Why is there different screwdrivers?
Sarah Smith
Published Jan 24, 2026
Answer: The primary reason for the wide variety of screw head drive types is to ensure the fact that you will never have the proper screwdriver close at hand when you need it.
What are the different types of screwdriver?
What are the Screwdriver Types?
- Flat Head or Slotted Screwdriver. This screwdriver type is probably the most common form of hand tool. ...
- Phillips Screwdriver. ...
- Torx or Star Screwdriver. ...
- Hex Screwdriver. ...
- Pozidriv Screwdriver. ...
- Robertson or Square Screwdriver. ...
- Tri Wing Screwdriver.
Why are there Phillips and flathead?
Invented by Henry Phillips, a tool company owner working in the 1930s, the screwdriver and accompanying screws were intended to provide a safer alternative to the traditional flathead. Henry Phillips wanted a screwdriver that would prevent a damaging process called overtorquing.
What are the 3 types of screwdriver?
Types of Screwdriver Heads
- Phillips Head. AKA: Cross head screwdriver. If you only own one screwdriver, this is the one you want. ...
- Flat Head. AKA: Straight head, flat blade, slotted screwdriver. ...
- Allen Wrench. AKA: Hex key, Allen key, hex screwdriver, Ikea wrench.
Are all screwdrivers the same?
Sets of Screwdrivers
Sets typically contain a variety of tools in a range of sizes. Depending on the set, this could include multiple different types or varying sized versions of the same tool. A popular example of this is torx screwdriver sets.
44 related questions foundWhy do some screwdrivers have a square shaft?
Square – The square “Robertson” tip was introduced in the early 1900s to avoid the driver slippage professionals experienced when using a flat head. This screwdriver design is self-centering and enables easy one-handed driving with a secure fit.
How many different screw heads are there?
The two basic screw head types, countersunk and non-countersunk, include various unique designs. Your chosen head shape or style can either serve a functional or decorative purpose. The drive recess or style is ultimately based on the tool you use during installation.
Why is it called Phillips screwdriver?
Henry Frank Phillips (June 4, 1889 – April 13, 1958) was an American businessman from Portland, Oregon. The Phillips-head ("crosshead") screw and screwdriver are named after him.
What screwdriver is also known as snake eyes?
This spanner head screwdriver features a point that can be used for securing or removing screws. Also called a snake-eyes screwdriver.
What is the flathead screwdriver called?
A "slotted flat blade screwdriver" is a long standard hand-tool dating back to the 1500s. It has a flat-bladed tip used to turn, fasten or loosen screws and bolts. The flat blade screwdriver is an extremely versatile tool and is used for fasteners of all sizes, providing significant leverage.
What is star screw driver?
A star screwdriver is a handheld tool with a six sided, star shaped bit. It is designed to interact specifically with star screw heads that are sized to match corresponding bits exactly.
What is slotted screw?
Slot. Slot screw drives have a single horizontal indentation (the slot) in the fastener head and is driven by a "common blade" or flat-bladed screwdriver. This form was the first type of screw drive to be developed, and for centuries, it was the simplest and cheapest to make.
What is a cheese head screwdriver?
Cheese Head Machine Screws have a round cylindrical head with a flat top, usually have a slot drive. Slotted screw heads are perhaps the oldest and most common variety; a linear slot in the head accepts a standard screwdriver, which is also called a flat-head screwdriver.
What are tiny screwdrivers called?
Hex-head screws are typically small and commonly found in doorknobs, towel bars, faucet handles, even some mechanical installations and require a hex key screwdriver (also called an Allen screwdriver) to tighten or loosen.
What is a six sided screw head called?
The Hex Drive is a six point fastener head. It is often known as a hex head cap screw or a hex head machine screw. This head style can be driven with a wrench or with 6 or 12 point sockets.
What screwdriver is like a Phillips but has a flatter and blunter tip?
Pozidriv Screwdrivers
These screwdrivers feature four shallow edges on the tip's sides. Moreover, the tip is tinier and blunter than those on the Phillips screw.
What tool is used to loose and tight different screws?
A screwdriver is used to manually tighten or loosen different types of screws. You hold a screwdriver by the handle. The shaft of a screwdriver connects the head and handle.
Why are Phillips screws so popular?
The specific design of the head allowed the Phillips screw to handle greater torque much better than other fasteners. Moreover, because it provided a tighter fastening, they immediately found their place in assembly lines and it didn't take long before these screws started being used for a variety of applications.
When did cross head screws come out?
To counteract these disadvantages, J. P. Thompson patented a screw with a cross recess in 1933. He sold the patent to the Phillips Screw Company. It improved the profile and introduced the screw to the market in 1936/37.
Why do electricians use flat head screws?
Originally posted by JasonF: Flat head screws are good for wood as they prevent overtightening and thus help prevent stripping.
What does CSK mean in screws?
Countersunk Socket Screws - CSK Allen Screws | Bolts - Fasteners - Orbital Fasteners.
How do you identify different screws?
General. Fasteners are identified by four or five attributes; Type, Material, Diameter, Length, and Thread Pitch or Count (machine thread fasteners only).
Does screw head matter?
Some screw head types are better in some circumstances, while different screw head types are a better choice in others. But, rest assured. If you prefer one screw head type over another, you can probably use it in nearly any application. Just make sure you have a few different types of screwdrivers around just in case.
Which screwdriver is used in blind space?
The offset screwdriver has a handle set at right angles to the small blade, providing access to narrow spaces and giving extra torque.
What is the difference between a 1 and a 2 Phillips screwdriver?
Screwdriver Technique
While screw size is shrouded in mystery, there are four basic sizes of Phillips screwdriver — from #0 to #4 — #0 being the smallest. The most common sizes are #2 and #1, #2 for standard screw sizes, #1 for “miniature”. Then there are the jeweler-size screws.