SAK can opener question

[will62]

I just got back into carrying an SAK a couple of years ago, now I wonder how went so long without one. My current EDC is a Tinker which is big enough for most tasks and still small enough not to notice. My issue is with the can opener, it just seems awkward to use as opposed to a P-38/51. Is there a technique to using one or do others find a P-38 works better?

 

[jackknife]

I just got back into carrying an SAK a couple of years ago, now I wonder how went so long without one. My current EDC is a Tinker which is big enough for most tasks and still small enough not to notice. My issue is with the can opener, it just seems awkward to use as opposed to a P-38/51. Is there a technique to using one or do others find a P-38 works better?

There is no SAK, boy scout, Leatherman, or other can opener that will work as well as the old P-38. The P-38 was a break through design by a friggin' genius in simplicity and function. As much as I love my SAK, I have and will always carry the old P-38 I was issued in the 1960's while on active duty. The P-38 can also stand in for screw drivers both flat and phillips, scraper, bottle opener, and other needs.

The Sear's 4-way keychain screw driver ain't bad either.

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[Sosa]

With the sak opener I nibble at it with small strokes. The deeper you plunge the blade the more difficult it becomes. Hope this helps.

 

[will62]

There is no SAK, boy scout, Leatherman, or other can opener that will work as well as the old P-38. The P-38 was a break through design by a friggin' genius in simplicity and function. As much as I love my SAK, I have and will always carry the old P-38 I was issued in the 1960's while on active duty. The P-38 can also stand in for screw drivers both flat and phillips, scraper, bottle opener, and other needs.

The Sear's 4-way keychain screw driver ain't bad either.

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The P-38 is a great example of simplicity and function in a small package. I got mine in 1981 and carried it all over the world on active duty and as a reservist. Nothing zips through a can like one

 

[znapschatz]

Got mine in 1959, admired the design and used it sometimes, but I preferred the can opener on my Kamp King, especially in (very) cold weather so I didn't have to take my gloves off. Both that and the "demo" knife were two items of GI I thought better done with my civilian "scout" knife. Still, I carried them until my last day on active duty. I gave away the demo, but even now I always carry a P38 in my change purse, more as a souvenir than anything else. Sometimes I use it, too, "just because."

 

[James Y]

I've never owned or used a P38, but for me, the Victorniox can opener is very easy to use. As was already mentioned, once you've pierced the can, use a series of small strokes. And make sure you're staying around the perimeter. It normally takes me about 15 to 17 seconds to open a normal-sized can with my SAK.

Jim

 

[Esav Benyamin]

I never used a P-38 when I was younger. Now arthritis makes it too difficult to be worth the trouble. I have SAKs all around my place, have always found them as convenient as any commercial openers. Most cans I only open 1/3 or 1/2 way around anyway.

 

[znapschatz]

I never used a P-38 when I was younger. Now arthritis makes it too difficult to be worth the trouble. I have SAKs all around my place, have always found them as convenient as any commercial openers. Most cans I only open 1/3 or 1/2 way around anyway.

Me, too. I keep one in the kitchen for occasional duty as can opener (our regular one doesn't work with some kinds of lid) and cork puller. But even just hanging around the house, I have one in my pocket. That gets used for minor fixes, like tightening the screw on a pesky doorknob or some other project for which I am too lazy to walk ten paces for the toolbox. But just between us, I like using them because they are SAKs .

 

[jackknife]

P-38 story;

Two years ago, we flew put to Medford Oregon for a raft trip on the Rogue River. It was one of the few times I flew and the last. Had a good trip, the last day on leaving I gave the Victorinox recruit I had sent myself to the rented cabin, to the young guy at the Thrifty Car rental counter. Once on board we headed home. On the leg from Denver to BWI, the flight was very crowded, full capacity and the under staffed flight attendants were killing themselves trying to wait on people. The better half order a small bottle of wine, and the harried flight attendant dropped it inner lap on the run.

