Quest for the best keychain bottle opener!

R

Rajiva

Joined
Feb 5, 2005
Messages
14
Hi guys, I'm hoping someone here has an opinion on this.

I'm tired of the cheesy gas station anodized aluminum ones wearing out...do I drink too much beer, or do I need a better opener?? For my sake, I'm going to assume the latter is the correct answer. :cool:

Here are my requirements:

1) Compact and light - it's got to fit on the keychain with minimal bulk. I've already got too many keys.
2) Durable - the Aluminum ones seem to wear against the bottlecaps, and then you end up flapping your elbow like a one winged duck trying to get your beer open! Not the way to impress the ladies. This requirement probably means we need steel or TI construction.
3) MINIMAL bells and whistles - a bottle opener needs to be available at a moment's notice...please, no suggestions for multi-tools or SAKs that require you to OPEN the OPENER before you OPEN the bottle. The wise man takes the path of least resistance to his beer.
4) Well designed! It's gotta work well. You wouldn't think there would be a difference, but my SOG multi tool has a crappy one, and the SAK has a great one. It's all about gripping the lip of the cap well, and providing good leverage. Must be ergonomically sound -- beer injuries come AFTER drinking, not before!
5) TACTICAL! Ok, I'm just joking there, but if there's an opener that's made by one of our respected makers, or perhaps it's non-reflective, or chock full of tritium, why that's always a plus.

So, what do you all think? Is there something out there that fits the bill?

THANKS in advance for your responses.

-Raj

ps: I do have TWO Atwood Prybabies that I love dearly. I think, however, that they are just a little too big, and don't provide the perfect leverage. Also, one of the PBs is too sharp to keep in a pocket on daily basis. They are great in a pinch, but I primarily EDC them for prying, and I'd like a dedicated opener.
 
I'm looking for one too! I consume coca cola in bottle form only and my aluminum after 2 months looks like it's been through wwii
 
I was about to post and tell you to get a prybaby before finishing reading so with that out im not sure I have a better suggestion.
 
What about asking Peter Atwood of prybaby fame to make you a custom one, not sure he'd be interested its worth a shot.
 
Sorce, I think that's a great idea to email Peter -- perhaps he'll see this thread! Peter..you out there? What do you think??

Thanks guys for your responses so far - there are a couple good options there.
-Raj
 
I'll give it some thought.......do you prefer the lever type or the round opening type like on the Benchmade Rescue tool? Obviously the function will dictate the form to some extent.
 
... no, you drink too much beer. ;)


seriously though, you already carry a knife right? hopefully, you carry a fixed blade, but in either case, you can still open bottles with it. once you get the hang of it it's easy to do and looks cool.

learning this method is right up your alley and fits your criterion. negate "compact and light" cause you already carry a knife. hopefully your blade has minimal bells and whistles, it looks cool, hopefully your knife is already well designed, and it's tactical. tactical cause for all those times that you're simultaneously killing people and drinking beer, your strider will already be in your hands. ;)

also you won't have to buy anything new, plus you'll have yet another genuine reason to carry around your knife, plus you'll look hardcore.

i can probably take a vid of this if someone would be willing to host it for me. plus then i get an excuse to drink tonight. :D:D:D:D
 
Peter Atwood said:
I'll give it some thought.......do you prefer the lever type or the round opening type like on the Benchmade Rescue tool? Obviously the function will dictate the form to some extent.
Click to expand...

Thanks Peter and everyone else for the responses!

I think that the lever style will fit in better with a bunch of keys - what do you think? The round version might stick out too much. The lever certainly gives you better -heh- leverage. :)

The handle needs to be long enough so that you can grip it without the keys getting in the way. However, I have my cheapie opener on it's own ring that is in turn attached to the main keyring. That gives you the length you need while it is your hand, but it also allows everything to fold up on itself in my pocket. Does that make sense?

I'm also wondering if a taper of some sort is in order - wider at the opener end, and narrower at the handle. This would allow for more reliable one-pop opening, while still saving weight and space on the keyring.

I'm a little amused that I'm putting this thought into a bottle opener -- I started this thread while trying to avoid doing some work! But now I'm a little excited...especially at the prospect of a beautifully anodized TI opener! :)

-Raj
 
Oh, and Midget, I would be interested in the knife-opening technique. Unfortunately I stick to folders...a Tac folder is already pushing it in the office environment! :D

Those T-bots are something else! I love the G-10 work. Wish I hadn't seen the Munroe page...now instead of a Benchmade, I want one of his custom folders. Waaah!

-R :D
 
I will tell you that the best bottle opener I ever got was one from College. It is round- about the size of a silver dolar- and will open twist-tops, regular tops, and has a slot in the front for opening can tabs. It was $5 bucks and fits in great with my keys. I've not seen a specific supplier for these, but mine was made in canada. I think its steel, but I'm not sure. Nice and simple though. I'll look and see if I can find some around.

Sincerely,
Anthony
 
No need ... my woman wears these.


110593WDFC_w.jpg
 
Rajiva said:
Oh, and Midget, I would be interested in the knife-opening technique. Unfortunately I stick to folders...a Tac folder is already pushing it in the office environment! :D

-R :D
Click to expand...


you can do it with a folder. i've also seen it done with a bic lighter, a ruler, and i've seen it done once w/ another unopened beer (it was very difficult looking.)

it's very simple. just hold the bottleneck in your hand like you would if you were drinking it. firmly grasp the neck such that the cap is just about flush w/ your thumb and your index finger knuckle. then take your blade (or whatever), put the spine of the blade under the cap edge, and torque your knife clockwise (if you're right handed)(spine forcing the cap upwards and middle part of your blade forcing down on your knuckle).

right, so that was a bad explaination.

you need a wide blade or else just be very, very careful. i once opened a bottle w/ my spyderco native like this and cut deeply into my knuckle. :(


i opened a "victorian pint" of samuel smith's nut brown ale tonight. if you'll host it 'll post it.
 
RyanMalpiede said:
No need ... my woman wears these.


110593WDFC_w.jpg
Click to expand...


Cool, but uhhhh

IDK if Rajiva would wear them. :confused:

I like that beer commercial where the bartender lady opens the bottle with her belt buckle. :D

How about having one of those bottle openers (kind pictured in Ryan's post, but without the shoes :rolleyes: ) and have it on a sheath?
 
Peter Atwood said:
I'll give it some thought.......do you prefer the lever type or the round opening type like on the Benchmade Rescue tool? Obviously the function will dictate the form to some extent.
Click to expand...

I prefer the type you don't have to pry off your keychain to pass courthouse or airport security -- whatever type that may be. No sharp edges or points but still gets the job done, if possible.
 
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