All About Pocket Knives

I’m somewhat of a tool nut and obviously a knife nut, even though the two hobbies are closely related. It is rare my two collections touch so closely.

My Dad had Xcelite tools and he obviously appreciated them. I never found his after he died. To be fair the last time I remember seeing them was in the 70’s. I have a set that I use, these two sets are part of my collection but also spares.

This set is pretty common, fractional nut drivers and screw driver attachments. With a cord to tie the roll. (There is newer set that is identical but has Velcro) This set is older and took a while to piece together the drivers are fractional sizes, but are assigned numbers instead of their sizes. Also this set has double ended screw driver bits. While they function fine, because of them the entire roll is taller, adding quite a bit of bulk when rolled up.

If there are any other Xcelite collectors please share pictures of your sets.

I also have a question. If anyone has this stubby driver set. Do the nut drivers have hollow shafts? Thanks

I've got a bunch of Excelite and Vaco tools, including one of the big attaché cases. Wonderful stuff.

Sorry, my nuts, bolts, and screw tools are Snap-on. Those Excelites are fine for the home but don't hold up to every day work.

Gunsil wrote: ↑Sun Feb 19, 2023 10:49 pm Sorry, my nuts, bolts, and screw tools are Snap-on. Those Excelites are fine for the home but don't hold up to every day work.

Not for diesel mechanics, no. They have been the choice of technicians for generations.

I worked as a mechanic (I hate the word tech) for 45 years, never saw another mechanic with those. Most guys used Snap-on or Mac and had nut driver sets with handles on each one. I hate diesels too, dirty engines. I've worked on a few 3208 Cats in boats, but dislike them in autos. That diesel oil stains the hands unlike gas engine oil.

Gunsil wrote: ↑Sun Feb 19, 2023 11:38 pm I worked as a mechanic (I hate the word tech) for 45 years, never saw another mechanic with those. Most guys used Snap-on or Mac and had nut driver sets with handles on each one. I hate diesels too, dirty engines. I've worked on a few 3208 Cats in boats, but dislike them in autos. That diesel oil stains the hands unlike gas engine oil.

The point wasn't who calls who what. The point is that you use the proper tool for the job. Technicians, like the guys who service photocopiers, computer rooms, communications gear and the like often carry Xcellite tools. These guys often have to lug their tools by hand all over the place and can appreciate not carrying a couple dozen extra handles on tools that might not be strictly necessary but are timesavers. Light weight and compact tools are a big help.

Excellite and Vaco tools do, indeed, stand up to daily use.

Xcelite and Vaco were the choice for electronics for a long time. They are quality tools meant for electronics field service technicians. These are not low quality home owner grade tools.

There are also sets of allen drivers bristol spline drivers reemers etc, not to mention the metric stuff. So it saved a lot of space in your kit. There are three different handles and various extensions that would fit all the tools. Making it very versatile, but still compact.

Not as robust maybe as the ones gunsil mentioned, but more precise. IMHO. Meant for a different trade.

Dsutton24 my Dad had one of the briefcase sets, not the big rolling one. As a young boy I was fascinated by it. Everything in its place, laid out neatly and at your fingertips.

For years when I saw a business man with a briefcase I thought it was full of tools.

dsutton24 wrote: ↑Sun Feb 19, 2023 11:47 pm Technicians, like the guys who service photocopiers...often have to lug their tools by hand all over the place.

Very true! I've serviced office machines in the past. Carrying tools around could be a pain, especially when visiting one of the fine facilities of California's Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. If I knew what I was going to be doing, I only carried what was necessary for the particular job.

eveled wrote: ↑Sun Feb 19, 2023 11:50 pm My Dad had one of the briefcase sets, not the big rolling one. As a young boy I was fascinated by it. Everything in its place, laid out neatly and at your fingertips.

That's exactly how I like tools to be. Your sets are pretty nice, too!