So, UK-Y....How do you use your can opener?

I have never seen a tin opener that opens from the side, either electric or manual, either in the US or the UK. Do you mean that it cuts the sides of the tin rather than the top?? I don't understand!

I have never seen a tin opener that opens from the side, either electric or manual, either in the US or the UK. Do you mean that it cuts the sides of the tin rather than the top?? I don't understand!

If I understand rightly, where you hold the tin opener is either from the top or side and that the top is always cut, if that makes sense.

If I understand rightly, where you hold the tin opener is either from the top or side and that the top is always cut, if that makes sense.

OH!!!! Well now this makes much more sense.

In that case, every tin opener I've ever had in any country has been on the side. What are these top openers??

Yeah when I say top opening, the can/tin is actually cut on its top surface just inside the top perimeter of the rim - much handier for pressing the cut top in to drain tuna, for instance. This is what I always used in the US , be it manual or electric.

Side opening, yes it still cuts off top, but from side of can/tin, the cut is just under the rim. This is what we have here.

Hoping this makes sense!

Yeah when I say top opening, the can/tin is actually cut on its top surface just inside the top perimeter of the rim - much handier for pressing the cut top in to drain tuna, for instance. This is what I always used in the US , be it manual or electric.

Side opening, yes it still cuts off top, but from side of can/tin, the cut is just under the rim. This is what we have here.

Hoping this makes sense!

Thats how I would describe as well. I've always (apart from once) had top opening (i.e. cutting inside top of rim), makes it easy to drain tuna as you can part open and then drain through the cut. The one time I had one that cut at the side I hated it, because it meant the can lost some of its rigidity, so when you picked up the tin of tomatoes it squeezed in a bit.

Side opening, yes it still cuts off top, but from side of can/tin, the cut is just under the rim. This is what we have here.

Now I'm double-baffled. No, I've never heard of this cutting under the rim!

I need pictures with labels - now more confused!

...because it meant the can lost some of its rigidity, so when you picked up the tin of tomatoes it squeezed in a bit.

Yes, it does! Because the entire top side of the tin - including the rim - has been removed.

Was looking for an image but only thing I can find are the ones where the inside lid (inside the rim) has been removed - but not the whole top, rim included. Anyways, I was terribly confused when I came here & DH has the one that takes the whole top off (cutting it off from the side, just under the rim) & I kept trying to use it the way you would the 'normal' kind. 

This isn't quite what mine was like - though that looks decent! Imagine it cutting it slightly further down

How to Use the OXO Smooth Edge Can Opener

versus this

How to Use a Can Opener

Video number 2 is what I see most often in Western Canada, as compared to the more sparse British style of the same , with the same functionality, if that makes sense. I have seen electric ones like video number 1. Are there any other types?

Tack för hjälpen,TykeMan. 

Video number 2 is what I see most often in Western Canada, as compared to the more sparse British style of the same , with the same functionality, if that makes sense. I have seen electric ones like video number 1. Are there any other types?

Tack för hjälpen,TykeMan. 

Strange you consider number 2 to be sparse in the UK as that's what I've had every time with one exception. - Sorry, realise you mean the style is more sparse looking!

Number 1 - not seen one specifically like that, it actually looks good in that the lid fixes back on, but hand held ones that cut lower I've seen and had one that I hated. Leaves you with a very sharp edge around the top of the tin and a less rigid tin as well.

Strange you consider number 2 to be sparse in the UK as that's what I've had every time with one exception. - Sorry, realise you mean the style is more sparse looking!

I mean the one in video 2 is what I see in Western Canada. British ones I have seen are exactly the same  in functionality, minus the rubber, or whatever the extra gubbins is. It's only the metal parts, IYKWIM. Does that make sense?

Who knew tin openers would cause masses of confusion? 

Who knew tin openers would cause masses of confusion? 

And tears! 

I was looking through old posts and this one made me smile so i thought I would revive it for laughs. There is definitely a right and a wrong way to do things! Perhaps the can opener is not a uk vs yankee thing after all. Has anyone seen this episode of Everybody Loves Raymond?

Everybody Loves Raymond - The Can-opener