Super Material

[DerbyBorn]

I have discovered some super strong materials lurking under our noses:

1. The string used by butchers to tie a pork loin. Resists normal attemts to cut it with the knofe you have in your hand.

1. Black Pudding Slices outer skin (M&S). Doesn't rip or cut - even after being exposed to high temperatures.

2. Ladies High Heel shoe heel materials. Impact resistant.

1. The plastic wrapping of cheese resists normal attempts to tear - but then gives up and rips in unexpected directions. Can't see a use for this yet.

[Nick Odell]

Never mind the wrapping - processed cheese makes an excellent adhesive. Oh: and if you are the owner of that apartment I rented for a weekend - it wasn't me that knocked the table lamp over, broke off the foot and glued it back with cheese. It must have been somebody else. Nick

[Andrew]

Crumpet packaging. Impossible to tear open. Can only be cut or snipped with scissors.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

I'll add another. Tesco pickled cucumber jars. Lids tightened to the point where even a crowbar won't loosen them.

[Cursitor Doom]

Don't exaggerate, Dave. I've asked you a million times (maybe more) not to exaggerate.

[BillD]

One of these will

[Brian Gaff]

Humph, well that is why these materials are used, its because their behaviour is unpredictable. My favourite one is whatever toothbrush bristles are made from. The stand straight and proud for a given time then all of a sudden as if some magic signal had been received they all bend over in random directions. Brian

[Richard]

Be patient, man! Have you tried asking her politely to remove it?

[Peter]

And don't forget the plastic wrapping that comes with batteries. I have lost count of the number of finger nails that have succumbed to this. pfj

[FMurtz]

try this,

[alan_m]

This works well...

Probably cheaper elsewhere

[Robin]

I'm not so sure. We have a collection of such tools but I sometimes decide that drilling a hole in the lid is the safest thing.

My pet hate are the lids with steeply sloping edges - apparently designed to defeat everything up to and including strap wrenches.

[ARW]

:-)

[Max Demian]

Looks like it could do some damage to the lid. Better the kind with a belt around the lid, a strap wrench. I don't know whether domestic versions are available.

[Robin]

Plenty are marketed as jar openers. I think leading brand is Boa Constrictor

[Max Demian]

I thought there must be one available. I'm a little surprised that it is marketed specifically to people with health conditions such as arthritis. I would have thought that many able bodied people would have a problem with some pickle jars. Not to mention women.

[charles]

yes, they are. Ours gets used quite frequently.

[Tim Lamb]

I find a post office supplied elastic band a best first move. Wrapped round the offending lid gives purchase up to the force available.

Concur on plastic wrapping. I guess it costs the manufacturers no more to use untearable material.

Advancing age seems to bring a problem with separating newspaper pages.. eyesight, dry finger tip skin?

My pet hate is the plastic cover on Waitrose sticky toffee puddings. Undoubtedly some manufacturer has invested in a process which attaches the transparent lid so securely that all attempts at tidy removal end in abject failure:-(

[Richard]

Fairly easy to get women to open up, just show a bit of empathy. Another way is to show them your amazing ability to open jars.

[Bob Eager]

Use one of these (not another strap wrench). They are invaluable.