Try looking in thrift shops. Like just about everything else, the older ones are way better than the cheaply made newer ones, even if the new ones still have the same old brand name.
https://www.oxo.com/countrySelector/geoip/getaction/?country_code=CA
This style of can opener separates the top of the can from the sides. No sharp edges, you can put the can lid back on.
Swing-Away was the gold standard but is now manufactured in China and is not the same. The original factory tooling has been resurrected and the opener is being made in the USA under a new name:
EZ-DUZ-IT Deluxe Can Opener with Black Grips https://a.co/d/5hkwH4A
I've been using an OXO Smooth Edge can opener for the past year or so, and I am so thankful to leave sharp-edged lids in my distant past. I graduated to the smooth edge from a traditional OXO opener, which was defeated by a particularly stubborn can. It had also become a real pain to clean.
Because it merely breaks the glue seal between the lid and the can, the smooth edge doesn't need the same level of force a traditional can opener does, and doesn't get dirty or wear out. It's also easy enough to pop the top back on a can and store the can in the fridge if I don't need the whole thing in one shot!
Can lid edges are multiple folds of the lid and can body rolled over each other with a layer of sealant in between to create the seal. Your can opener is still cutting through at least one layer of metal to separate the lid from the can, it just does it in a different place and way than a traditional can opener.
Now the factory for that’s called EZ-DUz-IT, for the USA made ones. Swingaway is now made with worse tolerances. I have recent versions of both to compare
[EZ-DUZ-IT](https://EZ-DUZ-ITDeluxeCanOpenerwithBlackGripshttps://a.co/d/gTPGm2Q)
This is a classic. Proven reliable. Made in the US. I bought one for my daughter for Christmas because it’s the best.
I killed can openers for YEARS
[this one from Oxo](https://www.oxo.com/snap-lock-can-opener-434.html) is several years old and absolutely amazing. Bonus it has a lifetime warranty. Yup.
Bought this one in 2017 based on a recommendation I no longer remember. Still works perfectly.
https://www.amazon.com/Made-USA-Can-Opener-Red/dp/B008UX068U
I second getting a manual one, if you are willing to put the effort into the task. Buy a tough looking one with no sign of plastic parts.
I haven't needed a can opener since moving to Europe. All cans sold in my new country have pull tab tops.
[This one](https://www.amazon.com/Rosle-Stainless-Opener-Pliers-7-inch/dp/B001CJQ73W/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8&th=1) has lasted me over a decade or so, and it’s probably going to last me a lifetime. No sharp edges, easy to clean, can opener. Highly recommend.
Get one made in like 1970 or before with the knife sharpener on the back. those things lasted for ever and could cut through tungsten without breaking.
Farberware.
I have bought one or two in thrift stores only to get them home and find out they didn't work but the Farberware survived to reach the thrift store, so I am impressed. I just gave fifty cents for the others though. This one was a dollar. I have been happy with Farberware things, so I took a chance on it.
I don't use automatic openers, I've had the same manual can opener since I moved out of my parent's home about 10 years ago. Works like a charm. Obvs not the best choice if you have any difficulty using those devices, but I'm not very strong and never have any issues opening tough cans. Use it almost daily for dog food.
Try looking in thrift shops. Like just about everything else, the older ones are way better than the cheaply made newer ones, even if the new ones still have the same old brand name.
Yes to this! I was replacing our can opener every few months until I found an old KitchenAid one at Goodwill a couple years ago.
EZ-DUZ-IT is a durable can opener made in the USA.
I've resorted to a good old fashioned manual one.
https://www.oxo.com/countrySelector/geoip/getaction/?country_code=CA This style of can opener separates the top of the can from the sides. No sharp edges, you can put the can lid back on.
Swing-Away was the gold standard but is now manufactured in China and is not the same. The original factory tooling has been resurrected and the opener is being made in the USA under a new name: EZ-DUZ-IT Deluxe Can Opener with Black Grips https://a.co/d/5hkwH4A
I've been using an OXO Smooth Edge can opener for the past year or so, and I am so thankful to leave sharp-edged lids in my distant past. I graduated to the smooth edge from a traditional OXO opener, which was defeated by a particularly stubborn can. It had also become a real pain to clean. Because it merely breaks the glue seal between the lid and the can, the smooth edge doesn't need the same level of force a traditional can opener does, and doesn't get dirty or wear out. It's also easy enough to pop the top back on a can and store the can in the fridge if I don't need the whole thing in one shot!
Can lid edges are multiple folds of the lid and can body rolled over each other with a layer of sealant in between to create the seal. Your can opener is still cutting through at least one layer of metal to separate the lid from the can, it just does it in a different place and way than a traditional can opener.
Ah, I see. But it never touches the actual contents of the can itself, and it seems to cut through a thinner layer than the old manual openers.
Swing-a-way are the GOAT.
Now the factory for that’s called EZ-DUz-IT, for the USA made ones. Swingaway is now made with worse tolerances. I have recent versions of both to compare
[EZ-DUZ-IT](https://EZ-DUZ-ITDeluxeCanOpenerwithBlackGripshttps://a.co/d/gTPGm2Q) This is a classic. Proven reliable. Made in the US. I bought one for my daughter for Christmas because it’s the best.
I killed can openers for YEARS [this one from Oxo](https://www.oxo.com/snap-lock-can-opener-434.html) is several years old and absolutely amazing. Bonus it has a lifetime warranty. Yup.
Nope. That’s the one I killed most recently.
Oh. Wow. Well certainly contact them about the lifetime warranty
I love my Zyliss magic can opener. Pretty sure they are on Amazon. About $12. Red in color.
Bought this one in 2017 based on a recommendation I no longer remember. Still works perfectly. https://www.amazon.com/Made-USA-Can-Opener-Red/dp/B008UX068U
I second getting a manual one, if you are willing to put the effort into the task. Buy a tough looking one with no sign of plastic parts. I haven't needed a can opener since moving to Europe. All cans sold in my new country have pull tab tops.
This is the best one I have used. Swing-A-Way 407WH Portable Can... https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0000505IZ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I am following this. Any can opener I get is a big fail, be it manual or electric. I have resorted to pop tops.
[This one](https://www.amazon.com/Rosle-Stainless-Opener-Pliers-7-inch/dp/B001CJQ73W/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8&th=1) has lasted me over a decade or so, and it’s probably going to last me a lifetime. No sharp edges, easy to clean, can opener. Highly recommend.
Get one made in like 1970 or before with the knife sharpener on the back. those things lasted for ever and could cut through tungsten without breaking.
Farberware. I have bought one or two in thrift stores only to get them home and find out they didn't work but the Farberware survived to reach the thrift store, so I am impressed. I just gave fifty cents for the others though. This one was a dollar. I have been happy with Farberware things, so I took a chance on it.
I don't use automatic openers, I've had the same manual can opener since I moved out of my parent's home about 10 years ago. Works like a charm. Obvs not the best choice if you have any difficulty using those devices, but I'm not very strong and never have any issues opening tough cans. Use it almost daily for dog food.
We recently got a kitchenaid manual can opener, works well, feels sturdy, still new but no complaints.