I’m in the kitchen preparing a 5 course meal for my wonderful family when I hear a small chink on the floor followed by the adorable giggle of my 1 year-old Penny.  Penny has, yet again, removed the knob from the linen drawer.  I grab my kitchen screwdriver and all is well again!

Alright so maybe I was making sandwiches, Penny’s antics weren’t very adorable and my screwdriver was the handle of a measuring cup.

My favorite screwdriver!

All this reminded me of a dear friend, we’ll call her Amy.  Amy was babysitting and needed a screwdriver.  Amy asked one of the children where she might find one.  The child said, “A mommy screwdriver or a daddy screwdriver?”  Amy cautiously replied, “A mommy screwdriver.”  The child returned with a butter knife and informed Amy the daddy screwdrivers were in the garage.

We aren’t all born with instinctive knowledge of screwdrivers so here’s a quick rundown of screwdriver basics.

Common Kitchen Screwdrivers

Household Screwdrivers

The two most common screwdrivers are a Phillips and flat head.  We all know how to use a screwdriver but what’s up with those screwy numbers?

In short Phillips screwdrivers use whole number sizing, the bigger the number the larger the driving head.  You may notice that smaller screws use whole number sizing too, Phillips screwdriver sizes do not correspond to screw size with the exception of size 0, store that tidbit away for late night trivia.

Flat head or a regular screwdriver sizes correspond to the width of the blade.  For example a 1/4 driver will have a blade 1/4 inch wide.

Next time someone asks you for a screwdriver you can impress them by pulling out a nail clippers and offering the file as a 1/8 inch driver or the handle as a 1/4 inch driver.

Special thanks to DR Dave A.C. for the professional advice.