Corkscrew Or Phillips Head Driver Back Tool for a Swiss Army Knife?

Urban Knife Guy explores which is the more useful back tool for a Swiss Army knife - the corkscrew of Phillips Head Driver.
Which do you think is more useful?
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[@urbanknifeguy]

Purchase Swiss Army Knives and Accessories: amzn.to/42dsYkE www.amazon.com/shop/urbanknifeguy bashcraftgear.com If you like the content, you can support the channel by shopping at the Urban Knife Guy Amazon Store and Bashcraft Gear store to buy the knives, gear, and kits for urban EDC and jungle survival that I use and discuss in my videos as well as swag and merch. Thanks!

[@mattm56]

I prefer the corkscrew as the can opener works pretty well on most Phillips head screws. But the Phillips head makes a much better punch dagger, not that it comes up much.

[@briancolyer4947]

Okay so looking at all of the comments, I guess I’m the different one. Although the corkscrew has a few uses, the Phillips is a much more conventional tool as I am a craftsman. I don’t drink, so I’ll never open any wine, so for me it’s the Phillips by a long shot. It all depends on your daily EDC needs. Phillips 100%.

[@urbanknifeguy]

Thanks for sharing! You are in the majority for my poll but not the comments! 🤣

[@anthonycali6880]

If you carry the minichamp, my favorite, you get a great Philips, I've taken apart computers with it, and it's magnetized, AND carry a knife with corkscrew, best of all worlds.

[@philvallee645]

I think this debate mostly arises because of the position of the Philips head on the knife. Generally speaking having it where the corkscrew traditionally is only helps with torque, otherwise it is clumsy and awkward to use and I would default to the head on the tip of the can opener if only for the fact that it is in line. I think if Victorinox put all its Philips head drivers in the in line position there would be no more debate except for what tools have you lost in the process. Great video, thanks and yes I agree for most folks the corkscrew is simply more versatile.

[@urbanknifeguy]

I would agree with you. Thanks for your comment!

[@ryangutierrez5354]

Cork screw 100% The first time I untied a knot with it I was instantly sold. Before that I preferred the Phillips and didn’t understand why people liked the corkscrew but being able to untie a stubborn knot on basketball shorts is much more useful to me than a Philips

[@urbanknifeguy]

Thanks for sharing!

[@timsummers870]

I guess it’s quite obvious. It depends on what you’re going to do, open a bottle of wine or undo a Philips screw? The most useful carry is the one that has the tool you need when you need it.

[@urbanknifeguy]

The only problem is one never knows what they might need until they do 🤣

[@davidjacobs828]

Corkscrew 100%

[@urbanknifeguy]

👌

[@owen1213]

Don't forget the hercules and workchamp have two inline phillips drivers and the corkscrew.

[@urbanknifeguy]

Thanks!

[@unitedstatesirie7431]

I am addicted to Swiss Army knives and Leatherman multi-tools 🛠

[@urbanknifeguy]

🤣👍👍

[@williamyoung369]

Tinker with the Phillips for urban use. Those woodland tips for the corkscrew are really cool, though.

[@urbanknifeguy]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks!

[@richardmyracle6198]

I agree with you

[@pudimdecana51]

The corkscrew has many uses. My favourite is opening bottles of wine!! I use them very often for this purpose and they are among the most used tools in a SAK for me. I do drink plenty of wine, probably about 4 bottles/week. I own about 35 SAKs and none of them have a phillips backtool.

[@urbanknifeguy]

Haha Thanks for your comment!

[@benjaminpugh53]

Thanks, you actually changed my mind. I've had a Vic huntsman for years and just started carrying it again, but I was thinking about picking up a fieldmaster for the phillips. I didn't think the corkscrew was useless, but I can't see myself using the driver for many other things, and since I have a bit driver in my bag I'd rarely be without it and the opener drivers can get me by when I don't have my bag.

[@urbanknifeguy]

Glad you found value in the video! Thanks for watching!

[@GlockNinja]

1000% agree about the Swiss Champ. :-) lol. Totally agree. You can alwags use the can opener or the bottle opener as a screw driver if your SAK has not dedicated phillips screw driver. A SAK is not a SAK without a corkscrew!!!!

