Over the years we all have used one of these and we can curse up a storm when they get to the point when it stop cutting mid stream of opening up a can.
Which one of these you like and why?
Which one of these you like and why?
Manual can openers
- Thread starter cleanteamofny
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I liked the hand-held Swing-A-Way
when it was still made in the States. However, a well-meaning friend put mine in the dishwasher when my back was turned, and it has never worked as easily since. I still have it, though. (It is not as easy to turn as it was before it was dishwashered, and sometimes my hands are painful from arthritis.)
My current favorite is the hand-held OXO.
I open maybe 3 cans a week, so an electric can opener would be overkill. Plus, more soup cans are poptop, as are more fruit cans.....
Lawrence/Maytagbear[this post was last edited: 9/7/2012-00:09]
when it was still made in the States. However, a well-meaning friend put mine in the dishwasher when my back was turned, and it has never worked as easily since. I still have it, though. (It is not as easy to turn as it was before it was dishwashered, and sometimes my hands are painful from arthritis.)
My current favorite is the hand-held OXO.
I open maybe 3 cans a week, so an electric can opener would be overkill. Plus, more soup cans are poptop, as are more fruit cans.....
Lawrence/Maytagbear[this post was last edited: 9/7/2012-00:09]
dustin92
Well-known member
We have had several of the swing away can openers, and they all went in the dishwasher regularly. We now use one of the same style made by OXO and it goes in the dishwasher as well. I dont see how that would cause any issues.
I have always liked wall- or cabinet-mount Swing-A-Ways but lost track of the one my mom used to have.
I've been using hand-held openers for many years. Currently I'm using a "Pampered Chef" version of the type on Joe's link. Have had it for about ten years and it has no signs of wear since there's no real blade. It removes the lid at the seam and has a pair of small grips to lift the lid off. Your fingers never have to touch it.
The operation is counter-intuitive, as the opener is positioned flat/parallel to the lid instead of a conventional opener that is held perpendicular to the lid.
I only use my hand-held Swing-A-Way when I'm opening a can I'll want to drain, although with some skill this can still be done with an un-seamed lid.
I've been using hand-held openers for many years. Currently I'm using a "Pampered Chef" version of the type on Joe's link. Have had it for about ten years and it has no signs of wear since there's no real blade. It removes the lid at the seam and has a pair of small grips to lift the lid off. Your fingers never have to touch it.
The operation is counter-intuitive, as the opener is positioned flat/parallel to the lid instead of a conventional opener that is held perpendicular to the lid.
I only use my hand-held Swing-A-Way when I'm opening a can I'll want to drain, although with some skill this can still be done with an un-seamed lid.
arbilab
Well-known member
I've had the handheld SwingAWay longer than I can remember. At the time, they were advertising it "like the astronauts use" and it was NOT the shuttle. The handle/pinion nut is knurled. The spur/cutter is held to a rivet by a hexnut. So apparently it is infinitely maintainable, but mine has never needed it, works like new.
I have a Swing-Away handheld-but my Mom and Grandmother always had the Swing-Away wall mount ones.Mom gave me the Swing-Away handheld-still have it over 30yrs later-haven't used it-don't eat that much out of cans.the Campbells soup cans have the ring pull tops.The Swing-Aways always worked for me when I needed to use one.Haven't used the other ones.
toploader55
Well-known member
Hand Held or Wall mount Swing a Way
I have even used one for 4 years in a Commercial Application and it never broke down.
Swing a Way gets my vote
I have even used one for 4 years in a Commercial Application and it never broke down.
Swing a Way gets my vote
polkanut
Well-known member
I have 3 vintage Swing-A-Way openers 2 of which were found at estate sales over the years for les than $1. I have always put mine in the dishwasher and never any problems afterwhile. Vintage Swing-A-Way's are flawless performers for me.
retromania
Well-known member
Phil,
I never knew how those worked. Thanks for posting the photo.
I never knew how those worked. Thanks for posting the photo.
retromania
Well-known member
Swing-away..
