Sonic Screwdrivers RANKED!

[@CouncilofGeeks]

A playlist of videos covering the issues with the BBC and transphobic reporting: kzbin.info/aero/PLmWFOeT2jEofVIDW9X3OL7GqWuX3Dxopu

[@MoramothHauntz]

I think we all know Jackson Lake had the best sonic

[@joshuabennett1756]

Hands down Jackson lake had the best Sonic

[@CameronMcCracken_Art]

*taps screwdriver against wood* - That’s sonic, isn’t it? 😅

[@jamdodger6775]

Which is funny because the doctor's sonic notoriously doesn't work on wood 😅

[@CDKohmy]

I did a LEGO version of the 9th Doctor. For those who want to know how, it was mostly a series of fluted 2x2 round blocks threaded on a crossbeam, a reverse cap, small tires for the neck, and lightsaber hilts, blue dome, and reverse cap.

[@theevildalek5425]

The 8th Doctor’s Sonic Screwdriver does have the sliding switch on it. Character Options just cut some corners when making the toy because it had a different handle to the other Classic Screwdrivers. Also, this prop could actually extend if you twisted its switch (similar to the 9/10th & the 11th Doctor’s Sonic Screwdrivers). So, with all that in mind this is actually one of my favourite Screwdrivers because of its extra features

[@aarononeil9832]

If I'm not mistaken I believe McGann's second sonic was also shown on the cover of the audio Dark Eyes, it's hard to tell but it appears to be an actual prop replica of that same design. Makes me wish even more that we could get a proper toy of it

[@WiloPolis03]

I really liked 14's screwdriver, wish the Doctor kept it for longer, though I get that the writers probably just thought it was too OP to have all the time.

[@samuelbarber6177]

I kind of like the simplicity of the Second Doctor’s sonic screwdriver. It’s literally just a pen light but for whatever reason, I kind of dig it. I think some of the later ones honestly feel as if they’re trying too hard. I also like that it’s actually used to unscrew things as opposed to just exposition.

[@intergalactic92]

The second doctor's one is an interesting piece of history. It wasn’t an important piece of his arsenal, it was just a plot device (no pun intended) for him to demonstrate that he was from the future. I think he used it once, and then it was never seen again (it appeared in the War Games so….) I doubt the person who included it in the script expected it to become so iconic for the Doctor. It was literally just a pen light.

[@samuelbarber6177]

@ I believe it first appeared in Fury from the Deep, but even so, that’s all of twice. I think later writers would mainly use it as a crutch, kind of like the whole psychic paper thing, to be honest.

[@Venemofthe888]

I like to think rivers sonic is a repurposed 9 and 10 after it got destroyed in the 11th hour that the doctor worked on over time knowing when he finished it he'd have to say goodbye to river

[@golden_gloo]

Yeah, honestly looks like a heavily modded version of 9's and 10's that happened to have elements similar to later screwdrivers.

[@tokublwhovian]

My #1 is the Eleventh Doctor’s. It may be due to nostalgia but I’ve always preferred that design over others.

[@Elwaves2925]

Fourth Doctor's sonic for me and for the same reasons as you - nostalgia and design.

[@RiffRift]

"HoOoOo... Doctor, you soniced her!" Amy Pond

[@theevildalek5425]

The 2nd Doctor actually had 2 Sonic Screwdrivers. Now the Screwdriver’s first story (Fury from the Deep) is unfortunately missing & the animation recreation just uses ‘The War Games’ design, but photos of the original prop do exist from production photos on location & telesnap screenshots of the actual episode. So, what was this long forgotten lost Sonic Screwdriver design? Well don’t get your hopes up. It was a safety whistle. Now to be fair, it wasn’t supposed to be a safety whistle originally! What happened was when they were rehearsing the first scene featuring the Sonic Screwdriver on location, Patrick Troughton dropped the original prop (which I think was just another pen light or a normal screwdriver) in either the foam or the gas pipe prop the screwdriver was used on in the story. So instead, when filming the scene for the episode, they used one of the safety whistles on the life jackets that the cast were wearing for the scene. It was small, used only briefly & mostly obscured by Troughton’s hand so it didn’t really matter

[@MalisDelnaria]

I use the 12th Doctor's screwdriver for when I cosplay as The Frizz (Timelord Ms. Frizzle) or Idris. It is the one that looks the most like the TARDIS herself and so its why that design is probably my favorite of all of them. It is the one that looks the least like the 'traditional' sonic (barring the most recent) which is also a personal win in my books and why I use it for my two 'spinoff' cosplays.

