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Hey European & American friends who use tools and do building, repairs, DIY – are Robertson screws common in your area?

Are Robertson screwdrivers common in European toolboxes?

In Canada I suspect that 99% of people who have tools would have Robertson screwdrivers in their toolbox. At least the red & green (#2, #1) sizes. The more intrepid will have the yellow and black (#0, #3) sizes too.

Poll to follow…

Do you have Robertson screwdrivers at home?

Comments, boosts & elaborations appreciated. Wondering if I send something to European customers with Robertson screws they'll throw them away and use Phillips or Torx or something.

@ottaross Porter’s law of second generation renos: On any given towel fixture, one of the screws will be Robertson, the other will be Phillips.

@MichaelPorter I particularly like when you discover a Phillips screw that has the hidden compatibility with Robertson built into the middle.

Canadians everywhere release a comforting sigh when their Robertson slots nicely into one of those.

@ottaross @MichaelPorter
Those are actually specially designed with the idea that you screw them in with the Phillips, so that you can't overtorque them. If you need to remove them years later, you can use much more torque with the Robertson to break through any sticky rust. My pool is constructed with them...

Ross of Ottawa

@martinsettle @MichaelPorter They really do shine for removing old long-in-place screws. Often it's worth taking a moment with a pick to clean out the corners though, so you can get a good grip.