Jim S. is himself of the era that knew and used “church keys.” He surely must also be aware that they have not been in general use for nearly four decades. Apparently he could not let that knowledge get in the way of a good line.
Being very closely related to a micro-micro-brewer, I can attest that the term is still in use among those who absorb this product. Maybe RamonaLisa bottles her own.
Most of my beer-snob friends have either that type of opener or the loop-headed kind ready to hand. We’re a Killian’s-Guinness-Pete’s crowd and we tend to assume that any non-threaded cap requires an opener.
I do remember the giant Hi-C and Hawaiian Punch cans from my childhood, and using the pointy end of the opener on them.
Not quite four decades, NotFromIceland–I saw Fraser Vale frozen berry “packets” (the oblong kind, opened with “church key”) with instructions to use that same tool as late as 1979 in Calgary.
We ussed that tool for evaporated milk cans. They didn’t have a rim that would work with other can openers. I didn’t learn the term “church key” till much later. As a minister’s daughter I was as naive as Slim.
Must be a lot of non-cooks and non-bartenders here. Church keys are still quite common and have many uses. Check out the section where kitchen utensils are sold in the grocery store.
Just thought I would mention that, for those who are interested in reading the strip for FRIDAY, JUNE 26 - you can find that at
HOUSTON COMICS at
http://www.chron.com/apps/comics/showComics.mpl
Gasoline Alley is on the left, under black and white. Just scroll down to the comics beginning with G!
Also in the upper right hand corner of that web page - you will find instructions for building your own comics page. You can choose to view your favorite comics either four or six per page. Once you have your Comics page built, remember to bookmark the first page so that you can continue returning to your own personal comics lineup.
And commenting on today’s (2009/06/26) strip: wait till Upton finds out the computers are unupgraded 386’s (with 3.1) and the “silverware” is all plastic!
Where is June 26th’s Gasoline Alley???
I heeded a church key to open my last 24 bottle’s of Coor’s Lite, and expect to need it for the next 24, Mark Trail!
The Duke 1 about 15 years ago
marktrail just try to open Fat Tire, Mighty Arrow or any one of a number of microbrews without one!
axe-grinder about 15 years ago
I hadn’t heard that one. Now I have been educated: http://www.just-for-openers.org/Church-Key.html
lewisbower about 15 years ago
Yes grampa, I know what a church key is
prasrinivara about 15 years ago
I never knew the suggested tool for opening oblong frozen-fruit (such as Fraser Vale strawberries/raspberries) was termed as “church key”!
NotFromIceland about 15 years ago
Jim S. is himself of the era that knew and used “church keys.” He surely must also be aware that they have not been in general use for nearly four decades. Apparently he could not let that knowledge get in the way of a good line.
alondra about 15 years ago
I never knew those things were called church keys.
stringmusicianer about 15 years ago
Church keys? I’ve never heard them called anything else.
About anything imported requires one. I guess Ramona Lisa just has expensive taste in beer.
harebell about 15 years ago
Being very closely related to a micro-micro-brewer, I can attest that the term is still in use among those who absorb this product. Maybe RamonaLisa bottles her own.
hansr about 15 years ago
I keep one within reach because “You never know!”
Handsaw about 15 years ago
How many of you remember that the “other” end was used to open metal cans?
nelson-muntz about 15 years ago
I use one for my Samuel Adams
axe-grinder about 15 years ago
I remember the type of opener Jim has drawn mostly for punching the two triangular holes in big cans of Hi-C Juice Drinks.
Paul1963 about 15 years ago
Most of my beer-snob friends have either that type of opener or the loop-headed kind ready to hand. We’re a Killian’s-Guinness-Pete’s crowd and we tend to assume that any non-threaded cap requires an opener.
I do remember the giant Hi-C and Hawaiian Punch cans from my childhood, and using the pointy end of the opener on them.
axe-grinder about 15 years ago
They’re good for removing old grout and caulk.
prasrinivara about 15 years ago
Not quite four decades, NotFromIceland–I saw Fraser Vale frozen berry “packets” (the oblong kind, opened with “church key”) with instructions to use that same tool as late as 1979 in Calgary.
SidSnomann about 15 years ago
I know…I have asked before. Why does Ramona Lisa look like she is wearing diapers?
poppsy about 15 years ago
Got one on the table don’t have to twist that way
Saucy1121 Premium Member about 15 years ago
Those are “Daisy Dukes” Sid, aka short-shorts or hot pants.
marvee about 15 years ago
We ussed that tool for evaporated milk cans. They didn’t have a rim that would work with other can openers. I didn’t learn the term “church key” till much later. As a minister’s daughter I was as naive as Slim.
stringmusicianer about 15 years ago
Must be a lot of non-cooks and non-bartenders here. Church keys are still quite common and have many uses. Check out the section where kitchen utensils are sold in the grocery store.
DebJ4 about 15 years ago
Just thought I would mention that, for those who are interested in reading the strip for FRIDAY, JUNE 26 - you can find that at
HOUSTON COMICS at http://www.chron.com/apps/comics/showComics.mpl
Gasoline Alley is on the left, under black and white. Just scroll down to the comics beginning with G!
Also in the upper right hand corner of that web page - you will find instructions for building your own comics page. You can choose to view your favorite comics either four or six per page. Once you have your Comics page built, remember to bookmark the first page so that you can continue returning to your own personal comics lineup.
axe-grinder about 15 years ago
RE: Gasoline Alley, June 26, 2009 The scoundrel!
Thanks, Deborah, for the help, and it’s good to see you back. I always enjoy your comments, and feel that I haven’t seen any from you lately.
prasrinivara about 15 years ago
And commenting on today’s (2009/06/26) strip: wait till Upton finds out the computers are unupgraded 386’s (with 3.1) and the “silverware” is all plastic!
martinkvanhorn about 15 years ago
Where is June 26th’s Gasoline Alley??? I heeded a church key to open my last 24 bottle’s of Coor’s Lite, and expect to need it for the next 24, Mark Trail!
tcambeul about 15 years ago
I used church keys, no self respecting beer drinker was without one.
pbarnrob about 15 years ago
Makes me think of Back To The Future; our boy trying to twist off a pop bottle cap…