# Identify this object: "H-P TOOL"

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-object-h-p-tool/785548>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [April 30, 2017, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-object-h-p-tool/785548 "2017-04-30T01:42:54Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\
**Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-object-h-p-tool/785548/21 "2017-05-03T00:10:15Z")

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We just used a flat-tip screwdriver on the boat…

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**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\
**Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-object-h-p-tool/785548/22 "2017-05-03T02:14:20Z")

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This roughly [http://i.ebayimg.com/images/i/270607167554-0-1/s-l1000.jpg](http://i.ebayimg.com/images/i/270607167554-0-1/s-l1000.jpg) is the type I had in my toolbox back when I worked on aircraft. Styled like a conventional screwdriver but with a short broad blade with a curved edge.

The OP’s tool is two different blades back to back (the two “mouse ears”) set 90 degrees to the handle. Which seems kinda weird and unergonomic.

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**Author:** ![Gunslinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4491bb/32.png) [@Gunslinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gunslinger)\
**Post date:** [May 3, 2017, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-object-h-p-tool/785548/23 "2017-05-03T11:00:52Z")

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> [@LSLGuy](#):
>
> Which seems kinda weird and unergonomic.

Eh, same motion as using a ratchet or wrench, and the whole point of the fasteners is that the only take a quarter-turn, seems to me that the pocketability outweighs any ergonomic drawback, especially for pilots that have to keep in on their person. All the mechanics probably had/have a version more similar to yours.

I kinda want to get the screwdriver-handle version to use on those damned battery covers, to stop from scratching them up when I get one that the previous owner overtightened.

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