been using my P-38 since basic training some 30 ago

I was never in the military, but I always keep one of those in my drawer.

been using my P-38 since basic training some 30 ago

I used to use electric can openers. Went through one every few years or so, sometimes using it, sometimes using my hand held. Until, I just decided the hand held was easier. By the time I got thecan situated in the electric can openers, I could have hand cranked it.
 
I think when cans were steel, there was a use for this, but with aluminum cans, better and easy to use hand helds ( especially compared to those old key turn openers) electric can openers aren’t very helpful, IMO.
 
The pop-top, though is the way to go. Nearly identical technology as the old beer cans, it’s just easier to lift and pull. I can’t believe it’s not used more. I guess changing over the manufacturing is just too cumbersome for some companies.
 
 

I have had my hand held can opener, purchased from K-Mart, for 25 years.

I’ve had a “One Touch” but much prefer my Swiss made Zyliss hand crank model.
Does the job, easy peasy.

I agree with baileysoriginal on the pop-top cans, and I buy them whenever possible.  What a great convenience.  They’re perfect for home, office, travel, hiking, biking and camping.   Can openers are a hassle I try to avoid.

I agree Seafarer, I’ve had my “One Touch” for better than five years.  It does the job just fine & stores in the drawer.  I do keep a manuel for backup.
 
                    Ocdreamr
 
 

We also have one of those. Works much better then I hoped.

We have a small battery operated job called “One Touch”. It works pretty well. You just set it on top of the can and it walks itself around the can and a magnet holds onto the lid and drops it when you lift the gadget off the can.

But we keep a hand crank operated one in the same drawer – just in case …

Cheers, John 

I’m still using a Black & Decker Gizmo I must have bought over five years ago.  It’s much like the One Touch Seafarer John posted about.  It stays in the drawer out of sight and only has to be recharged about every three months.
 
We also have a hand held one in the Emergency Disaster Kit.
 
I almost wish all cans were pop top now. 
 

I think that electric can openers are a waste of $$, electricity, and counter space (not to mention the difficulty of cleaning those blades).  I much prefer a hand-held model, and keep it easy-to-reach in my silverware drawer.

I have to admit the same frustration with can openers, having many that became worthless within 2-3 years. I better knock on wood, but this last one I bought up in TN at Wallyworld and moved back down here to Miami has continued to work perfectly. It’s an under cabinet Spacemaster model by Black and Decker that I bought in ’98 and between two moves and even opening #10 cans with some support underneath them, I never have had a problem with it. I cook daily and use it a lot. The blade releases and cleans very easily. This is a rarity. In my book, if I can get 7 years out of an appliance, I’ve got my money’s worth.

We have a small battery operated job called “One Touch”. It works pretty well. You just set it on top of the can and it walks itself around the can and a magnet holds onto the lid and drops it when you lift the gadget off the can.
 
But we keep a hand crank operated one in the same drawer – just in case …
 
Cheers, John 

I don’t care for electric can openers.  I have enough on my counters.
 
I have occasional pain in my hands and purchased this can opener from my local restaurant supply.
 
# http://www.centralrestaurant.com/Easy-Crank-Manual-Can-Opener-c83p15584.html
 
After opening a couple cans I purchased one for my mother and several other people who have arthritis.  All have thanked me over and over again.