talttapää

Talttapää is a Finnish term that literally translates to "chisel head." It is commonly used to describe a type of screw or bolt head that has a single, straight slot across it. This slot is designed to be engaged by a flathead screwdriver. Talttapää fasteners are among the oldest and simplest types of threaded fasteners, historically manufactured and used for a wide range of applications. They are characterized by their straightforward design, making them easy to manufacture and use with basic tools. However, the single slot can present challenges. When applying torque, the screwdriver can easily slip out of the slot, potentially damaging the fastener head or the surrounding material. This also means that talttapää fasteners are not well-suited for high-torque applications as consistent engagement can be difficult to maintain. Despite these limitations, they remain in use for less demanding tasks, particularly where cost-effectiveness and simplicity are prioritized. Their prevalence can be seen in older furniture, simple machinery, and various household items. The term talttapää is specific to the Finnish language and reflects the visual resemblance of the fastener head to a chisel's cutting edge.