# Freaking clamshell packaging **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 17, 2017, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freaking-clamshell-packaging/791457 "2017-07-17T01:39:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freaking-clamshell-packaging/791457/1 "2017-07-17T01:39:07Z")
So how are clamshell packages actually meant to be opened without risking serious injury? ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freaking-clamshell-packaging/791457/2 "2017-07-17T01:43:22Z")
A pair of scissors. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freaking-clamshell-packaging/791457/3 "2017-07-17T01:44:22Z")
Some of that packaging has a pre-scored section, perhaps on the back, that opens fairly easily. ---
**Author:** ![Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/channing_idaho_banks/32/250_2.png) [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Channing_Idaho_Banks)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freaking-clamshell-packaging/791457/4 "2017-07-17T01:46:06Z")
Sharp clams. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freaking-clamshell-packaging/791457/5 "2017-07-17T01:47:31Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > A pair of scissors. Even with scissors you’re risking injury because you’re creating extremely sharp points and edges that can hurt you if your hands slip. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freaking-clamshell-packaging/791457/6 "2017-07-17T01:51:30Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Even with scissors you’re risking injury because you’re creating extremely sharp points and edges that can hurt you if your hands slip. I use a utility knife, always cut away and watch where you put fingers. ( Usually next to me so the blood doesn’t get on my pants. 😃 ) Cut slowly and lightly, let the sharpness do the work. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freaking-clamshell-packaging/791457/7 "2017-07-17T01:51:32Z")
Some companies offer alternatives. Amazon, for instance, offers some items in “frustration-free packaging”. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freaking-clamshell-packaging/791457/8 "2017-07-17T01:58:30Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > I use a utility knife, always cut away and watch where you put fingers. ( Usually next to me so the blood doesn’t get on my pants. 😃 ) > > Cut slowly and lightly, let the sharpness do the work. So was that the actual intent when the packaging was created, to make something that must be opened with a specific work tool on a cut-resistant surface? If you’re in your car, having just bought a new something, with no tools, you’re just s.o.l.? ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freaking-clamshell-packaging/791457/9 "2017-07-17T01:59:36Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > So was that the actual intent when the packaging was created, to make something that must be opened with a specific work tool on a cut-resistant surface? If you’re in your car, having just bought a new something, with no tools, you’re just s.o.l.? I’m sure that the people in the shop would be happy to open it for you. ---
**Author:** ![buddha\_david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freaking-clamshell-packaging/791457/10 "2017-07-17T02:12:04Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > A pair of scissors. What if the scissors come in a clamshell package? ---
**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:** [July 17, 2017, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freaking-clamshell-packaging/791457/11 "2017-07-17T02:27:43Z")
Explosives. ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freaking-clamshell-packaging/791457/12 "2017-07-17T04:15:45Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Some of that packaging has a pre-scored section, perhaps on the back, that opens fairly easily. Isn’t that the exact opposite of why clamshell exists? I thought clamshells were intentionally designed to be very difficult to open, to prevent shoplifting. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freaking-clamshell-packaging/791457/13 "2017-07-17T04:53:22Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > Isn’t that the exact opposite of why clamshell exists? > I thought clamshells were intentionally designed to be very difficult to open, to prevent shoplifting. In my experience it still takes a long time and a lot of effort to get the item out of the package once you’ve gotten the perforated part open. It just gives you a place to slip the scissors in. ---
**Author:** ![Dereknocue67](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6de8d8/32.png) [@Dereknocue67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dereknocue67)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freaking-clamshell-packaging/791457/14 "2017-07-17T08:55:30Z")
I’ve used scissors, box cutter, knives and if that fails, I set the package on fire and return it to the manufacturer while it’s still burning. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 9:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freaking-clamshell-packaging/791457/15 "2017-07-17T09:08:13Z")
When I worked the ER of our hospital, every once in a while we saw a serious cut from packaging such as you describe. Can’t the manufacturers of these things be sued? How about class action? ever heard of one or even an effort to file one? Q ---
**Author:** ![ioioio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ioioio/32/316_2.png) [@ioioio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ioioio)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freaking-clamshell-packaging/791457/16 "2017-07-17T09:29:53Z")
Once you manage to create a starting place with a knife or scissors, it’s fairly common for the hard plastic to tear, creating jagged edges that can inflict serious injury. There’s no doubt in my mind that the packaging was designed with evil intent. ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freaking-clamshell-packaging/791457/17 "2017-07-17T13:47:15Z")
Here ya go - > **[Amazon.com: Clamshell Package Opener : Office Products](https://www.amazon.com/OpenX%C2%AE-Clamshell-Package-Opener/dp/B000RT8GQY)** > > Amazon.com: Clamshell Package Opener : Office Products ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freaking-clamshell-packaging/791457/18 "2017-07-17T13:57:20Z")
> [@MikeF](#): > > Here ya go - > > [https://www.amazon.com/OpenX®-Clamshell-Package-Opener/dp/B000RT8GQY](https://www.amazon.com/OpenX%C2%AE-Clamshell-Package-Opener/dp/B000RT8GQY) You want [this one.](https://www.amazon.com/Plastic-Surgeon-44500-Package-Opener/dp/B0010SHGX0/ref=pd_sbs_194_6?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0010SHGX0&pd_rd_r=AESBT1GGYSHG0MWJMZDF&pd_rd_w=qVFiy&pd_rd_wg=uSfp4&psc=1&refRID=AESBT1GGYSHG0MWJMZDF) It’s not afraid to show it comes in the plastic packaging it’s designed to open. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freaking-clamshell-packaging/791457/19 "2017-07-17T14:23:39Z")
Today I bought a pair of scissors from my favorite brand, 3 claveles (no, I don’t own stock - but if ever have a chance to buy some, I will). At first sight the packaging was a clamshell. At second sight, the bottom had an envelope opening: just press a bit on the sides and you could slip the tab out and get your scissors without breaking anything 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Pixel\_Dent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bc8723/32.png) [@Pixel\_Dent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pixel_Dent)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freaking-clamshell-packaging/791457/20 "2017-07-17T14:46:19Z")
> [@MikeF](#): > > Here ya go - > > [https://www.amazon.com/OpenX®-Clamshell-Package-Opener/dp/B000RT8GQY](https://www.amazon.com/OpenX%C2%AE-Clamshell-Package-Opener/dp/B000RT8GQY) Combine that with these [Cut Proof Gloves](https://www.amazon.com/WISLIFE-Resistant-Protection-Certified-Yard-work/dp/B015MGKX4E/ref=sr_1_1?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1500302664&sr=8-1&keywords=cut+proof+gloves) and Bob’s your uncle. I originally got a pair of these for the kids to use when they first started to help me cook by dicing vegetables and stuff like that, and discovered they were useful for all sorts of things like opening packages. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freaking-clamshell-packaging/791457.md?page=2)