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Can Opener Comparison

au Offline ReamerPunch

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Re: Can Opener Comparison
Reply #150 on: July 02, 2021, 07:25:45 AM
P-38

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P-38_can_opener



The quintessential manual can opener, the P-38 is a claw. It is interesting that the hook and cutting edge are not in the same axis. They are perpendicular to each other, which positions both at the perfect position. The hook meets the lid at a right angle, grabbing onto it wonderfully, while the cutting edge tip contacts the lid right behind the rim, and the perfect angle to pierce into it.



Piercing was easy. The P-38 is designed perfectly to engage the can like it is supposed to.
Comfort is relevant I think. It does not make much sense to expect amazing ergonomics on something this tiny. It was not uncomfortable, and after only a few cuts, I was already used to the action, and was able to rock the can opener up and down, cutting with no issues. I never felt the slight hint of it jamming or slipping of the rim. In fact, I let go, and the can opener sat frozen in position. It was not stuck or anything close to that, just sitting comfortably on the rim, thanks to the excellent angles of the hook and blade. Tracing along each previous cut was extremely easy and surprisingly fast, once I got used to the action.



It created a rather jagged edge, and I noticed a few metal specs on the table. These are not like the metal splinters that other can openers have produced, though I would prefer no shavings at all.

I will test this again and maybe go slower, and see if I continue to get metal specs.
Has anyone else noticed any metal specs with this? :think:

2 points for punching through.
2 for comfort.
2 for not jamming.
1 for cutting.
2 for not slipping.

Total: 9


au Offline ReamerPunch

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Re: Can Opener Comparison
Reply #151 on: July 02, 2021, 07:41:35 AM
P-51



The big brother of the P-38, longer, thicker, heavier. Using this was a very similar experience to the P-38.
Piercing was extremely easy. The shapes and angles are the same, and this also engages the can perfectly. No slipping, no jamming, and still sitting in place when you let go.


This was a little more comfortable. It is longer, and I got a better grip, and thanks to the blade being slightly longer, I got longer individual cuts. The difference in leverage is very noticeable and much more than anticipated. After only a couple of cuts, the action felt intuitive and I was able to cut the rid faster than any other can opener I have tested. Speed was not taken into account when using can openers for this thread, but the P-51 would be the winner. While extremely fast, the cut was consistent, easy, it never slipped or got jammed, or advanced off kilter. Most importantly, there were no metal shavings of any sort with this. It left behind a clean edge, less jagged than that of the P-38.

It may be heavier and larger than the P-38, but the difference in performance was very noticeable. It is still small enough for all sorts of kits, and certainly a fantastic companion to any multi-tools that lack a can opener or have a mediocre or unusable one.
I can not wait to open a can with this again. :salute:

2 points for punching through.
2 for comfort.
2 for not jamming.
2 for cutting.
2 for not slipping.

Total: 10
« Last Edit: July 02, 2021, 07:51:04 AM by ReamerPunch »


ie Offline McStitchy

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Re: Can Opener Comparison
Reply #152 on: July 02, 2021, 08:46:35 AM
I was looking forward for you testing them RP  :hatsoff: I think this thread would be incomplete without thwm.

Excellent results for such a "simplistic" design  :like:


au Offline ReamerPunch

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Re: Can Opener Comparison
Reply #153 on: July 02, 2021, 12:05:12 PM
which positions both at the perfect position.

I should become a columnist or something. :facepalm:


au Offline ReamerPunch

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Re: Can Opener Comparison
Reply #154 on: July 02, 2021, 12:17:04 PM
I was looking forward for you testing them RP  :hatsoff: I think this thread would be incomplete without thwm.

Excellent results for such a "simplistic" design  :like:

I love the design. How can something this small be designed so well for its purpose, and perform so well? Does your multi-tool not have a can opener? Slip a P-51 in the sheath and you're set. :cheers:


ie Offline McStitchy

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Re: Can Opener Comparison
Reply #155 on: July 02, 2021, 12:33:24 PM
Yeah....ok... I'll get some  :D
Will try to source them locally first.


us Offline Nix

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Re: Can Opener Comparison
Reply #156 on: July 02, 2021, 02:33:22 PM
I think this thread would be incomplete without them.

 :iagree:  Nice work, RP!


au Offline ReamerPunch

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au Offline ReamerPunch

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Re: Can Opener Comparison
Reply #158 on: July 02, 2021, 06:30:02 PM
Another great video on pocket knife can openers.


us Offline Adam5

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Re: Can Opener Comparison
Reply #159 on: July 02, 2021, 06:52:59 PM
"which positions both at the perfect position."

I should become a columnist or something. :facepalm:

You do a great job. I avoid long commentary because I would make and miss many more verbal blunders.


au Offline ReamerPunch

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Re: Can Opener Comparison
Reply #160 on: July 10, 2021, 11:19:48 AM
« Last Edit: July 10, 2021, 11:55:51 AM by ReamerPunch »


au Offline ReamerPunch

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Re: Can Opener Comparison
Reply #161 on: July 10, 2021, 11:33:30 AM
I started this thread three years ago. :salute:
And only now did I realize I had not done a list of all the tools I tested. So, here it is. :D


pt Offline pfrsantos

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Re: Can Opener Comparison
Reply #162 on: July 19, 2021, 04:38:29 PM
Fun indeed, thanks for sharing it  :tu:
The swivel-around-the-middle ones seem cool!

