Can Opener

[TOW]

What are the pros and cons of carrying a light weight can opener?

very handy...

[gpburdelljr]

Even if you don’t ever carry any canned goods on the trail, being able to open and eat something like a can of peaches and eat it on the spot at a convenience store stop would be nice. A P38 is small, weighs mere grams, and could easily do this. In a pinch the small blade could be used for other things if you lost your knife.

[Alligator]

P38 works fine if you want to bring one. I have one that I used to stash in my med kit. I'm not sure if I still keep it there. However, many canned goods come with pull tabs now. Alternatively, there are those little single serve plastic cups of fruit and applesauce. Pouches for canned meats.

I dehydrate meals I've already cooked so not much want to cook often. I'll do it once in a while but even then not usually something in a can. Usually something fresh and delicious, like brocolli rabe .

[Deadeye]

Pro - you can open a can
Con - you have to carry the full can in and the empty out

[Odd Man Out]

My dad had a P38 from his army days during the Korean War. I don't know what happened to it.

[Patrickjd9]

I don't think I have the dexterity in my fingers to use a P-38 can opener.

[Traveler]

It's been a long time since I carried canned food with me due to the weight penalty of canned foods and having to carry the metal out to the next receptacle that may be many miles or days away. Absent the need to open cans, the can opener survived 3-trips on the gear list before it was relegated to the box of "unneeded stuff" under the principle that ounces lead to pounds.

[Alligator]

I don't think I have the dexterity in my fingers to use a P-38 can opener.

The P51 is a little bigger. Can you work the one on a swiss army knife? That's what I learned on. Half of the effort is patience. Then not burying the cutter into the can while keeping on your cutting line. The p38 and p51 are a little tricky if you don't keep the 90 degree angle correct. But I can understand some just can't or have medical issues.