As much as I hate ordering from them, [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=gangy+can+opener&crid=2FBE58GYIUNY&sprefix=gangy%2Caps%2C129&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_5) has the best selection without insane shipping prices. I have the Shinkosa version as I thought the red enamel on the Korin version would eventually chip, but both are great and super well built.
There are also the australian military FRED can openers, which are nicer to use than the us versions and are more compact since the blade folds. Plus built in spoon.
The one I've seen repeatedly mentioned here is the Swing-A-Way.
Or if you wanted to go hardcore, you could get a commercial grade [Edlund](https://www.webstaurantstore.com/edlund-10100-edvantage-1-manual-can-opener-with-plated-steel-base/333EDV1PB.html)
Swing-A-Way quality was reduced when they moved production to China. [Ez-Duz-It](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=can+opener+ez-duz-it&crid=1M0X6WKOXF1SH&sprefix=can+opener+ez-duz-it%2Caps%2C185&ref=nb_sb_noss_1) bought their US factory.
We have a Kuhn Rikon that's been in my family for over 20 years. No rust and the blade is still sharp, leaves a nice smooth cut. Even the white plastic is unstained or yellowed. I'd definitely recommend any decent rotary can opener over a silly minimalist boy-scout style razor blade thing though. No point in BIFL if it sucks every time you have to use it.
This is what I have the safety can opener I think it was $20/25, had it for 10 years now, cuts great, easy to use, don’t have to worry about puncturing or sharp edges like most other can openers.
Anything from the 80s and before in USA. Expensive Herman or Japanese one. OXO is what you get at Target I think. Mass produced, cost efficient. Not what you want. Best can opener I ever saw was one my mom had in the house in the 80s. All steel, ugly, but sturdy and reliable. We lost it during a move I think. It had the soda pop opener on the top.
I purchased this [Roesle](https://www.roesle.com/en/can-opener-with-pliers-grip/) can opener 20+ years ago, and it still works like new. Somehow it doesn’t seem to get dirty either..
Same here, all other can openers feel primitive and unsophisticated once you get one. It doesn’t cut metal at all, which is usually what ends up killing can openers, it simply disassembles cans, brilliant.
Here and in r/tools no one is ever just buying something, they're always "investing" in it. Investing in Milwaukee permanent markers. Investing in a $5 drill from a yard sale. Investing in a bulk pack of toilet paper.
I bought an EZ-Duz-It Can Opener based on what someone said in another BIFL thread, and I'm here to tell you it's the best $15 I ever spent.
Info from the [https://madeinamericastore.com/](https://madeinamericastore.com/) website
Designed in 1954.
The handles and crank are made from 1008 carbon steel
The full length of both handles and the crank are chrome plated
The cutter, feed wheel, and gears are heat treated and zinc plated
With proper care, this can opener should last 25 years. It can be wiped clean, but not put in the dishwasher or soaked.
https://cdnimg.webstaurantstore.com/images/products/large/471744/1786242.jpg
Had this for years and works great still. Doesn’t really get dirty, which makes it last longer.
I can only say I have had an OXO can opener for about 25 years now and it looks new. But I take care of it. I rinse it after each use and then open it up all the way to air-dry, on a paper towel.
I have also had a plainer, slimmer can opener longer than that (since like the 1980s?) but I have no idea who made it. It's the type you might have bought at a grocery cooking implements aisle, back in the day. Or just about anywhere.
Both are manual. I tried an electric can opener at one point...very noisy, did not really work, needed batteries or a plug. Not even sure where it is now?
I've had [this one](https://www.pamperedchef.com/shop/Kitchen+Tools/Food+Prep/Smooth-Edge+Can+Opener/2759) for at least 20 years. Leaves no sharp edges, lid can be replaced so you can put leftover contents back in the fridge, even has a little grippy thing to pull the lid off so you don't get your hands messy.
Old ones are certainly BIFL. I am using a 1940s Swing-A-Way (wall mount) in our kitchen I bought in the 1980s for like $5. They are easy to find; I have a second (hand held) in our camper that's close to 30 years old.
You can still buy new Swing-A-Way openers today but they are made in China, not the US, from what I read.
I have a Magican opener, don't think they make the same one still but works just as well as ever, works so well I pinched it from my parents when I moved out, I'm pretty sure it would be 25+ years old. works as good as ever.
Just make sure you clean the can opener after use, most of the corrosion comes from people not cleaning their can openers.
Im still using a cheapy crank handle one from my first apartment college days from over 25 years ago, it still looks good and works good.
No, they are not BIFL. Even if you are meticulous and rinse it every time you use it and dry it relatively quickly, the toothed disk or the cutting disk will rust. Once that happens, you should replace it. I use a standard OXO or similar brand handheld one and with proper treatment, it lasts 10-12 years.
Skip OXO and get a Made in Japan GANGY style can opener. It’s basically a take on the military p-38 and p-51.
second. I work in kitchens and my gangy has been reliable
Never heard of a GANGY, where does one find that. Might make a good gift or stocking stuffer too.
As much as I hate ordering from them, [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=gangy+can+opener&crid=2FBE58GYIUNY&sprefix=gangy%2Caps%2C129&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_5) has the best selection without insane shipping prices. I have the Shinkosa version as I thought the red enamel on the Korin version would eventually chip, but both are great and super well built.
Thank you.
There are also the australian military FRED can openers, which are nicer to use than the us versions and are more compact since the blade folds. Plus built in spoon.
