open easier than on either the Wiha or the BM sets. And the Gorilla has every torx key I've ever needed.

Here's a link:

http://www.amazon.com/Bondhus-12632-Gor ... grip+12632

Any of these folding tools will work (unless you need a T6.) As a cheapskate, I recommend the Gorilla.

I actually think I have that same GorillaGrip one, love it, only mine only goes down to T10. :'-( Still works great on the car though.

[JNewell]

The three sizes most frequently found on Spyderco knives will be T-6, T-8, and T-10. T-9, and T15 are less common, but have been used. Wiha makes good tools, but they're expensive and often impossible to find locally. I've been using a Husky HD-74502 set from Home Depot for going on nine years now and have yet to damage a screw or any of the drivers.

^^^ +1. I have Wiha drivers (the best, regardless of cost) and I have four of the Husky drives (which is as good as the Wiha and is a lot less expensive and more compact). Buy the Husky.

[JNewell]

Hi Mr. kennethsime!


I've had a lot of Torx, Allen, Imperial or Metrical sets of screwdrivers, some huge variety of brands and origins, and here I have to say that most of them are a pure and simple Sack of Crap :mad:

The only one that I can really recommend you as the very best among them, but I mean By Far, is this one:



And this set has everything you could possibly need with your Spydies :spyder:

BUT: it has to be USA Made, and the reason for that is just because when Craftsman puts in the market their chinese madestuff it uses to fall on the sack I mentioned before :eek:

I have had several broken Craftsman Torx drivers. YMMV, but I would stay far away from the Craftsman sets. Among other things, none of those I've bought appear to be properly sized nor were they properly hardened.

[sharpguitarist]

Hey Kenneth,
I have the Husky set, the red box Walmart set, and a Picquic set that I got somewhere for $2.99. (The green handled one in the pic.)

I use the husky the most, but the Picquic set has 2 Phillips (0, and 00), 2 flat (2, and 3), along with 3 torx (t5, t6, and t8). It's very handy and offers a little more torque because of the larger diameter of the handle.
Good luck with your search.
Later,
Don

[wolfgaze]

I've got the Husky set from Home Depot and I'm happy with it. If you go this route just take a pair of needle-nose pliers and remove the plastic insert inside the handle and that way you can store all of the bits in there.