Fire ant and older corkscrew warning…

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It may not be the same for everyone but while screwing a Fire Ant ferro rod into an older style fluted corkscrew the tip of the ferro rod snapped off. As it had already broken I screwed it in a bit further and it snapped again so I assume the twist or angle is slightly different on the older corkscrews (ones that take the round micro screwdriver originally) which puts some pressure on the brittle ferro part.

Not had the problem on newer corkscrews at all so just a warning to be careful if you do try it in and older one yourself.

Anyone else had this problem?

 

[NutSAK]

I wonder if your corkscrew might be slightly bent?  The diameter of the Fire Ant ferro rod is larger than the shaft of the mini screwdriver, creating a tighter tolerance.

I own many examples of Victorinox models from the older, round, mini screwdriver era and I've not had an issue using the Fire Ant ferro rod with them.  This includes fluted corkscrews, and even the 5-turn ones on 108mm models.  One exception is an early 70's 84mm Climber I have with fluted corkscrew that has the small clip blade.  That one is too narrow down the center of the corkscrew to even get the insertion of the ferro rod started.  This would have been one of the earliest models with the 4-turn corkscrew.  The older 5-turn fluted corkscrew doesn't work with the mini screwdriver, so it won't work with the ferro rod.

I would say that in most cases you're safe using it with anything back through at least 1980.  Just be careful and don't try to force it.

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It could well be that after 30 odd years :0) Thanks for the feedback on your tests with your collection. Hopefully there won’t be any other casualties 

[NutSAK]

Look straight down the end of the corkscrew toward the backsprings while it's open.  You should be able to tell if it's bent.  It doesn't take much bend to even have issues with the mini screwdriver.

I've straightened them before.  You can use a small punch (3/32") inserted through the corkscrew to apply side pressure in key areas to bend it back straight.  Just take it slowly and don't try to bend too much at a time.  If it looks straight when you look at it like this, my guess is that you're just not going to be able to use the rod with that particular SAK.

[pfrsantos]

Look straight down the end of the corkscrew toward the backsprings while it's open.  You should be able to tell if it's bent.  It doesn't take much bend to even have issues with the mini screwdriver.

I've straightened them before.  You can use a small punch (3/32") inserted through the corkscrew to apply side pressure in key areas to bend it back straight.  Just take it slowly and don't try to bend too much at a time.  If it looks straight when you look at it like this, my guess is that you're just not going to be able to use the rod with that particular SAK.


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Thanks for the tip. I have an old Tourist and couldn't get a Mini SD in it. I'll try the punch trick and see if it works.

 

[NutSAK]

  You bet.

This may be obvious, but I should say make sure that you use a pin punch like this, not the tapered type: https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-66052-32-Inch-Pin-Punch/dp/B00QV2I2TM

[pfrsantos]

You bet.

This may be obvious, but I should say make sure that you use a pin punch like this, not the tapered type: https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-66052-32-Inch-Pin-Punch/dp/B00QV2I2TM

Thanks for the link. That's a big investment for a (hopefully) single use, I'll try to find a simple nail about the same length/width.