Loved the old Sing-aways and Dazeys! My aunt had chrome one with red accents that she got with S&H Green Stamps.
Loved the old Sing-aways and Dazeys! My aunt had chrome one with red accents that she got with S&H Green Stamps.
spookiness
Well-known member
Swing-a-way
I have one, about 10 years old, and its starting to annoy me because it skips cutting halfway through the opening process.
I have one, about 10 years old, and its starting to annoy me because it skips cutting halfway through the opening process.
franksdad
Well-known member
We use an electric can opener but my Mama had a Swing-A-Way wall mounted can opener. It was located on the cabinet backsplash next to the stove. I also use the handheld Swing-A-Way from time to time. I have a small version of fido's can opener I take with me hiking or camping (which I haven't done in a while).
danemodsandy
Well-known member
Caveat Emptor:
Swing-A-Way handhelds can be great - if you choose the right one.
They make two models - a single-gear model and a twin-gear model. The more expensive twin-gear model has a gear to drive the cutting wheel, and a gear underneath the can rim with a wheel on it that holds the can in place. This arrangement drives the can in its circular path better, and holds the can firmly upright so that the cutting wheel isn't trying to cut at an angle. It is very rare for this model's cutting wheel to jump off the can rim.
The twin-gear model is the one that holds up and lasts; expect to pay $10-$12 for one. The cheaper single-gear model is not as good.
A Swing-A-Way handheld holds up to hand dishwashing just fine. I've never put one in a dishwasher, so I can't vouch for those circumstances.
P.S.: A lot of cheap Chinese-made can openers copy the Swing-A-Way double gear system. Trouble is, they don't last. I literally got only two weeks out of one from Target when I first moved to Iowa.
Swing-A-Way handhelds can be great - if you choose the right one.
They make two models - a single-gear model and a twin-gear model. The more expensive twin-gear model has a gear to drive the cutting wheel, and a gear underneath the can rim with a wheel on it that holds the can in place. This arrangement drives the can in its circular path better, and holds the can firmly upright so that the cutting wheel isn't trying to cut at an angle. It is very rare for this model's cutting wheel to jump off the can rim.
The twin-gear model is the one that holds up and lasts; expect to pay $10-$12 for one. The cheaper single-gear model is not as good.
A Swing-A-Way handheld holds up to hand dishwashing just fine. I've never put one in a dishwasher, so I can't vouch for those circumstances.
P.S.: A lot of cheap Chinese-made can openers copy the Swing-A-Way double gear system. Trouble is, they don't last. I literally got only two weeks out of one from Target when I first moved to Iowa.
Have had my OXO Good Grips can opener for several years now, and like it. Opens all cans easily including #10. Used to have an electric opener, but gave it away.
When I was real little, my mom had a Swing-A-Way that was mounted on the wall.
When I was real little, my mom had a Swing-A-Way that was mounted on the wall.
dirtybuck
Well-known member
Best can openers I had were made by Ekco. They lasted for I don't know how long until they literally fell apart while using them.
I'm now using a Farberware which looks similar to the black handled one in the pic.
I'm now using a Farberware which looks similar to the black handled one in the pic.
I have used a wall-mounted Swing-A-Way for years and it has never failed me. It can be a pain to keep clean, but it opens faster and easier than any other can opener I have tried - including electric ones.
nurdlinger
Well-known member
Swing-A-Way
I have two, the older of which I got when I was in college in the early 70s. Both work great. They are both the dual-gear variety and have been in the dishwasher hundreds of times. Perhaps the handle pivot is a little stiff, but no significant degradation in function is observed.
I don't think any one has mentioned, in the first posting photo the Swing-A-Way is the third one from the left.
I have two, the older of which I got when I was in college in the early 70s. Both work great. They are both the dual-gear variety and have been in the dishwasher hundreds of times. Perhaps the handle pivot is a little stiff, but no significant degradation in function is observed.
I don't think any one has mentioned, in the first posting photo the Swing-A-Way is the third one from the left.
