Does anyone else have a problem with can openers? you buy a new one,it opens three cans then starts to skip.

Question

I pay the extra amount to purchase the better model, but they fail also. It would be expected to wear in time, then have to be replaced, but not within the same month. I do not care for the motor driven models, I had them, and they fail as well.

Answer 1

The only kind I ever buy is Swing-away.  They last for years and years and I've never had one skip on me.  For $7 it's the best there is.  We even used one in a big chain restaurant because they didn't like the counter-top opener for sanitation reasons.

My brother got the kind that cuts from the side and the lids were hard to get off.  

http://www.amazon.com/Swing-A-Way-1707-S...  

Answer 2

I have a kitchenaid mixer, great mixer, so I saw a KA can opner, peice of junk, you cant get better than SWINGAWAY

Answer 3

I use a Swing-A-Way as well, and when it starts to skip, it's time for an alignment. The nut that holds the cutting wheel edge in place can become loose from the pressure placed on it.

The other obvious tip is to stay away from dented amd banged-up canned goods.

Answer 4

The problem with most of the current designs is poor materials and poor assembly. They should work in theory but when several million are mass produced the finer tolerances are lost and they can sheer, fracture, misalign or just plain fall apart. Cost is NO guarantee as lots of designs are just that....fancy design but little or no longevity built in. The whole idea behind the manufacture of average standard designs is that you will probably want a new one in a few months.

The aswer is to go back to the tried and tested Victorian designs. They might be hand operated and hard work but they will continue to work for generations. Do you remember? The ones that were issued with tins of bully beef. They were issued to the army in the old days  and seldom broke fractured or bent. Alternatively, go for one included on a multi-purpose folding knife. Not the fancy Chinese variety but good old fashioned Swedish, Swiss or Sheffield steel. I have one permanently in my travelling kit and it has stood the test of time.

  So no more fancy Chinese manufactured goods but go for steel of a better standard and a design that has been proven by age. Best of luck!