# My kingdom for a bottle opener. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 26, 2009, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kingdom-for-a-bottle-opener/497636 "2009-05-26T01:13:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BlueKangaroo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3d9bf3/32.png) [@BlueKangaroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlueKangaroo)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kingdom-for-a-bottle-opener/497636/1 "2009-05-26T01:13:26Z")
I just made myself a lovely steak & spinach salad, and went to grab a Strongbow to go with it. And there’s not a bottle opener to be found. I’m house-sitting for a friend for the next three months. While I knew her kitchen was small, and I knew she’s a teetotaler, I didn’t think about the fact that this might mean she wouldn’t have a bottle opener until it was too late. That’s okay. Water’s good too. Right? ---
**Author:** ![iwakura43](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de0a6/32.png) [@iwakura43](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iwakura43)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kingdom-for-a-bottle-opener/497636/2 "2009-05-26T01:15:24Z")
Use a [dollar bill](http://www.metacafe.com/watch/460195/open_beer_with_one_dollar_bill_college_survival_101/) ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kingdom-for-a-bottle-opener/497636/3 "2009-05-26T01:17:15Z")
> **[3 Ways to Open a Bottle Without a Bottle Opener - wikiHow](https://www.wikihow.com/Open-a-Bottle-Without-a-Bottle-Opener)** > > If you ever find yourself without a bottle opener, there are many alternative ways to get the bottle cap off. If you're around the house, you can use different tools and utensils to pry the cap off. While you're away, you may have enough... ---
**Author:** ![BlueKangaroo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3d9bf3/32.png) [@BlueKangaroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlueKangaroo)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kingdom-for-a-bottle-opener/497636/4 "2009-05-26T01:24:57Z")
Huh. That dollar bill trick is something else. I’m intrigued, but unsure. As for **Q.E.D.'s** link, I admit I looked at the nail clippers briefly, but never thought about the radiator. Clearly, I have investigating to do! ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kingdom-for-a-bottle-opener/497636/5 "2009-05-26T01:27:28Z")
They list, BTW, my preferred method: > [@](#): > > 1. Place the teeth of the crown against the edge of a counter top, steel car bumper, or anything with a solid surface and sturdy edge. > 2. Hold the bottle with your non-dominant hand as you would if drinking from the bottle, and apply mild pressure by pulling down. > 3. Place your dominant hand about (3) three inches above the bottle cap. > 4. Strike the cap with the palm of your dominant hand, without hitting the counter top or bumper. Do this with just enough force to move the bottle only a few inches. > 5. If done with minimum force and speed, you will keep the contents inside, and not damage the bottle or yourself. ---
**Author:** ![BlueKangaroo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3d9bf3/32.png) [@BlueKangaroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlueKangaroo)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kingdom-for-a-bottle-opener/497636/6 "2009-05-26T01:29:09Z")
I thought about that before posting, actually, but didn’t know the correct technique (never done it before). My boyfriend, who just called, and I are debating what method I should use. He’s pushing me to do it with a dollar bill. Of course. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kingdom-for-a-bottle-opener/497636/7 "2009-05-26T01:37:08Z")
Does she have a [can opener](http://preparednesspro.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/can-opener.jpg)? Most of those have a little notch for opening bottles on the side. Or you could just bring the Strongbow over here. I’d be happy to help you open it! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![BlueKangaroo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3d9bf3/32.png) [@BlueKangaroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlueKangaroo)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kingdom-for-a-bottle-opener/497636/8 "2009-05-26T01:40:09Z")
No, she doesn’t, **WhyNot**. That’s the first thing I looked for, as I assumed she wouldn’t have a dedicated bottle opener. I’ll bring the other five tomorrow, though. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kingdom-for-a-bottle-opener/497636/9 "2009-05-26T01:47:46Z")
She doesn’t have a can opener? What is she, a witch? Who doesn’t have a can opener? 😕 Well, good luck. See ya 'morrow. ---
**Author:** ![Nanoda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Nanoda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nanoda)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kingdom-for-a-bottle-opener/497636/10 "2009-05-26T01:55:43Z")
When my hotel room was similarly under-equipped, I used a method similar to \*\*Q.E.D.\*\*s, only with the bathroom door hinges and my hiking boot. (This was after trying to shut the cap in the door jamb, which just chewed up the door. :o) ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kingdom-for-a-bottle-opener/497636/11 "2009-05-26T02:17:32Z")
The fulcrum method using a Bic lighter has been used successfully over 13,552,004 times, with the vast majority occuring outside Grateful Dead concerts… Once you have it down, you will never need a bottle opener again. (seriously) ---
**Author:** ![BlueKangaroo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3d9bf3/32.png) [@BlueKangaroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlueKangaroo)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kingdom-for-a-bottle-opener/497636/12 "2009-05-26T02:29:05Z")
Okay, at my boyfriend’s insistence, I tried the dollar bill method. I succeeded in tearing the bill. It turns out she has rounded counter tops, so that’s out. I don’t have a lighter anywhere. The situation, it turns dire. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kingdom-for-a-bottle-opener/497636/13 "2009-05-26T02:41:06Z")
Sweeet…we might have a full six pack tomorrow! 😛 Oh, hey, wait! You have 5 other bottles. [You can open one bottle with another bottle](http://www.instructables.com/id/To-open-a-beer-bottle-with-another-bottle/). And since you’re not drinking all 6 (and I have at least one bottle opener), you don’t have to worry about how to open the last bottle! ---
**Author:** ![BlueKangaroo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3d9bf3/32.png) [@BlueKangaroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlueKangaroo)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kingdom-for-a-bottle-opener/497636/14 "2009-05-26T02:41:38Z")
Well, the boyfriend tried with a dollar too. All he managed to do was stab himself in the hand with a bottle cap. Then he cheated and used a damn opener. I tried finding my opener in my boxes (no luck), briefly tried a steak knife, then a butter knife. Eventually I tried a fork, and that did it. Finally. My kingdom for a bottle opener. Seriously. Sorry, **WhyNot**. Only five tomorrow. Or I can stop for another sixer, if you’d like. ---
**Author:** ![Yorikke](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yorikke/32/4335_2.png) [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kingdom-for-a-bottle-opener/497636/15 "2009-05-26T03:39:51Z")
It’s quite easy to pry the cap off with a butter knife. Don’t use a sharp one, obviously. Joe ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kingdom-for-a-bottle-opener/497636/16 "2009-05-26T03:51:05Z")
A sharp rock man! Anything. If you have a bottle and cannot open it, you are seriously under-motivated. Our ancestors evolved and fought and died for millions of years, and you are sitting and looking at a bottle and wondering how to open it? Good Lord man! ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kingdom-for-a-bottle-opener/497636/17 "2009-05-26T03:51:40Z")
If you have a car handy, you can use the part on the frame that the where the latch hooks on to. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kingdom-for-a-bottle-opener/497636/18 "2009-05-26T03:56:40Z")
You see, this is why I carry a Swiss Army Knife. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kingdom-for-a-bottle-opener/497636/19 "2009-05-26T04:01:22Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > If you have a car handy, you can use the part on the frame that the where the latch hooks on to. :smack: Where the DOOR LATCH hooks on to… ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kingdom-for-a-bottle-opener/497636/20 "2009-05-26T04:59:46Z")
I’ve opened bottles with my teeth on occasions…and not screw top ones, either. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kingdom-for-a-bottle-opener/497636.md?page=2)