[Xelera]

So I've run into an unforseen problem...

Can openers.

Yup, I've bought 1$ and $20 hand held can openers (don't want to rely on electricity) for opening stockpiled canned goods. And they all break. First they start to dull, then shortly after, the rotating handle breaks. Moreso with the plastic handled ones, but those metal, key looking handles, start to rust.

I've tried not washing in dishwasher, and just washing by hand, but they still rust up.

So, before trusting anymore online ads, with suspect "customer" feedback, anyone here have any feedback on a quality hand held can opener that I may have to "trust my life to"?

 

[NonTimboMala]

In a pinch i just use my pocket knife to open the cans up. I very carefully, but forcibly, jab it down on the top of the can and from there on just cut the tin, probably not good on my knife but better than not having a way to open a can.

 

[Herbalpagan]

I have that issue also. I thought it was because we are left handed, but righties can't use them either. I found this place: http://www.canopenerworld.com/index-manualcanopeners.html
and will be getting one of those industrial ones that bolt onto the counter and you slam the blade down into the can and use a hand crank to open it. It's pricier, but I don't care if it works!

 

[W.Lynn]

In a pinch, I hear hacksaws work pretty good. I've heard of the occasional idjit trying to bash a can open with a rock, but I guess if someone was desperate they could maybe crease one enough to work a hole open.

I use the kind of can opener that cuts the seal around the outside edge, instead of punching through the lid and cutting that piece of metal. The blade seems to last much longer, and almost never gets anything on it (I wipe it down occasionally, I'm a klutz.)

 

[BUSHER]

the ol' p38 - cheap lots for sale on ebay - coming in just under $1 per piece

 

[ImThatGuy]

I have that issue also. I thought it was because we are left handed, but righties can't use them either. I found this place: http://www.canopenerworld.com/index-manualcanopeners.html
and will be getting one of those industrial ones that bolt onto the counter and you slam the blade down into the can and use a hand crank to open it. It's pricier, but I don't care if it works!

I have been in the restaurant biz for 20 years, and these are ROCK SOLID. You can't break them. We have to replace the cutter on it about every 5+ years depending on how many cans we open. But for home, I would bet the cutter would last forever since you may not be opening #10's all day

 

[Uncle Bob]

I just picked up one of these. I kept wearing out the bearings on the cheap ones.
This has a bearing thats about a inch long.
Amazon.com: Amco Swing-A-Way 6090 Easy Crank Can Opener: Kitchen & Dining
I also have one of these wall mounted ones thats 30 plus years old.
Amazon.com: Amco Swing-A-Way 609WH Magnetic Wall Can Opener, White: Kitchen & Dining

 

[Monique]

I've had the same issue with handhelds. The wall type is a good idea -- that's what everybody used years ago. I had a small battery-operated can opener that you just sit on the lid and press a button, but it started hanging up about every third or fourth use, so I threw it away.

 

[gamgee]

In a pinch you can rub the bottom of the can on concrete.

 

[WSierra]

Hmmm. Guess I've been lucky. I have a cupboard mounted crank opener that's a least 35 years old. Got it as a wedding present. lol
I also have a 1969 vintage P38 on my keychain from a case of C-rations. Still works great. I also have a Swiss army knife with a good opener on it.

Maybe look for older ones at garage sales and thrift stores? Good hunting!

 

[The Saint]

I just pull the little ring thingy and the top pops off.

 

[rncmomx2]

I have a very old and very reliable Dazey canaramic can opener (bought at goodwill for $1.99) from the 50's and a newer version almost identical....both can be resharpened and they will take a beating.

Someone tried to paint the once red Dazey with green house paint (probably from the 60's lol) but otherwise the opener is in perfect shape to be 60 years old.:thumb:

This is the newer one I have

and the attached pics below are the Dazey I have...............

 

[speedofl33t]

I have the same can opener I had all my life. When I had my old cat I opened his cans of food all the time. It was used always and is still used several times a week. It is a plain opener made from plastic and steel. I remember we had a similar one at home and it was really old, had a wooden handle and was razor sharp no matter what you did to it. It is not made anymore but I found one at the thrift store. Handle tells me it's been used a lot but it is still sharper and better than mine, and mine is still good! I mean this wooden steel one has to be at least 40 years old.

It might look similar to some other can openers that are only metal, but they are really different! They open the can in the opposite direction and are much easier and faster to handle.

http://hemmakocken.nu/?artnr=11530

 

[The Saint]

I have the same can opener I had all my life. When I had my old cat I opened his cans of food all the time. It was used always and is still used several times a week. It is a plain opener made from plastic and steel. I remember we had a similar one at home and it was really old, had a wooden handle and was razor sharp no matter what you did to it. It is not made anymore but I found one at the thrift store. Handle tells me it's been used a lot but it is still sharper and better than mine, and mine is still good! I mean this wooden steel one has to be at least 40 years old.

It might look similar to some other can openers that are only metal, but they are really different! They open the can in the opposite direction and are much easier and faster to handle.

http://hemmakocken.nu/?artnr=11530

Thats a nice one if I could read the language maybe Id order one.

 

[Uncle Bob]

I have a very old and very reliable Dazey canaramic can opener (bought at goodwill for $1.99) from the 50's and a newer version almost identical....both can be resharpened and they will take a beating.

Someone tried to paint the once red Dazey with green house paint (probably from the 60's lol) but otherwise the opener is in perfect shape to be 60 years old.:thumb:

This is the newer one I have

and the attached pics below are the Dazey I have...............

Thats the link I put up above. Linking to amazon sucks.
I'm going to have to stop using amazon.
Great pic.:thumb:

 

[dirk21]

I just pull the little ring thingy and the top pops off.

...........:rofl:

 

[countryboy123]

I just picked up one of these. I kept wearing out the bearings on the cheap ones.
This has a bearing thats about a inch long.

I second this model.

I got one to evaluate a few weeks ago and it is extremely well made and cuts trough a number 10 can in just a few seconds without losing its grip.

There is no struggling with opening a can either. It handles any size with ease and cuts through it like butter.

Long term I cant say personally but there are a lot of people who have these and they say they will outlast one persons lifetime.

Get a Swing Away 6090. You wont be disappointed.

 

[neo71665]

Hmmm. Guess I've been lucky. I have a cupboard mounted crank opener that's a least 35 years old. Got it as a wedding present. lol
I also have a 1969 vintage P38 on my keychain from a case of C-rations. Still works great. I also have a Swiss army knife with a good opener on it.

Maybe look for older ones at garage sales and thrift stores? Good hunting!

I have a p38 that stays on my key ring, a p51 that stays in my truck and another p51 in the house. They are cheap and rarely wear out. The p38 my grandpa gave me and hes had it since he was in the army.

http://www.dogtagsrus.com/p-38 can opener history information.htm

 

[MikeK]

Swing Away makes really solid and durable can openers. You can also find some really solid units in second hand stores. The old fashioned kind that your grandma used. You can pick them up for a buck or two. I have scored a bunch of them that way over the years.

 

[WSierra]

I have a p38 that stays on my key ring, a p51 that stays in my truck and another p51 in the house. They are cheap and rarely wear out. The p38 my grandpa gave me and hes had it since he was in the army.

http://www.dogtagsrus.com/p-38 can opener history information.htm

Thank you for that article about the P38.
Long after humans are gone from the planet, some things will have survived...
Like cockroaches, crabgrass, Colt 1911s, and.... P38s! lol
I'll pass your article along to some of my old friends.
Thanks again.