Recommend a good can opener.

Site Notices

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Recommend a good can opener.

Posted: 11/20/2014 12:55:57 AM EDT

I'm looking for something that is portable, to be put inside my bug out bag. The can opener must be rugged and reliable. Hopefully can take a beating if stuffed inside a bug out bag. I have can openers for the kitchen but are there ones specifically made for the outdoors?

Posted: 11/20/2014 1:02:41 AM EDT

[#1]

If anything, I have a ColdSteel SRK knife. I have seen the youtube videos of opening a can of food with it. I'm not trying to do that unless it is the last choice.

Posted: 11/20/2014 1:09:47 AM EDT

[#2]

Good old P51....

Posted: 11/20/2014 1:18:04 AM EDT

[#3]

I use one of these at work. Takes up barely any more space than the p38 and is ten times faster.

amazon

Posted: 11/20/2014 1:48:34 AM EDT

[#4]

p38/p51

Posted: 11/20/2014 1:50:19 AM EDT

[#5]

Leatherman or similar tool w/ can opener. P38 on key chain.

Posted: 11/20/2014 2:21:04 AM EDT

[#6]

Quote History

Quoted:
I use one of these at work. Takes up barely any more space than the p38 and is ten times faster.

amazon

View Quote

I will look into these, thanks. I never heard of the p51 and just finished watching some videos on youtube. Pretty cool. I've been spoiled to can openers used in the kitchen but decided I need one for the field.

Posted: 11/20/2014 3:28:56 AM EDT

[#7]

grind the rolled top down on concrete. save your money.

Posted: 11/20/2014 3:37:32 AM EDT

[#8]

'murica

Posted: 11/20/2014 8:58:33 AM EDT

[#9]

I put a small rubber band around them and keep tone on my key ring.

Posted: 11/20/2014 9:28:26 AM EDT

[#10]

if you are looking for a source of US Speaker P38s in bulk....I got a quick response from Georgia Outfitters... giving them with an E01, Acme 636 whistle, for Christmas gifts

http://www.georgia-outfitters.com/page52.shtml

Posted: 11/20/2014 1:10:57 PM EDT

[#11]

While P-38s a great for opening up small cans if you ever need to open a #10 can you will die for a Swing-A-Way or the one pictured a few posts above. They last forever and can double for butterfly practive knife lol

Posted: 11/20/2014 3:36:43 PM EDT

[#12]

Pick your weight and go from there.

I like the p51 for small size and weight.

I tend to also have muti tools or a swiss army knife around as well.

Car might get a real kitchen can opener but right now they don't rate em.

Posted: 11/21/2014 12:53:31 AM EDT

[#13]

Did anyone else find using a P-51 cumbersome after using a P-38? I never liked the P-51, it just never felt right.

Posted: 11/21/2014 3:33:05 AM EDT

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007DK6SG0?tag=arfcom00-20" target="_blank">http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81umx7lQvsL._SL1500_.jpg</a>

'murica

View Quote

I had one of those that I finally wore out. Tried a couple of can openers from Wal-mart. Worthless pieces of crap! I finally found another one of those and snapped it up!

Vulcan94

Posted: 11/21/2014 12:01:25 PM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007DK6SG0?tag=arfcom00-20" target="_blank">http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81umx7lQvsL._SL1500_.jpg</a>

'murica

View Quote

Bought two of those, no workie,

Murica

Posted: 11/21/2014 1:36:37 PM EDT

[#16]

Buy a Swiss Army Knife or a Boy Scout Knife. I like the Victorinox Pioneer.

Posted: 11/21/2014 1:58:18 PM EDT

[#17]

p38 works well for small cans.

Opening one #10 can out of curiosity had me ordering in a mess of 51s.

I do agree the swiss army knife or multi tool probably has you covered, the longer handle adds leverage.

Are today's swiss army knives as well built as they were a couple decades ago?

Might be time for me to order a couple spares because I am always impressed with the scissors and can opener and some of the other stuff on the swiss army knife. My gerber multi tool does not impress, it just does the job. My leatherman is soso, need to get the wire cutters fixed since I bent them trying to cut some high strength stuff and now they suck.

Posted: 11/21/2014 2:24:57 PM EDT

[#18]

Gerber or Leatherman multitool works for me.

Posted: 11/22/2014 10:26:24 AM EDT

[#19]

Quote History

Quoted:
Buy a Swiss Army Knife or a Boy Scout Knife. I like the Victorinox Pioneer.

View Quote

That's exactly what I'm using. The wife still fights with the crappy can opener.

