What type of edge do you folks put on your Juice can opener?

Railsplitter

Railsplitter

Gold Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2010
Messages
7,833
I recently acquired a Juice S2. Great little multi-tool. I don't really see myself using the can opener much but since it's there I want it to be in optimal working condition in case I ever do need to use it. As most of you already know, this requires sharpening the cutting edge on the can opener. Mine was completely flat. No edge whatsoever. I'm not too bad at sharpening knives but I am not accustomed to sharpening things that are designed to cut into metal. I only sharpened one side of the "blade". The other side is untouched and has no bevel at all. I think this is called a chisel grind.

My questions are:

Should I put a bevel on the other side too or is this the best type of edge for a can opener?

Did I put the bevel on the correct side or does it even matter? (not much I can do about it now but I thought I would ask)

IMG_1765.jpg
 
Leave it chisel ground. You don't want it hair shaving sharp, either. Not even close. I only took mine a bit sharper using a fairly course stone. And it opens cans just fine. Too fine an edge and you'll lose it on the first can anyway.
 
Mud Shrimp Moe said:
Leave it chisel ground. You don't want it hair shaving sharp, either. Not even close. I only took mine a bit sharper using a fairly course stone. And it opens cans just fine. Too fine an edge and you'll lose it on the first can anyway.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Moe! It's not hair shaving sharp but I may have gotten it a little sharper than necessary. Thanks for your help.
 
Mud Shrimp Moe said:
Leave it chisel ground. You don't want it hair shaving sharp, either. Not even close. I only took mine a bit sharper using a fairly course stone. And it opens cans just fine. Too fine an edge and you'll lose it on the first can anyway.
Click to expand...

Word :thumbup:
 
Knife Crazied said:
I didn't sharpen the one on my s2 at all and it works fine. :confused:

Sent from Ash forum mobile
Click to expand...

Some do and some don't. I had a CS4 with a factory sharp combi tool bevel that opened cans just fine and one on S2 that had not been sharpened. However, even though it cut through metal much easier after about ten minutes on the stone, the S2 had been able to open cans before, only with more effort. It is usually worthwhile to do the right thing, but either way, you won't have to go hungry :) .
 
Knife Crazied said:
I didn't sharpen the one on my s2 at all and it works fine. :confused:

Sent from Ash forum mobile
Click to expand...


I wish I would have taken a "before" photo. The edge on mine was completely flat with no bevel at all. (90 degrees) I did not try to open a can with it but I know it would have been very difficult or maybe even impossible.

I do like my Juice though. Nice little tool. :thumbup:
 
I forget to add: the reason you don't want the bevel too sharp is that the combi tool is also a bottle opener. If the bevel is too sharp and at a narrow angle, a cap will be pierced rather than lifted.
 
znapschatz said:
I forget to add: the reason you don't want the bevel too sharp is that the combi tool is also a bottle opener. If the bevel is too sharp and at a narrow angle, a cap will be pierced rather than lifted.
Click to expand...

That is a very good point, znapschatz. I'll check to see if I have a capped bottle to test it on when I get home.
 
znapschatz said:
I forget to add: the reason you don't want the bevel too sharp is that the combi tool is also a bottle opener. If the bevel is too sharp and at a narrow angle, a cap will be pierced rather than lifted.
Click to expand...

Plus, it seems to work fine as a can opener without an edge.
 
Hmmm, have you tried opening a bottle of wine with a sharp bevel on a CS4? I'd be concerned about getting cut.
 
BoxANT said:
Hmmm, have you tried opening a bottle of wine with a sharp bevel on a CS4? I'd be concerned about getting cut.
Click to expand...

After a few bad experiences with it, I stopped using the combi tool corkscrew assist. Dedicated assists usually have two feet for the lip, which is a more stable fulcrum, but the CS4 has only one, and unless you are extremely careful, it slips to one side or the other. Once I chipped a lip, was done with that. Instead, I went back to the SAK method; turn the corkscrew almost all the way down, lever the handle against the lip to break adhesion, then draw out the cork. Works every time.
 
Looks good to me. I used the diamond file on my Leatherman Wave to sharpen my Juice's can opener and awl. Using a Leatherman to Fix a Leatherman!
Also, the sharpened can opener makes a great package opener/utility blade/scraper. You can even open and close it one-handed!
 
I left mine stock. I'll probably never use it to open a can. I'll use it on the occasional bottle cap, and for that, I don't need a sharp edge.

I LOVE my Juice S2. It's a great mix of multi-tool options, but yet still having smooth edges and a size and weight that isn't too much for pocket carry.
 
Mine was completely flat, and opened cans just as well as the sharp can opener on my Vics. And being flat makes it more capable as a cap lifter, too. I didn't see a reason to sharpen it at all.
 
holygoat said:
Mine was completely flat, and opened cans just as well as the sharp can opener on my Vics. And being flat makes it more capable as a cap lifter, too. I didn't see a reason to sharpen it at all.
Click to expand...

The can opener surface should be completely flat for best performance. The only sharp part of it should be the edge, and many of them come that way. My CS4 needed no work at all, but my S2 came with the edge not finished. All I did was to file the flat part down a bit, not like sharpening a blade but making it much easier to open a lid. It leaves a more ragged edge than the Vic, but who cares?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top