There we were at 35,000 feet with no pocket knife or way to cut open the heavy almost sheet metal grade foil sealing the cap. But…all was not lost. In my wallet was my trusty P-38. Opening it and sliding the tip under the edge of the foil, I was able to slice the stuff all the way to the twist off cap. I always keep the p-38 in my wallet and it always goes through the TSA security, so I'm not totally un-equipted.

Had the wine, tolerated the rest of the sardine like flight, and never flew again. Now with both of us retired, we have the time for great road trips with books on disc. And the P-38 will be in my wallet when they lay me to rest!

 

[Old Biker]

I think it is all in what one is used to, and knows. I have have never owned a p38. The one time I tried to use one, I didn't get it figured out. I quickly gave up and pulled out my trusty SAK. It works much better for me.

O B

 

[jazub]

In college, a Victorinox Tinker was the sole can opener in my kitchen. Just quick little pushes forward around the can and it is zipped open. I didn't even bother to purchase a can opener for years after college and probably only posess a proper opener now because my lady brought it into the household.

Never have tried a P-38. Seems well regarded.

 

[znapschatz]

In college, a Victorinox Tinker was the sole can opener in my kitchen. Just quick little pushes forward around the can and it is zipped open. I didn't even bother to purchase a can opener for years after college and probably only posess a proper opener now because my lady brought it into the household.

Never have tried a P-38. Seems well regarded.

It is well regarded as a little thing that punches way above its tiny size. But you are better off with a Tinker .

 

[Brock O Lee]

I keep a Wenger Soldier SI in the kitchen cupboard for the last 10+ years, as a can opener and boiled egg piercer.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

For quite a while, I carried a Victorinox Ranger. I recently even bought a backup for it, although I don't get out and about as much. It isn't a small SAK. At the time I began carrying one, it was the most compact model with scissors, file, and saw. Of course, it has the rest of the basic SAK selection.

Lots of fun, over the years, at home, in the shop, in the office, in the outdoors. I fully support what jackknife says about the P-38. For someone used to it, covers so many daily needs.

 

[Piso Mojado]

Several years ago, while waiting for what I thought was the ultimate deal on an electric can opener, I decided to speed test SAK tools. Dog liked canned food and wife liked canned soup, so I had 3–4 per day for testing. Modern Wenger (1975) was consistently faster than modern Victorinox (1951). "Faster" was seconds faster, but if my everyday use of a pocket knife was opening lots of cans, I would use a Wenger, Kamp King, demo knive, etc. It's a like the difference between mopping a floor walking backwards pulling the mop vs. walking forward pushing it.

I have never used Wenger's old (pre-1975) can opener and I'd like to hear how it worked. SAKwiki photo and Wenger's instructions:

Victorinox and Wenger combo tools were ½ as fast as the dedicated openers. I did not speed test them against each other. Wenger's combo tool may have influenced the Klingon martial arts.

 

[Capt. Spaulding]

I find the Victorinox can opener very easy to use but that was not always the case. There are a few things I figured out that made it easier to use. It might be a bit hard to explain without pictures but I will try.

First off you must always move "forward" around the can with the can opener that is standard on most all new SAK's.

When you place the opener on the can hook it in and then tilt it to the left as to give a ever so slight angle to it.

You do not need to push down. Just rock the knife on the lip of the can while moving forward.

No need for excessive pressure.

Just practice the proper tilt and rocking and you shoudl be zipping through cans in no time.


EDIT: I forgot to mention. The can opener is specifically designed for right hand users. If you are a lefty it will throw everything off and be very difficult to use.

 

[bt93]

Being a lefty, I haven't had any trouble with Vic's can opener. I hold it on the side of the can near me, no problems.

 

[NMpops]

As far as I know all can openers (Vic, Wenger, P38, crank type) are made for right handed people. It's a right handed world.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[tiguy7]

View attachment 675936 The Wenger is handle leading. The Victorinox is handle trailing.

 

[leghog]

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