Tin opener - silly question

[David Hearn]

Slips on many cans, incomplete cuts, and as it cuts side of can (rather than the top), liquid leaks out whilst cutting.

D

[Jeremy Nicoll - news posts]

That's the case if you try to hold the can off the work surface. But I find that if I leave the can standing on the work surface so it can rotate, and make sure that I hold the opener lightly (so not causing the can to tilt, just holding it enough to resist me turning the lever) they work fine.

[Jules Richardson]

This is ours, which works as well several years down the line as it does when new:

[Phil L]

Stop wasting money on hand held openers. I bought a 'Kenwood' electric can opener 14 years ago and it's never failed yet, but it was a bit pricey, about £8 if i recall...

dearer now at £12

[dennis]

through the seam. Well made bit of UK kit that.

I have discovered that it doesn't like some of the ring pull salmon tins and there is one Sainsburys own brand where it won't open the top but will open the bottom.

Yes I do use it to take the top of ring pull cans as its easier than using the ring pull.

[mike]

We've had one of these for ages and it's very good:

wouldn't be without these two either:

's a bit about the guy who started the company here:

I think one of the regular posters here, S Viemeister, is a relative of his.

[S Viemeister]

Tucker Viemeister, who designed many of those items, is related to my husband.

[Old Git]

+1

[Simon Cee]

Many thanks for all the suggestions chaps. What a relief to know that other people have noticed how rubbish modern tin openers are, I was beginning to think I was doing something wrong.

The key ring openers are just too fiddly, and a bit dangerous for kids to use IMO. Electric sounds good but it's a pain to store and plug-in, especially as it is only used occasionally for the non ring pull type. Brabantia looks v good but no stockists round here and I can't bring myself to order a can opener mail order. The OXO looks promising, and is sold nearby so that looks like the best bet so far.

[Mike Lane]

Percy wrote on Aug 23, 2012:

Agreed. That's the one I use. Not that need it much these days - most tins seem to be ring-pull except for the really cheapo brands.

[PeterC]

Looking at these on Amazon, the reviews are very mixed with too many at low ratings to risk buying one.

[PeterC]

I asked at Lidl and was told that there weren't any - are they on 'specials' only?

I once used the can-opener and then found that some fool had put a ring-pull on the other end! :-~

Some sardine cans shed rings or the top rips rather than open. so an opener that will manage these is handy.

[Mark]

+1.

I find a basic opener like the "Brabantia Essential Line Can Opener" works fine and lasts for years.

[Davey]

I see some small cans of fish that have that, the ring-pull on the bottom. Just where you wouldn't look for it. Made in Australia, maybe?

-- Davey.

[polygonum]

Similarly on Lakeland.

As we too need a new one (to replace another non-functioning Culinare - slips on almost any tine now) - Brabantia has been ordered from Amazon.

[Andrew Gabriel]

Parents had one for years - I think it came from the Green Shield Stamp shop. The motor bearing died almost immediately, which didn't stop it working, but it made a terrible screching sound. As it was mainly used for opening tins of cat food, the cat quickly associated the sound with being fed, and we had to stop using it to open tins which weren't for the cat.

I vary rarely use a tin opener today. I have a side cutting hand one which works well, which I've had for years.

My grandmother had a variation of the type in the OP, but it had a wooden handle like on an old chissel, and didn't fold up. I remember finding it in her cutlery drawer and asking what it was, and later seeing it being used.

[Davey]

There are some old ones coming up for auction soon:

[Adam Funk]

For some reason that reminded me of _Dr Strangelove_, even though the description of the survival kit doesn't mention a can opener.

[polygonum]

Brabantia arrived and has been used. Seems very good. Not convinced how well it will work on awkward tins (e.g. corned beef, sardines, etc.) but on standard cans it is excellent.

Might do a long-term report in a few years...

[Dave Liquorice]

Er aren't corned beef and sardine cans opened with the supplied key?