Vic can opener semi fail.

J

jackknife

Joined
Oct 2, 2004
Messages
17,501
I like sardines. On crackers, mixed into a bowl of Ramen noodles, over rice. or just in a sandwich with some nice fresh Italian bread. Most of them come with a pull tab opener, and pull off lid and enjoy.

Yesterday it didn't go that smooth. I take out a can, Chicken Of The Sea brand if it matters, and pull tab. It breaks right off in my hand, leaving an unopened can of sardines. No problemo, I have my trusty old Wenger SI still on my belt from helping sister-in-law mount some shelves. The SAK awl makes great wood screw starter holes. I've used the Vic can opener in the past on larger cans, with zero problems.

I had a problem. The metal was, or seemed like it was softer and mushier, for lack of a better description. The SAK can opener kind of mushed and mauled its way, and I stopped and examined it carefully. Nothing wrong that I could see. It just wasn't working that well on the sardine can. The combo tool on my bantam actually worked a bit better.

On a whim, I open wallet and take out my old P-38 that I've been carrying since I got out of th army in 1970. Its opened it share of cans, so I give it ago. It zips along, opening the can way faster and better than the SAK can opener. A bit amazing. I've always kept the P-38 in my wallet since my favorite SAK's for the past 25 years have been non can opener models like the classic and executive, which as slowly been phased out by the Leatherman squirt, that also does not have a can opener.

It was an enlightening experience, if not a bit disconcerting. The P-38 got cleaned off and put back in the zipper compartment of my wallet, and the old Wenger was put back in the sock drawer. I guess theres a reason the P-38 was a long term veteran of the military.
 
jackknife said:
I like sardines. On crackers, mixed into a bowl of Ramen noodles, over rice. or just in a sandwich with some nice fresh Italian bread. Most of them come with a pull tab opener, and pull off lid and enjoy.

Yesterday it didn't go that smooth. I take out a can, Chicken Of The Sea brand if it matters, and pull tab. It breaks right off in my hand, leaving an unopened can of sardines. No problemo, I have my trusty old Wenger SI still on my belt from helping sister-in-law mount some shelves. The SAK awl makes great wood screw starter holes. I've used the Vic can opener in the past on larger cans, with zero problems.

I had a problem. The metal was, or seemed like it was softer and mushier, for lack of a better description. The SAK can opener kind of mushed and mauled its way, and I stopped and examined it carefully. Nothing wrong that I could see. It just wasn't working that well on the sardine can. The combo tool on my bantam actually worked a bit better.

On a whim, I open wallet and take out my old P-38 that I've been carrying since I got out of th army in 1970. Its opened it share of cans, so I give it ago. It zips along, opening the can way faster and better than the SAK can opener. A bit amazing. I've always kept the P-38 in my wallet since my favorite SAK's for the past 25 years have been non can opener models like the classic and executive, which as slowly been phased out by the Leatherman squirt, that also does not have a can opener.

It was an enlightening experience, if not a bit disconcerting. The P-38 got cleaned off and put back in the zipper compartment of my wallet, and the old Wenger was put back in the sock drawer. I guess theres a reason the P-38 was a long term veteran of the military.
Click to expand...
I have had the same problem but managed to muddle through as I do not have a P-38 can opener (I used to have a P-38 Lockheed Lightning, but it was crap at opening small cans).

Good job at solving the problem, too!

Zieg
 
jackknife said:
I like sardines. On crackers, mixed into a bowl of Ramen noodles, over rice. or just in a sandwich with some nice fresh Italian bread. Most of them come with a pull tab opener, and pull off lid and enjoy.

Yesterday it didn't go that smooth. I take out a can, Chicken Of The Sea brand if it matters, and pull tab. It breaks right off in my hand, leaving an unopened can of sardines. No problemo, I have my trusty old Wenger SI still on my belt from helping sister-in-law mount some shelves. The SAK awl makes great wood screw starter holes. I've used the Vic can opener in the past on larger cans, with zero problems.

I had a problem. The metal was, or seemed like it was softer and mushier, for lack of a better description. The SAK can opener kind of mushed and mauled its way, and I stopped and examined it carefully. Nothing wrong that I could see. It just wasn't working that well on the sardine can. The combo tool on my bantam actually worked a bit better.

On a whim, I open wallet and take out my old P-38 that I've been carrying since I got out of th army in 1970. Its opened it share of cans, so I give it ago. It zips along, opening the can way faster and better than the SAK can opener. A bit amazing. I've always kept the P-38 in my wallet since my favorite SAK's for the past 25 years have been non can opener models like the classic and executive, which as slowly been phased out by the Leatherman squirt, that also does not have a can opener.

It was an enlightening experience, if not a bit disconcerting. The P-38 got cleaned off and put back in the zipper compartment of my wallet, and the old Wenger was put back in the sock drawer. I guess theres a reason the P-38 was a long term veteran of the military.
Click to expand...
Geez I didnt think people actually ate sardines anymore…besides me. I like mine in mustard. The king Oscar brand is probably my favorite. And when I was in Portugal they had stores with ONLY sardines. Wall to wall.

