skrutrekker

A skrutrekker is a hand tool used to drive screws into material or to remove them. It consists of a handle and a shaft ending in a tip that fits the corresponding screw head. In Norwegian and Danish, skrutrekker is the standard term for this tool; in other languages the term screwdriver, schroevendraaier, or similar variants are used.

Etymology and usage context: The name combines elements meaning screw and driver in Scandinavian languages, reflecting the tool’s primary function. The English term screwdriver conveys the same purpose. Skrutrekkers are used across trades and in households for assembly, maintenance, and repair tasks.

Design and variants: The tip shapes vary to match screw heads, with common types including flat-head (slotted), Phillips, Pozidriv, Torx, and square (Robertson), as well as security variants with nonstandard patterns. Handles can be wood, plastic, rubberized, or ergonomically shaped. Blades are typically steel, and some screwdrivers are insulated for electrical work. Precision screwdrivers provide smaller tips for electronics and fine mechanical work.

Applications and considerations: Selecting the correct tip size and type is essential to prevent cam-out and damage to the screw or tool. Screwdrivers are used in construction, carpentry, furniture assembly, electronics, and household repairs. For electrical tasks, insulated designs meeting safety standards are preferred.

History and development: Tools with interchangeable tips evolved over centuries, with modern standardized tip geometries—such as Phillips, Pozidriv, and Torx—developed in the 20th century to improve grip and torque transfer. Today, the skrutrekker remains a fundamental, ubiquitous hand tool in many regions.