[@AimeeRose1997]

The thumbnail gives me VoteSaxon07 ptsd

[@bigspongeyfan1]

I came here to make the same comment haha

[@AxelWedstar411]

Is he still making vids?

[@SeanerCullen]

Thankfully no ​@AxelWedstar411

[@Mitzi_DelverVRC]

@@AxelWedstar411 Pretty sure he's still in jail for the whole murder thing.

[@barker-chanvlogs4582]

​@AxelWedstar411 his KZbin channel is still on here but overall no activity since the power of the doctor episode aired

[@lukecarlson4710]

This is a bit aside from the topic of your video but I just wanted to say how I really appreciate your “beautiful and loved” part of your sign off. I know we don’t know each other and that the relationship between viewer and performer is problematic and all, but it’s really nice when I’m having a difficult day and to pull up a video of yours and at the end be reminded that I have family and friends that love me. It helps.

[@fredjones2170]

I think the blue works so well for the Doctor’s sonic because it’s a calming, clinical color: It feels like the Doctor’s using a tool to fix things or gather information, not pointing a weapon at you. I think that’s also why the red feels so “wrong” with the War Doctor’s sonic, and maybe that was intentional: It’s a more aggressive color, for an era where he no longer considers himself worthy of the title.

[@CulturePhilter]

What’s weird about the 13th’s Doctor’s Crystal is not that it came from Tzim-Sha’s craft but that for some reason her TARDIS goes on to have the same asthetic for its interior.

[@Brunoxsa]

Thank you for the video, Vera! As a Doctor Who fan since the revival era who loves the concept of the sonic screwdriver and also understands how it is a "staple" of the series, here is my personal hot take about it: I am not a fan of the tubular shaped design. It makes the sonic screwdriver to resemble a oversized penlight. I do feel some appeal for the screwdrivers with the pointing/disk "heads" from the classic era resembling otoscopes which are very fitting for a character called the Doctor. However, Ncuti Gatwa's Fifteenth Doctor's sonic screwdriver is my favorite one exactly because it is so different and it now resembles an alien pocket computer device! River Song's sonic screwdriver design is underrated, especially the finger grip ring. If the Doctor invest more on finger grips or wrist straps for their sonic screwdriver, they would definitely avoid dropping down and losing it so often! LOL 23:35-24:14 Custom-made original sonic screwdrivers?! It is pretty cool!

[@nerdandnerdier887]

Definitely agree with rivers being the best, every other screw driver feels like they came from a future civilization but something about rivers feels like it came from a forgotten technological advanced civilization of the past ala Atlantis

[@williamhanekom9882]

Honestly, River's is an excellent choice for No.1 imo. Simply because it actually looks like a multifunctional tool, it's kind of a similar reason why I respect the direction they went with 15's screwdriver tbh. Another thing that I agree on is that due to its age, it still looks like futuristic alien technology whilst being antique at the same time.

[@aronclark3898]

This might be controversial, especially considering it's technically not a sonic screwdriver, but one of my favourite screwdriver designs from the whole show is The Masters Lasor Screwdriver, aside from that my favourite actual Sonic Screwdriver is Eleven's, I do disagree with you about the third Doctors sonic, but that's just different preferences, have a good day.

[@thebitterfig9903]

I was half expecting 15’s to be lower, but I feel like halfway is right, the more I think about it. I feel like holding it in hand probably helps. The curves, the swings and pop-outs, they all add up to a device that’s meant to be touched. I also like the narrative background to it. 14 was able to process enough of the Doctor’s traumas that 15 is able to try new things, invent new gadgets. And yeah, it is a bit weird and strange and un-sonic-like that I understand why it can’t be rated higher than half way.

[@BrianDavidson-q1j]

You might have to include Romana's sonic screwdriver which was a more streamlined version of the 4th Doctor's.

