Help me pick a new manual Can Opener

We are looking to ditch the cumbersome and clumsy electric can opener, that gets used twice a week and gets in the way of other kitchen small appliances.

I'd like to purchase a manual opener, under $25 CDN if possible and one that will last, no gimmicks, no lights, no bottle openers on it, just one that will work with cans and work every time.

So far I have it narrowed down to this one, but if anyone knows a "must have" one, please let me know.

Zyliss Lock-n-Lift Can Opener $15

I've had so many manual can openers crap out on my in the past 5 years or so. How hard can it be to make a quality can opener?!? Finally I was at Ikea and picked up a $6 opener and it's been working great.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00081534/

I've also heard good things about this one. Similar to the classic Swing-a-way that you could rely on for decades.

http://www.amazon.com/Made-USA-Can-Opener-Black/dp/B007DK6SG0

Check Hotel & Restaurant Supply stores; Swing-A-Way is a good brand.

knlgskr said:

Check Hotel & Restaurant Supply stores; Swing-A-Way is a good brand.

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Does Swing-a-way still have openers made in the USA? I would stay away from any made in China. Apparently the Chinese do not open many cans.

I think mine is an OXO heavy duty. It works great but it will get dull eventually.

Unless you clean and oil your can opener it won't last very long. And even if you do, It will only last 2 years or so. Best advice I could give is to spend 10-20 bucks on something that feels sturdy in your hands, and buy a new one every year or so.

I Use it and the larger version almost daily.

martym said:

View attachment 476744I Use it and the larger version almost daily.

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Heck yeah! P51 for the win!

I used a P-38 exclusively until I got married. I still use mine occasionally. Easier to store than anything else--drop it in a drawer.

I do like the size, design simplicity and no frills of those little guys, but there is no way my wife will go for one of those.

He comes pretty close to slicing his finger at the 55sec mark when it slips and married to a nurse and having 6 & 8y old boys in the house, this won't fly.

weizemanner said:

I think mine is an OXO heavy duty. It works great but it will get dull eventually.

Unless you clean and oil your can opener it won't last very long. And even if you do, It will only last 2 years or so. Best advice I could give is to spend 10-20 bucks on something that feels sturdy in your hands, and buy a new one every year or so.

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Yeah, it's probably one of those items that will get replaced every couple years so, so an iKea or Amazon one may just be in order. I wasn't sure if there was an opener to end all openers, like our Zeroll Ice Cream Scoop did for ice cream.
Thanks for all the quick suggestions.

Steve in Shalimar said:

I used a P-38 exclusively until I got married. I still use mine occasionally. Easier to store than anything else--drop it in a drawer.

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I have a 38 on every keychain and in my locker at work and keep the 51 at the ranch and at home.
They are awesome in the deer blind on a can of beanie weenies or peaches.

I've had a version of this for nearly a decade I think, hasn't failed me yet.

OXO Good Grips Smooth Edge Can Opener

Haggises said:

I've had a version of this for nearly a decade I think, hasn't failed me yet.

OXO Good Grips Smooth Edge Can Opener

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Thanks Tony...that was another on the list when I did my Google "Top Manual Can Openers".

Luckily, Amazon.ca has most of these in the $15 range, so we'll likely just pick one, try it and if it doesn't work it will head into our camping kitchen.

I can't find my P38 anywhere. I have an opener that cuts the rim off. No sharp edges.

DoctorShavegood said:

I can't find my P38 anywhere. I have an opener that cuts the rim off. No sharp edges.

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That may be my worry too with our kitchen gadget drawer

I still may get one for camping, just because it looks like one of those iconic items that everyone should at least own or try.

knlgskr said:

Check Hotel & Restaurant Supply stores; Swing-A-Way is a good brand.

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I purchased these for all my older family members. They also make a wall mounted one if that's your thing.

Wall mounted are interesting.

http://www.kitchenwareuk.co.uk/household-and-kitchen/wall-mounted-can-opener-chrome

I found that I could cut the rim off with a standard opener turned 90 degrees. And the first can I tried it on was...tuna. The only can I wanted rim on!

I have tried expensive Kitchen Aid ones, and other "higher end" ones. I agree with the P38 philosophy. With manual can opener, go for simplicity.

I think my wife is going out today, likely to pick up one of the Oxo or Zyliss ones...We have some Zyliss peelers that we like, so she's happy trying one of those.

eBay has some combo of the P38 & P51 for under $10 shipped, so I'll probably add that to our collection of gadgets

The arm on the Swing-a-way is very nice looking operation. Amazon has them for $12, so it may be an add to my next order too.

Thanks for all the tips guys, I had no idea there would be so many and so fast.

B&B comes through again.

I have five if these. http://m.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/starfrit-magican-can-opener-0421916p.html

Saw you are in Canada. Should be easy to get. Why Five? I'm a foods teacher. Love them.

I've got a swing away as a manual backup, and a Swiss army knife or 3 as well. Mostly I use an Oster . . . never fails but big gears that sometimes get the paper cover from the can into the food.