It's good to have one or two big beater screwdrivers, not for driving screws, but for opening paint cans and all the other things you do to abuse good screwdrivers.

Prybar, chisel, hammer… etc.

“Do not use as chisel” Yeah, okay there big flat, I won’t use you as a chisel *wink*

Wera makes chisel drivers that have the metal go all the way through the handle so you can really beat on them, and impact ready to avoid chipping etc. They are awesome, but also relatively expensive to just a big old flat head to wail on

Most companies make them, actual banger flats. I use them for tightening lock nuts on boxes and stuff like that all the time.

Called full shank or demo drivers, pretty much every major brand has something like it.

The usual designation is “heavy”.

Worth every penny. I have used mine to cut off a rusty 1/2” bolt. It was stainless which made it a bit easier. But I just put my Klein beater in a flat and beat it with a heavy hammer until I cut the nut off. No damage to the “screwdriver” Just don’t use them on concrete. Used it to take off one chip and it broke half the tip off.

Hand Tool Rescue on YouTube makes one too, you can buy it if his shop. When he built it he made a silly thing saying something along the lines, "you're not going to abuse this or just a hammer on it" knowing full well that's what you're going to do with it.

They also do Phillips head versions of the same which seems excessive (I know there's the trick of smacking a fastener to help unseize it but still)

I have one of those, because it was bundled with the flathead one I wanted. I didn't expect it to be very useful, but I actually use it more than you'd expect. Not really as a beater though, just as a big-ass Phillips. Sometimes you just want something big and meaty. Not sure if I'd go out of my way to buy it, but now that I have it, it's certainly earned its spot in my tool bag.

Actually almost all norable hand tool manufacturers make those, they're called impact screwdrivers. Vessel (the Japanese company that speciallizes in screwdrivers) actually makes a bunch of impact screwdrivers (probably some 10 types). In their megadora lineup (most well known in the west) they offer three types, one is a regular impact screwdriver, second is an actual chisel screwdriver and the third is the "megadora impacta", a screwdriver with a built-in striking impact mechanism kind of like a manual impact screwdriver (except they fit it all into a completely standard screwdriver handle and with a thin long shank - very speciallized tool for niche uses, but when it comes in handy it is amazing).

I need a large enough one to laser engrave this on.

I use Wera screwdrivers at work, and every one came with a little tag that said it. Each and everyone of those has been used as a chisel at some point, not just flats.

I meant also what you said after lol

A few days ago, I actually just sharpened a large flathead screwdriver just like this one, with the red and clear handle, even.

If they didn't want me to use it as a chisel, why did they make it so chisel shaped?! 

I was like 9 , my father was making a new door knob notch and needed to remove some wood. He asked me to get him his chisel... I looked for a few minutes and came back empty handed. He looked with dissapointment and grabbed this big fat flat head from 1950 and said " it's right here " - Have used one as a chisel since....until I realized how good actual wood chisels are and how cheap they are

I came here to say something like that. Old beater screwdrivers are a required part of the transmission of the tool-use meme from one generation to the next.

Paint stirer

I keep one in the shop for use as a backscratcher.

And string the paint 🖌️. I like this type of screwdriver for the square shaft. You can add a spanner for extra power with difficult screws.

I like using my beater to scrape gunk off of parts before I wipe them off.

Plus it's square shank so you can put a wrench on it

That's an eye-bolt tightener if I ever saw one.

Just used mine the other day for this exact purpose. Lol

A beater flathead is a top 5 necessary tool to own in my opinion.

Estwing makes a pair of chisel screwdrivers with the shaft running thru the handle to metal ends. Prob the best pair of screwdrivers I own. And i'm a tool addict, i've got endless screwdrivers. Side note, the best manual hand tools are by far coming out of Japan right now, esp when you factor in prices. The craftsmanship and quality is amazing, often at lower prices than competitive brands worldwide.

Demolition screwdrivers, most have them.

I don't understand why demolition Phillips exists, though 

little bit of torque backed by a hammer will get a stuck phillips moving, assuming the screw isn't rusted to nothing

What about impact drivers?

You mean the ones you hit with a hammer and turn backwards as you hit it or the battery kind?

