UKC

After a close call not long ago, I thought it might be an idea to get a can opener that is small and light enough to permanently live in my cooking set, but robust enough to last more than a couple of uses.

I've already tried tiny folding ones. No good. And proper ones with a wheel blade and turning handle would be too big.

In my mind I picture something like that found on a swiss army knife, but without all the other bits. Does anyone have any suggestions for/experience of something like this?

In reply to TeeBee:

I use one of the old school one like this and haven't had any problems.

http://www.1900s.org.uk/tools-kitchen-images/tin-opener.jpg

In reply to TeeBee:

The folding type that you reckon are no good are actually better than most can openers sold for kitchen use. We used to use one as our main can opener for years. What's wrong with them?

ALC

In reply to TeeBee:

I don't get why you aren't just taking a swiss army knife anyway? And why is a normal one too big??

anyhoo - there are these:

http://www.sportingsupplies.co.uk/contents/media/l_pk122_000.jpg

http://www.clasohlson.com/medias/sys_master/8873172467742.jpg

http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/yy261/Boerseun1/Image20.jpg

I'd shop around for the little folding ones. I had a very old one that was passed down to me that was fantastic, and then bought a new one which was rubbish. A good little folding one is the best option you will find for a dedicated device.

Maybe try some army surplus style stores?

In reply to tlm:

My Leatherman opens cans, but I get it out a lot, it lives in the easy access bit of my bag, there is a chance I can loose it or drop it. Knowing I have a tin opener in my match box is piece of mind that I definitely eat. Sounds like the OP has had a close call in the past...

In reply to TeeBee:

Only buy stuff with ring-pull cans? Shame they aren't all like that.

Though from experience of building bean-can catapults with Scouts, they aren't *quite* as strong.

Neil

In reply to Neil Williams:
Ditto.
otoh, if I was wildcamping I wouldn't take tins of anything, way too heavy for my preference! And if car camping, I'd just take the tin opener from the kitchen.

In reply to tlm:

Agreed - Essential camping kit: tin opener, bottle opener, corkscrew, saw. Hell, there is even a knife on there !

In reply to Welsh Kate:

If you take dried food, that makes sense. If you carry Wayfarers or the likes, remember that the actual tin weighs next to nothing!

Neil

Sorry, I probably should have explained better - the folding ones I've tried previously folded sideways (and so just bent after a few uses), rather than out of a handle.
A swiss army knife was the fall-back plan, but it seemed a bit silly having all the other stuff I wasn't going to use - those ones tlm suggests look like they'd be worth a look.

Generally I do just try to take cans with ring-pulls, but wasn't paying attention last time. I know they're relatively heavy, but I figure a bit of 'fresh' tuna in olive oil can do wonders for morale.

Thanks all for the suggestions!

In reply to TeeBee:
I'd second the folding can openers although I did have 'fun' using an ice axe to open a tin of tuna.

In reply to TeeBee:


Asda do sachets of tuna, which although relatively expensive would be lighter for carrying than tins and get round the tin-opener problems.

Personally I have never yet managed to successively open a tin with a Swiss Army Knife tin-opener, but find the one on my Leatherman OK to use.

In reply to Jenny C: If you get the technique right ( a sort of rolling wrist motion) Swiss Army knife tin openers are the bees knees, very quick and easy.

Tuna sachets is a good suggestion

In reply to TeeBee: http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/gelert-g-i-camping-can-opener-p118110?gclid=CKW...

Never had a problem with these myself.

The tuna sachets aren't such a bad idea though.

In reply to TeeBee: The folding type you used to get in army rat packs always worked for me. Army surplus store should have them by the bucket load!! Dont take a bucket load camping tho... that would be overkill!!!

In reply to TeeBee: some questions just don't need to be asked

In reply to TeeBee:

Tiny folding ones no good?

I've had my tiny military issue can opener since 85 and it has been everywhere and opened every tin, best bit of kit I've been issued:

http://www.thearmystore.co.uk/acatalog/Tin_Opener.html