Screwdriver MK 1

The Screwdriver Mk 1, from ecigscrewdriver.com (and other online outlets)

Introduction

The Screwdriver was a first for me, insofar as I normally review e-cigarettes that look like cigarettes – products that are often referred to as ‘cigalikes’, or ‘lookie-likies’.  This kind of e-ciggy is usually aimed at new vapers.  The Screwdriver obviously does not conform to that criterion!

Having said that, it doesn’t aim to do so.  The philosophy underpinning this product is functionality, and the product is aimed at people who have already switched to vaping but are looking for an all-day vaping device that is solidly constructed and reliable.  That is, rather than aiming to look like a cigarette, it aims to deliver performance, and in this respect, the ‘prime mover’, as it were, is the battery.  The idea here is that you can charge your battery overnight, load it into your screwdriver the next morning, and vape happily all day without needing a portable charging case, or a USB port.  

I will assess the Screwdriver on the basis of the following criteria:  vapour production, throat hit, ease of use, and the battery itself.

Vapour Production

Vapour production is reasonable, after one or two priming ‘tokes’ (which is not an uncommon requirement with e-cigs).  I certainly would have no reservations in this respect, although it does not produce quite as much vapour as some other e-cigs I have tried.  I tried the Screwdriver with a number of different atomiser/tank/cartomiser options, including the 510 cartomisers supplied, dual coil cartomisers from Cloud 9, ROK 510 cartomisers, ‘808’ cartomisers from JAC, and a tank supplied by ecigscrewdriver combined with a 901-801 adaptor (also kindly supplied).  The best results were from the tank combo.  On that basis, I would rate vapour production at 7/10.

Throat Hit

Many vapers like to have a good ‘throat hit’.  Essentially, what they are looking for is an experience that emulates, as closely as possible, the smoking experience.  Now, ‘throat hit’ can be affected by several factors, and that is why I tried the Screwdriver in several formats, as detailed above.  Additionally, throat hit does vary according to the strength of e-liquid used in the device.  I tried the Screwdriver with a range of strengths and flavours, ranging from 6 Mg tobacco flavour from JAC, to 11 Mg, 16 Mg and 24 Mg strengths, in flavours as diverse as banana, vanilla, tobacco, double apple, (from Madvapes, ROK, Totally Wicked, and Liberro) and more.

I did not get a strong throat hit with any variation.  The feeling in the back of the throat was rather mild – more of a throat ‘stroke’.  Having said that, I like a mild feeling, so it suited me very well.  Much of this reviewing malarkey does come down to personal preference and subjective considerations, but if you are after a particularly strong throat hit, the Screwdriver may not suit you.  Overall, I would award a rating of 6/10.

Ease of Use

The screwdriver, like the ROKStar, the Mirage Zeus and the Ego, has a manual battery that is activated with a button.  On the other e-cigs I have mentioned, the button is on the side of the e-cig and is pressed in a way that works and feels natural – that is, in the direction in which fingers are designed to go.

With the screwdriver, however, the button is on the bottom.  This means that you have to hold it down with your little finger, pushing up towards your ring finger.  Alternatively, you can hold it in the palm of your hand and squeeze:

Personally, I prefer the little finger method, although I must confess that it feels awkward still, compared to cigs that have the button on the side.  Maybe I’ll get used to it...

Additionally, if you store it in your pocket, the battery can be activated and the unit overheats.  I think ecigscrewdriver normally supply a cap that you can put over the battery to prevent this though.  You also get wrist and neck lanyards.  I did not use either of these, as it’s not really my ‘thing’ but some might find it handy I guess.  You are also supplied with a natty leather case, although I found that I did not really use it as I am a more-or-less constant vaper!  For ease of use, I award a rating of 6/10.

The Battery

I found that the battery performed very well.  I used to smoke 30 cigarettes a day, and I reckon to need about 1000 Mah’s worth of power to get me through a day.  I found that the battery in the  Screwdriver did not last quite a whole day, (despite it being labelled ‘1000 Mah’) but, fully charged, it would get me through from about 9 am to 5 pm with no problem at all.  In order to make my vaping experience fully ‘Screwdriver’, I was sometimes supplementing with the SD Keyring (KR), and comparisons are unavoidable.   The battery on the KR is only 300 Mah but I found that it lasted me nearly as long as the bigger battery on the ‘daddy’ SD.  Also, the KR battery is automatic – no button – which I think is the way forward, personally.  Overall, the throat hit on the KR is better, with a range of cartomiser options (I did try dual coil carts on both), and, generally, the KR is, in my view, a better product.  Perhaps it is in the nature of evolution that subsequent generations are superior to previous generations.  Alternatively, perhaps ‘horses for courses’ is a better way of putting it.  If you want a longer battery life you will prefer the SD ‘daddy’.  For battery performance, I award 8/10.

Conclusion

The Screwdriver is a good product, made and designed in the UK.  The throat hit is milder than some would like, but suited me fine.  The battery is good and will last most people a whole day.  Vapour production is decent enough, but it is a little uncomfortable to use.   The company (ecigscrewdriver) were a pleasure to deal with – Matt Rogers is very knowledgeable about e-cigarettes and his own products in particular, and approaches the market with a degree of innovation and integrity sometimes lacking elsewhere.  I would award this product an overall rating of 7/10, with a company rating of 9/10.

The Screwdriver, from ecigscrewdriver.com...