All About Pocket Knives

I have a question about camper, or scout knives. Most have a spear or clip blade, a screwdriver-bottle opener and/or a can opener, a punch blade, and maybe a corkscrew (for when you open a bottle of wine to go with your canned pork and beans you just opened out in the woods!).But I have seen some that have an unusual "lobster claw" blade or implement as well, and I don't know what that is, or what it might be used for. Can someone enlighten me, please? Many thanks!

I believe you are talking about a can opener.

Need to see a picture of it.




M.B.

Can opener is probably right. Those little things have evolved over the years, now not bearing much resemblence to how they were originally made. It is helpful to learn the differences to more easily date knives.

http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-PAL-BLADE-B ... 7C294%3A50

I don't mean to be contentious, but I don't see how THAT could be a can opener.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Utica-Kutmaster-Cam ... 7C294%3A50

THAT is a can opener, with a screwdriver-bottle opener on the opposite end.

http://www.auctiva.com/hostedimages/sho ... 0&format=0

That is an even better example of what I am talking about. The blade or implement often has a thumb or finger stud on its upper edge, and the handle of the knife may have a notch cut out for it. The inner curve of the blade is honed for cutting.

I think the reason they replaced the "lobster claw" is because they were difficult to use.
I've used one a couple of times just to see how worked; it got the can open but it sure wasn't pretty!

Dale

I believe the older style cut the can open on the up stroke of the opener. The newer style, that you are familiar with slices the can open on the down stroke of the opener. The newer style won't leave razor edges of can metal ready to attack your knuckle as you open the rest of the can. It just gets you when you try to pop the lid out of the can..

Well, fellas, I guess I will take your word for it, but I STILL don't see how that would be a very good can opener at ALL!!

You're right, they were terrible can openers, that's why they upgraded to a different style. And since you're bringing a bottle of wine so you can get to use the cork screw, might as well take the battery operated can opener too, it's much easier to use