Tool Talk

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: OilyRascal on October 01, 2012, 05:16:29 AM

Title: My first PH Screwdriver from the wild
Post by: OilyRascal on October 01, 2012, 05:16:29 AM
This is the first Perfect Handle screwdriver I have found in the wild.  It was picked up from a local pawn - laying within a bed of import tools.  It measures 5" long, and has a whopping 1/2" blade.

I see they are fairly common, or at least not uncommon.  I will put it back for a new handle later, and plan to hang it for the memory of it.

I know - it seems silly but meant something to me to finally find one.

(http://i1154.photobucket.com/albums/p534/alphinde/846471584_photobucket_191796_.jpg)
Title: Re: My first PH Screwdriver from the wild
Post by: oldtools on October 01, 2012, 06:20:06 AM
Very nice, like to see it with new wooden handles. "Scales"
Title: Re: My first PH Screwdriver from the wild
Post by: kxxr on October 01, 2012, 06:31:41 AM
Ha! My first, and only perfect handle is almost identical and I bought it for the same reasons you did. Not silly! I think mine is an imitation ph.
Title: Re: My first PH Screwdriver from the wild
Post by: lbgradwell on October 01, 2012, 06:38:57 AM
Not silly at all!
Title: Re: My first PH Screwdriver from the wild
Post by: Lostmind on October 01, 2012, 07:35:58 AM
Are they marked somewhere? I have one that looks very similar, but no marking.
Were there other makers that made them in the same style?
Title: Re: My first PH Screwdriver from the wild
Post by: oldtools on October 01, 2012, 07:39:46 AM
I had one like yours, ~11" long, and I loved it!! not sure if it was a PH? but it went away ;(
Title: Re: My first PH Screwdriver from the wild
Post by: Papaw on October 01, 2012, 07:41:44 AM
There were several makers that looked similar. Irwin, for one, and may still be available. Lots of them made in Germany, also.
Title: Re: My first PH Screwdriver from the wild
Post by: Branson on October 01, 2012, 08:51:13 AM
Not silly in the least.  I have one just about like this, and someday I'll get around to replacing the scales (which really need it!) but a couple of jobs around here made it just the right tool.  It's already earned its place in the work box.
Title: Re: My first PH Screwdriver from the wild
Post by: Bill Houghton on October 01, 2012, 03:52:17 PM
I would say it's a little imperfect right now...but it'll make a nice tool when you put scales on it.
Title: Re: My first PH Screwdriver from the wild
Post by: mikeswrenches on October 01, 2012, 05:37:53 PM
Normally H. D. Smith marked the shank of the screwdriver with their logo inside a rectangle that was applied at an angle to the shank.  The Irwin's I have seen are also marked on the shank.  Some that I've seen also have a number forged into the tip, actually just in back of the actual tip.

The German and Italian ones are usually marked where the shank starts to flare out to make the seat for the scales.  Not sure what you call that part of the SD.  Most of the small SD's are made in Germany, I have yet to see a small H. D. Smith made one.

Mike
Title: Re: My first PH Screwdriver from the wild
Post by: kxxr on October 01, 2012, 06:24:34 PM
On close inspection I can make out just the faint outline of an elongated diamond stamp at the wide part of the shank near the handle area. I have no clue what that might mean but it doesn't sound like any kind of PH marking. Any marks on yours, Oily?
Title: Re: My first PH Screwdriver from the wild
Post by: mikeswrenches on October 01, 2012, 06:41:53 PM
It might be for Shapleigh Hardware's "Diamond Edge" brand.  They used an elongated diamond with a DE and an arrow inside the diamond.

Mike
Title: Re: My first PH Screwdriver from the wild
Post by: OilyRascal on October 01, 2012, 06:56:06 PM
Any marks on yours, Oily?

Nothing that I can find with a magnifying glass and two 300 watt lights.
Title: Re: My first PH Screwdriver from the wild
Post by: oldtools on October 01, 2012, 07:31:03 PM
Nice tutorial on making scales for PH type screwdrivers

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=perfict%20handle&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&ved=0CC0QFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wkfinetools.com%2Fcontrib%2FjThompson%2Frestore%2FperfHandle%2FperfHandles1.asp&ei=mDJqUPmGBcS6iwKV8IHwBA&usg=AFQjCNEcp-1j1hT6jWMifLZ6IAparzszcA