Your issue with the can opener bothers me. Bothers me more than it should. Do I sharpen my SAK can opener now??? This may keep me awake tonight.

Btw, I used my SAK awl today to start wood screw pilot holes while hanging an accordion door across our small laundry room doorway. Works like a charm.
 
shopdoc said:
Geez I didnt think people actually ate sardines anymore…besides me. I like mine in mustard. The king Oscar brand is probably my favorite. And when I was in Portugal they had stores with ONLY sardines. Wall to wall.

Your issue with the can opener bothers me. Bothers me more than it should. Do I sharpen my SAK can opener now??? This may keep me awake tonight.

Btw, I used my SAK awl today to start wood screw pilot holes while hanging an accordion door across our small laundry room doorway. Works like a charm.
Click to expand...

I'm a little mystified by the experience myself. maybe even a bit bothered.

It seemed to me, that the actual material of the can was soft. Like I mean actually softer than the usual can in the past that I've opened with a SAK opener. Very thin soft aluminum in a very flat shaped package. For whatever reason, the SAK opener has trouble and the old P-38 didn't. Nor did our usually kitchen hand crank can opener when I opened a second can later that day to augment the dogs dinner. Abby the Aussie loves sardines.

I can only wonder if Chicken Of The Sea uses a really crappy grade of aluminum. The King Oscar brand is a better grade of sardine, and I think I have to go get a few cans to try out. BUT...if you like sardines, you HAVE to try the fresh ones from a good fish market. That one thing I miss about the D.C. area, we had a GREAT fish market that had fresh sardines flown in from Portugal very Tuesday, and we'd get a batch and gut and clean and toss them on the grill over charcoal. Grill a few minutes until the outside is a bit crunchy, and enjoy a really outstanding meal. Grilled fresh sardines are absolutely nothing like what comes out of a can. But then, theres nothing like fresh fish out of the water.

Damm, now thinking about it, I really miss the Chesapeake Bay!!!!

PS- I remember the days when the sardine cans had that little key glued to the top, and you pried off the key, put the end of the seem on the edge of the can and cranked your way around the can. Yeah, the old days!
 
jackknife said:
I'm a little mystified by the experience myself. maybe even a bit bothered.

It seemed to me, that the actual material of the can was soft. Like I mean actually softer than the usual can in the past that I've opened with a SAK opener. Very thin soft aluminum in a very flat shaped package. For whatever reason, the SAK opener has trouble and the old P-38 didn't. Nor did our usually kitchen hand crank can opener when I opened a second can later that day to augment the dogs dinner. Abby the Aussie loves sardines.

I can only wonder if Chicken Of The Sea uses a really crappy grade of aluminum. The King Oscar brand is a better grade of sardine, and I think I have to go get a few cans to try out. BUT...if you like sardines, you HAVE to try the fresh ones from a good fish market. That one thing I miss about the D.C. area, we had a GREAT fish market that had fresh sardines flown in from Portugal very Tuesday, and we'd get a batch and gut and clean and toss them on the grill over charcoal. Grill a few minutes until the outside is a bit crunchy, and enjoy a really outstanding meal. Grilled fresh sardines are absolutely nothing like what comes out of a can. But then, theres nothing like fresh fish out of the water.

Damm, now thinking about it, I really miss the Chesapeake Bay!!!!

PS- I remember the days when the sardine cans had that little key glued to the top, and you pried off the key, put the end of the seem on the edge of the can and cranked your way around the can. Yeah, the old days!
Click to expand...
When my wife and I took a trip to Portugal I hired a tour guide to drive us around. He took us to his hometown of Ericeira. Famous for surfing. We went to the home of a couple who rent the house from our tour guide's family. The couple were in their late 70s and the gentleman was a fisherman. Neither spoke English but as they fed us more and more wine, that really didn't matter. He served us grilled fish ( I cannot recall the name but it's just a tad bigger than Sardines) and barnacles (yep...a delicacy apparently). On the side were boiled potatoes topped with olive oil and vinegar. Very simple but delicious meal. He ate the fish eyeballs and all. As did I because...the wine. He served the wine in plastic pitcher(s). He drank just as much as I and then walked back to his boat (just a block away) and went back to repairing his nets. I stumbled back into our tour guides van and don't remember much of the rest of the day.

Yes, I did ask what pocket knife the gentleman carries. Was a no name sheepsfoot folder. He had a jar of other no names, most were very rusted.
 
shopdoc said:
When my wife and I took a trip to Portugal I hired a tour guide to drive us around. He took us to his hometown of Ericeira. Famous for surfing. We went to the home of a couple who rent the house from our tour guide's family. The couple were in their late 70s and the gentleman was a fisherman. Neither spoke English but as they fed us more and more wine, that really didn't matter. He served us grilled fish ( I cannot recall the name but it's just a tad bigger than Sardines) and barnacles (yep...a delicacy apparently). On the side were boiled potatoes topped with olive oil and vinegar. Very simple but delicious meal. He ate the fish eyeballs and all. As did I because...the wine. He served the wine in plastic pitcher(s). He drank just as much as I and then walked back to his boat (just a block away) and went back to repairing his nets. I stumbled back into our tour guides van and don't remember much of the rest of the day.