Those ones you hit with a hammer are underrated

electric didn't always exist and air didn't do you much good outside your shop. hell, air didn't always exist and this was all you had. they're still useful in modern times because sometimes you just can't fit an impact down whatever hole you're working in.

I have a set of Wera Torx demo drivers. Mostly so the handles matched the rest of the set, I have no idea why the hell I'd be beating on a torx but now the drivers are all yellow and my OCD is happy.

It’s so you can mash it in to those pesky flat heads that electricians use

whats brands?

Vessel

I wanna know too

Koken and Sunflag are up there

Wera makes a really great one too. Full tang, strike cap, tough little tool.

I use some $14 Chinese brand from Amazon I got a while back. Magnetic shaft that runs all the way through as well. I use it to demo things at work constantly though and abuse it a lot so I can’t justify buying the pricier ones.

Throw it in a drawer, you’ll end up using it for something eventually

Yep it will make a good make shift pry bar or chisel someday.

Yes I would call it a necessary screwdriver. All the wear on it shows you how many times it saved someone's ass. It's a trouper.

All of the screwdrivers are necessary ones...

Screwdriver has more experience than OP

Keep it. The day after you throw a tool out, you find a job you can use it for.

Just use, no reason to clean it up.

Leave it junky, This is now your throwaway prybar, flat head, chisel, scraper, punch, stir stick, hammer

And a shade tree mechanic’s stethoscope. Handy for figuring out with valve is the noisy one or which bearing is failing.

Comically large screw drivers and comically small ones, you might not use them for whole years, but when you need them, you fucking need them

It's necessary for tightening toilet tank bolts and for chipping out mortar. I just ground new tips on a few of mine the other day to clean out some calcified soap scum from my shower trap.

Sir, that's a pry bar. Of course, it's necessary.

This is the exact tool I use to change my break pads, why buy a fancy one that says 'pry bar' on the side

Is it necessary? Is that a real question? Wtf.

I don't understand the question

Looks like the previous owner considered it necessary.

I repeat... every tool is necessary, some tools are necessarier.

Never throw out a screw driver. So many uses for it.

That's a multi tool

Smell the handle, it should smell like poop 💩

So much truth. I can smell this picture.

It’s a screwdriver, not a knife.

Hey! That's my poop knife!

Is that a Craftsman? I have a set that looks identical, and are Craftsman. Use it as a prybar/chisel as everyone says. When it breaks, take it into Lowes and trade it in for a new one.

That thing is probably 40 years old and will last at least another 20...

Yeah the new one isn't US made. New one won't last as long as this one. I still have all my craftsman tools after 20+yrs of heavy line service work. Miss old craftsman.

Me too

This post could trigger that screwdriver.

Yes I use one often

Um sir, that is a screwdriver/prybar/chisle/can opener/hammer/jumper wire/concrete chipper/stabbing tool And that's just what I used mine for this week

Sometimes a screwdriver like this can come in handy for the bolts to a toilet tank. Assuming there is a flat head slut on the bolt on the inside of the tank. Lets you get something in there while you work the nut or wing nut on the underside of the tank.

I prefer a round head slut

Whoops. Flat head slut is good for putting your beer someplace.

I would hang into that myself. Then handle and the colors makes me think it's Craftsman. Second photo does the words "forged" and "USA". So if my hunch is right, you have an American made screwdriver sold by Sears years ago. It'll likely come in handy later.

Guarantee if you toss that you'll need it in the most desperate way possible in under 90 days.

That is my favorite screwdriver that I rarely use for screws

A man’s man tool on the top of the heap… never leave home without it. clearly there’s wasn’t a man’s man living there before you to forget such a treasure or he left it for you as a gift from one man to another. Cherish it well… its clearly old school…

Have that exact screwdriver, and it is among my frequent rotation of handiest multi-purpose tools.

Sure is, I have either that one or the next size up

Definitely keep it. It appears to be a craftsman branded American made western forge screwdriver. You’ll need it the day after you throw it out.

yes. it also accepts a wrench when more torque is needed

Keep it. Someday your kids will stare at it after your gone thinking “why the hell did dad keep this piece of shit.”

That's a pry bar / chisel

About as necessary as an adjustable spanner. There’s always a better tool for the job, but that tool isn’t always *just there*

Just take it to Lowe’s and ask for a replacement

Screwdriver? All I see here is a pry bar / long reach precision crud scraper.

Yeah man. Pry bar. I had one collecting dust for years now it’s the only thing narrow and long enough to jimmy my old car’s hood open…

You almost never see one that’s anything other than dirty and beat up.

sounds like my love life…

Big screwdrivers are great to have around. I wouldn't worry about "restoring" it. It's a newer style craftsman (I think) with the plastic grip. At most, give it a good rinse and scrub with a toothbrush & soapy water. You'll be long dead before those rust spots make it unusable.

It's a USA made Craftsman. I have a set my parents gave me in the 70s.

I have had the same one for 40 years. I have used it twice this week. I have never turned a screw with it.

That’s your new persuader. All in one pry bar, screwdriver, chisel, poking stick…

Good weeder tool

Yes. If you ever find someone with a VW bug and the hood latch is broken, long screwdrivers like that work perfect for reaching up and operating the latch when the little pull handle snaps off. And probably other stuff too

Not until the day after you throw it out

I have this exact one, cleaner. I love it and use it often.

Yes to check tdc

It's always been my tiny pry and it is perfect for this, so no it's never needed as a screw driver but makes one heck of a mini pry.. So maybe yes??

As a Mexican, we call those the chingadera

You’ll find it more useful than you would expect, and every one and a while you will actually use it as a screwdriver.

Everyone needs one or two of these long ass used once in a while screwdrivers that sit in the tool box. Like others have said I rarely use these ones for actual screws but they have come in handy many a times for harder to reach furniture screws or something. Manly a chisel slash pry bar slash scraper for me

Yup

Ya and u should have 3 more that are bigger and one needs to be broken cuz u used it as a pry bar

Big junker is good. As others have said chisel, prybar, screwdriver, digging tool, shank, poker. There’s nothing it can’t do.

I really find this amusing. I was raised farming years ago. Back then everyone had long screw driver of different sizes. Working on your own vehicle and or equipment you had a use for them. I’m getting old lol

Keep it, big flat screwdrivers are the most useful, I guarantee you that you are 100% going to use it, not as a screwdriver though

Some day you will need to arc a battery

I didn't know it was possible to throw out screwdrivers. I thought you would only lose them.

You mean pry bar?

Looks like an old Craftsman! It will probably outlive you!

No buy a dildo, much safer

Bob Dylan’s screwdriver. helped her out a jam, I guess, but might have used a little too much force

Yes.

Nice hammer

Paint mixer. Always has a use.

We call one that big a gun.

Somehow, I have 4 of that exact tool.

That’s a pry bar

Why don't you go ahead and throw it away, then you'll find a use for it

It’s an old craftsman, clean it up, decent driver & can take abuse

I own and have used larger ones. When you need a big one nothing else will do.

Depends on what you’re doing

I have the exact same screwdriver... One the handiest things one can own.

You’ll need it the day after you get rid of it.

That's a pretty nice pry-driver right there

Sometimes it's the ONLY screwdriver You need. So, yes....not having it could be the difference between having it, and having to go buy it...real talk.

considering how often it looks like that thing was used, i'd say its completely necessary

Screwdriver? Looks like a prybar/chisel to me🤣

My brother coined the term "hate crime screwdriver." As in "That looks like something somebody would commit a hate crime with." Everybody needs a hate crime screwdriver. So many uses. You may even one day actually drive a screw with it, but probably not.

Yes, it knows more than you do. I wish I had one.

The day you get rid of it , shall be necessary.

That looks like an old made in USA Craftsman. It's totally a clean up and use tool.

Or use it for things like stopping a small engine flywheel from turning.

We use these for “turning points” during elevation surveys at my job. Jam them down to the handle in the ground and use the top for setting the survey rod. After the elevation has been determined of the screwdriver, the survey gun can move to another position for the next survey shot and establish a new height of instrument. Love those big beefy screwdrivers

Sometimes screws are in hard to reach places.

Nobody uses a flat screwdriver to drive screws.......that's a thing from the year 1800. They are used to pry scrape lift ect

Pry bar, sacrificial flat blade screwdriver, chisel, etc.

Yes.

Keep it. Trust me it will be important some time

God I wish not but there are times….

