Kitchen Accessories

Recent Kitchen Accessory Reviews

P-51 U.S. Military Can Opener

I used it in the Marines and it works great and seems to get sharper with use. I have opened hundreds of C rations with it. Nowadays just camping.  A great can opener and lightweight. Full review

P-38 U.S. Military Can Opener

No man or woman should be without one. Not everything has a pop top or a bag zipper. Only an idiot could cut himself/herself using a P-38. I have had one on my key chain and with my backpacking stove since I left the military more years ago than I want to remember. It's the greatest invention since C-rations . :) Full review

P-38 U.S. Military Can Opener

I've had a P-38 on all my key chains for 25+ years. I have a P-38 on all my key chains. Have had and used mine for 25+ years—very handy. Used on round and rectangular cans, and doubles in a pinch as a flat bladed screwdriver. Originally got from a can of calcium carbide (for miner's lamps or carbide cannons). Essential gear! Full review

P-38 U.S. Military Can Opener

Will open cans for minimal weight. I have a warm spot in my heart for the venerable P-38, much like the one I have for my old Trapper Nelson wood-framed backpack. It's a wonderful classic piece of gear that is of limited utility in the 21st century. I keep a P-38 in every vehicle, virtually never use them. The problem isn't with the opener itself, but rather the chore it does. If you are backpacking (or even paddling and portaging) what the devil are you carrying cans for? If you are car camping,… Full review

MSR PanHandler Pot Lifter

It works... Maybe four and a half stars. The first pot gripper I owned was basically a bent piece of steel designed to fit only the the cheap department store Taiwan pots it came with.  It was replaced by a solid item of cast aluminum that was rock solid and indestructible. I still have it and it has no brand on it. I believe I got it discontinued somewhere. This MSR pot lifter and several fellow travelers like it came along thereafter. The good news is that it is maybe two or three ounces lighter… Full review

P-51 U.S. Military Can Opener

This is one of the best things that ever came out of the military. The P-38 is too small for large hands though. For my hands the P-38 is too small. I actually use the P-51. It was designed for large #10 size cans in a field kitchen. That said, it weighs a few ounces more than the P-38, but is much easier to handle. It’s just as sharp, still fits the key chain.  For those who don’t want it to open in their pocket you can use a center punch and hammer and peen the hoop that holds the blade. Full review

P-38 U.S. Military Can Opener

A fine little piece of work. I hope the guy who invented the P38 got a huge bonus for it. So, where do I carry mine that I've had since I joined the Army in 1974? Well, since my Swiss Army knife can opener doesn't work as good as a P38, mine is attached to that very knife. The little split ring at the one end holds it nicely.  Oh, you can get originals at Army surplus stores, but they are getting rarer. Full review

P-38 U.S. Military Can Opener

Likely to hurt your hand if you don't file the corner. There are several current versions of the P-38. Some people say that the ones stamped with "US Shelby" are the real deal, but the Shelby company that used to make P-38s for the military no longer exists and what you're getting these days are likely Chinese copies. I don't believe sellers that say otherwise. There seem to be an unlimited number of these available new and they're unlikely all surplus. Amazon should require sellers to show their… Full review

P-38 U.S. Military Can Opener

Great compact can opener from a different time. I imagine the new ones, like the old, are cheap stampings. I carry the one my dad got in his Army days (1958-1961). He had that thing banging around on his keyring for 50 years, so maybe all the sharp edges got worn down? Anyway, I've never had a problem just carrying it in my pocket, but if you did, just clip it to the outside of your pack and Bob's your uncle. Why overcomplicate things? And... if you're getting bloody, you're doing it wrong. Never… Full review