How to open a tin can without a can opener...

[PALADIN85020]

Now, I've never had this problem, because my GI pocket knife has a can opener blade in it, and in the service I had a P38 can opener on my key chain. Pop-top beer and soda cans, of course, pose no problem at all. We're talking normal tin cans with food in them here.

First, DON'T use a knife to "chop" into the lid. It's dangerous, and like your mom probably warned you, you can cut yourself. Shooting the can will prove to be messy and will probably empty the can everywhere. Not recommended, either.

But I learned a new and safe technique for opening tin cans today, and I thought I'd repeat it for those of you who may be caught without the means to open a normal tin food can.

First, find a flat and even rough surface - a sidewalk will work, as will a tough rock with a surface on it that will accept the can being placed evenly on it, top down.

Some cans have a rounded bottom, and the other "top" side will have a lip around it - that's usually the side with expiration date on it. Some cans are lipped top and bottom. Pick the one or either of the two if there are two lips. Place the "lipped" side down on the rough flat surface. Recognize that the "lip" is actually a seal - the lid is a separate part underneath it.

Holding the can down evenly on the surface, start scraping it on the flat surface, back and forth, or if you prefer, rotating it. Use lots of downward pressure. What you will do is grind off the whole seal evenly. Don't just try to scrape off an edge. When you see liquid coming out of the can, stop. The seal has been broken. Use a knife, a key or similar slim object, slip it under the lid, and pry it off.

Done. Enjoy whatever's in the can.

Thought you might find this trick handy some day.

John

[Onomea]

Hey, that’s pretty good!

In keeping with the spirit of John’s post, here’s six ways to get a cork out of a wine bottle without a corkscrew: YouTube

[Chuck24]

We all have guns. Just saying

[Watchdog]

Originally Posted by PALADIN85020

How to open a tin can without a can opener...

Just curious...how did you discover this technique?

[PALADIN85020]

Originally Posted by Watchdog

Just curious...how did you discover this technique?

A survivalist showed it to me - he had to use it once.

John

[THE PILGRIM]

I was thinking about using a gun that will shoot the top of a can clean off!

[29aholic]

I have a P-38 on every key ring.

[Rustyt1953]

Originally Posted by 29aholic

I have a P-38 on every key ring.

I've had my original one for 48 years. I don't leave home without it.

[Rustyt1953]

Originally Posted by Collects

There is also the old standby - push the cork into the bottle, then pour.

True dat!!

[kwselke]

I just use my bare hands to rip the lid right off the can.



I have actually used a knife to cut open cans if I did not have a multi-tool with me. It was not hard, and what's the use of having 75 or 80 knives if you cannot abuse them occasionally.

[kwselke]

Originally Posted by Onomea

Hey, that’s pretty good!

In keeping with the spirit of John’s post, here’s six ways to get a cork out of a wine bottle without a corkscrew: YouTube

You do not have a corkscrew, but you have a bicycle pump?

That's why I buy wine in a box.

[BAM-BAM]

Originally Posted by PALADIN85020

A survivalist showed it to me - he had to use it once.

John

LOL I read it in a book a few years ago......... surviving TEOTWAWKI

Bought two bags of P 38 and P52 off of Amazon......"Cheaper than Dirt"!!!

[Sistema1927]

I was in a rural part of Spain (Alburquerque in Extremadura) a couple of years ago, and purchased some canned goods at the local tienda. There was no abrelattas (can opener) in the apartment I was renting. The tienda didn't have one, the "Chine" store (store selling cheap Chinese goods) didn't have one, but I finally found one for 1 Euro at the Ferrateria (hardware store) that was similar to a P38, but much larger. I had walked all over town looking for one.

That evening I used my abrelattas, and as I tipped the contents of the can into a saucepan I noticed that it had a pop top, on the BOTTOM!

Looking at all the other cans I discovered the same thing. No wonder the locals thought that the visiting gringo was nuts.

[Rustyt1953]

My mom still has one of these as a backup:

[steelslaver]

Interesting method. But, I never go anywhere except on an airplane without a good pocket knife. In the event of a plane wreck that I survive. There will be plenty of metal avalible and probably not many cans of food.

[joe44va]

Traded my P38 in on a P51.

[kwselke]

Forgive me, but I always loved this commercial.

