I Forgot How GREAT It Works! (Updated)
Written: Aug 12 '02 (Updated Aug 15 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Sturdy, Reliable, Opens Cans With Minimum Effort
Cons: Utilitarian Look Is Not Exactly A Piece of Artwork :-)
The Bottom Line: Excellent product that works better than electric can openers.
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| dxer's Full Review: Swing-Away White Can Opener |
Indulge me as I walk down memory lane. Perhaps you'll relive some memories as well. :-)
1982: College kid gets his first apartment. Receives old electric can opener from his mom. College kid kills can opener two months later and looks for a manual can opener from Wal-Mart. Kid remembers cheap can openers hurt hands and looks for a better one. Kid momentarily thinks, "Cool, that was easy" while opening a can of pork and beans and runs off to do what college kids do best.
1985: Struggling graduate buys starter home. Receives Black & Decker under-counter can opener as housewarming gift. Uses it without incident, but doesn't like cleaning it. Tosses manual can opener in back of utensil drawer. Struggling graduate now cooks because it's cheaper than eating out.
1996: Young professional buys new house with nice kitchen. Buys cheap electric can opener to match color scheme. Noisy can opener causes spills and is difficult to clean. Uses it without incident, constantly griping about cleaning it. Young professional now considers cooking a hobby and enjoys entertaining.
2000: Professional accepts new job and moves into city apartment with small kitchen. Quits using nasty, noisy electric can opener that doesn't stop when finished opening cans to save countertop space. Finds old Swing-A-Way can opener and admires how reliably and easily it opens cans. Professional loves cooking and appreciates quality kitchen gadgets.
2002: College kid is about to get his first apartment. His uncle smiles, offers him an electric can opener and chuckles. College kid thanks Uncle and runs off to do what college kids do best.
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Product History
Swing-A-Way Mfg. Co.'s history goes back much further than my Model# 407's twenty years of flawless service. Idus L. Rhodes established the company in the 1930's and his nephews are still principal owners. The company's St. Louis plant is the only remaining can opener manufacturer in the U.S. The Swing-A-Way name comes from its original product: a wall-mounted can opener on a hinged bracket that swings forward for use and back to the wall for storage. If you remember one of these openers with a handle and a knob, it was probably a Swing-A-Way.
After World War II, it became increasingly difficult to find kitchen wall space to mount can openers. Swing-A-Way introduced its hand-held Model #407 in 1955 using the same cutting mechanism as the wall-mounted opener. 'The Original' Model# 407 remains Swing-A-Way's flagship product with over 100 million sold after almost five decades.
Solid Construction
The 407's durability and reliability come from its solid steel construction. The steel handles and rotating lever are covered with a durable polished chrome plating. The cutting mechanism is stainless steel with a hardened, sharpened gear-driven cutter and skip-proof feedwheel. Thick vinyl cushion grips on the handles ensure years of comfortable use.
The large rotating lever which drives the cutting mechanism is approximately 3-1/4" long, 1/2" deep and width tapers from 3/4" in the center to 1/2" at the ends. This allows a secure and comfortable grip which is a definite plus for folks with arthritis or other hand problems.
The top and bottom sections are hinged securely in front. A perfect amount of 'play' allows the handles to swing unhindered yet still mount the cutting mechanism easily and securely on a can's lip. A bottle opener is discreetly placed on the bottom section.
The base is approximately 7" by 2-1/4" at its widest point. The distance between the outer edges of the cutting wheel and rotating lever is approximately 1-3/4".
Style, Accolades and Warranty
The original 1950's design has a utilitarian look which should be a big hit with folks who like the retro look popular today in many countertop appliances. Available handle colors include black, white, almond, slate blue, cobalt and red.
The 407 has the distinction of being the first can opener in space. NASA selected it for use in Skylab. That's a definite testament to its reliability.
The Swing-A-Way also boasts Good Housekeeping's Seal of Approval and is covered by the manufacturer's 5-year limited warranty.
Easy and Reliable Operation
Since the 407 uses a basic can opener design, its operation is easy and intuitive.
The cushioned handles are easily grasped. Simply spread the handles apart slightly to allow the cutting wheel to slip over the lip of a can. Cans are easily pierced by applying light pressure - about the same amount of pressure in a weak handshake. After piercing the can, relax your grip because only enough pressure to keep the opener engaged on the can is necessary. The 407 easily does the rest of the work.
Turning the lever while the opener is engaged on a can is almost effortless. In fact, there's only slightly more resistance while opening a can than without one! The 407 even reminds you the proper direction to turn the lever by engraving 'TURN' along with an arrow next to the lever. The skip-proof feedwheel really works - I've NEVER had it skip on a can.
Retracting the opener from the can couldn't be easier. Once the can is opened, gently pull the handles apart to release the can.
Almost Perfect Results
The opener does not cause any splashes or spills. I can typically open any can without spilling a drop. If anything is spilled, it's because of my unsteadiness. Only a small amount of the can's contents are left on the cutting wheel. This is unavoidable because the wheel must pierce the can to work.
It's recommended to clean the 407 with a damp cloth. I dip it in warm dishwater and give it a quick scrubbing with a sink brush to keep 'can opener gunk' from building up. After rinsing, drying with a dish towel leaves it as shiny as the day I bought it.
Opened lids are almost perfectly smooth without the jagged edges for which electric can openers are notorious. The inside edges of cans are also smooth.
CAUTION: I agree with another reviewer that the opener often leaves a sharp metal spike where the cut ends. It's sometimes on the lid and sometimes on the can depending on how the lid is twisted off. This poses little hazard to most alert adults but be careful if you allow kids to use it. This is the ONLY flaw I've found.
Change Lube
No, this isn't kinky or a reminder to change your car's oil. :-)
One consulting firm uses the Model# 407 to demonstrate how to get people to accept change. They take a cheap grocery store opener and a Model# 407 and get people to use both and compare results. Obviously, they're going to prefer the 'new technology' - the Model# 407.
I wonder if anyone has ever told the consultants that their "new technology" is almost five decades old. ;-)
Recommendation
I forgot how well this can opener works until I started using it again to save countertop space taken by the electric can opener. I'm glad I did. I spend less cleanup time and don't have to put up with the annoying noise and jagged edges.
I highly recommend this can opener. It should provide years of reliable service as either your primary can opener or as a replacement for an electric one. If you're still not convinced to give up that electric opener, do your own "change lube" exercise with the Model #407. ;-)
You can find the Swing-A-Way Model# 407 at most kitchen specialty shops and discount retailers for $6 - $10.
Thanks for reading, and may all your memories be fond ones.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
dxer
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Location: Dallas, TX
Reviews written: 1
Trusted by: 0 members
About Me:
Sacred cows make the BEST hamburgers.
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