[@rymoongamer2356]

Love the Doctor Who content you do. Side note, you opened my eyes to a lot of different aspects of life (That's the best I can describe since there is a lot of different things you touch on in and out of your personal life). Also love watching your videos and how you have evolved as a person 😊

[@FarazIFM]

The McCoy McGann screwdriver does have an extending bit similar to 11s it just doesn’t have it in the toy version

[@Yan_Alkovic]

I didn’t even now that 14 had his own. Damn that’s a good design!

[@Duraffinity]

The War Doctor's sonic makes me think of lipstick; or even worse, it's somehow more phallic than the others.

[@emmamacfarlane8137]

Blue light matches the TARDIS. That’s why it feels right

[@Donnagata1409]

You made a very good point about River's screwdriver. Your videos always make me notice something I hadn't. Thanks!

[@ameliawade78]

I hate to sound basic, but it's my genuine opinion - I simply adore the 4th doctor's sonic. I love how sleek it is whilst also looking like an alien piece of machinery. I look for elegance in my sonic screwdrivers, which is why sonics like 11's and 12's feel overdesigned to me, and why 9/10's is probably my 2nd favourite. But there's just something special about 4's, its like the platonic ideal of sonic screwdriver to me. It's a bold and simple design in which everything just pops, and I love the classic scifi feel of it. It's almost like it belongs in one of those vintage 40's/50's scifi comics, and that's my favourite aesthetic for who, which is also why the original dalek design is my favourite.

[@boourns7541]

The simplicity of the War Doctor's 50th Anniversary sonic is the reason it is my favorite.

[@Tejiknasten]

Totally agree about your top 5 🎉 Thanks for a great channel 🫶

[@WiloPolis03]

Maybe a potential hot take, but I'm also really not a fan of how 13 made her own screwdriver from scratch. I always liked the idea that the screwdrivers were generated from the TARDIS; that's a lot more interesting of a concept to me. Something about 13's screwdriver and (to my knowledge) *only* 13's just being something she made out of spoons one day is just kinda lame to me, even though I do like its design

[@proserpina4448]

Here I have to disagree with you. In fact, I like that the 13 th Doctor build her sonic herself because it makes sense as the Tardis kicked her out after the Doctor regenerated one time too many inside the Tardis destroying her and she needs it for the affairs with the cable alien and Tim Shaw and tracking the Tardis. Aditionally making the sonic herself shows the Doctor's intelligence and problem solving skills.

[@apocrypha5363]

I suppose the writers could have "split the difference" by allowing her to make a cobbled-together screwdriver that just about worked but not well... And then the TARDIS fixed it when she managed to get to the TARDIS. It would explain why she ended up teleporting her and the fam into space. ❤

[@AttakusZakus]

@@apocrypha5363I’d actually like to see a “redesigned” version where it’s just a non-scrap TARDIS generated sonic of her cobbled spoon sonic. Wonder what that would look like.

[@WiloPolis03]

@@proserpina4448 That's fair. I just personally prefer the sonic screwdriver to be a tool the doctor received rather than one they made themselves & understand literally inside and out. But I do agree that her building her own screwdriver does fit her character nicely

[@Mitzi_DelverVRC]

My favorite thing about Capaldi's sonic is that it pulls apart in the middle and functions as a whiteboard marker. It's silly.

[@AttakusZakus]

I remember I drew up a neat concept where the top clamps on the sonic unlock, extending the emitter portion for a red setting, and the extended support is colored like the 3rd Doctor’s “caution tape” yellow and black on his sonic.

[@acanimations1223]

Unironically my favourite sonic is the silver personalise your own sonic toy from 2012, but 12’s sonic from series 10 is my favourite on screen sonic

[@alibinprogress]

I am commenting to say that I have been listening to your book Dreams of Fire on Audible and I really like it! I’m almost done with it that’s how much I have been liking it!

[@naomipenelopemccarthy9737]

I love the 12s Doctor sonic screwdriver. His second one. I love all the blue on it and I think it looks great. And I have a friend who made me a Sonic screwdriver and I asked him to make me that one. I just love it. That's my favorite Doctor who Sonic screwdriver.

[@CodeAndGin]

The 8th doctor one on screen has an aspect that the toy doesnt replicate: it has a telescoping "closed" function. You can see the doctor closing it in a kind of clapping motion once or twice in the film. Thats cool to me, shame the toy doesnt bother.

