One of my favorite comics of all time is The Far Side. There’s one that shows an old married couple standing in their bomb shelter while a nuclear war right over their heads. The shelter is full of canned food, and the wife is yelling, “How many times did I say it, Harold? ‘Make sure that bomb shelter’s got a can opener–ain’t much good without a can opener,’ I said.”
It’s pretty funny, but what Harold’s wife doesn’t know is that with a little patience, you can open a tin can without any tools whatsoever. In the video below, KGB Survivalist explains how.
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Here’s how to do it:
- Place the can on some concrete.
- Start rubbing the can against the concrete in a circular motion.
- Squeeze the can until the top pops off.
How long this takes will depend on the type of can you use and how strong you are. Watch the video below to see this method demonstrated.
When the U.S. ARMY used rations in cans; Each meal came with a small can opener. you can still buy them at an army surplus store. The P-38 was a short one. The P-51 was slightly longer.I’ve owned both of them for years. The P-51 is easier to use. You can usually buy one for a buck or less.
I have opened may cans using a flat screwdriver and at times a cold chisel. It really is not that hard to find something with a edge to open a can. I also have several P38 can openers in my gear including one on my keys as a back up.
This works, but I can’t imagine many people that have prepped, or just resourceful types not having a multitool on their belt. Every multitool I have ever seen has the old standby can opener in it.
It is a nice idea to open a can without a can opener. It is also helpful for us when we are at the outside home that can find a can opener.