[@urbanknifeguy]

Thanks for your thoughts. The Swiss Champ renders this decision null in any case.

[@Where_i_Stand]

Besides opening Wine bottles and untying knots, corkscrews are good for another thing. MacGyver used the corkscrew to help pull himself up when dangling on a plank of wood.

[@pmantos1]

For camping and bush craft the corkscrew for EDC in urban environment/s it's the Phillips. For instance I carry a Tinker Deluxe which comes in handy at work, especially the Phillips Head!

[@gemcatdk]

Totally agree about the Corkscrew!!

[@urbanknifeguy]

Thanks for watching!

[@mauricioruiz9021]

No doubt the corkscrew is more useful but I find the back phillips to be more comfortable when gripping the knife. I usually use the hook to untie knots, it works OK

[@urbanknifeguy]

Thanks for sharing!

[@phuzzo1]

I keep a paper clip wrapped around the corkscrew. There are many uses for paper clips and the corkscrew holds it nicely tucked away

[@urbanknifeguy]

Nice! Thanks for sharing!

[@beaglemit]

The corkscrew can do many things. My favorite function would be holding mini tool for eye glasses. But the phillips screw driver works really well. And gets regular use. How often and how well it works vs. what is possible. Like these type of videos 👍

[@urbanknifeguy]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@snirbo]

Corkscrew is always better choice because it can do so much more than phillips. For example phillips does one job but because of T handle it is not very good at his job. But corkscrew can do many things. Here are some of them 1. Opens corked bottles (duh!) 2. Untie knots. 3. Pry the battery out of a cell phone. 4. Screw it into a wall and hang your coat on the SAK. 5. Staple remover. 6. Smooth out the hole you just made with the reamer. 7. Clear clogged faucet sprayer. 8. Bicycle tire valve tool. 9. Holds the micro screwdriver. 10. Pick gravel out of tires. 11. Rip open a blister package. 12. Ice pick. 13. Mark a pilot hole. 14. Clean mud out of shoe soles. 15. Knot the end of a cord. Thread it through the corkscrew. Handle. 16. Pop balloons. 17. Aides in sewing. 18. Clean mud out of sprinkler heads. 19. Push used snare wire through it, to straighten out the wire and remove coils or kinks. 20. Pulls the drain plug out of a tub. 21. Open the corkscrew and screw it tightly into a broomstick-thickness stick. Now open the blade. Tie it securely. Survival spear for fishing. 22. Hang the SAK from a piece of cordage from the ceiling. Plumb bob (I have the middle of the handle marked on one mine). 23. Corkscrew + a metal lid = a filter or wire mesh for cooking. 24. Carry a chunk of C4. 25. Pull frozen shoestrings tight, or help loosen them. 26. Helps get the innards out of a squirrel. 27. Gets the candle stub out of a candle holder. 28. Start fights on multitool forums. 29. Remove the fuel filter from a lawn mower. 30. Although the new corkscrews are 4 turns, you can use them for range estimation. 31. O-ring remover for your flashlights. 32. Pry out partially-exposed nails. 33. Tighten the apron strings on a wrestling ring. 34. The inside diameter of the corkscrew is 1/4". I'm sure you know what you can do with this. 35. Open just a small hole in a coconut. 36. Lift stuck items out of boxes. 37. Fish the tape out of a clogged VHS tape. 38. Remove patches from a flintlock gun. 39. Remove the inside of a shotgun shell, making a blank. Remove the wad and powder too. 40. If you don't want the mini screwdriver, the corkscrew can hold a ferro rod. 41. Tap a tree for sap. 42. Undo zip ties without breaking them. Only the sky is the limit for the corkscrew ✌️😉

[@urbanknifeguy]

Great list of ideas! Thanks!

[@e.s.l5861]

I use the corkscrew very often. It’s a must for me

[@simon.voggeneder]

I agree with your reasoning! In my opinion, the quickest way to settle this question is this: The can opener can do the job of the Phillips driver most of the time, while the corkscrew has functions that no other tool on the knife can replace. Therefore the corkscrew adds more functionality to the knife. This obviously does not apply if you happen to have lots of situations where the dedicated Phillips driver comes in handy - but I would recommend to get the Explorer then, since the inline Phillips driver is vastly superior to the T-handle one - not only in position, but also the head is superior.

