For the record, to properly open a can with a knife:
1)set the can on a flat, solid surface.
2)position the knife tip directly over the center of the lid, holding the knife at the handle.
3)use the butt of your free hand, or a rock or pice of wood, and firmly tap the butt end of the knife, puncturing the can
4)saw through the can with the knife. Voila. Open can.

You can also repeat steps 2 and 3 all the way around the perimeter of the cancan, but it takes far more time.

Either way, there is little to no risk of cutting oneself.

Originally posted by captaintyinknots
For the record, to properly open a can with a knife:
1)set the can on a flat, solid surface.
2)position the knife tip directly over the center of the lid, holding the knife at the handle.
3)use the butt of your free hand, or a rock or pice of wood, and firmly tap the butt end of the knife, puncturing the can
4)saw through the can with the knife. Voila. Open can.

You can also repeat steps 2 and 3 all the way around the perimeter of the cancan, but it takes far more time.

Either way, there is little to no risk of cutting oneself.

Lol, i will take this challenge

To properly open a can with a can opener (Manuel)
1: Attach top of can to can opener clamp
2: Squeeze handles (puncture can)
3: twist 360 degrees

You must be a riot at BBQ's

yes buy at least a few because they dont make em like they used to!

seriously they are made from soft bendy metal and get too dull to pierce the can or go around...

theres a few i bought that way that didnt work even the first time tried! even if you're handy and troubleshoot them it can be hard to realign them to work esp when the plastic parts break off or the metal bends and breaks - been there done that.

are can openers allowed in AIRLINES carry on?

and remember for survival stock, cans are heavy and the liquid, metal take up alot of bulk. DRIED beans, grain seeds, ie rice. dry milk are more concentrated, lighter, and spread out more when rehydrated.

When I was a broke teenager living in my own apartment, I never had a can opener, always opened cans with my pocket knife.

Had to do it a few months ago when I moved in my new house and had no clue where the can opener was, too many boxes.

I say, invest in knives

Originally posted by xstealth

I say, invest in knives

boils down to that! better investment heheh but cant carry it around so innocently for 'food'

or any thick/sharp kitchen knife - knock lines into top until they connect and walllah- pop lid open no need to keep going around with a dull new opener that doesnt open

What happens when the cans run out?

Originally posted by JacKatMtn
What happens when the cans run out?

You use mine to beat rodents with...perfect size for that....

Des

A can opener is certainly convenient, but not altogether necessary. As many have said, its easy enough to just use a knife. I've even used a slipjoint folder to open cans before. You just have to be careful and use a little common sense.

That said, most people on forums such as this are going to have a multitool that includes a can opener. I know I have several.