Need a tool for opening paint cans

ginshun

ginshun

Joined
Apr 6, 2004
Messages
1,477
One of my good friends is a painter. He constently buys cheapo $10 knives only to break / trash them in short order. He won't get a good knife, because he figures he will end up using it at work and breaking it.

Needs to be something that will fit in your pocket and not break from opening a bunch of paint cans pretty much every day. It'd be a plus if it had some sort of blade on it too.

Also, it needs to be either one piece ie fixed blade, or else be able to be completely disassembled and cleaned reletively easily. Folding knives don't work so good when they are full of dried paint.
 
not really what I was thinking, but I bet he'd get a kick outta that thing too.
 
What's wrong with using a paint can opener?
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I use these all the time and have never had a single problem with them. You often get one for free when buying paint.

On occation I've used a screwdriver when a paint can opener was not handy. Never had a problem with that either.

I would never use a knife blade to open a paint can.

Best Wishes,
Bob
 
That's basically what is known as a 5 in one,but a folding version.We all carry 5 in ones as painters,but carry folders (knives) too. On the crew,I carry a BM Ascent 1/2 serr.,really abused.One guy likes the superknife,with the replaceable blade,one guy has a Spyder.But basically,anything you bring on the job painting,eventually gets loadedw/scrathes & paint.Painters always have sandpaper on them,and it plays hell on knives,with scratches.The best tool for opening a paint can,is the flat side of the 5 in one,that's what it's desighned for.If someone could go on Hyde tools,and post a link to the 5 in one,you'll see what i'm talking about,with the side of the blade.
 
That fancy thing that bobw has up is good,but when the cans get old and or caked w/paint,again it's the 5 in one.I buy about 20 k in paint a year.
 
ginshun said:
He constently buys cheapo $10 knives only to break / trash them in short order. He won't get a good knife, because he figures he will end up using it at work and breaking it.
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I wouldn't bother getting him a real knife if he can't figure out how to use it properly. A knife is used to cut things, a paint can opener is used to open paint cans.
 
i think that the best tools for the job would be a strider sng tanto, a screwdriver, or a if its really tough to open.. a baseball bat. :)
 
VCM3 said:
That's basically what is known as a 5 in one,but a folding version.We all carry 5 in ones as painters,but carry folders (knives) too. On the crew,I carry a BM Ascent 1/2 serr.,really abused.One guy likes the superknife,with the replaceable blade,one guy has a Spyder.But basically,anything you bring on the job painting,eventually gets loadedw/scrathes & paint.Painters always have sandpaper on them,and it plays hell on knives,with scratches.The best tool for opening a paint can,is the flat side of the 5 in one,that's what it's desighned for.If someone could go on Hyde tools,and post a link to the 5 in one,you'll see what i'm talking about,with the side of the blade.
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Dude, 5-in-1's are old hat. I went to buy one last year and found 6-in-1's in their place. Much better tool - much better. What is the sixth tool, enquiring minds might want to know? It's a little metal cap over the end of the handle that you can use to pound in a nail that's standing proud. Yes, the old 5-in-1 is now a hammer too. :)
 
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This was listed as a 6-in-1

man I have seen these things, I can't believe he doesn't have one. Maybe he does.


and Slvgx, when did I ever say anything about buying him a "real" knife? I was thinking more along the lines of something besides a knife, so that he doesn't chop his fingers off with one of the cheapos when the lock fails.
 
Mycroft,the hyde 5 in one has a few versions,I prefer the black handle w/the metal nail pounder on the "pommel" call them what you want,same basic principal,but the side of the blade is real good for opening cans.Every time I go to the paint store,some company has got a new version.Also,the hyde,w/black handle,fits your paint pants side tool pocket best,IMO.
 
The round shape is to scrape excess paint from the roller sleeve,before washing,same as a common paint stick.We use the paint sticks to do this,so we don't have to wash the 5 in one every time.
 
Ginshun,that's the preferred model ,IMO,I've been painting since 1986 full time.That one fits the hand and pocket best,and pounds nails,too,as Mycroft states also.
 
Now , together with the superknife,linerlock utility knife,w/replacable sheetrock blades,your friend is hooked up.
 
superknife is the razor blade knife right? Seems to me that he has a lockback version made by Husky that seemed tougher than the original to me.
 
Yep,there's a bunch of versions of that,too.Scheffield has a lockback vaersion as well.
 
I use my .50AE Desert Eagle to open my paint cans with, but a paint can opener or a screwdriver seems like a good idea.
:jerkit:
 
My Brother and I have a Restoration business and we also do alot of Painting. The other day he brought in a 10 in 1 Tool that he picked up. Basically the same as the 6 in 1 but it also had a flip out reversable Screw Driver on the end, you pushed a button kind of like an Automatic knife for the Screw bit holder to flip out of the handle. Great little tool.

I guess I assumed that all Painters carried either a Paint Can opener or a 5 in 1.. FWIW, I wouldn't waste money on getting your Buddy a knife, search for a 10 in 1 instead.
 
Please. I just picked up a 20 in 1. The GPS function is not that great but the MP3 player is top of the line.
 
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