What kind of knife would you use to cut aluminum cans?

[Andrew S]

None. I'd use a can opener. The tool is made for the job, it is probably the quickest way to do it, and you aren't left with a sharp edge after the fact.

 

[SpikeHawk]

Try a can opener.

Ya beat me to it. Back in the day, a P-38 was my method for making dip spitters from soda cans. Now, I usually use a water bottle. Not as visually "clean", but quite a bit neater.
I would suggest a nice SAK or multi-tool with a can opener.

 

[1holegrouper]

I enjoy my knives much better, even the expensive ones after they have really been used and scratched up a bit

 

[Jason B.]

The steel won't matter much, give the edge a obtuse angle and it will survive longer. Though for anything but cutting cans it will not be so great.

 

[Swoop03]

Ya beat me to it. Back in the day, a P-38 was my method for making dip spitters from soda cans. Now, I usually use a water bottle. Not as visually "clean", but quite a bit neater.
I would suggest a nice SAK or multi-tool with a can opener.

+1 I love those P-38's I have a ton of them and the bigger ones to. P-51? I'm nor sure what they are called.

But in reality it is an aluminum can vs hardened steel. Any knife will do just fine with very minimal wear.

 

[Lincolnwelding]

I've cut a couple corn cans open with my para2 while fishing and the edge and DLC coating are both fine. And the soup cans were steel not aluminum so aluminum would be even easier on the edge.

 

[Acesn8s]

Use one of those Chunky soup cans the whole top peels right off like a sardine can, just make sure you eat the soup before he spits in it :barf:

Now that's a solution that covers the issue, plus lunch.

 

[twid]

Since I dip I'll chime in. No knife needed. Lift the tab at a 45 then press down on the center while slightly twisting towards whichever end is already split. Top or left side since I hold the can in my left hand when I do it. I've done this hundreds of times and never been cut.

 

[CJZ]

What kind of knife would you use to cut aluminum cans?

I wouldn't.

 

[archieblue]

I'd use whatever knife I had on me.

 

[Bill1170]

Cutting the sides near the top to remove the whole top is a lot easier on the knife than cutting the top. The sides of a soda can are only 0.004" thick, equivalent to a dollar bill. Pierce with tip about a half inch down and circumscribe to remove the top. A thin sharp blade will cut it very easily.

 

[herisson]

Spyderco Police... was designed for this kind of shit. Now consider the cans are aluminium, or very thin steel : any thick bladed knife can do with some care (and some sharpening once upon a while...).

 

[Lycosa]

Tin snips.

 

[sheepdog229]

I have a $20 dollar smith and Wesson with a thin liner that I've used to open cans of soup. Surprisingly it has zero blade play. Not very sharp and I can't get it very sharp with stones.

To answer your question, a cheap beater knife that you don't mind ruining.

 

[Poez]

Can opener is the safest knife to use. If none available - than something with a short thick dull blade: i.e. as close to a can opener as possible.

 

[Jastab]

Push your finger through the lid, that's what we used to do in highschool.

 

[DoctaD]

Check out the multiple YouTube videos of making alcohol stoves from cans. Almost any knife or box cutter will work well. Score the metal and pop out the lid, or score the wall of the can and flex it back and forth until it sepatrates. If he wants to carry the knife with him, he might carry a traditional with wharncliff blade or hawkbill

 

[timberweasel]

My old man dips snuff. His usual spit can is a Dr Pepper can with the top split open. As you can guess, his pocket knifes take a lil wear and tear lol. What steel, hardness, and edge geometry would you guys recommend to survive this abuse long term? I was thinking of making or buying him a little knife as a present that he can use for this every day with minimal edge damage. Perhaps something really tough like 5160 with an obtuse angle?

I'd get him a Spyderco Kiwi 3. Relatively thick stock with a fat grind and a nice pokey tip to get the cut started. For <$25 it can be easily replaced. My old man isn't a knife-guy but he carries one every day. I bought him a couple of Kiwi 3's and he uses/abuses the hell out of 'em. He once got his chainsaw stuck in a log and used his Kiwi to dislodge the bar... Aside from a few dings on the spine, the knife is fine. Tough little suckers!

Benchmade Mini Pika 2 titanium and Spyderco Kiwi 3

 

[Forester33]

Somebody else 's knife

 

[BladeScout]

I had someone ask me, if he could borrow my knife, as I was the only one in a bunch of people who carried a knife.

He promptly turned around and cut a can in half for what ever reason.

Idiot.

Its not, that it was expensive knife (because it wasnt), its not that the knife got some marks on the blade - its that he did it as a matter of course without asking. As if cutting a can using another mans knife was a natural thing to do.

.....and maybe it was exactly that to an ignorant idiot like that.