Another American institution is no more.
Swing-A-Way can openers are now made in China.
Swing-A-Way can openers are now made in China.
R.I.P. Swing-A-Way
- Thread starter joeekaitis
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I love Swing-A-Ways! Another item to start watching for in the thrift stores and garage sales as the ones made in China will fall apart if they don't kill you first.
danemodsandy
Well-known member
I Hate It!
Several years ago, I had occasion to call Swing-A-Way's corporate headquarters in St. Louis. I had found a 1967 Sears Best wall-mount can opener in a thrift, and I knew from the design of the can magnet that Swing-A-Way had made it. The can opener was missing its wall bracket (ain't it always the way?), and I was trying to get a new one.
Lorraine in Customer Service knew exactly which model I was talking about, and told me that I had a very good can opener there. She told me there were only a few brackets left in stock, and quoted me the price. She also asked if there was a small pin on the bottom of the unit, near the rear. Hearing that there was none, she made sure I understood that I needed a new one (it holds the can opener in position on the bracket), and that I'd need to order that, too.
I sent off a payment, and within days, the bracket arrived- for a can opener that was over thirty years old! It was a textbook example of excellent consumer relations and customer service. I am sad to hear that Swing-A-Way is shifting operations to China, and I hope Lorraine's next employer knows how lucky they will be to have her.
Several years ago, I had occasion to call Swing-A-Way's corporate headquarters in St. Louis. I had found a 1967 Sears Best wall-mount can opener in a thrift, and I knew from the design of the can magnet that Swing-A-Way had made it. The can opener was missing its wall bracket (ain't it always the way?), and I was trying to get a new one.
Lorraine in Customer Service knew exactly which model I was talking about, and told me that I had a very good can opener there. She told me there were only a few brackets left in stock, and quoted me the price. She also asked if there was a small pin on the bottom of the unit, near the rear. Hearing that there was none, she made sure I understood that I needed a new one (it holds the can opener in position on the bracket), and that I'd need to order that, too.
I sent off a payment, and within days, the bracket arrived- for a can opener that was over thirty years old! It was a textbook example of excellent consumer relations and customer service. I am sad to hear that Swing-A-Way is shifting operations to China, and I hope Lorraine's next employer knows how lucky they will be to have her.
Oh, this is sad,
but...everyone (me, too) who insisted on lower than low prices, and everyone who has shopped at Wal*Mart (and to lesser extents, K-Mart and Target) is partially to blame here.
Yes, we have sold our industrial base out from under us, but it is time to move ahead, and figure out what's the next correct thing to do.
As much as possible, I have been buying resale instead of new for the last few years. At first, it was purely economic, but now, it's a decision.
Lawrence/Maytagbear
but...everyone (me, too) who insisted on lower than low prices, and everyone who has shopped at Wal*Mart (and to lesser extents, K-Mart and Target) is partially to blame here.
Yes, we have sold our industrial base out from under us, but it is time to move ahead, and figure out what's the next correct thing to do.
As much as possible, I have been buying resale instead of new for the last few years. At first, it was purely economic, but now, it's a decision.
Lawrence/Maytagbear
andrewinorlando
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Recently, I was in need of a new heavy duty cast iron pipe wrench. I went to the local Homo Depot where they had some nice red 14" pipe wrenches that were made in China for about $15. Next to them were the box of Husky pipe wrenches, solid as a rock and made in the USA. It killed me to do it and spend the $48 for the Husky, but I did. Not saying the quality of the Chinese made wrenches was better or worse since I honestly don't know, but Husky at least gives a lifetime warranty on their wrenches. But that's a big price difference for anyone.
red_october
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Chinese Crap...
I bought a huge pair of Chinese-made ripoff vice-grip pliers (I actually like the ripoff types better because of they way they open versus real vice grips) for like $6 at a discount store, a few years later the metal had warped and they wouldn't grip tight anymore but rather bend to the side and slip off. I threw them away.
