The can-opener is a tool with a lot of history.
It first appeared on the very first Swiss Army Knife in 1891. The original design was dedicated solely to the task of opening cans. It had a claw like hook, with a sharpened edge, and a protrusion for resting on the edge of the can. The can was pierced with the 'claw' until the protrusion hit the can rim. The opener was then worked around the edge of the can pulling the claw upward and cutting through the steel. It was somewhat awkward (and dangerous!) to use - as it leaves a very sharp and ragged edge!
The Victorinox and Wenger can-openers were almost identical, and both companies used this design for several decades, in their military and non-military models.
Editor's note: Need image
Victorinox
In 1945 Victorinox brought out a new design and supplied their Officer's models with a can-opener that was almost identical to the Wenger can-opener in the bottom image below. The Victorinox Officer's models were supplied with this can-opener until 1951. The Soldier models continued with the original can-opener until the 1961 Soldier was introduced, when they switched to the current design.
The contemporary version (patented 1951) is much easier to use than the original, and also has the addition of a small slotted screwdriver that can also be used for Phillips screws. The width of the screwdriver end is roughly 3mm and the steel has a hardness of RC 52. When this tool was introduced the can-opener and screwdriver swapped positions in the frame of the knife. The blade on the contemporary version is more versatile and has been used with wire shielding, snap-back watch cases, and other small blade short-cut duties where the shorter tool length, and thicker blade, provides better control.
The can-opener tool now also has a much 'younger' cousin, the Combination Tool.
84mm Can-opener Evolution
Estimated Dates:
- A: Late 50s early 60s (Alox model)
- B: Late 60s early 70s
- C: Late 70s early 80s
- D: Late 80s through 90s
- E: 2005 and later
Usage Instructions
The can is opened by working the tool away from the body.
Wenger
Original Wenger-Unique Design
The original Wenger uniquely designed can-openers were v-shaped, or some say dog-leg style, with a single, sharpened, straight edge. This tool probably came into being in the mid-1960s.
The way to use this older-style tool was to pierce the top of the can with the tip, and then tilt the tool until the v-notch was riding along the lip of the can; then pressing the SAK downwards levering on the notch and working the sharp edge upwards, cutting the lid, and working away from the body, around the lip of the can.
There is a small diagram of how to use the tool imprinted on the front-side of the tool. There is a nail-nick on the tool's tip edge.
Early versions of the Wenger Original Can-opener
| Later Version of the Original Can-opener
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Later Design
Wenger changed over to a different style of can-opener around 1975. This later design was originally a Victorinox patent that they stopped using back in the 1950s, when they switched to their current design (see the Victorinox section above). This can-opener was used in Wenger Swiss Army Knives up until their retirement in 2013.
The tool comprises a single curved instrument with a sharpened, pointed, straight edge, resembling a claw of sorts.
The can is opened by working the tool towards the body.
This tool is also useful as a small strong blade, sharp scraper or package-opener, and has several other uses beyond opening cans.