There were many things in this type of “self opening” cans at the time, but eventually, the current sealed cans were cheaper to produce so everyone had to get a can opener of some kind.
Church key: what some people called a can piercer. We just called it a can punch. Commonly had a gripper on one end to open pop bottles and that sharp V shape on the other to pierce pop and beer cans.
Funny story: on our way to Disneyland in 1960, we stopped at a campsite. The gentleman from the adjacent site came over to ask my Mom if she had a can opener. She offered him the crank kind, he said, no, he meant the one for opening drinks. Mom said: “You want a punch then?” The fellow said: “No thanks,” and beat a hasty retreat.
You can have Egg and baconEgg, sausage and baconEgg and spamEgg, bacon and spamEgg, bacon, sausage and spamSpam, bacon, sausage and spamSpam, egg, spam, spam, bacon and spamSpam, spam, spam, egg and spamSpam, spam, spam, spam, spam, spam, baked beans, spam, spam, spam and spamLobster thermidor aux crevettes with a mornay sauce garnished with truffle paté, brandy and a fried egg on top and spam
I remember that there were two ways to use these, winding around the outside of the container, and winding across the top of the container, both had a high probability of breaking before getting it completely done…
Coffee cans, Spam cans, sardine tins — those are the ones I remember. And BOY was I glad when they were replaced. Just prying them loose was a pain and then there was the seemingly endless cranking around the coffee can.
Cornelius Noodleman over 2 years ago
It’s a non electric nose picker!
rekam Premium Member over 2 years ago
I remember it being used to open a sardine tin.
Renatus Profuturus Frigeridus Premium Member over 2 years ago
I’m old enough to remember when there was no expiry date on the can.
Say What Now‽ Premium Member over 2 years ago
They are still around.
allen@home over 2 years ago
Sadly i’m old enough to remember them as well.
Last Rose Of Summer Premium Member over 2 years ago
Me too….sigh
nicka93 over 2 years ago
There were many things in this type of “self opening” cans at the time, but eventually, the current sealed cans were cheaper to produce so everyone had to get a can opener of some kind.
A Common 'tator over 2 years ago
Was there a left-handed version?
Troglodyte over 2 years ago
What can it be, Aunty?!
bookworm0812 over 2 years ago
My dad used to eat sardines all the time so I remember that.
blunebottle over 2 years ago
Church key: what some people called a can piercer. We just called it a can punch. Commonly had a gripper on one end to open pop bottles and that sharp V shape on the other to pierce pop and beer cans.
Funny story: on our way to Disneyland in 1960, we stopped at a campsite. The gentleman from the adjacent site came over to ask my Mom if she had a can opener. She offered him the crank kind, he said, no, he meant the one for opening drinks. Mom said: “You want a punch then?” The fellow said: “No thanks,” and beat a hasty retreat.
gopher gofer over 2 years ago
i’m curious why you have to be old enough to remember something that’s still in common use today…
or is that only in japan?
dflak over 2 years ago
Where does it plug in?
Is it compatible with Alexa?
dflak over 2 years ago
You GIs may remember what a “John Wayne” is.
It had nothing to do with a “Mae West.”
Neither of these terms apply to movie stars.
seanfear over 2 years ago
wait, you mean they don’t use it anymore?
Barnabus Blackoak over 2 years ago
They are still used for corned beef cans
CorkLock over 2 years ago
Ya wine twit – ya still open corn beef with a “key”.
DM2860 over 2 years ago
You can have Egg and baconEgg, sausage and baconEgg and spamEgg, bacon and spamEgg, bacon, sausage and spamSpam, bacon, sausage and spamSpam, egg, spam, spam, bacon and spamSpam, spam, spam, egg and spamSpam, spam, spam, spam, spam, spam, baked beans, spam, spam, spam and spamLobster thermidor aux crevettes with a mornay sauce garnished with truffle paté, brandy and a fried egg on top and spam
1953Baby over 2 years ago
S-O-O-O much easier than these “push-down-and-turn” or “Just pull tab” or any of those other “child-proof” openers. . .
fuzzybritches over 2 years ago
Yeah, me too!
Jeffin Premium Member over 2 years ago
Oh no! More Spam in my inbox.
goboboyd over 2 years ago
A very early iteration of the Pull Tab. But have a needle nosed pliers in the drawer as a backup.
pheets over 2 years ago
Spam key!!
Maester Brow Premium Member over 2 years ago
But where did they all go? Maybe they are hanging out with those metal things the cleaners sent back with your shirts?
ChessPirate over 2 years ago
I remember that there were two ways to use these, winding around the outside of the container, and winding across the top of the container, both had a high probability of breaking before getting it completely done…
arizjim over 2 years ago
Cans of SPAM
Robpollock66 over 2 years ago
SPAM!!!!!!, and canned ham
DebUSNRet over 2 years ago
P3.
cuzinron47 over 2 years ago
And you probably still wear bloomers.
Kevin Roth Premium Member over 2 years ago
So am I. O.o
John9 over 2 years ago
I think one of my older brothers stuck one of those in my back when I was younger. They thought I was a wind-up toy.
bakana over 2 years ago
Me too, and I never liked the Sardines it opened.
rbullfogg over 2 years ago
Spam too!
MFRXIM Premium Member over 2 years ago
You probably still have a skate key too!
ericlscott creator over 2 years ago
Nose hair extractor.
crazeekatlady over 2 years ago
Grampa put them on the fishing poles so we could fish, without hooking each other. The swat hurt less than an embedded hook, just saying.
dogday Premium Member over 2 years ago
Coffee cans, Spam cans, sardine tins — those are the ones I remember. And BOY was I glad when they were replaced. Just prying them loose was a pain and then there was the seemingly endless cranking around the coffee can.
FreyjaRN Premium Member over 2 years ago
Earlier in the episode, there was a bad Hungarian translation sketch. “My hovercraft is full of eels.”
olmon over 2 years ago
I’m old enough to have used them many times