# Is there such a thing as a can opener that lasts longer than a few months? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 22, 2017, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-can-opener-that-lasts-longer-than-a-few-months/791875 "2017-07-22T12:47:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2017, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-can-opener-that-lasts-longer-than-a-few-months/791875/41 "2017-07-23T01:39:02Z")
Super cool! Thank you! But now, I’m left thinking that side-cutting can openers really do cut through, not just one, not just two, not just three, not just four, but five layers of metal! An ordinary top-cutting opener just cuts through one. So (if I’m even close to right here) it’s not greatly surprising that the cutting blade of a side-opening cutter wouldn’t last as long as the blade of a top-opening cutter. The result is still vastly preferable: worth it to have to buy a $12.00 opener every three years or so! ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2017, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-can-opener-that-lasts-longer-than-a-few-months/791875/42 "2017-07-23T11:50:04Z")
There are two different kinds of side-openers. The more expensive kind does un-manufacture the can, separating the top from the sides in the reverse of the process by which it was sealed. The cheaper kind still just cuts through one layer of metal, like the top-openers, it’s just a different layer of metal. Mine is the cheap kind, and I’ve had it for at least six or eight years now with no problems. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2017, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-can-opener-that-lasts-longer-than-a-few-months/791875/43 "2017-07-23T13:51:49Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > You need a nice [swing-a-way](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001CDEFK0). I’m left-handed and even I can get them to work properly. Get the portable size, not the compact, as it’s bigger and studier, and easier to use. Yep, those. Or the old-fashioned SwingAway that bolts to the wall. Those last forever too. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2017, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-can-opener-that-lasts-longer-than-a-few-months/791875/44 "2017-07-23T13:57:31Z")
I bought a cheap on about 20 years ago and it’s still going strong. ---
**Author:** ![Aquadementia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aquadementia/32/555_2.png) [@Aquadementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aquadementia)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2017, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-can-opener-that-lasts-longer-than-a-few-months/791875/45 "2017-07-23T14:18:51Z")
I’ve had an electric one for what must be going on 30 years. Payed less then $20 for it. An Oster. Makes my life easier, I believe the jingle went. Maybe the old ones were just built better. Look for a tried and true one at a Goodwill, St. Vincent’s, thrift store or garage sale. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2017, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-can-opener-that-lasts-longer-than-a-few-months/791875/46 "2017-07-23T16:04:45Z")
I’ve been using one of [these](http://img.thrfun.com/img/002/534/mechanical_can_opener_l.jpg) since I moved out of my parents’ house, so it’s… about 35 years old? No problems with it. They’re hard to find these days, though, and even harder to find a quality one. Also have a couple of pocket knives with the old [“claw”](http://www.collect-sell.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/10-0022A-Girl-Scout-Pocket-Knife-Can-Opener.jpg) openers I could use in a pinch. Most of those are in the 40 year old range, got one that’s over 50, they all still work. Admittedly, all of the above require healthy hands and wrists to operate. Also have a powered one I got for my husband. We usually had those last about 15-20 years. ---
**Author:** ![Iggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iggy/32/3364_2.png) [@Iggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggy)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2017, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-can-opener-that-lasts-longer-than-a-few-months/791875/47 "2017-07-23T17:20:04Z")
> [@DummyGladHands](#): > > I am sick of buying these things. And I don’t buy the cheapest, I buy what I think looks good and sturdy. **And I keep them clean**. But without fail, it may pierce the can, but won’t go around. WTF? \*\*bolding \*\*mine My very British housemates go through can openers in record time. And they keep them clean by running the cutting area under the water from the faucet and then leaving them to air dry in a dish strainer which sits in front of an open window with non-stop salt-laden sea air blowing across it. :dubious: The damn things rust to the point of being unusable in two weeks flat. Clean it \*if \*it has touched the food. Side cutting can openers do not touch the food and do not need to be cleaned like this. And when you do clean the can opener, thoroughly dry it immediately. Use a warm oven or blow dry with compressed air (I use a blast of air from my scuba tank). Do not let it air dry and slowly rust. I just bought can openers of my own and leave them in my pantry. No problem at all, even with a cheapie that cuts the top. I prefer that style to open tuna cans so the cut lid can fall inside the can and be used to strain the oil or water from the tuna. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2017, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-can-opener-that-lasts-longer-than-a-few-months/791875/48 "2017-07-23T17:28:35Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > There are two different kinds of side-openers. The more expensive kind does un-manufacture the can, separating the top from the sides in the reverse of the process by which it was sealed. The cheaper kind still just cuts through one layer of metal, like the top-openers, it’s just a different layer of metal. > > Mine is the cheap kind, and I’ve had it for at least six or eight years now with no problems. Gotcha! Thank’ee; I was envisioning it cutting through the entire seal, but, sure, it only needs to cut the first layer. Now I wonder why mine wear out so quickly? ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2017, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-can-opener-that-lasts-longer-than-a-few-months/791875/49 "2017-07-23T17:30:26Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > You need a nice [swing-a-way](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001CDEFK0). I’m left-handed and even I can get them to work properly. Get the portable size, not the compact, as it’s bigger and studier, and easier to use. We’ve had two of those (or something like it) in the family’s kitchen drawer for 50 years. They work perfectly, although I do clean the cutting disk after every use so it doesn’t get gummed up with food particles. (Mom was obsessed with that.) A paper towel between the moving parts, a couple of turns of the crank, and that’s done. An electric opener would take up too much space in our compact kitchen, and a wall-mount wouldn’t fit well, either. ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2017, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-can-opener-that-lasts-longer-than-a-few-months/791875/50 "2017-07-25T15:26:32Z")
We went through many electric can openers too. Never lasted. I went to using a manual side cutting Pampered Chef model. We’ve had it for at least 10 years now and it’s still going strong! ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-can-opener-that-lasts-longer-than-a-few-months/791875/51 "2017-07-31T15:24:39Z")
We have a [Kuhn-Rikon](http://www.kuhnrikonshop.com/product/slim-safety-lidlifter-whitehttp://) side opener that’s 12 years old and it still works like a champ. The design has changed slightly but I highly recommend it. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-can-opener-that-lasts-longer-than-a-few-months/791875/52 "2017-07-31T15:29:39Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > I adore side-cutting openers! The concept is a delight! No sharp edges! Less wasted food trapped under the rim! > > But I do find that they don’t last as long as the other kind. Maybe they’re having to slice through a greater thickness of metal? I’ve had two side-openers. The first lasted about two years, and the second, also about two years old now, is starting to give me trouble. Time for a replacement. I’m using a Cuisanart side-cutter that I’ve had for almost 20 years. Still works just fine, although note that I am only occasionally a multiple-cans opener (when I make spaghetti sauce). ---
**Author:** ![Cayuga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Cayuga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cayuga)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-can-opener-that-lasts-longer-than-a-few-months/791875/53 "2017-07-31T17:13:46Z")
Count me among those who didn’t know a can opener could break. I bought one when I moved 15 years ago, and it still works fine. To the OP — and just out of curiosity: How many cans do you open a week? As someone upthread alluded to, these days I use the can opener a couple of times a month because most cans have pull tops. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-can-opener-that-lasts-longer-than-a-few-months/791875.md?page=2)