The only time to buy chinese-made crap tools is for an item you will use maybe 3 times a year or so (a lot of oddball automotive tools are like this). If it's something you use regularly, like a screwdriver, a pliers, or, yes, a Stilson wrench, (and especially anything that has a lot of force put on it), you should stick to American made tools.
I bought a huge pair of Chinese-made ripoff vice-grip pliers (I actually like the ripoff types better because of they way they open versus real vice grips) for like $6 at a discount store, a few years later the metal had warped and they wouldn't grip tight anymore but rather bend to the side and slip off. I threw them away.
The only time to buy chinese-made crap tools is for an item you will use maybe 3 times a year or so (a lot of oddball automotive tools are like this). If it's something you use regularly, like a screwdriver, a pliers, or, yes, a Stilson wrench, (and especially anything that has a lot of force put on it), you should stick to American made tools.
nurdlinger
Well-known member
Too good...
I have two Swing-A-Way devices. One is over 35 years old, the other must be 25. Some rust on the cutters and pinch wheels is all that is wrong with them.
I have two Swing-A-Way devices. One is over 35 years old, the other must be 25. Some rust on the cutters and pinch wheels is all that is wrong with them.
irishwashguy
Well-known member
I am sad about this
This was one thing that I also read the label on and was happy to see that they were actually made here. I reciently bought one from Mrs. Cooks, a kitchen store in Seattle, for ten dollars, pretty resonable really. i was glad to spend it, plus, not only being good, i bought it from someplace that will put the money back into the community. Now that they are made in China, they will just fall apart, if i do not die from the lead paint that seaped though when I opened the can.This is a true and real tragidy indeed. I wish they could see the real value in keeping jobs here, and American industral instiutions.
This was one thing that I also read the label on and was happy to see that they were actually made here. I reciently bought one from Mrs. Cooks, a kitchen store in Seattle, for ten dollars, pretty resonable really. i was glad to spend it, plus, not only being good, i bought it from someplace that will put the money back into the community. Now that they are made in China, they will just fall apart, if i do not die from the lead paint that seaped though when I opened the can.This is a true and real tragidy indeed. I wish they could see the real value in keeping jobs here, and American industral instiutions.
Another one gone...
I grew up with a Swing-A-Way hand held opener and inherited my grandmother's (in lovely avocado) when we sold their house. I've used it for 20 years and just last year bought a couple of brand new Swing-A-Way openers at a sale, in red. I was amazed at the difference in performance of the "new" one - much easier and more smooth cutting. I also have a NIB wall-mounted model (in sunny yellow) that I'm saving for I don't know what, but I'm glad I have one - that will probably last the rest of my life and be passed on to my son or grandchildren someday...
I grew up with a Swing-A-Way hand held opener and inherited my grandmother's (in lovely avocado) when we sold their house. I've used it for 20 years and just last year bought a couple of brand new Swing-A-Way openers at a sale, in red. I was amazed at the difference in performance of the "new" one - much easier and more smooth cutting. I also have a NIB wall-mounted model (in sunny yellow) that I'm saving for I don't know what, but I'm glad I have one - that will probably last the rest of my life and be passed on to my son or grandchildren someday...
63getelevision
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My mom put this in the door frame of the pantry in '61. It has served us for at least 50 years.
polkanut
Well-known member
I have 3 Swing-Away openers that I wouldn't trade for the world. They work better than any electric opener I've tried, vintage or new.
There was something in either the NYT or Wall Street Journal today referencing Ayn Rand. It was something like if you do not invent or manufacture (there are 2 more that I cannot remember) products, your economy has no bedrock for growth. That is the pickle we find ourselves in. What does this country do except swap financing, move our business base off shore and pay chief executives insanely high salaries? The dollar is at an all time low against the Euro and countries are moving their investments away from the dollar (dumping dollars was the terminology used)in favor of the Euro. For the first time in 70 years, I think I read, the U.S. and Canadian dollars are equal in value.
"But that's a big price difference for anyone."
Actually, when you consider how many times you actually buy a pipe wrench (or a table lamp, or a frying pan or a can opener) it really isn't that much.
