Which Bottle Opener?

[Tibs]

Of course, as we all know, here on Pistonheads......Drinking Matters!

So on that theme, ladies and gents, your recommendations on a new bottle opener/corkscrew are required.

No silly mega-bucks items please, something reasonable for using at home.

Whats worth buying?

[Switch]

I find all needs are catered for by a good waiters friend (sharp blade so pay a bit of money) and a barblade for showing off...

[RDMcG]

i use nothing but a waiter's corkscrew, and they are available at all sorts of prices. I have a very nice Laguouile that I was given, but most of them work well. As the previous poster, said, a sharp foil blade is definitely desirable.

[Davey S2]

I have 2 Le Creuset ones which are both excellent but this one is the most used.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Le-Creuset-Accessories-Act...

They do a cheaper one in plastic but the metal version is really well made. Comes with a foil cutter.

This is the other one I have. Again really well made and will last a lifetime.

[Johnnytheboy]

I've got one like this - minus the writing.



Have a feeling it was quite pricy as it was bought for me by a very generous friend, but it's got a lovely weighty feel.

Not much good at opening wine bottles with corks, mind you, but I don't drink wine, handily.

[jogon]

I find those Le Creuset ones a bit of a faff. As mentioned above, waiters ones our easiest and quickest, I have a Coutale Sommelier Prestige - £15-20. Does the job nicely.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vm4DkJK48Ag

[RacerMDR]

I have one of these - it's nice

http://www.amara.co.uk/products/oeno-box-vintage-c...

[Kneetrembler]

Switch said:

I find all needs are catered for by a good waiters friend (sharp blade so pay a bit of money) and a barblade for showing off...

+1..........use what a good waiter will use you can't go far wrong.

[Davey S2]

jogon said:

I find those Le Creuset ones a bit of a faff. As mentioned above, waiters ones our easiest and quickest, I have a Coutale Sommelier Prestige - £15-20. Does the job nicely.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vm4DkJK48Ag

Corkscrews are like watches though. Why spend £40 when something that costs £2.99 will do the job just as well?

• pats Omega Speedmaster*

[Tibs]

Thanks for the replies so far people, all good info, I'll look at a few at the weekend.

[Davey S2]

For away from the house a Swiss Army knife covers all bases

[21TonyK]

This is what I use

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Le-Creuset-Accessories-WT1...

[sherman]

Speaking in my professional capicty as a bar man. I have had the same pulltaps waiters friend(professional one) since I started 10years ago. It gets so much abuse its not funny and its still sharp. It cost about £17 when I bought it so I would assume they must be £20-£25 now.

Edited by sherman on Wednesday 6th February 16:40

[LooneyTunes]

Can't go wrong with a Pulltap or similar.

I've got maybe a dozen weapons at my disposal, but 9/10 times I'll reach for one of these: http://www.aroundwine.co.uk/serving-wine-accessori...

Just spotted this though: http://www.aroundwine.co.uk/serving-wine-accessori... which combines a Butler's Thief with a screw. Could see it coming in handy, albeit infrequently.

[Fishtigua]

+1 for a good Waiter's Friend. Learn to use it correctly and it'll be bees knees forever.

I was given a Screwpull kit one Christmas but the screw snapped off on a particularly tough Eiswein cork.

http://www.vine-yard.co.uk/screwpull-corkscrew-gif...

[21TonyK]

21TonyK said:

This is what I use

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Le-Creuset-Accessories-WT1...

Actually above is what we use in the bar at work. For home and elsewhere this is normally in my pocket.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Opinel-Knife-steel-blade-C...

[jogon]

Davey S2 said:

Corkscrews are like watches though. Why spend £40 when something that costs £2.99 will do the job just as well?

• pats Omega Speedmaster*

The one I suggested is half the price of your le creuset jobby.

Probably why I can afford a Rolex

[Flibble]

Davey S2 said:

For away from the house a Swiss Army knife covers all bases

I use mine in or out of the house, does the job.

[mattdaniels]

If the thing you are using to open your drink costs more than your drink, something is seriously wrong.

[LooneyTunes]

mattdaniels said:

If the thing you are using to open your drink costs more than your drink, something is seriously wrong.

That's like saying you shouldn't use the right tool for the job, even if you have it to hand and/or were given it.

Admittedly the law of diminishing returns does set in quickly with corkscrews...

Of course, you could just use a shoe: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHTADX5nxT8