Can openers

[Stump Water]

 

[Forty Rod SASS 3935]

On 12/4/2025 at 3:11 PM, Stump Water said:

 

So that's what that thing was for.  My dad had one the the first one and we never knew what it was for.  Great grandpa of the P-38.

 

He gave it The Cache Valley Pioneer Museum when I was still in high school so now I know.  Finally I can sleep nights not wondering  (Not really.)  

 

I hadn't thought of it in about 65 years.)

Edited December 6, 2025 by Forty Rod SASS 3935

[watab kid]

i still got one of those handy little GI versions , 

[Forty Rod SASS 3935]

Only one?  

[watab kid]

3 hours ago, Forty Rod SASS 3935 said:

Only one?  

well no , i have a few , just not sure where all of them are anymore because i stashed them in all those places you might want them in emergency gear - i do have too many "bug out bags" these days - gotta condense one of these days , i know there is one in the car , one in the back room , and one in the boat [its in storage] and i think there is one in my wallet , in my coat pocket , i just dont open cans that much anymore unless they have a pop top , 

[sassnetguy50]

Do you thumb the edge of the fresh cut lid as he does in the video?

[Stump Water]

Hasn't been much improvement over the 1920 version.   Other than more ergonomic handles and crank, the one in the drawer in the kitchen is pretty much the same.

[John Kloehr]

8 hours ago, watab kid said:

... i do have too many "bug out bags" these days - gotta condense one of these days , i know there is one in the car ...

My car ones are best described as "get home" bags or "wait for a tow" bags. Do have a "bug out" bag at home. All have some cash in them, socks, and water. Besides the actual home bug out bag, (time permitting) I would be grabbing my range bag (with the most complete first-aid kit), my computer bag, and a few other items. I have a list for these items and more including grabbing prescriptions.

 

As to a can opener, this and some utensils, paper towels, aluminum foil, and more are in a foam ice chest I use for travel too.

 

A comprehensive bugout would take me 15 minutes. When the forest started burning near my place on the mountain, I left almost everything there. Maybe 5 minutes to hook up the RV. That had enough critical stuff to last a few weeks.

[Rip Snorter]

I carry a "John Wayne" on my keyring as well have for decades.  Lacking a can opener at TEOTWAWKI, you can open a can by rubbing the rim on concrete.  Won't be bugging out - win or lose on my own ground.

[Big Sage, SASS #49891 Life]

20 hours ago, watab kid said:

i still got one of those handy little GI versions , 

I also have one, it's the one I got in basic training in 1963 at Ft. Polk. I put it on my dog tag chain and I still have it.

Edited December 5, 2025 by Big Sage, SASS #49891 Life

[watab kid]

5 hours ago, John Kloehr said:

My car ones are best described as "get home" bags or "wait for a tow" bags. Do have a "bug out" bag at home. All have some cash in them, socks, and water. Besides the actual home bug out bag, (time permitting) I would be grabbing my range bag (with the most complete first-aid kit), my computer bag, and a few other items. I have a list for these items and more including grabbing prescriptions.

 

As to a can opener, this and some utensils, paper towels, aluminum foil, and more are in a foam ice chest I use for travel too.

 

A comprehensive bugout would take me 15 minutes. When the forest started burning near my place on the mountain, I left almost everything there. Maybe 5 minutes to hook up the RV. That had enough critical stuff to last a few weeks.

good that you were able to hook up in that instance - not experienced that and dont want to from what i saw on TV , glad you were able to get away , 

[watab kid]

2 hours ago, Big Sage, SASS #49891 Life said:

I also have one, it's the one I got in basic training in 1963 at Ft. Polk. I put it on my dog chain chain and I still have it.

mine is a little older in that it belonged to my FIL - he actually gave me a half dozen , 

[Buckshot Bear]

Works without fail

 

[Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984]

Most of us know the P38 which came with C-rats. Amazon also hasa 50% larger thing called P51. Was P51 ever issued? where?

[Sedalia Dave]

12 hours ago, Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984 said:

Most of us know the P38 which came with C-rats. Amazon also hasa 50% larger thing called P51. Was P51 ever issued? where?

 

 

Yep, it was issued with T-Rats.  Designed for #10 institutional cans used in field kitchens.

 

NSN is 7330-01-289-8827.

 

I

[watab kid]

4 hours ago, Sedalia Dave said:

 

 

Yep, it was issued with T-Rats.  Designed for #10 institutional cans used in field kitchens.

 

NSN is 7330-01-289-8827.

 

I

did not know that , mine are all P38s , i dont think ive ever sennthe P51 version 

[Alpo]

4 hours ago, watab kid said:

did not know that , mine are all P38s , i dont think ive ever sennthe P51 version 

P38 on the bottom

 

 

Okay you got me. Split ring on the bottom.

[Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984]

11 hours ago, Sedalia Dave said:

 

 

Yep, it was issued with T-Rats.  Designed for #10 institutional cans used in field kitchens.

 

NSN is 7330-01-289-8827.

 

I

Ok how would you get a P51? In a case of #10 cans? or??

 

Certainly not Amazon next day delivery.

😛

 

Edited December 7, 2025 by Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984

[Sedalia Dave]

1 hour ago, Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984 said:

Ok how would you get a P51? In a case of #10 cans? or??

 

Certainly not Amazon next day delivery.

😛

 

 Wanna bet?  😛

 

 Amazon sells them by the dozen.

 

 

[Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984]

Just now, Sedalia Dave said:

 Wanna bet?  😛

 

 Amazon sells them by the dozen.

 

 

Oh, I know that, was wonderin' how the Army distributed them.

[Eyesa Horg]

1 hour ago, Sedalia Dave said:

 Wanna bet?  😛

 

 Amazon sells them by the dozen.

 

 

I love the picture of using a P51 to open a pop top can!!

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

I have a P-38 on one of my key rings - it was my Dad's and it is marked US G.G. Greene 1951 

[watab kid]

15 hours ago, Alpo said:

P38 on the bottom

 

 

Okay you got me. Split ring on the bottom.

the split ring ive seen before but thanks for the photo - now i understand the size difference well ,