OXO SteeL 51181 Jar Opener

I bought this to replace an older jar opener of the same basic design. The old one was mostly plastic, but lasted quite a few years until the plastic gave way.

I like OXO products, but their designs can miss the mark sometimes. This jar opener is solidly constructed, so I don't expect it to break, but unlike my previous (non-OXO) unit, they put teeth on only one of the two edges. Thus the force is concentrated on one edge, and I think this makes it harder to use, with the potential to damage the lid as well.

Still, it's worked fine for me so far. It is necessary to place the jar securely in the correct position and get a good grip on the handle, but that hasn't presented a problem.

I've owned this product for several years, and purchased the standard (not stainless steel) version for my parents as well after they fell in love with mine but I couldn't find the exact same SteeL unit locally. I've never had any problems opening jars with it, including a very stubborn jar of minced garlic that I used to always have to get the arc-joint pliers from the garage to open. No amount of running under hot water, tapping on counter, or silicon grippers would open that little jar, even the pliers were difficult to use due to repeated uses of them having bent and dented the lid. The OXO opener works great on it. It will remove the paint from many lids were the teeth grip the lid.

My mother has bad arthritis and a shortening of the tendons in her hands, but with this tool can again open practically any jar she needs. My father's hands have weakened with age as well, this tool never even makes it back into the drawer because they use it so often that it has garnered...Read more

One Star because there is not an option of giving Zero (0) stars! Jar opener looks nice and is easy to hold but most jar lids will not fit in the teeth of jar opener and the opening is to small for larger jars. I tried opening a jar of salsa with a small average lid. Lid wouldn't stay in jar opener and teeth could not get a good grip on lid. The lid kept coming out. I've also tried to open a jar of Prego Spagetti sauce and the lid would barely go in the opening. NOT A VERY GOOD DESIGN FOR SUCH A GOOD COMPANY.