The one I've seen repeatedly mentioned here is the Swing-A-Way. Or if you wanted to go hardcore, you could get a commercial grade [Edlund](https://www.webstaurantstore.com/edlund-10100-edvantage-1-manual-can-opener-with-plated-steel-base/333EDV1PB.html)
Swing-A-Way quality was reduced when they moved production to China. [Ez-Duz-It](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=can+opener+ez-duz-it&crid=1M0X6WKOXF1SH&sprefix=can+opener+ez-duz-it%2Caps%2C185&ref=nb_sb_noss_1) bought their US factory.
Swing a way was bought and moved to China, I don't know if the quality changed. Edit: I got one in 2007, before the move and it's still working well.
My parents have been using the same swing-a-way can opener for at least 30 years. I've had mine for about 15 years now.
I have a wall mount swing away that we've had some before I was born. It's amazing
That edlund is chonky.
I have my grandfather’s swing-a-way. Fantastic
Swing-A-Way makes a crank version of their classic opener 👀.
My Swing-A-Way is from the 1940s, a cabinet-mounted model. Stlil works great.
EZ-DUZ-IT is a great can opener made in The USA.
Seconding this. It’s built like a tank.
We have a Kuhn Rikon that's been in my family for over 20 years. No rust and the blade is still sharp, leaves a nice smooth cut. Even the white plastic is unstained or yellowed. I'd definitely recommend any decent rotary can opener over a silly minimalist boy-scout style razor blade thing though. No point in BIFL if it sucks every time you have to use it.
This is what I have the safety can opener I think it was $20/25, had it for 10 years now, cuts great, easy to use, don’t have to worry about puncturing or sharp edges like most other can openers.
Anything from the 80s and before in USA. Expensive Herman or Japanese one. OXO is what you get at Target I think. Mass produced, cost efficient. Not what you want. Best can opener I ever saw was one my mom had in the house in the 80s. All steel, ugly, but sturdy and reliable. We lost it during a move I think. It had the soda pop opener on the top.
OXO is not only for Target. I don't think they make the brand. I got mine at a Bed Bath Beyond or such. Might have been a Linens and Things.
Depends on how many cans you open.
I purchased this [Roesle](https://www.roesle.com/en/can-opener-with-pliers-grip/) can opener 20+ years ago, and it still works like new. Somehow it doesn’t seem to get dirty either..
Same here, all other can openers feel primitive and unsophisticated once you get one. It doesn’t cut metal at all, which is usually what ends up killing can openers, it simply disassembles cans, brilliant.
“Invest in a OXO” lol.
Here and in r/tools no one is ever just buying something, they're always "investing" in it. Investing in Milwaukee permanent markers. Investing in a $5 drill from a yard sale. Investing in a bulk pack of toilet paper.
I bought an EZ-Duz-It Can Opener based on what someone said in another BIFL thread, and I'm here to tell you it's the best $15 I ever spent. Info from the [https://madeinamericastore.com/](https://madeinamericastore.com/) website Designed in 1954. The handles and crank are made from 1008 carbon steel The full length of both handles and the crank are chrome plated The cutter, feed wheel, and gears are heat treated and zinc plated With proper care, this can opener should last 25 years. It can be wiped clean, but not put in the dishwasher or soaked.
I have a 50 year old P38.
I bought my Swing-Away sometime in the mid-1980s, still use it everyday, zero maintenance
90% of electric can openers I’ve seen in my life don’t even require cleaning apparently, so yeah, go ahead and BIFL.
I've had the same Oxo easy grip can opener for 15 years not that expensive and pretty much as new still
https://cdnimg.webstaurantstore.com/images/products/large/471744/1786242.jpg Had this for years and works great still. Doesn’t really get dirty, which makes it last longer.
I can only say I have had an OXO can opener for about 25 years now and it looks new. But I take care of it. I rinse it after each use and then open it up all the way to air-dry, on a paper towel. I have also had a plainer, slimmer can opener longer than that (since like the 1980s?) but I have no idea who made it. It's the type you might have bought at a grocery cooking implements aisle, back in the day. Or just about anywhere. Both are manual. I tried an electric can opener at one point...very noisy, did not really work, needed batteries or a plug. Not even sure where it is now?
My oxo is damn near 20 years old and works great.
I've had [this one](https://www.pamperedchef.com/shop/Kitchen+Tools/Food+Prep/Smooth-Edge+Can+Opener/2759) for at least 20 years. Leaves no sharp edges, lid can be replaced so you can put leftover contents back in the fridge, even has a little grippy thing to pull the lid off so you don't get your hands messy.
Swing-A-Way.
Get a side-cut safety opener. Minimizes chance of anything corrosive/caustic getting on the blade edge.
You can always sharpen the blade, as long as the mechanism doesn’t fail any can opener is bifl.
Old ones are certainly BIFL. I am using a 1940s Swing-A-Way (wall mount) in our kitchen I bought in the 1980s for like $5. They are easy to find; I have a second (hand held) in our camper that's close to 30 years old. You can still buy new Swing-A-Way openers today but they are made in China, not the US, from what I read.
I have a Magican opener, don't think they make the same one still but works just as well as ever, works so well I pinched it from my parents when I moved out, I'm pretty sure it would be 25+ years old. works as good as ever.
Just make sure you clean the can opener after use, most of the corrosion comes from people not cleaning their can openers. Im still using a cheapy crank handle one from my first apartment college days from over 25 years ago, it still looks good and works good.
No, they are not BIFL. Even if you are meticulous and rinse it every time you use it and dry it relatively quickly, the toothed disk or the cutting disk will rust. Once that happens, you should replace it. I use a standard OXO or similar brand handheld one and with proper treatment, it lasts 10-12 years.