So, I’m looking online, and seeing various places selling the old P-38 style can openers. None of them seem to be selling for very much (I saw one going for about $3 on one website, claiming to be quality-made, and a set of 5 on another site for about $2.50, making no reference of quality).
So, I guess the question is, does anybody here recommend a particular vendor for buying one of these can-openers? I’m kinda curious to see if it’s the be-all-end-all o f can opening technology I’ve heard it made out to be (on an unrelated note, I was highly amused to see an Army recruiter produce one from his dogtag chain when the subject came up).
Almost every store with any camping accessories (which includes Wal-Mart and Target) will have these on the shelf. They’re not likely to be top-quality, but they’re probably a lot less than $3. Even the cheap ones work pretty well, and they don’t really wear out, though if they’re crappy they may bend. Anyway, I expect you could easily get one and try it out.
Be-all-end-all? Probably not, but they’ll open virtually any can, including rectangular ones. They’re simple to use, fairly quick, and extremely easy to store (and lose). Not my first choice for the kitchen, but very definitely part of my camping gear.
Here’s an interesting site. I notice the minimum lot of P-38’s is 25, and of the larger P-51 it’s 10. Which brought to mind: the internet, or any place that has to ship something to you, may not be the best way to buy something that typically costs less than a dollar. You’ll pay more for shipping than for gas to go buy one locally.
Any real, or faux Army Surplus store will have a can full of them on the counter by the register. Probably under a dollar. Look for them by the fake hand grenades.
