Alternative use for can openers?

sogflash

sogflash

Joined
Aug 28, 2011
Messages
1,595
I see that victorinox put the can opener on a lot of their SAKs. I don't know about you, but I just about never use can openers.

What else can the can opener be used for that justifies it's place on so many SAKs? I know it has a small flat head screwdriver on it, but I think that could be paired with another more useful tool.

Maybe I'm wrong, and lots of cans are being opened by these tools.
 
The can opener also make a very good phillips screw driver. XCan be used as a staple remover. I've used it as a hook to lift a pot by the bail from a campfire, like a pot hook. When a zipper pull broke off, I was able to unzip using the tip of the can opener.

And last but not least, it works fantastic for those pistachio nuts that have only a tiny crack, so I hook the tip of the can opener into the hole and pry the nut open. I love pistachios!!!

In reality, the tools of a SAK is only limited by the owners imagination.
 
I like the Vic combination can-opener/cap-lifter/screwdriver...

And I'm with you on the pistachios Carl :thumbup: :D
 
I use it to open cans. I keep a can of chili in the fishing bag. When I spontaneously decide to head out all I need is a drink.
 
My SAK's can opener has been a blessing when I've absent-mindedly left my rechargeable electric can opener unplugged for too long, and the battery went dead. Almost never used it otherwise, but having been forced into using it a time or two, I've appreciated how effectively it actually gets the job done. Makes me appreciate the engineering & design wisdom (from Victorinox) that went into such an apparently 'simple' little tool. I used to feel similarly to the OP, in that I didn't see much need to have it; but I'm sort of glad now that I've gotten to use it, and can better appreciate it's value. AND, it needs no batteries...

The pistachio-opening capability is a great idea, BTW... :thumbup:


David
 
jackknife said:
...And last but not least, it works fantastic for those pistachio nuts that have only a tiny crack...
Click to expand...

Your suggestion just enabled my farmer to pay for itself! ;)
Thanks from a fellow pistachio lover,:thumbup::thumbup:
 
Top use of the can opener for me is on Phillips screws. I actually use it quite often, and this is the main reason why I just cannot fully commit to an electrician.
 
I've found the Vic can opener is definately very versitle, and one job that it excels at is taking the locking collar of Opinels. (I know, not too common a task for edc, but it's the only tool I reach for when I need to do it)
I poke the screwdriver under the collars channel, then lift it and push outwards while twisting the ring. Once the ring is clear of the opinels blade tang I use the inside of the can opener to pull the ring around and off.
There are a ton of things the little can opener can do, but just as Carl said, you need the imagination to utilize it to it's full potential. (Just as with a lot of SAK's tools)
 
I also use it as a phillips driver if the SAK or multitool that I am carrying doesn't have one. I've used it for scraping and prying as well. I don't use it that often as a can opener, but it works really well for that purpose. Of all of the multitools that I own with that include a can opener, the Victorinox design works the best for me.
 
I'm often stuck for a tin opener at work and without the one on my SAK Farmer there would be no alternative. Considered buying a SAK Electrician recently, I really like the look of that small stripping blade, but its there at the expense of the opener and I just wouldn't be happy without it.
 
jackknife said:
The can opener also make a very good phillips screw driver. XCan be used as a staple remover. I've used it as a hook to lift a pot by the bail from a campfire, like a pot hook. When a zipper pull broke off, I was able to unzip using the tip of the can opener.

And last but not least, it works fantastic for those pistachio nuts that have only a tiny crack, so I hook the tip of the can opener into the hole and pry the nut open. I love pistachios!!!

In reality, the tools of a SAK is only limited by the owners imagination.
Click to expand...

Mine gets a lot of pistachio duty as well.

I do prefer the Vic can opener over the Wenger can opener, though the Wenger makes for a better scraper or wire stripper. Makes me miss the pre 93 cap lifters that had an edge ground into them for stripping wires.
 
redsparrow said:
Your suggestion just enabled my farmer to pay for itself! ;)
Thanks from a fellow pistachio lover,:thumbup::thumbup:
Click to expand...

Actually, the best way I have found to open a pistachio with a small crack is with another pistachio shell half. It works every time.
 
Well apparently there are a lot of pistachio lovers here :D

I've used the can opener on my Vic Farmer to scrape and scribe stuff.
 
As a kid, I often used the can opener to open locked doors. You can stick it in the crack around the door frame and hook it behind the latch, and pop the latch out of its recess in the frame. Nowadays it seems like on most doors ya can't push in the latch unless the knob is turned though.

I keep a pliers handy when I'm workin' on a bag of pistachios. Never fails I get one without any crack started at all. :)
 
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