[@urbanknifeguy]

Thanks for sharing your perspective!

[@LarryGarfieldCrell]

My main concern with the corkscrew is getting through security. Though of course they'll have a bigger issue with the blades I keep complaining about. :-) I don't drink so it's useless as a bottle opener. But I have found it useful as a staple remover or cleaning wax out of candle holders.

[@urbanknifeguy]

If you have a bladeless SAK, you might still get through airport security. But it really depends on the airport and officer. I think it will not pass in Singapore personally.

[@sumitsinghthakur4328]

very informative,

[@urbanknifeguy]

Glad you think so!

[@yellowdog762jb]

You convinced me that the corkscrew will do more than the Phillips. But I personally need the Phillips head more often than I need the various tasks the corkscrew will do. It's not generally in the more ideal location on the knife on most models. I think the bottle opener is the most over rated tool, but I don't want to give up the flat screwdriver, it the bottle opener isn't really wasted space. You can use the Phillips head to loosen knots on modest sized string. And you could make a hole with the awl and stick the Phillips head into it to make an extended saw. The corkscrew does make a nice storage place fit a micro screw driver.

[@urbanknifeguy]

Interestingly, the bottle opener was only added to the flathead screwdriver later. So the original tool was just the screwdriver. Thanks for your comment!

[@pepperread1184]

The tool u need the most is the most useful tool. ☮️

[@urbanknifeguy]

@@pepperread1184 and what tool is that? 😅

[@66meikou]

I have a custom made sak which I think I sent you links for photos. As my sak is based on the cybertool, I have an inline phillips driver already so I kept the coxk screw to mount the eyeglass driver. I will probably got for the tinder and fire steel option just to be safe,

[@urbanknifeguy]

Oh, where/ when did you send me links for photos? Did I respond to it?

[@frakismaximus3052]

Cork svrew for me. The small flat head is often a stand in for a philips

[@urbanknifeguy]

👍👌

[@kevinryan717]

I used the corkscrew feature to open the keyfob for a Saab to replace the battery once, as well as a few wine bottles 😎

[@urbanknifeguy]

Thanks for sharing!

[@Spanky8402]

I prefer to have the Phillips, for the simple fact that I deal with alot of Cheap Chinese phillips that strip easy with a 2D phillips, like the can opener. If I am going somewhere far away or going to be moving stuff that needs tied down, I will make sure I have a Victorinox with a corkscrew. Day to day, I just grab my Super Tinker. I am always fixing stuff for family and friends though, so if I am going to they're house, a phillips will do way more for me. It all depends on what I am doing that day though.

[@urbanknifeguy]

Fair enough! Thanks for your comment!

[@m0rce1]

Agreed

[@urbanknifeguy]

As replied above.

[@doubleb222able]

Serious question on this. So, I live in an urban area and work as a locksmith. My EDC consists of a pocket knife, leatherman P4, and a Victorinox Swiss Army, US Soldier Combat Knife. For urban EDC, I want that Philips screwdriver. I also am an outdoorsman and go hunting, fishing, and camping. Then I carry a Becker BK2, leatherman super tool 300, and the victorinox Hunter XT, which has a corkscrew, which I prefer. So, my question is, what use do people find for a Philips screwdriver for outdoors, and what use for the corkscrew for urban, other than wine bottles.

[@urbanknifeguy]

I think Phillips head for outdoors will be for Gear maintenance and maybe to scrap mud out of boots of gear. For the corkscrew for Urban Use, the main uses would be to untie knots in shorts, to lift shower drain covers and mostly for storage of the micro driver.

[@Olyphoto7]

I prefer the corkscrew, but I appreciate the love for the Phillips. I find that I rarely need a #2 Phillips, most of the screws around my house are Torx or a #00 Phillips.

[@urbanknifeguy]

You must live in a small house that uses small screws 🤣 thanks for sharing!

[@Olyphoto7]

@@urbanknifeguy I bumped up to torx because in my old house many of the screws I’ve replaced stripped out and torx seemed to be the best replacement option.

[@nuker222]

I prefer the back Philips screwdriver. In many years I never used the corkscrew and I dont drink wine.

