Doctor Who: Every Sonic Screwdriver Ranked Worst To Best

13. The Second Doctor’s Sonic (1968 - 1969)

The sonic screwdriver was initially conceived as an alternative to a traditional screwdriver, but the original prop wasn't much more exciting than something you'd find in your toolbox.

The Second Doctor’s sonic was merely an off-the-shelf penlight, comprising a smooth silver tube with a light on the end – a remarkably uninspired choice by today’s standards.

What’s more, Patrick Troughton allegedly lost the intended sonic screwdriver prop on location while filming Fury from the Deep, forcing him to use the only thing he had to hand... a life vest safety whistle.

And you thought the Fifteenth Doctor’s sonic was a departure!

Credit where it’s due, the production team pushed the boat out slightly for the sonic’s second appearance in The Dominators, building a gun-like casing for it to sit inside. But it reverted to that plain old penlight for its third and final outing in The War Games.

Is there something to be said for having a simpler and stripped-back sonic? Perhaps. But ultimately, the Second Doctor’s sonic just isn’t very memorable – granted it wasn't used very much, but we can’t place it any higher than this.