The Gear Journal

Tman · 01-09-2011, 01:31 PM

Who here carries a P38 can opener on their key ring? I have had one since I was a kid. Saved the day many times at BBqs and even at teh first HAMB drags to open the beans. It is one thing that literally takes up no room on your keychain.

Rashy · 01-09-2011, 03:23 PM

I used to. Don't even remember what happened to it....

Tman · 01-09-2011, 11:08 PM

We should just call each other since we are the only ones posting today!

Rashy · 01-10-2011, 04:37 AM

No kidding!

We'll get it to pick back up...

JohnMcD348 · 02-22-2011, 02:51 PM

I had one but gave it to my Dad years ago. The newer cheaper tin ones just aren't worth the weight they add to your key ring. If I could find some of the older steel ones I'd have one on every spit ring, glove and utility box I own.

jerry · 04-05-2011, 09:33 PM

I've got one on my keychain , along with a folding church key.

Have a spare set put back in case something happens to the ones I carry now.

jerry

Bruce Lancaster · 07-12-2011, 09:59 AM

I still have one from my Father, vintage about 1944. Love the things, never leave home without one. Someday someone will come up with a really workable sleeve or clip to hold them shut so they don't open up your pocket and leg...
There is also a slightly obscure but findable P-51 which is the same thing but about 20% larger...very nice, and the size change makes no real difference on a key ring.
Search then on advanced google...there are sites out there with history, anecdotes, original blueprints and contract specs, lots of neat can opener geek information.

One site even shows a Nazi knockoff...the Germans copied the design right at the end of WWII, but too late to change the outcome! Thank God they didn't have this tech in 1939...

I understand the German equivalent before that required a crew of five and two trucks.

plym49 · 11-21-2011, 08:43 PM

Late to the party, but I do, too - and have since the 1970s.

You can see that it is well worn:

Click image for larger version

Name: IMG00209-20111121-2328.jpg
Views: 139
Size: 68.2 KB
ID: 323

CaliNapco · 12-01-2011, 03:58 PM

Mine lives in my backpacking "10 essentials" stash bag.. had it since '72....

Tman · 12-23-2011, 12:58 PM

Just used mine the other night. I need a P51 for the camp kit.

01-09-2011, 01:31 PM	#1
Tman Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 153	P-38 can openers Who here carries a P38 can opener on their key ring? I have had one since I was a kid. Saved the day many times at BBqs and even at teh first HAMB drags to open the beans. It is one thing that literally takes up no room on your keychain.

01-09-2011, 03:23 PM	#2
Rashy Super Moderator Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 155	Re: P-38 can openers I used to. Don't even remember what happened to it....

01-09-2011, 11:08 PM	#3
Tman Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 153	Re: P-38 can openers We should just call each other since we are the only ones posting today!

01-10-2011, 04:37 AM	#4
Rashy Super Moderator Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 155	Re: P-38 can openers No kidding! We'll get it to pick back up...

02-22-2011, 02:51 PM	#5
JohnMcD348 Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 41	Re: P-38 can openers I had one but gave it to my Dad years ago. The newer cheaper tin ones just aren't worth the weight they add to your key ring. If I could find some of the older steel ones I'd have one on every spit ring, glove and utility box I own.

04-05-2011, 09:33 PM	#6
jerry Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: phx az Posts: 15	Re: P-38 can openers I've got one on my keychain , along with a folding church key. Have a spare set put back in case something happens to the ones I carry now. jerry

07-12-2011, 09:59 AM	#7
Bruce Lancaster Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 7	Re: P-38 can openers I still have one from my Father, vintage about 1944. Love the things, never leave home without one. Someday someone will come up with a really workable sleeve or clip to hold them shut so they don't open up your pocket and leg... There is also a slightly obscure but findable P-51 which is the same thing but about 20% larger...very nice, and the size change makes no real difference on a key ring. Search then on advanced google...there are sites out there with history, anecdotes, original blueprints and contract specs, lots of neat can opener geek information. One site even shows a Nazi knockoff...the Germans copied the design right at the end of WWII, but too late to change the outcome! Thank God they didn't have this tech in 1939... I understand the German equivalent before that required a crew of five and two trucks.

11-21-2011, 08:43 PM	#8
plym49 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 13	Re: P-38 can openers Late to the party, but I do, too - and have since the 1970s. You can see that it is well worn: Last edited by plym49; 11-21-2011 at 09:31 PM.

12-01-2011, 03:58 PM	#9
CaliNapco Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 25	Re: P-38 can openers Mine lives in my backpacking "10 essentials" stash bag.. had it since '72....

12-23-2011, 12:58 PM	#10
Tman Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 153	Re: P-38 can openers Just used mine the other night. I need a P51 for the camp kit.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode