Old style Phillips head/can key

austin83 · **on:** September 26, 2016, 03:29:52 AM

I just purchased a Victorinox Salesman with the squared Phillips head with the can key split. I haven't had any experience with this Victorinox phillips in the past. Has anyone experienced any problems with the Phillips head strength due to the split? I am not one to use a SAK in a situation where it might break or where a true dedicated tool is required. Also, when did Victorinox stop using the squared heads? Thanks in advance.

Austin

Barry Rowland · **Reply #1 on:** September 26, 2016, 10:24:03 PM

I have a Super Tinker with that style head and haven't had any problems with it as of yet.

gene stoner · **Reply #2 on:** September 27, 2016, 02:04:57 AM

I have had a couple of can key Phillips and never noticed a weakness because of it.

austin83 · **Reply #3 on:** September 28, 2016, 11:33:17 PM

Great, thanks for the replies.

cali-SAK-attack · **Reply #4 on:** September 29, 2016, 12:39:15 AM

Come to think of it .................

I have never seen a broken one that I can remember......and I look at a ton on ebay. +1 for the Vic design

Huntsman · **Reply #5 on:** September 29, 2016, 02:48:05 AM

Quote from: austin83 on September 26, 2016, 03:29:52 AM

..... Also, when did Victorinox stop using the squared heads?

1980 - But the can key carried on till '92 in the round Phillips

Love the old SAKS - And that can key design was ingenious

cody6268 · **Reply #6 on:** October 01, 2016, 01:07:08 AM

My trusty Craftsmen (one, a '75 has a square Phillips with can key, the other an '86-94 has a round Phillips with can key). Really haven't used the other Craftsman (the '75) much due to no snap on most of the backside tools, but I've used my '86-94 mostly as my EDC SAK and it's never messed up. As long as you use it reasonably (in other words, not putting a whole lot of torque on the thing), you should have no trouble. It shouldn't break.