Here's what I find ridiculous: People (normal people, mind you) will pay $100 for a shirt or $200 for shoes made by slave labor simply because it has a swoosh or a silly pony or the name of some dumb designer plastered all over it. Label queens will pay hundreds of dollars for the same sort of product with a higher end swoosh or pony or designer name.
If people weren't so insecure about their own personal taste, and would learn to recognize product placement and to analyze advertising, we'd be in a much better place. But that probably falls under the category of "secular humanism" or "critical thinking" ;-)
Actually, when you consider how many times you actually buy a pipe wrench (or a table lamp, or a frying pan or a can opener) it really isn't that much.
Here's what I find ridiculous: People (normal people, mind you) will pay $100 for a shirt or $200 for shoes made by slave labor simply because it has a swoosh or a silly pony or the name of some dumb designer plastered all over it. Label queens will pay hundreds of dollars for the same sort of product with a higher end swoosh or pony or designer name.
If people weren't so insecure about their own personal taste, and would learn to recognize product placement and to analyze advertising, we'd be in a much better place. But that probably falls under the category of "secular humanism" or "critical thinking" ;-)
Actually the last time the Canadian dollar was at par and sometimes worth more than the US dollar was November 1976 I believe, it tanked about 2001 at roughly 62 cents.
Sad day indeed
You mean we can't even make a can opener in the USA? Or did big-bad big-box retailer threaten the manufacturer to make in China?
I visit Benton Harbor Michigan from time to time. You mean you can't throw up a factory there for those people who need jobs? I've been buying vintage as much as humanly possible now. The Chinese stuff is garbage and I'm now working hard to buy American even more. Bought a WEBER grill the other day, made in ILLINOIS! Hooray!
You mean we can't even make a can opener in the USA? Or did big-bad big-box retailer threaten the manufacturer to make in China?
I visit Benton Harbor Michigan from time to time. You mean you can't throw up a factory there for those people who need jobs? I've been buying vintage as much as humanly possible now. The Chinese stuff is garbage and I'm now working hard to buy American even more. Bought a WEBER grill the other day, made in ILLINOIS! Hooray!
andrewinorlando
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American Made Microwave Ovens
Does anyone know if there are any American made microwave ovens on the market besides DCS? They're about $700 for the microwave/convection model, but if it lasts as many years as my Kenmore has, it's a bargain. Don't want to buy Chinese made, or foreign made oven, but will need a new one when I remodel the kitchen soon. The Kenmore is just too big and can't be built in, though at 20 years old, it still works beautifully. It's in there roasting an oven full of turkey drumsticks right now!!
Does anyone know if there are any American made microwave ovens on the market besides DCS? They're about $700 for the microwave/convection model, but if it lasts as many years as my Kenmore has, it's a bargain. Don't want to buy Chinese made, or foreign made oven, but will need a new one when I remodel the kitchen soon. The Kenmore is just too big and can't be built in, though at 20 years old, it still works beautifully. It's in there roasting an oven full of turkey drumsticks right now!!
We had a Swing-A-Way can opener attached to the door frame in our kitchen when I was growing up. It had an ice crusher attachment, too; you removed the pin and replaced the can opener with the ice crusher, which worked by turning a crank. I didn't even know the company still existed. Obviously not what it once was. Sad.
It's hard to even find shoes anymore that aren't made in China!
It's hard to even find shoes anymore that aren't made in China!
American microwaves
The last remaining microwave-oven manufacturer on American soil is SHARP.
If you find any microwave that says "Made in USA", it must have come out of the SHARP plant - regardless of the branding. I own the same oven that Andrewinorlando wants to buy. That microwave-convection unit is a great unit and you'll love it.
The last remaining microwave-oven manufacturer on American soil is SHARP.
If you find any microwave that says "Made in USA", it must have come out of the SHARP plant - regardless of the branding. I own the same oven that Andrewinorlando wants to buy. That microwave-convection unit is a great unit and you'll love it.
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