OXO Good Grips Jar Opener

This jar opener was one of my favorite gifts from my bridal shower! I was sick of using those rubber pads; not only did they tear easily, but also they didn't work very well. So far, OXO's version has been a big improvement: the little metal grips easily take hold of most lids, and with a simple twist, the lid is off cleanly and neatly. I have found that the unit can sometimes slip, especially with a very small lid, but if you use it carefully and on a firm surface, you should have mostly success, as I have.

The handle sure is comfortable, just as you'd expect from OXO. Unfortunately this jar opener does not work all that well. Instead of gripping the jar lid with non-slip rubber, it grips it with metal teeth. These sometimes slip off rather than gripping. And when they do grip, the usually leave quite a mark in the jar lid -- sometimes even cutting through very thin lids. Often takes 2-3 tries to open a single jar.

Skip this product and instead buy a jar opener that grips the jar lid with rubber or a similar non-skid, non-damaging material.

The opener is too fragile for the task. The serrated blade is held in place by thin, brittle plastic that is easily broken if one inadvertantly twists or "levers" the handle even slightly up from the plane of the lid - easy to do with a tight lid.

Should you decide to use it, try to keep the body of the opener pressed flat against the cap - easier said than done when trying to stabilize the jar and get leverage on the tool handle.