how to open a tin can

[lukegilly13]

Re: how to open a tin can

Here you go:
http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...ght=can+opener
I researched the things for a short time and purchased a couple at local antique stores. Neither I felt were quite right. I had a blacksmith make a very simple one with the "bullshead" design in mind...only no bulls head. Just carbon steel...looks like pac-man. It works fairly good. Yeah I know...it is not exactly correct....but it's not exactly a "if they had one they would of used it" sort of piece. We know they had them...we know what they looked like...finding one when you need it is difficult. So I thought to myself..what would a soldier in a garrison have done (since the event I was at was a garrison event). So, I had the blacksmith make me one from looking at a period catalogue image http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...0&d=1233711878. The blacksmith looked at two of the sardine knifes and made a hybrid. It's ugly, but it gets the job done. I'll post pictures later if you're interested in seeing it.

[Pvt_M]

Re: how to open a tin can

Tin of the period was not much stronger (if at all) than tin today. It's a thin sheet of iron dipped in tin (hot dipped or vat dipped tin). As far as I know, this is essentially the same process they use today, except it's electro-plated.

All the period examples I've seen seem to've been cut with a knife. Most knives of the period were also very sturdy, not as thin as the ones you buy today. Even with a modern knife though, you should have no trouble cutting the lid off a tin can, it'll dull the crap out of your blade if you do it often, but won't break it. You just stab it in, and use a sawing motion around in a circle, and I'd also recommend folding the edges down, otherwise you can get a nasty cut should you try drinking from it. In the boilers I've made, I poked the bailer holes with the same knife I used to remove the lid, but a bayonet works too I guess. I don't have documentation for this, but it would seem to be common sense that you're not going to cut the lid off with a knife and then go find another tool to poke the holes with.

Regarding the can openers, yes they were around, and sure they became pretty commonplace, in homes though, not in the campaigner's kit.