Posted: 11/22/2014 11:01:20 AM EDT

[#20]

P51. Is there anything else? I keep one in my console, one in each of my bags. I think i paid 50 or 75 cents each for them then u put a small 550 lanyard on them. They have come in handy many many times. and so small it is almost a no brainer.

Posted: 11/22/2014 11:51:25 AM EDT

[#21]

Anything that has Swing Away written on it will be the best and fastest mechanical opener for the money.

I have a wall mount that I have used over 15 years. Heck, Grandma used the same one, that is why I bought it.

I use a handheld at work, have one in my camping gear, and a backup in the kitchen drawer.

Posted: 11/22/2014 11:52:23 AM EDT

[#22]

Quote History

Quoted:

I use one of these at work. Takes up barely any more space than the p38 and is ten times faster.

amazon

View Quote

Those slip alot. I hate them.

Posted: 11/23/2014 5:07:43 PM EDT

[#23]

I never used one, but my buddy swears to their ease of use and durability.

http://www.amazon.com/Nogent-Classic-Service-Manual-Opener/dp/B001E05WQM/ref=pd_sim_k_1/189-4120934-1451350?ie=UTF8&refRID=1851XR5GWBRZ2GR1FB68

Posted: 11/23/2014 5:16:33 PM EDT

[#24]

Quote History

Quoted:

if you are looking for a source of US Speaker P38s in bulk....I got a quick response from Georgia Outfitters... giving them with an E01, Acme 636 whistle, for Christmas gifts

http://www.georgia-outfitters.com/page52.shtml

View Quote

Thanks, bro. Always wanted to find these again. I lost all of mine. Just ordered the lot of 50 ea.

Posted: 11/23/2014 8:26:24 PM EDT

[#25]

Army-eod.... I still have one Shelby and one Speaker left from a TDY to JSPC, Okinawa 1972... Army had C rations on payday... I was a lowly E3 USAF, and had to forage for food

Posted: 11/24/2014 12:14:17 AM EDT

[#26]

Have nothing to recommend for the BOB, but since kitchen manual openers are being mentioned I thought I would link this one. I just got it a couple of weeks ago and it instantly became the most popular can opener in the house. My wife and daughter can use it with ease.

http://www.amazon.com/Amco-Swing-A-Way-6090-Crank-Opener/dp/B001CD77VO/ref=sr_1_3?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1416802295&sr=1-3&keywords=swing+away

Posted: 11/26/2014 4:15:14 PM EDT

[#27]

For home use get a swing-a-way. avoid plastic gear junk at walmart. find the good one online if necessary.

Posted: 11/26/2014 6:23:51 PM EDT

[#28]

Interesting

Posted: 11/26/2014 11:03:03 PM EDT

[#29]

Are the Amco openers heavy duty? SOOOO sick of cheap crap that bends.

Posted: 11/26/2014 11:18:44 PM EDT

[#30]

I've had a P38 on my key chain since 1983. No rubber band, embrace the suck is a way of life.

Posted: 11/27/2014 6:39:28 AM EDT

[#31]

Quote History

Quoted:
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007DK6SG0?tag=arfcom00-20" target="_blank">http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81umx7lQvsL._SL1500_.jpg</a>

'murica

View Quote

This.
I got tired of the crappy ones not working.
I got one of these for the house as a back up and got a second for my truck.
Not a problem yet with either.
I still have 38's, 51'sand the ones on my knives, but family cooking takes forever to open cans. Anywhere I am carrying heavy cans, I can make room for this.

Pop top cans beat all though!

Posted: 11/27/2014 8:56:31 AM EDT

[#32]

Swing Aways are no good any more. They moved to China and lowered standards.

But someone bought the old Swing Away US production and makes a slightly modified design, with the old high quality as the EZ-DUZ-IT.

http://www.ez-duz-it.com/

http://www.amazon.com/EZ-DUZ-IT-Deluxe-Opener-Black-Grips/dp/B0071OUJDQ

I was looking for a replacement for my 30 year old Sw!ng@way handheld. It seems the old name has moved their manufacturing to another country and the quality suffered greatly.
These are made in the same plant as the originals. These ARE the originals.
I got the extra padded handle model and it's very nice. Works great, just like the ones we remember from our childhood.
I'd buy another one. When this one wears out in another 30 years.

View Quote

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Recommend a good can opener.

Outdoors » Survival Gear

Warning

Confirm Action

About AR15.COM

Stay Connected

Newsletter

Contact Us