Yes, I did ask what pocket knife the gentleman carries. Was a no name sheepsfoot folder. He had a jar of other no names, most were very rusted.
Click to expand...

I can only wonder if the knife was a sheep foot MAM. Very good knives, kind of Portugal's answer to the Opinel, but with more variety of blade shapes, and more pocketable flat sided handles.

One thing I learned fast when I was in Europe; don't even try to keep up with their drinking when it comes to their native booze. We ain't even close to their class and they'll drink us under the table.
 
Interesting (and disconcerting) about your Wenger. My P38 resides on my keychain since 1983. I don't use it that often, but it sure does come in handy when I need it.
 
jackknife said:
I like sardines. On crackers, mixed into a bowl of Ramen noodles, over rice. or just in a sandwich with some nice fresh Italian bread. Most of them come with a pull tab opener, and pull off lid and enjoy.

Yesterday it didn't go that smooth. I take out a can, Chicken Of The Sea brand if it matters, and pull tab. It breaks right off in my hand, leaving an unopened can of sardines. No problemo, I have my trusty old Wenger SI still on my belt from helping sister-in-law mount some shelves. The SAK awl makes great wood screw starter holes. I've used the Vic can opener in the past on larger cans, with zero problems.

I had a problem. The metal was, or seemed like it was softer and mushier, for lack of a better description. The SAK can opener kind of mushed and mauled its way, and I stopped and examined it carefully. Nothing wrong that I could see. It just wasn't working that well on the sardine can. The combo tool on my bantam actually worked a bit better.

On a whim, I open wallet and take out my old P-38 that I've been carrying since I got out of th army in 1970. Its opened it share of cans, so I give it ago. It zips along, opening the can way faster and better than the SAK can opener. A bit amazing. I've always kept the P-38 in my wallet since my favorite SAK's for the past 25 years have been non can opener models like the classic and executive, which as slowly been phased out by the Leatherman squirt, that also does not have a can opener.

It was an enlightening experience, if not a bit disconcerting. The P-38 got cleaned off and put back in the zipper compartment of my wallet, and the old Wenger was put back in the sock drawer. I guess theres a reason the P-38 was a long term veteran of the military.
Click to expand...

I'm confused . . . did your knife have the Wenger-style can opener or the Victorinox-style?
 
I found some [iirc] P-51's on Countycomm years ago. Like a P-38 on steroids. About a 1/4 bigger.
Got one on my keychain that the wifey says pokes her every time she drives my p.u.
 
kvaughn said:
I found some [iirc] P-51's on Countycomm years ago. Like a P-38 on steroids. About a 1/4 bigger.
Got one on my keychain that the wifey says pokes her every time she drives my p.u.
Click to expand...
Must be an Omen??!!😁
John 💥
 
I have P38's on key chains that I got in my first case of C's in Oct of 62 while in basic training. There were 6 P38's in each case if I remember, I got 4 of them. The can opener on my recruit works well and I too like sardines in oil on crackers.
 
mushka said:
I have P38's on key chains that I got in my first case of C's in Oct of 62 while in basic training. There were 6 P38's in each case if I remember, I got 4 of them. The can opener on my recruit works well and I too like sardines in oil on crackers.
Click to expand...

I've always thought that the humble little P-38 was the most under rated multitool. Its a can opener, light pry tool thats way tougher than a thumbnail, flat and Phillips screw driver, scraper, bottle opener. Out in the field, we used to hang them from our dog tag chains. Other times they were on keychains, or stashed in wallets.

It sounds like you and I were in about the same time. I have very mixed memories or the C rations. She good, some very bad. The scrambled eggs and has actually wasn't bad, but the spaghetti and meat sauce was horrible. I seem to recall using the canned peanut butter to fix deuce and a half tires.
 
It makes sense to me that a claw-style of can opener like the P-38 would to a better job at puncturing and cutting through a soft metal lid than the blade-type that Vic and Wenger use. I have yet to master the use of the SAK can opener; I prefer the claw style opener that Leatherman uses on the Wave.
 
I don't own a P-38, but the only can opener I use is the Vic can opener, either on my Pioneer or my Spartan. I own a mechanical can opener with a crank, but I never use it; the Vic can opener is a lot cleaner/more hygienic to use, IMO. I used my Pioneer just yesterday to open 7 cans of various ingredients while cooking.

Jim
 
And the lesson we learn from this story is, next time you place your order,
don't forget to say, "No anchovies please."


On a serious note, with a can like this and broken off tab, a knife will be more useful.
 
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