In a world of electric gadgets, can a manual Victorinox can opener still make the cut? We put it to the test to find out.
I used to think of can openers as the simple and utilitarian tools that they are. But since trying the Victorinox can opener, my perspective changed completely.
A good can opener, as I found out, should feel sturdy in your hand, grip the can securely, rotate effortlessly, and open the can smoothly—without leaving any sharp edges.
The Victorinox can opener is made in Switzerland. A European import, it’s less readily available in stores than many of its U.S. and Chinese counterparts, like the KitchenAid can opener, in the same price range. You can mostly find it on Amazon, as well as in select restaurant supply stores online.
Despite this, I was on the hunt for a can opener that wouldn’t break after a dozen uses and wouldn’t make opening a can feel like a “Mission: Impossible” scene. So, I decided to go ahead and splurge on it: I bought it from Amazon, gave it a try, and wrote this review.
The Victorinox can opener has a stainless steel head with an integrated bottle opener and two polypropylene-coated handles that can be purchased in two colors: classic Swiss Army knife red and black. The construction is sturdy, and the steel is noticeably thicker than that of cheaper can openers on the market.
One side features a pair of rotating wheels with gears, angled for tight gripping of the can’s edge. Given Victorinox’s reputation for Swiss design and meticulous attention to detail, it’s likely that considerable thought went into achieving that precise angle.
On this side, there’s also a sign labeled “OIL” with two arrows: One arrow points to the rivet at the joint of the two handles, and the other to the free gear not operated by the lever. The arrows show you exactly where to apply oil, should the tool require maintenance after years of use.
On the opposite side, you’ll find a knob made of polypropylene. This is the knob you rotate to open the can. The knob is designed with wings, which have two sides: one smooth and one ridged. The ridged surface ensures a sturdy grip and makes the can-opening more secure and efficient.
Although I had reservations about the knob being made of plastic, it seems like Victorinox has designed it with durability in mind.The underside is left uncovered, revealing the internal structure and supporting walls that run across its sides. I found this design feature reassuring; it gives the impression of being built to last.
This, perhaps, is a good time to mention Victorinox’s global limited lifetime warranty. The Swiss army knife maker guarantees “a lifetime against defects in material and workmanship,” per the page about the warranty on its website, for all of its products (excluding abuse, misuse, and normal wear and tear).
I’ve struggled with can openers that leave jagged edges, or worse, bits of metal in my food, and found using the Victorinox can opener a breeze. First, open the handles. Next, slide the mechanism onto one side of the can. Then, close the handles to lock the mechanism in place and turn the knob to start opening the can. The lid comes off smoothly, without leaving any rough edges or metal shavings—just a cleanly cut can.
It took me a couple of tries to figure out the best angle for attaching the opener to the can. Like any new gadget, there’s a learning curve. You’ll want to exercise a bit of caution during your first few uses to avoid any mishaps. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be rewarded with a cleanly cut can, free of rough edges or metal shavings.
What about cleanup? I found that to be a breeze, too. The Victorinox can opener is dishwasher safe, so you can toss it in with your other utensils. No need to manually clean the rotating mechanism—a time-saver and an advantage over other tools that can only be washed manually.
One thing to note: At 7 inches (ca. 18 cm) long and 1.7 inches (4.32 cm) wide, this can opener does take up a bit more space in the kitchen drawer than some other models. For me, that’s a small price to pay for a reliable tool that gets the job done every time.
So, what’s the bottom line? Is the Victorinox can opener worth it? That really depends on your needs.
If you find yourself opening cans frequently and are looking for a manually-operated tool that could last for years or even decades, this is undoubtedly one of the best options on the market.
However, it’s priced higher than many other models, so you’ll need to decide if the long-term benefits justify the upfront cost. Are you the type of person who values durability and performance enough to invest in a top-of-the-line can opener?
If so, this can opener from Swiss army knife maker Victroinox might just be the perfect fit for you.
