# Electric or manual can opener?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-or-manual-can-opener/497859>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [May 27, 2009, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-or-manual-can-opener/497859 "2009-05-27T22:55:21Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\
**Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-or-manual-can-opener/497859/41 "2009-05-29T03:21:08Z")

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The only excuse for an electric can opener is arthritis.

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**Author:** ![Student\_Driver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3da27b/32.png) [@Student\_Driver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Student_Driver)\
**Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-or-manual-can-opener/497859/42 "2009-05-29T14:06:29Z")

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I use a cushioned manual Swing-A-Way now, after a childhood using an ancient all-metal Swing-A-Way that required a vise-like grip to get it cut through the can top. It’s amazing how easy the current can opener cuts through any can I have, even those with dented/creased sides from being dropped. (No worries about botulism, the dents are fresh.) Barely any pressure needed on the handles, and little force required on the crank.

Never saw a need for an electric opener, though my stepdad had one. It matched his ice crusher, both in looks and in usefulness.

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