Opening a Can (and a Bottle)

[Cougar Allen]

People who haven't tried it often think opening a steel can is a difficult test for a knife. That came up again on another forum and I was challenged to post pictures, so here they are.

The Can (note the magnet hanging from it to prove it's steel, not aluminum)

The Knife -- a common yellow handle slipjoint fishknife, made in Japan and imported by Sabre. Carbon steel, presumably 1095. Purchased about 1968 or so -- the going price was $1.99 then. I haven't used the knife for years, but it won't come to any harm.

 

[Cougar Allen]

Observe -- the lock did not fail (there is no lock), the knife was not all scratched up and uglified (in fact the patina is undisturbed), and the edge was not destroyed (it was dulled a little bit, but a few strokes on a tripoli-charged strop will restore it).

 

[Nixelplix]

Yes, but can you pry open a car door with it?

Just kidding! Good demonstration of what any knife is able to do.

Just be careful around zip-ties! (kidding again of course)

 

[cbwoods67]

Yeah, but can you baton with it?

Nice demonstration..

 

[TyMathews]

Cool beans. Nicely done.

-Tye

 

[Cougar Allen]

Close-ups to show the lack of destruction better. Compare with the before pic in the first post.

 

[powernoodle]

Opening a can with a knife is something I would never try (in part because I own can openers) because I have always assumed that it would damage the edge or scratch the flats. But I have just been educated, so thanks for that.

 

[1234]

:thumbup:

1234,,,

 

[Curtis_Lowe]

I used the blade of a cheap crappy Leatherman style multi-tool, to open a couple cans. I experienced no scratches on the mystery steel it was made of. I can't say what it did to the edge because the edge was already very blunt. It had a can opener on it but it was so thick and blunt that it was completely useless.

I'm kinda hungry for some clam chowder, after reading this thread.

 

[Tripton]

Opening a can with a knife is something I would never try (in part because I own can openers) because I have always assumed that it would damage the edge or scratch the flats. But I have just been educated, so thanks for that.

Somehow, the can opener manages to do it...time after time after time...without some fancy steel like M4 or 390.

 

[res1cue]

I've never tried to open a can with a thin little blade before. I've done this with an eskabar, with no damage to the blade, but the blade is so wide, I ended up cutting a hexagon out instead of a circle. Just shows how useful a good slippie really is!

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Whenever I'm caught without a P-38 I just use my knife to cut it open--usually a Pocket Bushman. I place the point on the inside edge of the lid and just tap the butt of the knife with my palm to open a cut, then move the point pack about 1/2" and do it again so the edge cuts into the previous cut. The edge rolls a little, maybe, but nothing really significant. A couple of strokes with a fine stone and it's back in tip-top shape. Cans are super soft steel, and pretty thin. It's not nearly as big of a challenge as most folks seem to think it is. :thumbup:

 

[chiral.grolim]

I worry more about tipping the can over or splashing the contents or cutting myself than about the blade's integrity.

Any videos/pics opening bottled beer with that knife?

 

[upnorth]

I'll still use the dedicated opener on my Leatherman. But good stuff to know, thanks.

 

[Ebbtide]

Chicanery!
Trickery!

That is impossible to do in real life!

First off there is no super axis/triad/omega/spine whack proof lock on that knife.
Without one, it is common knowledge, that knife would snap closed and shear off your fingers!

Second... that isn't close to a super steel. Heck, it is lowly 1095.

Third... that blade is so thin... it's no where close to 1/4" thick... way to thin for hard use and abuse.

Not to mention the lack of a choil or integral guard.

Sheesh...

BTW, thanx for putting that up
Hope the chowdah was good!

 

[bdmicarta]

Any guesses how that would fare with a Spyderco Military or PM2?

 

[sodak]

Well, my P38 has never rolled an edge on a can either, and it's made of pretty soft steel. Cans are made of *really* soft steel. Not sure of the point here, can opening should be easy for most knives. People (on other forums) really think this is hard to do?

 

[Cougar Allen]

Any videos/pics opening bottled beer with that knife?

The second blade is a bottle opener / fish scaler / hook disgorger. Anyway you can pry the cap off a beer bottle with the point of any knife you have handy.

Any guesses how that would fare with a Spyderco Military or PM2?

The point I was trying to make is any knife can do it.

People (on other forums) really think this is hard to do?

And when you explain it to them, they don't believe you.

 

[res1cue]

Any guesses how that would fare with a Spyderco Military or PM2?

Probably harder, due to thicker and wider blade

 

[EarthboundV1]

Since I was young almost everyone I knew especially my grandmother always open up canned food with a knife, whether it be a kitchen knife or pocket knife. I guess they never had a good can opener. At the time I had no idea this might damage the edge but I was used to seeing it. Now any time I see someone about to use their knife I let them borrow my Vic cadet's or LM charge TTi's can opener. Though from obvious experience I know I would be able to do it in a pinch.