Can Opener Showdown!

If you are one of the few people who might actually use a multi tool to open a lot of cans, this is the video for you!!!

Featured tools:
Victorinox Sportsman
Victorinox Bantam
Gerber Armbar Cork

[mr.crumbles]

Combo tools underrated! Small pry, flat head, bottle opener, can opener. Wish it was on 3/4 layer tools with a new implement on the same layer

[scenicdriveways]

Good comparison.
My wife and I had been invited to a friends cabin in Story, WY for a BBQ. When we got there our friend Willie was upset because he forgot his can opener for the can of beans. I smiled and said: "That's not a problem", and then took out my pocket knife ( which was a 1968 U.S. Camillus military pocket knife at the time ) and opened the can of beans.
Another time my wife and I were at LaPosa South in Quartzsite, AR bookdocking and my wife started to open a can of Corn-Beef Hash for breakfast with eggs. Her can opener broke as soon as she started to open the can. I reached in my pocket, pulled out my Magnum by Boker camp knife and opened the can with the can opener on my pocket knife.
It's reasons like that that I prefer to carry a multi-tool pocket knife instead of a single blade folder. These days I carry a Victorinox Huntsman pocket knife, and I love it.

[rcannonp]

For as often as I use a multi tool can opener, I'll go with the one that works the best as a screw driver.

[richardneff]

Cool video! Although, with the "regular" Victorinox can opener, you do need to practice more as it is a bit of a trick to get it to work quickly. Like the Felix Immler technique where you're not rocking the knife as much, but really pushing the sharp edge "into" the metal.
But, I think it does show that for most people who don't open cans very often that the Combo Tool is far more intuitive. (There are many that start out that don't realize that the "regular" opener is even a push opener. I think many want to do a pull motion anyway.) I think your video illustrates that perfectly!

[prh]

Thanks for an excellent video and the answer to a question that I have had for a long time. I don't have much personal experience with any of these can openers because my wife would probably shoot me if I tried to use my "dirty" pocket knife for food prep! 🤣

[nikgyver]

All the can openers do the job fast or slow.I like the normal victorinox can opener because gives you many alternative functions...when you move up the normal vic can opener the edge comes out, you have to fit it back to hole to continue the cutting, if you hold it always in the hole it will be more easy to open the can.Thanks for sharing Anne.

[ParkerBinion]

Hi Ann! Love your videos! I just discovered that the old Wenger claw can opener is also a 1/4" hex wrench and can be used as a screwdriver with a bit extender. The hex bit extender fits perfectly in the recessed, curved area in the back of the can opener! Victorinox should do this!

[George_Lewis]

I was also disappointed when I opened cans with the regular Victorinox. That is why I always carried a P-38 along with my Huntsman when backpacking. I was pleasantly surprised to see how well the Victorinox combo tool worked. Thank you for sharing.

[donaldstrader]

I have used all of mine enough to know they work, make a good backup, and sometimes to cut a section that did not cut with a regular can opener or the older key opening sardines and such. I have had a ring pull fail on a rare occasion.
I usually use a lid extractor. It leaves a much smoother safer edge on BOTH the lid and the can. This edge is also much more kitchen implement/spatula friendly if one is cleaning out the can. I have had an issue with very few cans, but prefer having backups such as a regular can opener and my multitools.
I find the traditional hook shaped can opener works fine if it is a locking tool such as on my Leatherman. I recall the same hook shape on a Wenger did not work all that efficiently as it did not lock and folded some. Also the hook shaped can opener on a Wenger Ranger would not work properly on large cans. Now that Victorinox took over they have the forward cutting style with the screwdriver tip, but I don't have any of those. I also have P-38 and P-51 can openers. I don't think I am likely to every have to abrade off the top of a can crimp on a sidewalk or rock to get it open in an emergency. LOL. I enjoyed the video, but we don't know what you were cooking. 🙂
The white beans were already open and draining when I went out to the kitchen to help with dinner after mowing the lawn, but I just checked, the Iberia can was opened with a lid extractor. :-) I highly recommend what we had, Spinach and White Beans, a recipe from TheLiveInKitchen. Sorry I don't know about any of the other recipes there, but this one is fantastic for a quick meal. We have never used frozen spinach as called for; we always use "fresh, " and its a good way to use them if the greens need to be used. Tonight we wanted/needed to use the Spinach and Tuscan Kale. Only one can of beans tonight, but we often use two. Did I mention how simple and quick this recipe is? 😉

[jasonpeprose]

The combo tool all day long because of it's practicality and multifunctionality. The Gerber can opener, if you slip you could have a problem. And with the Gerber you have to keep it sharpened, thankfully cans come with ring pulls nowadays. 😂

[carolsl]

Thanks for showing. Here for many years the cans come with easy opening so I don't even remember how to use them anymore 😜

[jaymarble]

They are all adequate as can openers, and I think if you were having to use any of them many times a week, like on a car camping trip, you would get really good with any of them. But comparing the two SAK styles, there is a big difference in how they do as prybars, or the ability to work with Phillips screws. The combi does those, but not as well.

[zoephin]

Claws are fool proof. I'm used to the normal push style. You need to use more but smaller up-down motions. The screwdriver tip keeps it from plunging inside can; making it hard to retrieve.

I really like the combo tool on the bantam. I curl my pinky around it. It makes a great hold on this ultra skinny SAK.

[saldomino]

Wow the combo tool was smooth going thanks Ann for the video I have the Bantam some have problems with the can opener !

[mikeelek]

I haven't used the Gerber or single-blade Swiss Army Knife, but I have used the can opener on a Victorinox Pioneer many times. It's never let me down.

I was surprised to see the combo tool tear through that lid so easily, and the Gerber did a good job, too.

[recht]

another advantage of the "claw-type" can opener as opposed to the usual SAK can opener is that the ragged, sharp edge of the opened can is going _away_ from the can opener hand, as opposed to the usual SAK can opener which makes you have to push the opener forwards, potentially hurting your hand. That said, the combo tool of the Compact is a worse pry bar than the bottle opener of the Spartan/Climber.

[alanmacmillan]

a lot of traditional can openers in uk are pull not push which the victorinox does. pushing is riskier and could skid more, as opposed to pulling hence that result. the victorinox push works but requires the user be more careful and controlled. its interesting to see the tools in use. a lot of videos talk about the tools but not use them.

[roberttexhe]

Glad the combo-tool worked so well. Recently, order a bantam.

[ashleyheslop]

I think the current Vic can opener is the best, there is a seasaw method to it and once you have mastered it, the screwdriver tip actually works as a stopper so you don't lift the knife handle too much and press the can opener down passed the lid. I prefer it to the combo tool as well as the Wenger can opener and some others I've tried like the LM Waves which is pretty much a Wenger can opener.

[RichardPoogerman]

Right on! I never really liked the push-oriented basic Vic can opener. It works OK but somehow always seems kind of klutzy . When I got a Vic Waiter with the combo tool about 12 years ago, I was pleasantly surprised how well it worked and used it a bunch when I couldn't find our regular kitchen can opener. Hats off to the Armbar though which wins primarily due to its size 👍