Fissler Magic Can Opener

I wanted to replace my Swing-Away can opener I had used for the past 20 years and found really good ones for less than $20. So why did I buy one at twice the cost? First, cost wasn't really a factor because a can opener is one of those items you buy every 20 years or so. So spending an extra $20 isn't going to make me lose sleep. I liked the idea that it was made in Germany, plus I also saw some videos on Youtube that impressed me. So I bought it, and I'm glad I did. What I liked: First, it's constructed beautifully, really solid. I needed to read the directions because I never would have figured out how to attach the opener to the can. Once I tried it, it worked flawlessly. You kind of hook the blade onto the lip of the can while holding the opener horizontal to the can, then turn the knob a half turn counter-clockwise, which locks it onto the can. To be honest, I can't figure out what this actually does, but it works because then you just start turning the knob clockwise until you've done a complete rotation. You then turn the knob a half turn counter-clockwise to release the opener from the can. Then you remove the part you just cut off, which is now actually a lid. There are absolutely no sharp edges on the lid or on the can. I also like the fact that the blade never touches the inside of the can, and the lid never falls into the can. Very sanitary. There is a slight effort to turn the knob while it cuts through the can, but not really more than my Swing-Away. I also really like the fact that there aren't two handles to squeeze together as in most can openers. There's just the handle you hold with one hand while turning the knob with the other. I really love this can opener. Of course, having just bought it, I can't attest to its longevity. But like I mentioned earlier, it appears to be made extraordinarily well and I expect it to last a very long time.

We've been using this almost exclusively for the last few weeks and it has worked flawlessly on every can we've tried it on: pet food cans, canned pumpkin (big and small sized cans--our dog gets it in his kibble), sweetened condensed milk, tomato paste (the small ones), beans, canned soup, canned tuna, etc.Pros:- Takes lids off flawlessly and consistently without producing any sharp edges.- Isn't hard to get started, or confusing or difficult to work.- Is solid, well made, and feels like an actual tool.- Doesn't get gunked up like other manual can openers.- Simple to clean.Cons:- Is slightly harder to turn than other manual can openers. Not a lot, but enough that someone with an injury or arthritis or something might have trouble with it.- Is a somewhat overpriced. You get solid craftsmanship and good engineering so in that way you get what you pay for, but maybe it's all a bit overkill for a can opener?

Everything I ever wanted in a can opener: works like a charm, easy to use, no batteries to mess with (low tech), opens without mess, no sharp edges and makes a re-useable lid. The long handle makes it easy to get a grip. I think it is very nice looking and the black and silver go well in the kitchen. The handle turns easily. It feels sturdy like it will last a long time. But BEST of all, it works! It was a little pricey but worth every penny. And it arrived in one day with no special shipping requested.

I bought it because it was highly recommened on America's test kitchen website. It is a good can opener but not for me. I have major joint pain and need to look into buying an electic one. Other than that it works very well.

I bought this on the recommendation of a friend who cut his hand on a can lid and needed surgery to repair the damage. He is very happy with the opener, as am I after using it a few times. It does not produce any sharp edges.It worked well and easily on a large can of tomato puree. It was a little more difficult to use on a very small can, but I was still successful after a couple of tries.The reviews here are not unanimous however. Several reviewers said that the opener stopped working after a relatively short period of time, and given the cost of the opener, that would be unacceptable. I can't comment on the long-term reliability at this point.More seriously, there are a few reviewers who said that the opener failed and produced sharp slivers of metal. There is a picture of one such failure in the user-submitted photos section. I submitted my own photo of how the opener is supposed to work.In looking closely at the photo with the metal slivers, I can see that it is feasible that the opener would fail in this manner. I'm going to keep on using it, but as with any can opener, I'm going to be careful about using it even though it could be safer than a traditional can opener.Update October 2014I've been using this for a year now. It still works great, with no sign of any slivers or sharp edges. It is very much easier to use than a traditional can opener. In addition, when using it nothing from the outside of the can or from the can opener ever touches the food inside the can. I'm recommending this without reservations at this point.

I have been using my Fissler Magic opener since April 2016. It has been working flawlessly. However, just this past week, the serrated wheel that grabs on top of the cans has begun spinning in place. I was able to help it around the can a few times, but just was not working out. I looked up on my Amazon order and found there is a lifetime warranty. I emailed the company, got a response back on how they were sorry the opener only lasted as long as it did, and to take a picture of it and send that with a copy of proof of purchase and my address. In 5 days, I now have my brand new can opener in hand! Great customer service!! I do not understand why some reviewers said they had failures and did nothing about it? I will never go back to any of the cutting style openers, period. Thanks Fissler!!