Makes me want to search eBay for vintage can openers now  :facepalm:

+1

It awlso keeps the lid and makes it easier to remove it without risking cutting yourself.

 :tu: :tu:
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us Offline Nix

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Re: Can Opener Comparison
Reply #163 on: July 21, 2021, 12:15:55 AM
I started this thread three years ago. :salute:
And only now did I realize I had not done a list of all the tools I tested. So, here it is. :D

 :like:


au Offline ReamerPunch

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Re: Can Opener Comparison
Reply #164 on: September 26, 2024, 11:04:50 PM
Roxon Flex

This is a quarter circle, properly sharpened and at the perfect length to properly engage the can rim.
The tool is modular which means you can place the can opener in any position in the handle, but this does not really matter, thanks to the can opener length.

Initial cut was very easy. The tool is extremely comfortable, thanks to all its rounded edges and tools flush with the frame.
The opener did not get stuck between cuts, nor did it slip off the rim. There was no shrapnel in the food at the end, which is nice.
Cutting was excellent and pretty consistent. I found myself mindful of aligning the can opener cutting edge right up to the rim, to get an easy cut,
And trace easily around the rim.



2 points for punching through.
2 for comfort.
2 for not jamming.
2 for cutting.
2 for not slipping.

Total: 10


us Offline Outback in Idaho

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Re: Can Opener Comparison
Reply #165 on: September 27, 2024, 04:07:49 AM
  Found the Leatherman Garage #5 requires a motion of inserting the tab to squishing to the side wall on the cut. Works better.

  Bought some Victorinox Can Openers and am going to cut the tabs down to fit in the Large Bit Driver for a more proper and useful Can Opener. Am not too crazy about the idea of modifying the Garage #5 just yet.
¬ Outback Idaho

Behind every mask there is a face, behind that a story.


au Offline ReamerPunch

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Re: Can Opener Comparison
Reply #166 on: October 03, 2024, 02:40:21 PM
Oh yeah, Leatherman has a quarter-circle opener now. Hmm...


au Offline ReamerPunch

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Re: Can Opener Comparison
Reply #167 on: October 21, 2024, 09:57:24 PM
SOG PowerPint
 

Initial punch through was not bad.
The first three quarters of the can were going ok. I could trace along the rim adequately. The edge is short, and the bevel not that acute. With a Victorinox quarter circle, the edge is cutting along the rim in one continuous, obvious cut. The Pint was an interrupted, one break at a time sort of thing. It never felt smooth between cuts. Every cut felt like an isolated, single step, with the same resistance and force required as the original punching through.
At the exact 3/4 of the rim, the lid was being pushed into the can. The edge could not advance any longer, and just slid sideways along the lid (top right picture, where the opener is pointing). And I even tried going backwards from the end, to join the beginning of the cut to the end, and I could not even pierce the lid anymore.
For comparison, the Flex continued the cut, although with some difficulty.

The Rebar started backwards from where the pint started and went through the mangled, bent lid with no issue.
The pint never jammed or slipped off the lid. Ergonomics are not that good with the Pint. I had to exert a lot of force for every single cut. The tool is a little too small to hold comfortably.
To sum up, the Pint may be enough to open a can. It can pierce, it can cut, and it did not leave any shrapnel in the food. If you are planning to open multiple cans maybe take a Rebar or PST or something.
 

1 points for punching through.
0 for comfort.
2 for not jamming.
0 for cutting.
2 for not slipping.

Total: 5


us Offline ThundahBeagle

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Re: Can Opener Comparison
Reply #168 on: October 25, 2024, 04:45:44 AM
Good info here.  Nice to see Rebar and PST as consistent winners as I have both.  The 91mm Vics sort of go without say.


au Offline ReamerPunch

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Re: Can Opener Comparison
Reply #169 on: April 17, 2026, 09:10:09 AM
Roxon Flex - claw

The first opener Roxon released for the Flex set of modular tools was the quarter circle, but recently they also released a claw.



This was a very similar experience to using the Flex with the quarter circle. Of course, the can opener can be placed in any slot of the Flex, as it is modular.
The Flex is very comfortable to hole, with all its rounded edges. No hotspots whatsoever.
Initial piercing was very easy. The claw did not get stuck or slip off the can at any point.
There was no shrapnel left in the can, which is very important. Comfort, speed, getting stuck, these are all important,but what good are they if the food is unsafe to eat once you open the can?
Cutting was easy, much like with a Leatherman claw. There was no need to be mindful of aligning every consecutive cut. Tracing around the lid was effortless.



It is very interesting that Roxon has two excellent can openers for the Flex set of implements. If you are used to one and prefer it over the other, you can just have that one installed, and if you want to mix things up or try the other style, you can install that one. And they're one-handed as well. Nice.



2 points for punching through.
2 for comfort.
2 for not jamming.
2 for cutting.
2 for not slipping.

Total: 10
« Last Edit: April 17, 2026, 10:07:45 AM by ReamerPunch »


 

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