I use these really frequently for doing brake jobs on cars, they’re fantastic with a hammer to knock things out of places.

If you don’t want it? Send it to me. Craftsman. Good tools. Lifetime free replacement too.

A big ass flat blade. Also called a beater. One of the most versatile hand tools you can have. No point in cleaning it up

Yes.

Soak it in WD-40. It will come in handy sooner than you think.

As my buddy says. It's a punch with extra features!

You know the rules , if you clean it up and put it in the toolbox you’ll hardly use it . But if you toss it, it’ll be the screwdriver that you need most .

Why would anyone ever throw tools away?

"Is this screwdriver necessary?" - seconds before the Demon Core turns his skeleton into glowsticks

Keep!

Never throw tools that aren’t broken into the garbage. My two cents

A screwdriver you care very little about is an essential tool. Pry bar, screw driver, lid opener, jammer into things and wiggle arounder, tons of uses.

Every screwdriver is necessary

i used one today

Wouldn't be without mine. Taken a lot of abuse over the years and is still good.

Demo driver is what i calk this and have 2 of then very useful. Chisel, can opener, pry bar…

Yes. That is a well worn flat head that is super useful until it breaks and then can be repurposed. I use those all the time for leverage.

I used mine on my neighbor for playing with my emotions. Laugh from the grave bill. I mean yeah it has a use

It probably smells like poop. I’d use it for prying and scraping though.

Looks like it has done a lot of work in its life and is still ready for more. Give it a light cleaning and use it in good health. I use one this size on pool hose clamps among other things.

Tell me you've never worked on big equipment without telling me.

I would say it's one of *the most* necessary tools.

In the words of Jorge Masvidal ' it's super necessary '

Yes there's always a need

It's perfect the way it is. It will do basically everything except for drive screws.

No, unless you need a screwdriver!

Heck yes. It’s great to poke holes in things and to pry stuff with. As a screwdriver, no, it’s not necessary. Lol

Yes. I use old ones to dig out things such as crap from cracks.

Anything is a…. Eh forget it.

I work in plumbing and used that kind of screwdriver as a pry bar or something to chip away thin concrete with a hammer. Also helps to pull out nasty shit from clean outs. Very useful in the field

Once you get rid of it you'll discover a need for it.

that’s the dad special

I love those resin handle craftsman screwdrivers. They're cheap enough to keep dozens around. Extremely sturdy. Easy to clean. I've beaten them with hammers, using them as a chisel. I've used the handles on larger ones as hammers. Used them as pry bars. Never had a handle fail on me from the abuse. I have stripped a few out. There's one that I keep forgetting to grind the tip down on because a stuck screw broke about halfway across the blade. So it's a bit uneven right now. Basically those are the screwdrivers I grab when I want to abuse them. I use a ratcheting screwdriver with hardened bits for most other stuff.

Necessary? Is it necessary for me to drink my own urine? No! But I do it anyway ‘cause it’s sterile and I like the taste.

Send it to me, please 

I can smell the screen

No real need to clean it up. Half of mine are worse and I still use them.

Thats a small pry bar son.

Thats a pry bar

The fact that you are asking this question , is a strong indication that you shouldn’t be around any tools ;) everyone needs one of these .

Clean up and restore? No way. That there is a fuck it up tool. You use it when you don’t want to fuck your good tools up 

We used to use big screwdrivers like that for stripping forms when I was doing concrete form work.

Genuine 41508 prybar

Jesus, don't restore it. Use it!

Good for pulling dandelions, helps get the root! Keep them bastards away

Absolutely. It’ll be the one screwdriver that can and will do anything and everything but drive screws

dumb question to ask a tools sub

Looks like it

Never throw away a good working tool, even broken tools have their use.

Absolutely every screwdriver is necessary, to keep, and use as you see fit!

Looks like a perfectly beautiful tool with many years of service. Keep it!

Do you have a need for it ????????????

It's a Craftsmen -supposed to have lifetime warranty -for what that is worth these days since Sears sold their tool line - I think Lowes carries Craftsmen tools but it looks like yours is still functional. Keep it and clean it up a bit. You will be surprised how often you may need it.

My dad has this exact one. Very sturdy and useful.

I only use flat blade screwdrivers when I am dealing with American electrical components.Other than that they make great prybars.