ScruffyChimp

Hi,

This is a very specific question: there are small folding can openers (P-38 or P-51, depending on size), that are based on the old US Army ones. I was just wondering if they are durable enough to take on a long tour, or if they fall apart quite quickly? Does anyone have any experience with these?

Thanks,
James

MichaelW

They work well and are fairly durable, but you should really carry a multi-tool/leatherman/swiss army knife which has a can opener.

staehpj1

They work fine. I can't see myself needing anything better. Even if it was marginal, I don't open many cans when touring.

indyfabz

I tend to open a number of cans and find the P-51 works fine, even with my meaty hands. I have had the same one for several years now.

A riding buddy who was in the Navy told me the joke is that it's called the best thing the military ever invented.

Tony Marley

They work fine, but I have not had, or even seen, one for years...

andrewclaus

Yeah, I haven't seen a can opener since the advent of foil packs. But the last one I carried, way last century, was a P-51. It's still around somewhere.

staehpj1

I think mine are P38s. I bought a dozen for under $5 just to have a lifetime supply.

FWIW, They are easy enough to find online and places like Campmor, Ace Hardware, Bass Pro, Cabelas, and so on have them.

djb

being a plane nut as a kid, all I see is Lightning and Mustang.

these type of openers have worked well when I have used them, but I have used the same can opener on the same simple Swiss Army knife I have owned for decades and it works just fine, although I too don't open a ton of cans.

the obvious handy thing about a multi knife or tool is that you won't ever lose or misplace a small can opener like these P ones. I still find my Sw army knife handy as it is my knive, cork opener etc, and I've always tied some orange rope on the lanyard to help keep track of it.

Leebo

Small swiss army knife for me. Bottle, can and cork screw with 2 knife blades, works well.

indyfabz

I bought mine from a local "Army Navy" store. It was less than $1. They had large numbers of both models. The security guard at the store was ex-military and showed me how to use it.

Tourist in MSN

I usually use a Victorinox (one of the brands of Swiss Army knife). But a friend of mine tried that and it was a disaster for him, he did not realize that it works better if you are right handed.

If I am going to need to open 6 oz tomato paste cans which are much smaller in diameter than most cans, I bring a tiny little antique Ekco can opener that works better on small cans than the swiss army knife. The one I use looks like this one:
Vintage Ekco Miracle Roll Can Opener USA | eBay

Biketouringhobo

[QUOTE=ScruffyChimp;18513366]Hi,

This is a very specific question: there are small folding can openers (P

yes

fietsbob

I'm With Leebo The Blade in the SA Knife .. But now they make a Lot of pull tab Opening Cans .



Handle of the SA knife offers more leverage to tear open the steel..

Doug64

I've had the unfortunate experience of opening way more cans than I'd like to think about with a P-38. I still have several in my gear box. They do what they are designed to do very well. However, I usually carry a small Swiss Army knife on tours. It slices cheese better than a P-38.

Steve0000

I have had the same one for over 30 years now and it is the only opener I take with me on tours. So yes, it is durable and very compact. I like the look of others when they ask for a can opener and I give them this one. They have no idea of how to work it but are impressed when they see it working.

Joe Minton

Been using P-38s since I was 11. I'm 74 now and have two of them one of which is my original -- about the only thing I've never lost. ;o)

Joe

Have an Ekco in the kitchen drawer and another in the toolbox in the garage (it is a keeper as it belonged to my mother).

ScruffyChimp

Thanks everyone - it sounds like what I'm looking for. Last tour, I carried a larger can opener and a separate corkscrew. I'm going to ditch the corkscrew - I only bought 1 bottle of wine and it was a screw cap bottle.

For the can opener, I don't want to just hope that all the cans I encounter have a pull tab. I'm aware of the Swiss Army knife option, but I already have a Victorinox knife (which does not have the can opener) and I'd prefer not to replace it because they're really expensive.

Thanks again.
James

MichaelW

You can get left-handed SAKs.

djb

Understand, the basic model I have had for years has 2 different sized knives, cork remove, leather pinch, flathead screwdriver, can opener,,, that might be it. These models are probably some of the cheapest but do cover lots of uses, so perhaps keep an eye out on prices of these sort of models, as I've used mine for probably 30 years. Handy because it replaces a number of separate things.
But understand that these cheap small openers will work well for you.
Cheers

djb

I'm sorry but my Enigma machine is on the blink this morning, what do you mean?

BigAura

I still carry my P-38 that I bought in the 1960s (army surplus I think). Lots of cans are pop-top now but I don't care, either way it's easily opened.

I have a micro-carabiner that keeps my eating utensils and P-38 together. It's easier to find and harder to lose that way.

Happy Feet

click on his user name and look at his 10 posts so far...

I really don't know what possesses people to do stuff like that. It's like trolling with no hook.

GP

I haven't used one for years but would have no problem at all using a P38 as my only can opener. My Swiss Army Knife has an opener but a P38 sounds like a good option if you're otherwise satisfied with your knife.

chrisx

For about 35 years there has been a p38 on my key chain.
The real p38 lasts for years, if you can still get one. The fed uses mre meals now, they no longer make a USP38
The made in china p38 breaks after so many cans. solution carry 2 on your key chain. I forget, does it say shelby p38?

I have not used a can opener for 35 years. I have opened every can witha p38, they work fine, no need for anything else.

not a p51
because
the bigger opener puts a bigger gash in your thumb when it slips of the can

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70cqwjEm76s

fossil49

Still using u.s. vietnam era p-38s. durable would be an understatement. don't know about the newer ones.