Need corkscrew recommendations-the metal tip just broke off my winged one. What a cheap piece of%^ @
- Thread starter meryl
- Start date
Buy a "bartender's key" without the hinge on the lever. They vary--you want a long screw-piece.
I've used 15+ kinds of wine keys and after opening 30 or more bottles a night, you find the one that's the most efficient. A standard "bartender's friend" or "waiter wine key" is what you want (I always carried two with me when I waited tables.)
Two things to be mindful of:
Sometimes they make an attempt to get fancy by including a hinge on the portion that rests on the bottle for leverage. It sucks. Don't go there.
Another thing to look for...if you have a choice of a couple manufacturers, buy one with a longer screw piece. The shorter ones often split the cork (because you don't have enough length to leverage the entire cork out of the bottle, you end up drilling down further, creating cork particles that could fall into the bottle.)
The link is not the one I have but it's the shape you're looking for. As another person commented, it's ideal if the attached knife is serrated so you can cut the seal easier.
Stay away from ones that have a similar shape but are wood (it becomes slippery over time, can't get a grip on it.) and the "seahorse" shape (while it looks ergonomic, it is too narrow for even my small hands to get a good grip. Guys? Forget about it.)
http://www.amazon.com/Pedrini-Wine-Pocket-Waiters-Corkscrew/dp/B0002AKKYO/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1281577812&sr=8-4
I've used 15+ kinds of wine keys and after opening 30 or more bottles a night, you find the one that's the most efficient. A standard "bartender's friend" or "waiter wine key" is what you want (I always carried two with me when I waited tables.)
Two things to be mindful of:
Sometimes they make an attempt to get fancy by including a hinge on the portion that rests on the bottle for leverage. It sucks. Don't go there.
Another thing to look for...if you have a choice of a couple manufacturers, buy one with a longer screw piece. The shorter ones often split the cork (because you don't have enough length to leverage the entire cork out of the bottle, you end up drilling down further, creating cork particles that could fall into the bottle.)
The link is not the one I have but it's the shape you're looking for. As another person commented, it's ideal if the attached knife is serrated so you can cut the seal easier.
Stay away from ones that have a similar shape but are wood (it becomes slippery over time, can't get a grip on it.) and the "seahorse" shape (while it looks ergonomic, it is too narrow for even my small hands to get a good grip. Guys? Forget about it.)
http://www.amazon.com/Pedrini-Wine-Pocket-Waiters-Corkscrew/dp/B0002AKKYO/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1281577812&sr=8-4
bonnieinholland
Well-known member
corkscrew
I open up a good 50 to 60 bottles a week and also prefer a waiter's corkscrew, as shown in the Amazon link. However, I do favor the double-hinged over the unhinged. (If you do the Amazon search for 'corkscrew', you'll see the double-hinged for around 10 dollars.) The double hinge allows you to bring the cork about half-way up, then you use the next level of the hinge to finish getting the cork all the way out. Makes it a bit easier, I think, especially for someone with small hands and lesser strength, like me. In any case, the most important aspect is that the spiral part that goes into the cork has an open swirl, like you could put a match through the middle of it - and not a closed structure like a drill bit. The open swirl grabs the cork better and more cleanly whereas the drill bit sort just puts a hole in the cork and makes for nasty work. The rest of the design is just what you personally find comfortable. cheers, Bonnie
I open up a good 50 to 60 bottles a week and also prefer a waiter's corkscrew, as shown in the Amazon link. However, I do favor the double-hinged over the unhinged. (If you do the Amazon search for 'corkscrew', you'll see the double-hinged for around 10 dollars.) The double hinge allows you to bring the cork about half-way up, then you use the next level of the hinge to finish getting the cork all the way out. Makes it a bit easier, I think, especially for someone with small hands and lesser strength, like me. In any case, the most important aspect is that the spiral part that goes into the cork has an open swirl, like you could put a match through the middle of it - and not a closed structure like a drill bit. The open swirl grabs the cork better and more cleanly whereas the drill bit sort just puts a hole in the cork and makes for nasty work. The rest of the design is just what you personally find comfortable. cheers, Bonnie
richard-in-cincy
Well-known member
As opposed to a "church key" as they call it around here...
which is just your basic (http://www.rustycans.com/Graphics/definitions/churchkeys.jpg)
I have used mine since 1982. My first waiter job, a winery. We were issued an apron and a corkscrew. This is the one I learned on and have had it ever since. It's simple, never fails, and is really easy to operate when you take the time to learn it. None of these flying wings to navigate. When I see people fighting with those I just shake my head. I only had to open 2-3 bottles before I got the hang of it. Now I just whip it out and in a flash the cork is out.
My 1982 "bartender's key" is one of my most prized and treasured possesssions. It has been with me on every trip to Europe that I have made, even though now I have to check a bag to take it (although I now am to the point of not wanting to take it, never mind the tradition, for fear of losing it in the US's crazy and misguided airport security policies which are a proven quantity of all-show and no-tell to the inconvenience of millions of air passengers).
This corkscrew has been used by Leontyne Price, Mignon Dunn, and much to her surpise at an opera dinner in Cincinnati, Catherine Malfitano (I handed it to her and just told her to hold it as I told her its history--she burst out in the biggest belly laugh I've ever heard).
