When Dan and I got married, he still had his military issue P-38 can opener.
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| Source: Wikimedia Commons |
I used it ever since, until recently the tip broke off so that it would no longer puncture the can lid. We reckoned his old P-38 was over 40 years old.
Many cans come with pull-ring lids nowadays, but I still needed a can opener, so I bought a cheap squeeze handle rotary wheel job.
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| Source: Wikimedia Commons |
One day I needed an inexpensive item to make up the difference for free shipping on Amazon. So I took a look at can openers. Some of the newest designs were odd interesting, but many did not look at all practical. Or made for longevity. I think sometimes people have innovative ideas that can't muster practical reality.
Electric can openers were out, especially the battery powered ones. But I do have an amusing memory of my mother calling her cat by running the electric opener. Said cat always came running, even if no cat food was being opened.
In reading product reviews, I discovered others had the same problem I did with their squeeze handle can opener. The gears just weren't up to more than a couple months of usage. Then I found new P-38s for sale, but wondered about the quality of the steel. Building materials have been cheapened so much over the years that I'm cautious about buying things without seeing them first hand.
Then I saw the Ganji Kankiri
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| Source: Amazon |
This is a Japanese can opener (kankiri) which basically works the same as the P-38. Except the blade is larger and heavier, and I loved the hefty sized handle. It wasn't expensive, either.
It felt a little awkward at first but it's easy to use and does an excellent job of opening cans. Some reviewers complained that it cut a somewhat jagged edge, but once I got used to it, I thought it cut a smoother edge than the P-38. I anticipate not needing to buy another can opener for a long, long time.
I never dreamed I'd ever be excited over a can opener, but I do love me some good manual tools.
22 comments:
The story about the cat made me smile.
That blade looks mighty sharp, and I imagine it can be sharpened with a rasp, so it should last forever. Love manual tools.
I love the pull ring tabs. Why can't every food can be both stackable and pull ring? I had a decent (Ekco?) can opener from Walmart for many years and it just wasn't cutting it anymore. Upgraded to a traditional style from KitchenAid and wondered why I had suffered so long. It really does a nice job.
Daisy, I imagine it can be sharpened, although the P-38 never needed it. It probably depends on the steel. I agree about manual tools!
Alex, it's curious how we'll put up with something even when a different one might be better. For something as simple as a can opener, all we want is results!
I have one like your middle one that I still use now and then. I'm guessing it is 30 years old at this point as I'm sure I bought it when I got my first apartment in college. Likely they were just made better back then. But I do have an electric one that I use on most cans. I have never seen one like the p-38 or the one you ended up going with but I imagine they work well.
P.S. My mom's cat was trained to the electric can opener as well.
Ed, if your rotary blade can opener is 30 years old, then obviously it was very well made! Definitely a keeper. I believe the P-38 was once issued with all MREs. The hole makes it convenient to hang from a dog tag chain. I'm amazed we never lost it in all the years we used it. It works quite well once you get used to it (both for opening cans and calling cats).
Ha! I figured someone would be able to relate to the cat calling function of the electric can opener. :)
Nothing is made to last any more - from can openers to stoves. Give me an oldie but goodie any day.
Dicky Bird, it's definitely harder to buy quality anything nowadays.
After I pulled something in my right thumb while sewing, I could no longer operate a manual can opener. So I bought an electric one that will do every can size from a tomato paste can up to a #10.
I remember having a heck of a time trying to find a sturdy, functional, powerful can opener when the arthritis in my hands became an issue. So glad you found a solution that works well for you!
I don't think i've had an electric can opener in almost 40 years. I've been using one like your middle one for ages until I cleaned out recently and found one that works on the same principle, but is MUCH better. (it involves a latch and release, but I know that doesn't really describe it well) Your P-38 and new opener look like the types that would be dangerous in my hands! I can be an accident waiting to happen!
Judy, thumb injuries are tough. Sounds like you got just the right can opener.
I can't imagine having arthritis in my hands. I'm sure it would change the tools I use. Any chronic pain in the hands is a game changer.
Kelly, it's nice to know someone found one of better quality!
I need one of those!
My cats don't come to the can opener . They share two over priced small flip tops. When they hear the pop it is all paws on deck!
Oh shoot, wish I knew you needed a P-38, I have a box of them that somehow fell into my duffel bag and hitched a ride home when I discharged out of the Army in 1980... I am still using the original one that I pulled out the box and have one in my travel trailer and couple in my Go-Bag. I have given a few out over the years to family and a few friends. I use mainly a lime green manual can opener for over thirty years and opens cans well and easy on my hands. You have my email address throw me a email and I will send you a few.
Goatldi, yes, the pop tops are the new cat caller, lol. Mine even know when I'm getting the kitty bowls out of the cabinet. I found 4 small kitty-size bowls at a thrift store and somehow, when I reach for one, they hear the "tink" and come running. I have yet to remove a cat bowl from the cupboard silently.
Wow Kevin, what a great item to have a stash of. I do have your email somewhere. I'll have to dig around and see if I can find it.
Oh the simple pleasures! Like others here, I use one like the middle one, but I will keep your newest one in mind!
Bob, I'm guessing that anyone who has an older model can opener like that has a sturdy product. I remember having one of those all silver ones that lasted for years and years. I'm also guessing that the newer ones use cheaper (weaker) metal. The quality of a product's materials makes a huge difference in its longevity.
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