[@SonicAlpha]

While I agree that the cockscrew can have a few additional uses, I have a preference for the Philips head on my SAK. (It's something I find that I need a lot) I think, in my case, it comes from having a clone SAK in my teens. The corkscrew on that came loose over time, and ruined many many pockets 🤦‍♂️ That put me off the corkscrew for my EDC SAK, though I do have a Climber in one of my kits.

[@urbanknifeguy]

That was an unfortunate case!

[@axllebeer]

Don't forget, no option for the Pin behind the philips as that option is only included with the corkscrew models.

[@urbanknifeguy]

I did not even realise that! Thanks!

[@axllebeer]

@@urbanknifeguy your welcome. Great video!

[@Passively-Prepared]

If you’re going out into the wilderness and none of your gear has recessed Philips, corkscrew 100%. The inline can opener “Philips” is better until you have a recessed screw. I would say confidently AT LEAST 80% of the time it’s better. Probably a decent amount more. However if you’re main concern is maximum screw driving capability, which is probably the most common thing people want after a knife, then the Philips is a good option. I carry the pioneer because I’m happy with the can opener as a Philips. Willing to sacrifice recessed Philips for a more robust knife and pry tool.

[@urbanknifeguy]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@Daniel_James323]

I like both. However, the original question was, "Which is more useful for general edc." I honestly believe that even though there are fewer uses for the phillips, you would use it more times in day to day scenarios than you would a corkscrew, unless you drink wine. The reality is that a lot of the extra uses for the corkscrew just aren't going to be needed day to day, such as cutting branches, shelter making etc. Phillips head screws are everywhere and are often in places the can opener can't get to. So for everyday use, my vote is the Phillips. Less uses, but will be used more.

[@urbanknifeguy]

Sound thinking. Thanks for sharing!

[@greghong5010]

Explorer already has inline Phillips. Corkscrew safer staple remover than blade or can opener & fewer scratches than a blunt bottle opener that needs deeper digging.

[@urbanknifeguy]

Yup!

[@maxlutz3674]

The corkscrew may be marginally more versatile. The Phillips driver can be used to untie knots with lower risk of damaging the cordage and it can be used for creating that extended saw. To me the Phillips driver is more useful as I have more use for it. I bought and carry the Victorinox fieldmaster for that reason. The actual selection will always be subjective as the tool has to meet my requirements and be program compliant for me. That is why I do not carry the champ. It´s too bulky for comfortably carrying it in my pants pockets.

[@urbanknifeguy]

Thanks for sharing!

[@antgue756]

I just want a deluxe tinker with a corkscrew

[@michaeljdauben]

For me it's no contest. In my entire life, I've never used the corkscrew on a SAK for anything. IMO the only thing it's good for is holding the little eyeglasses screwdriver. The Phillips head, and the other hand is very useful for the sort of every day tasks I do.

[@urbanknifeguy]

Thanks for sharing!

[@sadisticD]

More uses ≠ more useful. While I fully agree the corkscrew has several uses the fact remains for me at least the screwdriver gets used more period. I need the one thing the #2 Phillips does more than all of the things the corkscrew can do combined.

[@tino_7206]

Corkscrew is a million times more useful even if you don’t drink wine. Untying stubborn knots, being able to drive it into wood to use as a handle, and the ability to hold more tools inside of it (eyeglass Flathead driver and fire starting material) make it way better. The side Philips head is hard to use in tight spaces and sucks to handle. The inline driver that comes on the Swiss champ is miles ahead of the side Philips. You can also improvise with other tools if you don’t have a Philips head. I have a Victorinox Fisherman and it comes with the side Philips and I really don’t like it much at all. The Philips head on a 58mm rally is much better than the side Philips head on the 91mm models imho

[@urbanknifeguy]

Agreed! Thanks for your thoughts!

[@Skobeloff...]

5:24 Use the corkscrew to help attach your sak to a branch so you can saw off a tiny twig that is not in your way... Victorinox would love this marketing no doubt

[@urbanknifeguy]

Luckily, most viewers understand the conceptual application and do not view the actual example used in the video for demonstration purposes at face value.

[@Skobeloff...]