They really work, they're easy once you master it, and they never fail.
Perfect product.
which is just your basic (http://www.rustycans.com/Graphics/definitions/churchkeys.jpg)
I have used mine since 1982. My first waiter job, a winery. We were issued an apron and a corkscrew. This is the one I learned on and have had it ever since. It's simple, never fails, and is really easy to operate when you take the time to learn it. None of these flying wings to navigate. When I see people fighting with those I just shake my head. I only had to open 2-3 bottles before I got the hang of it. Now I just whip it out and in a flash the cork is out.
My 1982 "bartender's key" is one of my most prized and treasured possesssions. It has been with me on every trip to Europe that I have made, even though now I have to check a bag to take it (although I now am to the point of not wanting to take it, never mind the tradition, for fear of losing it in the US's crazy and misguided airport security policies which are a proven quantity of all-show and no-tell to the inconvenience of millions of air passengers).
This corkscrew has been used by Leontyne Price, Mignon Dunn, and much to her surpise at an opera dinner in Cincinnati, Catherine Malfitano (I handed it to her and just told her to hold it as I told her its history--she burst out in the biggest belly laugh I've ever heard).
They really work, they're easy once you master it, and they never fail.
Perfect product.
richard-in-cincy
Well-known member
Hey Bonnie...
I've had the problem with not enough twist in my regular one without the hinge (and I have a hinged one and much prefer my un-hinged one). But I certainly understand your preferences. Whenever I didn't have enough depth on my twist, I could give it a couple more twists at the point of "it's not coming out" and the problem was solved. Now, I never have that problem
But I have to say, my trusty corkscrew also doubles duty as a frozen hamburger separator.
You know the drill, ground beef on sale, you buy a bunch, and decide to put some pre-formed patties in the freezer separated by liners for later use.
And then, you try to get them apart: foil, waxed, or parchment--it's no use.
This corkscrew separates the inseparable patties in 2 turns of the screw.
They literally pop apart. Just put the point into the frozen seam, carefully start turning, and the frozen burgers pop apart.
It is truly a miracle.
I've had the problem with not enough twist in my regular one without the hinge (and I have a hinged one and much prefer my un-hinged one). But I certainly understand your preferences. Whenever I didn't have enough depth on my twist, I could give it a couple more twists at the point of "it's not coming out" and the problem was solved. Now, I never have that problem
But I have to say, my trusty corkscrew also doubles duty as a frozen hamburger separator.
You know the drill, ground beef on sale, you buy a bunch, and decide to put some pre-formed patties in the freezer separated by liners for later use.
And then, you try to get them apart: foil, waxed, or parchment--it's no use.
This corkscrew separates the inseparable patties in 2 turns of the screw.
They literally pop apart. Just put the point into the frozen seam, carefully start turning, and the frozen burgers pop apart.
It is truly a miracle.
melissa-dallas
Well-known member
Things have gotten so cheap that the last two "church keys" I've bought bend without
puncturing the can top.
puncturing the can top.
janet-in-nc
Well-known member
another vote for SCREW-PULL both the usual and travel version
dawn_mo
Well-known member
We have one of these, only it is an old one. It is so easy to use
and I never have a problem with it.
http://www.midwestsupplies.com/european-style-wooden-corkscrew.html
and I never have a problem with it.
http://www.midwestsupplies.com/european-style-wooden-corkscrew.html
Meryl, we have this Zyliss corkscrew and wouldn't give it up for anything!! SO easy to use
http://www.amazon.com/Zyliss-Corkscrew-With-Foil-Cutter/dp/B00015995Q
http://www.amazon.com/Zyliss-Corkscrew-With-Foil-Cutter/dp/B00015995Q
does no one else have the fancy dancy "Rabbit" wine pull? It works really slick-like
but is big and not too portable. We got ours at Costco(a DH impulse item
http://www.amazon.com/Metrokane-Rabbit-Wine-Opener-Silver/dp/B000063K7G/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1281637701&sr=1-9
but is big and not too portable. We got ours at Costco(a DH impulse item
http://www.amazon.com/Metrokane-Rabbit-Wine-Opener-Silver/dp/B000063K7G/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1281637701&sr=1-9
I like mine - simple but effective!
http://www.amazon.com/Pedrini-Black-Satin-6-Inch-Corkscrew/dp/B0000959FI/ref=pd_sim_k_1
http://www.amazon.com/Pedrini-Black-Satin-6-Inch-Corkscrew/dp/B0000959FI/ref=pd_sim_k_1
never broke mine
had my Rabbit for about 10 years. I fully expected to break some of the screws with normal usage but still have the original on. Never broken and works great. There is a cracked area on the cap that screws on the top where you replace the screw but it is just cosmetic. Doesn't affect the tool.
Maybe the older ones are more durable. I dunno but would not surprise me. That's what they call "progress"
Costco had a less expensive off-name version that was nearly identical for around $15.
had my Rabbit for about 10 years. I fully expected to break some of the screws with normal usage but still have the original on. Never broken and works great. There is a cracked area on the cap that screws on the top where you replace the screw but it is just cosmetic. Doesn't affect the tool.
Maybe the older ones are more durable. I dunno but would not surprise me. That's what they call "progress"
Costco had a less expensive off-name version that was nearly identical for around $15.