Reddit reviews P-38 Can Opener and P-51 Can Opener

https://www.amazon.com/P-38-Can-Opener-P-51/dp/B0078WMSZ8

May I present to you

the best cheapest can openers.

You can get them for cheaper, but I thought i'd link to a simple site.

Also... if you don't always have a knife handy or carry one... I recommend you get a good one and save yourself the humiliation of having to open a can without something sharp.


There's tons, but i'd recommend something


like this


but do try and spend $30+ and go with a knife company that has a good reputation for making quality tools.

New addition to my keychain. It's a US army issue can opener first developed back in the 40's. They will last pretty much forever, stories abound of guys still carrying (and using) their grandfathers P-38 which was passed on to them. It's super compact, it pretty much disappears on a keychain and it can be used for a number of other purposes - flat blade screwdriver, scraper, the blade is perfect for cleaning under your nails or opening packages. The name comes from the 38 times you have to puncture a can with it to open it. There is a larger version called the P-51 which is a little heavier duty and easier to operate, but either will open a can easily.

Amazon sells two of them here for three bucks, or you can get a twenty pack here for ten bucks. I bought the twenty pack and scattered some around the house and in my vehicles, figure I will never have to worry about not having a can opener again.

I would have a P-38 or P-51 military style can opener. They are small, and can also be used as a small blade or box cutter in case of emergency. I keep one on key ring. I also have this tiny flashlight which you could make smaller by removing the clip that hooks to a keychain. It is tiny and bright. A universal handcuff key, a tiny firesteel you can scrape with the P-38 can opener, and a tiny compass. Those are nice places to start.

As a single guy who's been living alone for a few years, I'd suggest getting the following. Remember, you can pick up stuff over time; doesn't have to be all at once...

• Microwave & refrigerator w/ freezer. Your place probably already has these, but if not, put at least a basic version high on your priority list...
  
• Electric kettle for boiling water for tea, coffee, etc.
  
• A reusable mug, for holding the tea/coffee. I got mine with a single-cup plastic drip coffee maker for $10 or so about 7~8 years ago. I switched to tea a while back, but still use the mug every day... Avoid going to Starbucks and you'll save a lot of money.
  
• One decent bowl. One decent plate. Disposable crap for when that's not enough to cut it. Adjust based on how often you have people over; I never have people over.
  
• Speaking of disposable stuff: a roll of paper towels and some plastic zip-lock bags.
  
• Can opener. I prefer a simple, cheap camping can opener (looks similar to this), but you should get some kind of can opener.
  
• Trash can and liners, if you don't already have them.
  
• It sounds like you already have a pot and pan. Assuming the pot has a lid, you're probably good there. If not, get a lid. Something to stir the pot with is probably also a good idea -- if you don't already have a cooking spoon of some sort, get one.
  
• Cutting board and a knife.
  
• Sponges and a bottle of dish soap. Those pots and pans aren't going to scrub themselves...
  
• Eating utensils -- e.g. fork, knife, spoon. Can be disposable or reusable, but you should have at least something to eat with...
  
• Measuring cups and measuring spoons. (e.g. teaspoon, tablespoon) You can probably buy cheap plastic ones at your grocery store.
  
• Salt and pepper. Cooking oil. (e.g. corn oil or some other kind of vegetable oil.)
  
• Basic food stuff. I'd recommend always keeping at least the basics for making sandwiches (e.g. bread + lunch meat + mayo), milk and cereal, and a few microwave dinners on hand for when things go wrong or you don't feel like cooking.

You can fix that situation for a mere $6.

https://www.amazon.com/P-38-Can-Opener-P-51/dp/B0078WMSZ8

Tape the big one to the board, put the small one on your keychain.

Food, think of it as a camping trip, or survival situation. Bring only what you will actually eat. And haul out all your trash when you leave. Since refrigeration isn't possible, bring non-perishable stuff. If you bring cans, don't forget the can opener. Better yet, get one of these on your key chain and you'll never be without a can opener. When we went we had an RV, but we still primarily brought canned, pickled and dried goods. Pickles, cheese, assorted crackers, salami, ramen, tuna, bread, apples, oranges, oh and trash bags. Since you're in a tent, if you wanna have something warm one day, maybe coffee, tea or even soup, pick yourself up a cheap little backpacking stove and if you wanna get really fancy, get a cheap little mess kit too.