[@tommarsdon5644]

And you were right not to be suprised. There's Amy's sonic from the girl who waited. Yes, she calls it a probe at first, but that's just in the beginning as a representation of Amy's rejection of Whimsey; later, she does in fact accept that it is, in fact, a screwdriver.

[@Mecharnie_Dobbs]

14:26 with the thin screen on the side, for taking energy readings. When he held it like a thermometer freshly removed from a patient's mouth.

[@gooeydude574]

This could be an interesting idea for a video: how would you rank the doctors in terms of their morality?

[@ZoeMalDoran]

My favourite sonic screwdriver is the one used by the 9th & 10th Doctors

[@topmandog1]

i cant believe 12s is so far down based on the colour, its meant to look like a mix of the tardis and the console

[@7thHourFilms]

I really enjoy 9/10's sonic for the simplicity. It looks like a tool and kinda fits 9's overall look more than 10. I'd probably say 12's is also up there for me but I get the critique of how blue it is. Maybe if the handle was black it'd fit more with his jackets/hoodies and make the blue light pop more.

[@BulbasaurRepresent]

My favourite is the second doctor's. I have a prop replica of it. It's literally just a thin ineffective torch that makes no sound. And I love it for that - just shows how thin the budget was back then! It's cute. I got it for christmas and just laughed when I used it. I love it.

[@LexVanguard2004]

My favourite is 14's, I'm still annoyed they designed the coolest looking sonic ever and proceeded to bin it after only three episodes. My runner ups are 11's and 13's, I love everything about them and how much they suit their individual Doctors.

[@wheresmyjetpack]

I like Three's yellow more because it suits how extra and camp he is. Like, he also has a yellow car with Benny Hill speed.

[@quickstixproductions9880]

9 and 10s will always be my favourite cause yes it's a bit more plain. However that's why I like it so much it's science fictiony enough to be unique but also restrained enough to feel like an actual tool. It feels nifty and practical but with just a nice dose of scifi flare.

[@wolfgang8181]

Before the the last one I was trying to think what screwdriver I was missing and then I saw it and thought of course. It's a really excellent design, like the 9/10th's but steampunk adornments. Definitely worth the top spot. As much as I love 14's, I think sonic screwdrivers are best when they are not too thick. Something that fits comfortably in a coat pocket and can be used discretely when needed. The nimbleness of 9/10's feels far more tool-like than any of the other thicker ones especially 11's. Something more elegant and unassuming but with complexities. Two's is too simple but 9/10's is just right for my tastes. I think if 14's was thinner I'd be my top spot.

[@SymbioteMullet]

I always had a soft spot for the sonic pen from Partners in Crime. Other than that, probably 11's is my favourite. Also, 9/10's has a nicer feeling blue because it's an ultraviolet light, because of the hidden invisible pen in the base.

[@travishiltz4750]

I feel like there was some stretching, but since I only count the sonics that got a toy/replica, I won't grumble too much, Started collecting Sonic's a while back, and inspired by the 12th, got myself a big mug to hold them in on my desk. My list (only counting ones I own): #3: the third: yeah, that yellow strip isn't great. #2: 11th: like the look. Big and bold and green, when most are blue. #1: 4th: Tom's my Doctor and it was the first one I bought.

[@SLPrawn65]

The yellow on the 3rd doctors screwdriver yellow part make me think that the screwdriver has already been extended

[@Jay32954]

I've always figured that the sonic screwdriver is partly telepathic.

[@CouncilofGeeks]

That was confirmed during Smith's era that it was a telepathic interface. I don't super love that personally.

[@WiloPolis03]

​@@CouncilofGeeksTbf that does sound like the kind of thing the writers can choose to remember or ignore depending on the plot, kind of like the physics of Ant-Man in the MCU movies

[@robozxd2857]

Sadly, I believe I’ve found a missed sonic, and as it’s oft missed, I thought I’d mention it. The 5th doctors sonic! Famous for being destroyed by JNT and is the reason 6 and 7 don’t have official screwdrivers. Essentially just the 4th doctor’s, but with a white band that circles it. I know, so unique, how could one forget it?

