Help me find a bottle opener/box opener

W

Wryan

Joined
Jan 1, 2013
Messages
3
I'm new to the forums, been browsing looking for an answer to my problem. There are two things I seem to always need, but never have. A bottle opener and something to open boxes/packages. I'm not talking about breaking down boxes all day, just something to cut the tape on a box and get into it. Extra tools like a pry bar, wrench, or screwdriver are not necessary. I have a few requirements.

The bottle opener must work well
I'm not going to use it on a keychain
I'm not going to wear it on my neck
It must fit comfortably in a pocket and not stab or poke me
a method to clip to a pocket or a belt would be a plus. fixed or removable clip is ok
I don't want to have to open anything to get to the bottle opener. opening or removing a sheath to access a blade is ok.
I like the One Piece Multi Tool type design, but am not limited to it
I'm flexible on budget. if it's good quality and does what I want I will pay for it

Some tools that I like so far:
CRKT Dogfish
JRP/Boker Toucan
Amsler Knives Titanium KC Bottle Defense Tool
Becker Necker - may be a little too large
Tops bartenderdefender - although you do have to remove from sheath to access the opener
TT skull Gen 3
Sanrenmu 763

Some I've looked at don't care for at this time
Gerber artifact - looks a little flimsy, not sure I like the exacto blade
Victorinox Bantam - I've owned one in the past

Any suggestions or comments on the initial list? As suggestions are made I'll try to update the above list with reasons. Thanks a ton!
 
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Tops bartenderdefender or becker necker both are designed as neck knives but i'm sure you can find another way to carry them.
 
Thanks for the quick reply I have looked at the becker necker in the past and might be just a little too large. I do like the Tops bartenderdefender though thanks!
 
TT pocket tools makes something you might like: the TT skull Gen 3 has an optional box cutter and a bottle opener. Got some other features too, but they won't get in the way if you don't use them. Overall, looks like a nifty little tool. Small enough that you could slip it in the extra key pocket on a pair of jeans. http://ttpockettools.blogspot.com/p/pocket-tools.html (scroll down a bit)
 
I've seen the tops bartender defender on a set of keys before. Not sure if that's what you're looking for.
 
Despite you saying you don't want to open anything to get at the bottle opener - if it were me I'd carry a Victorinox Bantam.
To many people the Tops Bartender Defender looks like a weapon, practically no one thinks of a smallish Swiss Army Knife as a weapon.

Looking at:
The bottle opener must work well
I'm not going to use it on a keychain
I'm not going to wear it on my neck
It must fit comfortably in a pocket and not stab or poke me
Click to expand...

On the first 4 things you mention the Victorinox Bantam is perfect.
Anyway, you could always buy one for $11 and see how well it works for you. I'm sure it could be used as a good backup if you decide to go with something else.
 
There are knives that have these functions, too.
Look at the Becker BK11: it cuts boxes and it has a bottle opener at the end of the tang. It is a fixed blade, but my BK14 (similar in size) fits very well in my pocket when it's sheated. You could also wear it on your belt.
Another option -and quite cheap- is the Sanrenmu 763: a small folding blade which is made in China. In closed position, the bladestop works as a bottle opener. It clips easily to your pocket, or you could let it ride in your pocker as well. Weighs nothing.
 
Thank you all again. I've owned a Victorinox Bantam in the past, great knife, but I always found it a little hard to open, especially while fishing in the winter and your hands are cold. Thats the major reason for not wanting to open anything to access the bottle opener. I like the idea of the Sanrenmu 763. Never heard of the brand is it any good? Are there similar knives by other makers out there?
 
Sanrenmu makes cheap chinese products. I own a handful of their folding knives and I have to say for the price I am very impressed by them. The most expensive one is my 710, I paid $12 shipped for it, and it reflects the qualities of a 40-50 dollar spyderco. I would put confidence that the 763 is also a quality product for the price range.

Another I would recommend is the Artifact, it is all steel construction except the blade holder I think. The exacto blade will do great against boxes too. I cannot say for the quality of it. I don't own one but it definitely fits your bill. I think they only cost around 10 bucks too. If you don't like it, it isn't a big loss.
 
I really like the Artifact. I've had one for a few years and never broken it. It's never come open in my pocket. I only stopped carrying it when the Shard came out so that i wouldn't have ro take it off my keys when i pulled permits downtown (no blades in a gvt building).

The xacto blade is great. Easy and cheap to replace. Perfect for box opening.
 
I really like the Gen 3 TT Skull, have it on my keychain! It is small, very practical and it looks great (the raw-bar finish makes it one of these tools that you constantly want to play around with!)
However, the Skull is pretty small and maybe not the best choice if you want to have it in your pocket but not on your kechain.

If you feel comfortable carrying a bladed tool with a sheath in your pocket I would give the Boker Toucan a try, it looks great and comes at a pretty decent price. The TT-Pocket Edge looks nice, too! Personally, I dont like carrying a blade in my pocket and as long as it is just for opening boxes any tool with a prying tip or screw driver will do the job (e.g. the Brewzer http://www.leatherman.com/product/Brewzer). The compromise could be rescue tools which I find great to open boxes but more comfortable to carry than a real blade. These ones also have bottle openers:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938811&pf_rd_i=507846
http://www.amazon.com/Benchmade-Res...qid=1359221561&sr=8-3&keywords=benchmade+hook
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1389517282&pf_rd_i=507846

If you really need a proper blade there are also folders with a bottle opener on the outside (these are random picks, I cant specifically recommend any):
http://www.bradleyalpinist.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=120
http://www.subzerostore.co.uk/multi...ility-beer-hunter-outdoor-knife-bottle-opener
http://www.dhgate.com/fury-multi-fu...lding/p-ff8080812bf2ab0b012c130c89c24824.html

Finally, if you are looking for something more special and willing to pay a little bit more for it, I recommend checking out JDR's tools (http://www.phlaunt.com/jdrknifeandtool). He makes awesome Atwood-style bottle openers and the prying tip will certainly get you into any box almost as fast as a blade!
 
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