I was looking through their knives the other day, and about 99% of their knves that are large enough to have a can opener, has one. Are they really that useful these days? People don't take canned food on camping trips anymore, and if they do, they usually have pop off lids that don't require a can opener. At home, everyone already has a can opener, so it's pretty useless there too. I think it's time for Vic to come up with a replacement for the can opener as a standard knife attachment.
I have to agree. There are times when a can opener is very valuable, but for the rest of the time it seems like that space could be used for something else.
At home, I usually cant get my ruddy can opener to open cans, its one of those ones where you kinda hold the two handles together like pliers & then turn the key thing, usually it just turns round & chews up the can abit but doesnt open it. So, I stop, swear at the can & can opener, have a bit of a cry, throw the can opener back in the drawer & usually end up opening the can with my SAK can opener. I dont eat much out of cans, only stuff like meatballs, spaghetti hoops etc
I use my SAK can openers a couple of times a week to take the tops out of thinners cans so I can stand or soak my varnish brushes in them. On the other hand I am not too keen on the corkscrews that most SAKs seem to have, they are too short to do a good job and sometimes rip the cork to pieces and I HATE bits of cork in my wine. I would prefer a philips driver to the corkscrew any day.
I thought the can opener was like the third more used tool on a SAK. At least I thought I had read that somewhere. I have used a can opener when I didn't have a P-38 on hand countless times though not on a SAK. I have used one on other items most of my life.
One quick sentence that will go ahead and sum up any future questions like this. Just because you dont use it doesnt mean others do not as well. I use the can opener AND the corkscrew at home fairly often.
I hardly ever use it, but the can opener is "the" SAK tool. It is an iconic design. I wish that they had more designs with the combination canopener/bottle opener that the Bantam has. It works better than the regular bottle opener, and it still works as a can opener. I love that tool.
While I haven't used it, that makes sense. You get it if you need it, but it only takes up the space of one tool instead of two.
I almost never eat cans but I often use the flat head screwdriver on it, and I sometimes use the can opener for cleaning my nails.
I have to admit Roger999, I'm glad to read you almost never eat cans... Kinda' worried about the rest of the time, though. :lolhammer: Seriously, I've had occasions where either the can opener and/or the corkscrew were invaluable. So frankly, I'm delighted with my SAK's.
Yeah, I personally want it there just in case. A can opener is useless - until you really need it. Then it really comes in handy.
For my work day, I prefer a model with Philips head screwdriver to corkscrew. For wine opening, a proper wing-type opener is far less painful to use. I'm OK with bottle and can opener though.
I had a corkscrew come apart once and tore the insides of my fingers to crap. I never get them with it any more.....the problem I have is that I like the can opener better on a Vic SAK, I use it to pry and lever things all the time, but I like the scissors on a Wenger SAK better.....I wish they were like LEGOs.....
I don't care for dedicated openers, but the Vic can and bottle openers are both combination tools. You could instead view them as fantastic phillips and slotted drivers, which also happen to function as openers. I use the opener functions once in a while, but I constantly rely on the drivers. That's an incredible amount of functionality crammed into a single layer that is available on even basic models. Not to mention the wire stripper. The corkscrew on the other hand... :rant:
An interesting thread, people seem about even on liking or not liking can openers and corkscrews. Ultimately, I prefer to have SAKs with can openers and/or corkscrews than no SAK at all. They are the best value for money pocket multi tool by miles.
Where I live, most people don't EDC a SAK, those who have one take it to go camping or other similar activities. Then it's one of the most important tools they need, if they didn't buy their food in easy-opening cans.
I have used the can opener on my SAKs many times. I would definitely prefer to have it on there. If you ever have a situation where you are very hungry and have some canned foods, but no way to open them...you'll be crying for that SAK can opener. Trying to open a metal can with your teeth would be extremely painful, I'd imagine. As for the corkscrew...I've used mine occasionally and found it to be adequate. If you want more versatility out of it, get the tiny screwdriver that threads into the corkscrew. Tim
