Knife as emergency can opener?

[SpyderEdgeForever]

How many of you have used a knife as an emergency can opener?

I had a can of food and it had a pull tab. The pull tab broke so I pulled out my trusty Cold Steel AUS10 Air Lite folder and keeping my fingers clear, cut the top out. To my surprise that tempered steel tin can opened like it was wet paper.
I did this with a Spyderco Endura 4 in the past.

Both knives had no edge or point damage.
Miracle.
I heard that soldiers used Randall knives, Air Force Survival knives, and bayonets to open cans.

Google AI warns that this can leave metal shards in the food. Is that true?

[James Y]

I always carry a 2-layer Victorinox Spartan SAK in a pocket, in addition to whatever Spyderco I'm carrying. It cost me only around $25 when I got it to replace my older one several years ago, and it has a very effective can opener. It takes about 15 seconds on average for me to open a standard-sized can without a pull top, and it makes a pretty clean cut all around the circumference. No concerns about shards of metal getting into the food.

I know you're not asking about that, you're asking about using a knife blade. For whatever reasons, some people have an aversion to carrying or using an SAK, or some other easily-carried, purposely-built can opener, like a P-38, when sometimes that's the easiest and most practical solution.

Jim

[SpyderEdgeForever]

Jim I agree with you and I should dig up my SAK and carry that, too. For a while my EDC combo was the Spyderco Endura Foliage Green, Combo Edge with Saber Grind ( I love that model) with a Victorinox Tinker, red handle. I had both attached to a length of bright nylon rope as a lanyard and in case I dropped them in the woods I can find them easilly. I should go back to that, or carry all three, which includes the Cold Steel.

I am still amazed and thankful at the precision all three companies put into their knives.

[vivi]

tin cans are no match for a properly hardened knife blade.

I use whatever folder I'm carrying to puncture cans of Olive Oil at work without issue.

It dulls the blade ever so slightly with repeated use,but not enough to concern me. Doesn't even ding up the DLC.

[Doc Dan]

When I was young, we always used a knife to open cans when camping. I've used them at home to open cans that a can opener wouldn't touch. I've used my Spydercos, as well. I used my Coyote Urban to open some cans and posted the pictures on this forum. I think a knife should be able to do this without issue.

[Ankerson]

SAK is the answer.

[Ankerson]

When I was young, we always used a knife to open cans when camping. I've used them at home to open cans that a can opener wouldn't touch. I've used my Spydercos, as well. I used my Coyote Urban to open some cans and posted the pictures on this forum. I think a knife should be able to do this without issue.

These types of can openers will open any can.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

Thank you all for this.

What do you think if this as a good EDC set?

1 main knife or knives, like the Endura and Cold Steel.
2 one of those portable Can Openers
3 A pocket sized pry bar.
4 a pocket sized saw.
5 a fire sparking rod.
6 durable compass.
7 Bleeding stopper plus bandaids.
8 emergency blanket
9 Reusable titanium or steel Spork for eating.

Too much or good? The pry bar, saw, fire rod, etc can be attached to a lanyard?


2nd question:

If a true Zombie Apocalypse happened, where a Super Rabies virus turned living humans into rabid flesh eating monsters, would that above kit plus a large chopper knife and smart wits help the person survive?

[Doc Dan]

When I was young, we always used a knife to open cans when camping. I've used them at home to open cans that a can opener wouldn't touch. I've used my Spydercos, as well. I used my Coyote Urban to open some cans and posted the pictures on this forum. I think a knife should be able to do this without issue.

These types of can openers will open any can.

Until they wear out.

[Ankerson]

When I was young, we always used a knife to open cans when camping. I've used them at home to open cans that a can opener wouldn't touch. I've used my Spydercos, as well. I used my Coyote Urban to open some cans and posted the pictures on this forum. I think a knife should be able to do this without issue.

These types of can openers will open any can.

Until they wear out.

Takes a long, LONG, LONG, LONG time.

[Ankerson]

Thank you all for this.

What do you think if this as a good EDC set?

1 main knife or knives, like the Endura and Cold Steel.
2 one of those portable Can Openers
3 A pocket sized pry bar.
4 a pocket sized saw.
5 a fire sparking rod.
6 durable compass.
7 Bleeding stopper plus bandaids.
8 emergency blanket
9 Reusable titanium or steel Spork for eating.

Too much or good? The pry bar, saw, fire rod, etc can be attached to a lanyard?


2nd question:

If a true Zombie Apocalypse happened, where a Super Rabies virus turned living humans into rabid flesh eating monsters, would that above kit plus a large chopper knife and smart wits help the person survive?

1) What for?

2) no, one would need one heck of a lot more stuff than that.

And a BUNKER.

[u.w.]

When I was young, we always used a knife to open cans when camping. I've used them at home to open cans that a can opener wouldn't touch. I've used my Spydercos, as well. I used my Coyote Urban to open some cans and posted the pictures on this forum. I think a knife should be able to do this without issue.

These types of can openers will open any can.

Until they wear out.

LOL! That can be said of any item..

u.w.

[Halfneck]

Only time I used a knife to cut a can was in a Bushcraft class. I believe it was a Boker folder that I used to turn a can into a make-shift stove. Otherwise, there's so many better tools for the job - SAKs, or old military issue P-38 can openers. I had JRE Leather make a sheath I designed that incorporated a slot for a P-38 can opener. They're nifty little gadgets that have several uses beyond just opening a can.

[Blerv]

If I had to open a can and it was an emergency I’d use one of my cheaper knives, or anything necessary.

I’m trying to figure out the bleak future timeline where emergency can opening is a thing. I pray it never comes to that.

[Ankerson]

If I had to open a can and it was an emergency I’d use one of my cheaper knives, or anything necessary.

I’m trying to figure out the bleak future timeline where emergency can opening is a thing. I pray it never comes to that.

Opening a can would be the least of our worries.

[Blerv]

If I had to open a can and it was an emergency I’d use one of my cheaper knives, or anything necessary.

I’m trying to figure out the bleak future timeline where emergency can opening is a thing. I pray it never comes to that.

Opening a can would be the least of our worries.

Haha no kidding! I have more faith in my knives than my ability to wake up without coffee.

[Ankerson]

If I had to open a can and it was an emergency I’d use one of my cheaper knives, or anything necessary.

I’m trying to figure out the bleak future timeline where emergency can opening is a thing. I pray it never comes to that.

Opening a can would be the least of our worries.

Haha no kidding! I have more faith in my knives than my ability to wake up without coffee.

OMG yeah, you and me both.

[The Mastiff]

I've had a P38 on my key ring since I was in the army. I have never thought of using a knife as a can opener. Too dangerous IMO. By far the worst cut I had was from a can lid. It scraped stuff down to the bone and made a jagged curved cut. I use a can opener including P38's when needed.

[Doc Dan]

When we were kids, whether in the scouts, or just camping on our own, we didn't take a lot of stuff with us we didn't need. LRPs and other such meals weren't available, so we often took canned food. Yes, it was heavy. So, we opened the cans with our knives, which work like the P38s and zipped through the can lids. Fun stuff when you are a kid. This also taught us which knife companies could be trusted to make good quality knives.

[Brock O Lee]

SAK is the answer.

Agree.