How do keychain tool screwdrivers compare?

[NeitherExtreme]

My brother is looking at some keychain sized tools (pliar rather than scissor), and the quality of screwdrivers in important to him. I have the P4 and am pleased with it, but I don't know from experience how it compares to other tools in the keychain sized category. I'm thinking about things like how well they function, how versitile they are, how easily they strip out or bend, etc. Any thoughts on the drivers of the following tools would be much appreciated, as well as any additional suggestions.

LM P4
LM E4
SOG Crossgrip
Gerber Clutch
Swisstech 11-in-1
Swisstech 4-in-1 Screwzall
Mini-Bucktool

Thanks to all....

Edit:
P.S. How exactly does the Phillips on the Crossgrip work, I can't quite understand from the pictures...

[Benner]

I'd be interested in this too.  Especially as I have just bought a clutch and a solstice. 

[J-sews]

Edit:
P.S. How exactly does the Phillips on the Crossgrip work, I can't quite understand from the pictures...

The Crossgrip is a handy dandy little gadget. The medium and small flathead drivers are fine. However...

The biggest shortcoming on the whole tool is this tiny piece of metal that is supposed to be phillips driver. What a joke.    It's much too short, and isn't ground properly to fit most phillips screws. Worst of all, it has no "stop" so you cannot (absolutely cannot) put any downward pressure on it to get a better grip on a tight screw.   

[J-sews]

Here's a close-up of the so-called phillips driver:

(And just to re-state; the Crossgrip is an absolutely fine little tool, provided you never have to deal with phillips screws)

[Papacat]

I have the LM P4 and I find it to be a reliable tool; but like the SOG Crossgrip, the flat Phillips driver is kind of iffy.  It's okay for small jobs, but I wouldn't use it on your car.  You may want to consider the Sebertech M4, all the tools open from the outside, it locks, and the Phillips screwdriver is full headed, if that makes any sense.  The only drawback of the M4 is that the mechanism that allows you to connect it to a key chain is pretty weak, allowing the tool to come off easily.

-Papacat. 

[shecky]

The Leatherman flat Phillips drivers are decent enough for the size. The Swisstools I have, a a Utilikey and a 6in1 plier, to be honest, have pretty crappy screwdrivers. Most keychain sized tools have pretty meager offerings for serious work. The best Phillips in that size is on a Victorinox Rally/Rambler/MiniChamp. Unfortunately, the flat screwdrivers on those are a bit limited, and none have pliers. Coming up close behind is a Sebertech/IDL tool T10, which has a decent Phillips and actually locks. Overall quality is a bit loose, but I think it might do. They make one without the knife blade and two sizes of Phillips and flat screwdrivers, somewhat similar to Swisstech's tools. I haven't seem them, but I suspect they're better.

[Benner]

Here's a close-up of the so-called phillips driver:

(And just to re-state; the Crossgrip is an absolutely fine little tool, provided you never have to deal with phillips screws)

That looks quite bad.  I often use a phillips and that would put me off buying this tool.

[NeitherExtreme]

Thanks for all the replies. 

Ok, that Crossgrip "Phillips" is a little dissapointing. I'll check out the Sebertech...

I'm still listening for any more sugestions or comments. 

[CQC-7]

I'd go with P-4 Squirt.  They are great little tools.  I think that the drawback of any of the smaller multitools is the lack of a proper Phillips head.  The Victorinox tinker although not "keychain size" for most people is pretty small in the thin category.   

[J-sews]

The Squirt series of tools is very nice. I kinda like how the knife blade and drivers are all outside-opening. This is an improvement on the Micra concept, in my opinion.

One thing though...I never did understand why they put a blade-type phillips on the P4, and a full head phillips on the E4?

[Grant Lamontagne]

They probably just do that to mess with your mind... 

I think if you are looking for a keyring multi, as with everything else, you need to decide what is most important to you.  It is a give and take, just like any other multi.  If you find yourself needing good, full sized screwdrivers then check out the SwissTech Micro-Tech, Gerber Solstice or Sebertech tools.  The pliers found on these are adequate for small jobs, the scissors are on par with the fold out scissors on the full sized tools, and the screwdrivers are full sized, some with more reach than full sized tool screwdrivers.

Of course the plier models don't have scissors, the scissor models don't have pliers and the range of other tools are somewhat limited, plus they can be uncomfortable and awkward to grasp.

Def

[Burkc]

Obviously a keychain tool can't REPLACE a good full size, but if you just want a screwdriver handy and maybe small pliers I have to recommend the SeberTool M2 (above). They also have a model M3 (below), which is exactly the same but has two smaller screwdrivers (regular and phillps) that fold out of the larger ones, They are pretty small but they work in a pinch.



Both of these tools are only 1 3/4" long and barely noticeable on your ring.

The M4 is a little large for a keychain (for my taste)

BC

[Burkc]

I like the M4 but not neccesarily for a keycahin. And since this thread was about screwdrivers, this one is quite a bit more than a screwdriver.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I really like my M3- I've had it for about a year now, but for some reason I've never managed to get a review done for it! 

I carried a SwissTeck Micro Tech for many years and the M3 is pretty much the same thing only better.  The drawbacks to the SwissTech was that it was blocky and uncomfortable, and also prone to rusting.  The M3 has contoured, comfortable handles and is rust proof.  It doesn't feel quite as sturdy as the SwissTech, but I've used it pretty hard and it's never failed me.

Def

[NeitherExtreme]

Thanks Burkc! I'll show that to my brother. I think he'd probably want a knife in the mix, but I'll see what he says. I like that the M4 has a knife, but then you loose the full sized drivers. But, since he'll have to make the call, so guess I've got nothing to worry about.

[Benner]

How did he get on with this in the end?

[NeitherExtreme]

How did he get on with this in the end?

As of now, I showed him that LM sale and he got the Fuse. I guess the keychain got delayed, but I'll be working on that soon enough.

[Benner]

How did he get on with this in the end?

As of now, I showed him that LM sale and he got the Fuse. I guess the keychain got delayed, but I'll be working on that soon enough.

Well if it helps at all, I now have a Clutch and I think the Phillips is quite good for what it is.

[NeitherExtreme]

Good to hear. The clutch seems to get pretty good reviews considering it's relatively small price tag.

[Benner]

Good to hear. The clutch seems to get pretty good reviews considering it's relatively small price tag.

I certainly like it.  I'm still amazed at how small it is. 

[jay_imok]

...I never did understand why they put a blade-type phillips on the P4, and a full head phillips on the E4?

i think the electrician would need the screwdriver more than the (perhaps) general use of the P4

[J-sews]

...I never did understand why they put a blade-type phillips on the P4, and a full head phillips on the E4?

i think the electrician would need the screwdriver more than the (perhaps) general use of the P4

Point well taken, but why not but the full-head phillips on both? (Instead of just the E4)