Found a weird screwdriver tip

[mumlikebenny]

Found this screwdriver blade in my friend's dad's stash and at first glance I thought, oh def Torx, no big deal, but when I looked closer it wasn't a clean star shape like I'm used to. The points are a little different and it looks like a variant or something that just wants to pretend it belongs in the Torx family. Are there Torx variants out there that you guys here know of?

 

[s3s@m3_]

Found this screwdriver blade in my friend's dad's stash and at first glance I thought, oh def Torx, no big deal, but when I looked closer it wasn't a clean star shape like I'm used to. The points are a little different and it looks like a variant or something that just wants to pretend it belongs in the Torx family. Are there Torx variants out there that you guys here know of?

Could it be a Security Torx? A standard Torx is a six point star, but if it has a little hole drilled in the very center of the tip, it's for the tamper resistant screws that have a pin in the middle. the blade itself still looks like a star, but not clean because of the hole

 

[mustang72]

There is also a brand of construction screws "SPAX" found at Home Depot and Lowes that come with a special bit. Could be one of those as well.

 

[farmer Pet3r]

Could it be a Security Torx? A standard Torx is a six point star, but if it has a little hole drilled in the very center of the tip, it's for the tamper resistant screws that have a pin in the middle. the blade itself still looks like a star, but not clean because of the hole

yeah, the most common "Torx that isn't quite Torx" is the Security Torx (often called Torx TR for Tamper Resistant).
look right in the middle of the star. If there is a noticeable hole (for the security pin that sticks up in the screw head), that’s your answer. You need a specialized driver to fit over that pin. If there is no hole, then it might be a different, more niche variant

 

[Alan]

If it’s a Security Torx, you can usually find the matching driver in electronics tool kits or online. Saves frustration trying to jam a standard bit in there.

 

[bridger]

There is a version that at first glance looks like torx but isn't . Best name I have for it is spline. I have a few drivers for it in the L shaped hex key format- no idea where I got them. I've never seen a fastener with that drive.

 

[Alan]

@yoursoundslike it’s probably a Security Torx if there’s a hole in the center, otherwise it could be a spline or another niche variant. You’ll need the matching driver to avoid rounding out the screw.