@@urbanknifeguy They no doubt appreciate you suggesting that.

[@sethspriggs6476]

Using the Phillips on the combo tool is all well and good until you hit a recessed screw. Phillips makes a better punch dagger and the tweezers can be used as an improvised micro screwdriver. Also the Master, MacGyver, used a Tinker/Super Tinker the vast majority of the shows.

[@sakisrose4632]

Unfortunately that's not true, the Spartan and the Standard were used more often.Here TOTAL KNIFE USAGE IN ALL EPISODES

[@urbanknifeguy]

Agreed on the recessed holes, as I mentioned. MacGyver also diffused bombs with paper clips.

[@gazfm9422]

Corkscrew every time 👍

[@urbanknifeguy]

Thanks for your comment!

[@MAGR1994]

Corkscrew 💯

[@urbanknifeguy]

👌👍

[@charlesdudek7713]

Both via the Explorer.

[@urbanknifeguy]

@@charlesdudek7713 agreed, except I find the Explorer too thick for EDC

[@charlesdudek7713]

@@urbanknifeguy Yeah 3 layers or less is definitely better for pocket carry but the Explorer is one of my favorites for around the house or in colder weather in a coat pocket. I do prefer an inline Philips though.

[@madtownangler]

I've never used a corkscrew in my knife but I've used a Phillips head screwdriver a whole bunch of times ....

[@urbanknifeguy]

Thanks for sharing!

[@thetruereview6780]

Corkscrew 🥇

[@urbanknifeguy]

👍👌

[@asmith7876]

I've been the hero at parties when no one had a corkscrew, except ME! Who buys wine with a cork but doesn't have a corkscrew? 🤣Whatever...another use for the corkscrew is something we did a lot in the 70's. Take the tweezers and insert them sideways through the end of the corkscrew. Take your rolled substance which is now legal in many places and place it in the tweezers. Pull back until the "cigarette" is held firmly in place. Light, enjoy, pass it along. Do NOT let some stoner take off with your knife!

[@urbanknifeguy]

Haha nice! Thanks for sharing!

[@T37912]

I haven´t even watched the video, but (for me at least) it´s the corkscrew (and not judt for wine).

[@urbanknifeguy]

🤣 💯

[@serphvarna4154]

3:36 Argentina mentioned 🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷

[@urbanknifeguy]

👍👍👍😁

[@crypto118]

Ah...the endless argument 😛 I am a corkscrew man myself.

[@urbanknifeguy]

Thanks for sharing!

[@juandemarko8348]

I say corkscrew as well, you can always fit a bit driver onto one of the tools but have you ever tried uncorking a bottle with a Phillips? 😂

[@urbanknifeguy]

Thanks! Have you ever tried screwing a philiips head screw with a corkscrew? 🤣

[@juandemarko8348]

​@@urbanknifeguy why would I when my flat head can do it 😂

[@urbanknifeguy]

@@juandemarko8348 🤣👌

[@ricksandstorm]

While I'm team corkscrew I think the screwdriver is better for a kid.

[@urbanknifeguy]

Thanks for your comment!

[@Northanteus]

Corkscrew, for its unconventional capabilities. Look up videos on that topic and you'll be surprised at all the things you can do with the corkscrew, and what to put in it as well (waxed tinder, tiny screwdrivers, etc.). I have Philips bits on me as it is, so I don't need another Philips screwdriver for redundancy. Hmm, now if it's only corkscrew or screwdriver alone, when it's the only tool I can carry? I would probably go Philips if in urban area, but corkscrew if in the woods or rural area.

[@urbanknifeguy]

Thanks for your comment! We will see what my videos says about this topic! 😁

[@skorzeny7377]

corkscrew gang, that phillips is 💩

[@urbanknifeguy]

😂

[@mistersmith3986]

'm a MAN. So, Phillips for me. Also, I'm a working MAN and would NEVER Cary a tiny gadget like that.

[@guy3nder529]

Imagine being the urban knife guy and advocate for a tool only useful in rural environments.

[@urbanknifeguy]

I would imagine that if that were the case.

[@marilynm5024]

Just can't decide, both tools are useful

[@urbanknifeguy]

Philips for Urban. Corkscrew for Outdoor.