[@Deady.p]

I would love to know where you would place the three "main" designs from the mix and match sonic sets (other than 11s of course).

[@AxelWedstar411]

I'd prbly like 14th's more if I didn't pay an extortionate £30 for the basic version.

[@that_morrigan6184]

me, an idiot who can't count: you haven't mentioned this one yet. Why hasn't this appeared. I hope you haven't forgotten this one... Oh yay it's your favourite too!

[@samuelbarber6177]

Also, darn this video’s thorough.

[@sephirothii13]

I have to agree with your top three... I would have put the 12th doctors a bit higher but yes... very good and fun

[@23rdFoot]

I like River Song's best because it fits my tiny little hand so well. [Sorry, can't stop myself, as I am mid-Martini: This criterion, These criteria. Thank you.]

[@nimonus]

The 2nd Doctor actually had at least two sonic screwdrivers. The one used in the War Games was a pen-light. But the FIRST one was actually a life-vest safety whistle, that Patrick Troughton took off the life vest he wore in Fury from the Deep. When it was used in The Dominators it was the pen-light seen in the War Games but also had a detachable handle attachment added, so I'm not sure if that counts as a separate design or not. There are some models here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqmnoY2Bo5hsjbc

[@chickenphat730]

I’m ngl my favorite is 12’s. It does look like a toy, but idk I still love it. Of course 11’s and 8’s 2nd one, and 4th doctors and stuff are all great as well.

[@johnalbert823]

Fun list! Love your rats!

[@raludomrellim6913]

Justice for the Fifth Doctors screwdriver, forgotten by the host but not by this council member haha. Yes the white band makes it different enough imo.

[@IronSalamander8]

I really dislike how the new show makes the sonic screwdriver into some crazy multi-tool that can hack computers, create forcefields, and do other very non-sonic, non-screwdriver things, regardless of any aesthetics. I'm biased for the 4th Doctor's overall.

[@calliesanderford3410]

I have a spoon!

[@jfm201053]

I am listening to your audiobook now just to see let you know that there several lines that repeat twice

[@CouncilofGeeks]

Don't suppose you remember the chapters where that happened?

[@HotDogTimeMachine385]

I feel like Capaldi's Sonic is too much. I don't like that the handle has prongs. It feels like it's made from two top bits and no handle, if that makes sense

[@sylvrstone]

[@JCResDoc94]

16:30 thats the one

[@Limes_not_Lemons]

I know it's probably a bit out of pocket for some genuine complaints about Ncuti's era, but the complaints about his sonic are strikingly similar to the frankly racist nutters who hate Ncuti's doctor because he looks different. Same thing about 13 and her sonic, it looks different, ew I don't like it. Obviously people can hold these opinions for genuinely valid reasons, but the vocal minority give me that vibe, ya know?

[@kevin10001]

Not a bad list but I would have the anniversary sonic and Ncuti’s a little lower on the it’s not because they are bad but because we don’t know how the doctor revived the Sonics as far a show cannon goes and the only explanation we have for what happened to Jodie’s sonic was in the expanded universe cannon and for me show cannon and expanded universe cannon are separate cases the can and has done there on exploration for something the expanded universe already covered and my perfect sonic would marry love for Batman and the doctor together where the casing would be the colors of Adam west’s Batsuit and the back would have the depiction of a cape pained on it and the would incorporate som actual sonic designs into it like the strip and the bottom of some classic era designs but on mine the strip would look like Adam’s utility belt and the activation button would be the bat inside the yellow oval that is in Adam’s bat symbol and the cowl would be done similar to the top it Chris and David’s sonic just in the shape of Adam west’s cowl in a blue crystal that matches the color of his cowl so the light could be visible more then through the eye holes on the cowl

[@roberts.2300]

I wanted to pick up the 11th doctor screwdriver from the Celestial Toystore. However I end up finding out the quality has gone away due to the lack of enthusiasm for the show. Plus the post about on extreme social evils of the world are ruining the show. Kind of killed it for me. So going to wait for the Rubbertoe Replica version to come back again. Already have the 12'th Doctor series 10 screwdriver and the master's laser screwdriver. Now just waiting for the 14th doctor sonic to at the end of this or early next year.