I first produced my pistol and then produced my rapier

[venta]

Enquiring minds wish to know...

[Poll #1990058]

Comments

[bibliogirl.livejournal.com]

Right hand would be on the jar lid before the deploying of the Device, but I do have a widget for getting recalcitrant jar lids off.

[sushidog.livejournal.com]

I tend to try both hands, and then tap the edge of the lid with the back of a large knife; that usually releases the vacuum which is holding the lid on, maybe it easier to take it off.
(Also, Whiskey in the Jar, and I see what you did there.)

[ghoti.livejournal.com]

Ooh, that's clever. I do the same, but tap the jar upside down on a work surface, which unsettles the contents rather.

[venta.livejournal.com]

Can you provide details of your widget? I have a Device, but as far as I can tell it is only useful for getting off lids that are no trouble at all.

The mother has an excellent Device which features metal teeth, but I've never seen one for sale.

[venta.livejournal.com]

One kudo to you.

There is usually a connection between the post and subject line, but sometimes it's highly tenuous :)

[sammason.livejournal.com]

LTIWM - laughed till I wet myself at your option 'I have staff for that sort of thing.'

I'd apologise for offending people who have bladder control disability, and people whose carers do personal things for them, but no: I'm entitled to say LTIWM. Here's my Crip Card.

Anyway, if your poll had allowed more than one response I'd have chosen 'left hand'. I'd also have tried stabbing the lid with a sharp object - useful trick from the catering trade - because lid stiffness is usually caused by vacuum in the jar. Another useful trick is to warm the whole thing slightly, perhaps in a bowl of hot water, so that the metal lid expands. If all else failed I'd have put the damn lid in a door hinge.

[shermarama]

Not quite that I have staff for this sort of thing, but in dire circumstances I've been know to try a four-hander, i.e. one person each for jar and lid, so the lid-holder can use two hands to maximise grip. Works best with the jar sat on a worktop, though, or it just leads to a sort of fruitless aerial wrestling.

(I'd be much more nervous of the knife/jar combo since I heard about sabrage.)

[bibliogirl.livejournal.com]

It is one like this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/161465585711 although I bought it in this country and it was (I think) quite a bit cheaper. But unfortunately I've had it for absolutely donkey's years and can't remember where I got it -- I don't think it was anywhere unusual, though.

Shoving that image into Google Image Search doesn't find anywhere in the UK selling that sort of thing, which is very odd. I did find somewhere that'll ship to the UK, though: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fox-Run-Bottle-Opener-Craftsmen/dp/B00OVMFB3E/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1416832442&sr=8-2&keywords=fox+run+jar+and+bottle+opener

[bopeepsheep.livejournal.com]

I used to have a Device but I'm not sure where it is now. (There are at least four possibilities.) If I can't get it off using my right hand I tend to give up; there's not enough strength in my left to bother trying.

[sammason.livejournal.com]

Crip strikes again - do you like any of these? http://www.welcomemobility.co.uk/Departments/Kitchen/Openers.aspx

[ylla.livejournal.com]

The most useful Device I know of is just to get an elastic band and wrap it around the edge of the top - it might have to be quite a wide one for a flat jar top. Don't think it's ever failed for me, unlike more sophisticated Devices!

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

My One Weird Trick when dealing with recalcitrant jars is to put on rubber washing-up gloves to improve my grip. Doesn't always work, and the gloves themselves have to be properly dry for it to have any chance, but it can make that little difference which does the job.

[dr-bob.livejournal.com]

Right hand on lid for initial attempts. Then I resort to a gadget that looks a bit like a torture implement and has a habit of gouging the edges of the lid, but generally works. I remember my folks having one when I was a kid, so the style has been around a long time.

[dr-bob.livejournal.com]

The plastic handled one is like the one I use - but I'm gobsmacked it costs £25. I'd expect it to cost a fiver in a big Sainsbury's.

[pseudomonas.livejournal.com]

I sometimes break the vacuum by gently levering up the edge of the lid (usually with a teaspoon).

[bibliogirl.livejournal.com]

That was pretty much exactly my thought, but neither Sainsburys nor Tesco seem to sell such a beastie any more (not online, at least).

[vicarage.livejournal.com]

boling water dashed over the lid will expand it before the glass does

[hirez.livejournal.com]

It usually goes 'right hand', 'left hand', 'Good Grips jar opener', 'strap wrench bought for removing Landie oil filters', 'door frame', 'fuck it lets have a takeaway'.

[drdoug.livejournal.com]

I do this! The glove doesn't have to be all the way on, either.

If that doesn't work, it's time to hit the lid with a wooden spoon to release the vacuum as mentioned elsethread. (The kids like this one.)

And if that doesn't work, it's time to go to the garage to get plumbing tools, or the hot-water-to-expand-the-lid trick if I remember it.

[venta.livejournal.com]

Indeed, that is more or less exactly the Device that the mother has. It's the only kind I've ever known to be of any actual use!

[drdoug.livejournal.com]

I've heard good things about the Good Grips jar opener from friends, and plan to buy one myself when my hand strength and DIY toolbox prove insufficient. (Which hopefully will be many years yet.)

[bateleur.livejournal.com]

Attempt 1: Right hand on lid.
Attempt 2: Same again wearing (dry) washing up gloves.

I used to own a "device", but rubber gloves work way, way better. I have never tried ylla's elastic band approach, but suspect that might also work well for similar reasons.

[venta.livejournal.com]

Aha! I do indeed like this one: http://www.welcomemobility.co.uk/Products/Universal-Opener__KK_T7206.aspx (this is what we've been discussing up thread, and what I haven't been able to find anywhere).

The rubber sheet thingies are all a bit useless (to me, I'm happy to believe they help others!) But these bitey metal Devices are just the ticket. Thanks :)

[venta.livejournal.com]

Aha... downstream a bit, sammason's link to the Welcome Mobility page finds me this: http://www.welcomemobility.co.uk/Products/Universal-Opener__KK_T7206.aspx

Might have to get me one of those. Anyone else want one, while I'm on!?

[venta.livejournal.com]

Maybe I should try rubber gloves. I have decent grip, so thus far failure to open jars (which is rare, it's a talent I'm usually quite proud of!) is more of a lack-of-torque issue.

At present, I can't open jars at all due to a thumb injury sustained while wrestling with a particularly recalcitrant one a month ago :(