YouTube

[Stevens]

I learned that trick in Mozambique in Africa in the late 70s when I was traveling there often on business. It has the advantage of leaving the top rim quite smooth, the Africans would then keep and re-utilize the empty can as a drinking "glass". This was way out in the country, the people there were dirt poor. Cans of food were from comodities donations from USA or European countries.
Steve W

[Texas Star]

Originally Posted by Sistema1927

I was in a rural part of Spain (Alburquerque in Extremadura) a couple of years ago, and purchased some canned goods at the local tienda. There was no abrelattas (can opener) in the apartment I was renting. The tienda didn't have one, the "Chine" store (store selling cheap Chinese goods) didn't have one, but I finally found one for 1 Euro at the Ferrateria (hardware store) that was similar to a P38, but much larger. I had walked all over town looking for one.

That evening I used my abrelattas, and as I tipped the contents of the can into a saucepan I noticed that it had a pop top, on the BOTTOM!

Looking at all the other cans I discovered the same thing. No wonder the locals thought that the visiting gringo was nuts.

Los tiendas no vende navajas suizas?

(I hope I just asked if none of those stores sold Swiss Army knives. Or Spanish copies, which can be pretty good. Aitor is one brand.)

I'm half lost without a Swiss Army knife, but used to carry a P-38 in a rubber coin squeezee. It tore the leather when carried in a wallet pocket.

Corkscrews in SAK's work, but larger ones work much better. I like the wooden ones with two handles.

I use an electric can opener at home.

[Sistema1927]

Originally Posted by Texas Star

Los tiendas no vende navajas suizas?

(I hope I just asked if none of those stores sold Swiss Army knives. Or Spanish copies, which can be pretty good. Aitor is one brand.)

I'm half lost without a Swiss Army knife, but used to carry a P-38 in a rubber coin squeezee. It tore the leather when carried in a wallet pocket.

Corkscrews in SAK's work, but larger ones work much better. I like the wooden one with two handles.

I use an electric can opener at home.

Close: *Las tiendas no vendían navajas suizas? Tienda is feminine, need a leading inverted question mark, and proper verb form.

You know, I didn't even think about that, I was so focused on the can opener that I didn't think about implements that might contain one.

[Texas Star]

Originally Posted by Sistema1927

Close: *Las tiendas no vendían navajas suizas? Tienda is feminine, need a leading inverted question mark, and proper verb form.

You know, I didn't even think about that, I was so focused on the can opener that I didn't think about implements that might contain one.

Why am I not surprised that the word for "store" is feminine gender?

Thanks for the help. I'll try to memorize that.

BTW, are you of Argentine origin, or do you just like Sistema 1927 Colt pistolas?

We do have an actual Argentine on the board, and he has to post in Spanish. I help where I can, but others are far more fluent in that tongue. I had one semester of Spanish, with a professor from Cuba. She had a hot temper and didn't like gringos, so I dropped her class.

[Sistema1927]

Nope, I just like the Sistema Modelo 1927.

[Golddollar]

Originally Posted by Texas Star

I'm half lost without a Swiss Army knife, but used to carry a P-38 in a rubber coin squeezee. It tore the leather when carried in a wallet pocket.

Is a coin caddy durable enough to be carrying a pointed P-38 can opener near some sensitive parts of anatomy?

[Frank46]

I kept all my p38's when I left my ship in '67. There has been one in every wallet I've had since then. My wife always buys some dumb electric can opener and when she is away I get stuck using it. She came home and noticed the electric one was gone. "Threw it out" she was told. Why" darn thing wouldn't stay on the lid". How'd you open the can. P38 to the rescue. Although she did get another electric one and I bought a nice hand operated one. Still use the hand cranked one. I do love Bush's baked beans with my tube steaks. Frank

[Dave_n]

All you need is a "Smart Pembroke Corgi". We came home one night to find an empty tuna can on the floor and a happy Corgi wearing a grin!!

He had very carefully used his canines to work his way around the can, then application of a careful paw-claw opened up the can and one hungry Corgi was hungry no longer.

[Rustyt1953]

Originally Posted by Golddollar

Is a coin caddy durable enough to be carrying a pointed P-38 can opener near some sensitive parts of anatomy?

While overseas, an old timer showed me how to gently crimp the hinge on my P-38 with a pair of pliers. It is still snug enough to stay closed until I want it not to be.