Which one do y'all like best, that's handy to take along?

P-38, P51, or the Coleman?

Thanks!

Virgil B.

this is the finest hand can opener design known to man...get it, or one of the many variants...preferably the oldest one you can find, will last forever and won't be chinee

Leatherman

P38 if I can find it in my pack. If not, I use the old Griptilian.

In with fishing gear, one of the GI style.[img]https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2918/4630/products/coghlans_can_opener_1200x1200.JPG?v=1527363362[/img]

(while we did include it with the camp kitchen, the one i suggested is not a compact, camper/hiker version)

Better because it's bigger and easier to handle - the Australian FRED. It's a P-38 with a longer handle shaped like a dinky spoon. Aussie Army guys call it the Effing Ridiculous Eating Device because the "spoon" is useless. But it's a great can opener.

In a pinch, a bayonet, or any big knife will work.

SSE;

What brand is the can opener you pictured???? Is it made in the USA???

Went looking yesterday, and found a two pack of P-38's ( made in Tiawan ) for $3.79

Will give them a go, next time I need to open a can.

Will keep looking for the Coleman, which seems to be a copy of the Australian Fred.

More leverage sounds like a good thing.

Virgil B.

Coincidentally, just noticed this thread going upstairs

The one I've mentioned is seen multiple times in this thread. Get one made anywhere but chinee. Got one in my camp bin i'll sell ya for 20 bucks...LOL

I've got one like this in my camp box. Not Soviet though, to the best of my knowledge.

https://www.[bleep].com/listing/676670987/vintage-metal-can-opener-soviet-can?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=old+can+opener&ref=sr_gallery-3-16

try again

you have any idea why the "bleep" in that address I posted?

Should be [bleep].com.

Some algorithm for this forum?

yep, won't let e t s y .com go through.

Not Politically Correct, but then that fits this site . . .
Want some entertainment, watch a left handed person use a P-38.

Try to only use cans with pull tabs when camping.

i remember those but didn't know they were called a P38

Those go back !

https://www.amazon.com/Veteran-Can-Opener-Made-USA/dp/B07J3STL8C/ref=sr_1_5?

Got this one off Amazon USA made ,half profits go to Pat Tillman Foundation. Two year warranty, one year in works great

That's it right there.

They aren't.

The P38 is a little folding sheet steel thing.
There has been one in my wallet for 30 some years.
Should see people look when you say "gimme that can" and
cut it open with the thing.

Makes a great screwdriver in a pinch.
The corner can even sub for a Phillips.

Got a local shop to order me a EZ-Duz-It can opener. Made in the USA!!!!!

Meanwhile, I'll use the P-38 I just got! It's great to have a back up!

And, I'll still pick up a Colman opener when I can find one locally.

Thanks guys!

Virgil B.

k thanks...of course i know what those are, too...never relied on them

Valsdad;

I haven't seen one of those short can openers in YEARS!

Used to keep one in my locker at work years ago, when I was still working.

Bet it was close to 50 years old!

Will start checking the second had stores for one of those,..... made in USA!

Thanks for posting!

Virgil B.

If you're packing canned food you may as well go all in. You want a swing-a-way can opener. Works great. Made in USA. Lasts forever.

Find them at walmart or amazon.

Victorinox makes these little things commonly referred to as "Swiss Army Knives."

They work amazingly well.

They have other things in them too.

I can remember a manual can opener from back in the late 50's or early 60's that didn't have a crank.

Just had a blade, like the P-38 but had a stamped steel handle about 4" long, similar to a steel potato peeler.

We had one in our camping gear when I was a young boy. Haven''t seen one in about 60 years.

Anyone else remember these?

Thanks! Virgil B.

Did some more research on a blade, or lever type can opener.

Saw one that had a wooden handle about 4" long.

It uses a rocking motion like the P-38 to open cans.

Pretty basic. Gotta see If I can find one of these.

They sure won't break down. Might get dull but should work forever.

Virgil B.

Do any pocket knifes have a can opener built in the blade?

tryin to open a 'can of worms'?

I have one of these,
(Image search) mid-century-danish-design-tin-can-opener

I have some laying around here and prefer them to the p38, I have one of the p38 on a key ring with a small nail in the blade hinge to keep it closed, but am not overly enamoured with it.

Fred is better.

I looked through all my "treasures" for my Swiss army knife yesterday, and seem to have miss-placed it,..... BUT!

I did find my Leatherman multi tool, and IT has a can opener!

Whipped open a can in about 30 seconds! It works GREAT!

Still looking for a FRED or Colman opener, just because!

Virgil B.

P.S. I see that Marbles makes a Spork can opener similar to the FRED, but it's made in CHINEE! (CRAP!)

d_mn right

I've carried the same P38 on my key ring for about 40 years now. It works fine.

Heading to the local military surplus store this AM.

Hopefully they will have a made in USA P-51 or maybe an Ausi. FRED.

Virgil B.

Rest assured, if they have anything of the type, it will be chinese knock off.

Went to my local surplus store.

They didn't have the FRED, but they did have a genuine USA P-38, GI issue can opener.

Will give it a try next time I open a can.

Also, saw pictures of a German made short can opener like valsdad posted pictures of.

Gotta check it out and see IF it's any good. German quality "should" be OK?

Virgil B.

The German short can opener is the West Mark.

Anyone have any knowledge of it?

Thanks! Virgil B.

I have had one of these in my kitchen for 40yrs, clean with a toothbrush and lube with olive oil. Don't know how long it will last.
As for p38 here is one made in US

https://www.amazon.com/P-38-Can-Opener-P-51/dp/B07NM2FF7C

charlee

Charlee;

Thanks for the testimonial !

Now, to see IF I can find one of these!

Virgil B.

That one in the picture has got to be close to 40 years old, or more, as I've had in my camp box since I can remember.

I love the swing away types, but didn't want to have one that big in my gear. My basic kitchen set up fits in a milk crate. Backpacking type set of pots, silverware for two, plates/bowls for two, two cups, large knife, spatulas, etc all in the box to the side:

I just cleand for the upteenth time it says 881 miracle roll.
internet
https://www.ebay.com/c/6030301239

I use the opener on my Swiss Army knife

Its come down to o9ing cans, and boiling water now!!!

Wabi, fix the "p" key on your machine/phone/ whatever you're using..

What makes you think it's the computer🤪

My big fat fingers make a lot of mistakes too.

Maybe wabi's are fatter and have more arthritic nodules than mine though?

I'm using my wife's now. "Look ma", 99999/0000000/?/pppppppppppppppp!!!!!!!!

A P-38 has been standard equipment on my key ring since 1974. Still works like the first time used.

I keep my P-38 in my wallet. Seldom use it though. miles

I thought everyone carried a P38 on their key ring?

I'm another one who depends on the can opener blade on my Swiss Army Knife. It too is almost always in my pocket. (And the beer bottle opener comes in handy also, and even on rare occasions I'll actually use the knife blade to cut stuff.) Heck, I don't even own a "regular" can opener for use in the kitchen- I just reach in my pocket and whip out the Swiss Army Knife.

I'm very happy with the way the can opener on my Leatherman works.

I'm keeping it in the kitchen now.

Virgil B.