As for "bartering" from other people for food, or in essence "mooching", c'mon man, you don't wanna do that. Radical self reliance, not radical rely on others. Like /u/OMGparty said, read the Survival Guide. Don't be "that guy".


As for water, as a general rile of thumb 1 gallon a day is enough to just get by and not cramp up if you're eating really light, 2 is better, especially if you plan on eating normally, 3 if you are drinking and dealing with the heat, mild physical activity.

https://www.amazon.com/P-38-Can-Opener-P-51/dp/B0078WMSZ8

Might I suggest the p51 instead? It's a larger version of the same concept, more leverage, less work. Link has a side by side comparison.

Or a P-51 if you feel rich.

The unknown piece of metal is a can opener.

I like many of your choices. Some of my recent purchases not included in your list, some quite a bit under $25:

• Sharpening stone
  
• Leatherman Squirt PS4
  
• Whistles
  
• Tactical pen
  
• P38/P51 can openers
  
• 550 Paracord
  
• USB flash drive for your keyring
  
• LED flashlights for keyring
  
• Universal handcuff key
  
  

Here are some recommendations. If you are doing batoning and splitting, I would recommend something with a thick spine (and learning how to do it correctly). I wouldn't open cans with my knife because it's a poor tool choice for that and there are plenty of dirt cheap can openers.

Here are a few options:

KA Bar Becker companion in 1095 steel

Ontario Rat 3 in 1095

Morakniv Companion Heavy Duty carbon blade

cheap US army can openers so you don't damage your knife or hands opening cans

​

These are some good high carbon blades in a variety of prices. I do recommend buying one you can feel to get a good idea if the grip is right, but this should give you some variety of makes and what they offer. These are all black anodized coatings which will help keep rust away. My preference is for a knife in the 7 inch length range for chopping, no serrations (pain to upkeep and don't cut, they rip) and a neutral finish because black knives are hard to find if you drop it in the dark. NEVER buy a knife that isn't full tang.

Go out and get a feel for handles, blade shapes and lengths and try what you can borrow before making a decision.

https://www.amazon.com/P-38-Can-Opener-P-51/dp/B0078WMSZ8

I really love these, but you'll have to be willing to learn how to get good at using them.

Hey man, some quick tips on your bag. First, figure out its purpose. Is it designed to get you from work to home, where you have more resources? Or are you planning on being supported by it for longer periods of time?

-Lose the can opener and get something like this. That thing is way too much weight to carry for the possibility that you may have to open a can of spaghetti-o's.

-You're going to need more water, especially if you plan on eating those brick rations. Throw in some bottled water and just swap it out every so often.

-You need better first aid. As I see it, you pretty much have pills and bandaids. Since you're just starting out, I recommend going to a sporting goods store and picking up two things-- a premade first aid kit (whatever size/price you're comfortable with, as long as you know how to use everything in it) and a small tackle box to keep all those pills in. Write the medication type, how many mg per pill, and expiration date on each compartment.No sense in carrying around all those bottles.

-You need a better multitool. You don't need to buy an eighty dollar Leatherman, but that thing looks like you got it out of a cereal box. A couple of weeks ago I picked up this knife and multitool set from Home Depot, and they're pretty good for backups. Husky hand tools also have a lifetime warranty.

-You need a better flashlight. /r/flashlight can help you out here.

-You could probably stand to lose a blade or two.

-What do you have planned for the smoke bombs?

-Check out /r/bugout.

P-38 Can Opener and P-51 Can Opener https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0078WMSZ8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_.O3zyb5SYPJRV

Posted this above but am copy/pasting.

Smaller can openers that work:

>Either of these could save you some space and weight

>P-38

>or the more robust and slightly larger

>P-51

>For size comparison: Here

http://www.amazon.com/P-38-Can-Opener-P-51/dp/B0078WMSZ8

You can find these can openers at military surplus and camping/outdoors shops:

https://www.amazon.com/P-38-Can-Opener-P-51/dp/B0078WMSZ8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1481038615&sr=8-1&keywords=Military+can+opener

Cuts down on weight. They're effective and if you grab a couple they can be stowed in a few places so when you lose one, there's another in the first compartment of your bag that you check.

https://www.amazon.com/P-38-Can-Opener-P-51/dp/B0078WMSZ8