During the second World War these "openers" were known as P-38's...because it took 38 turns to open cans of that era! Why is it now called a P-51?????
1561004
It's mainly because it's a bigger version if the p-38 in size. Some says it gets its name from the p-51 mustang air plane used back in those days. But all in all it's for the size difference as far as I know.
1561005
It was called a P-38 because that is what's stamped on the side of the opener. I could open a can in about 20 twists so the 38 "turns" stories is an old wives tale.
1561006
I do not know but hopefully someone can answer he question. I'd like to know also. It is a great item. Small and very sharp. Does work whther you nee 38 or 51 turns.
1561007
My understanding is that this opener is larger, opens bigger cans more easily, and takes less thumb pressure to operate.
1561008
From Wikipedia; One technical explanation for the origin of the name is that the P-38 is approximately 38 mm (1.5 in) long. This explanation also holds for the P-51, which measures approximately 51 mm (2.0 in) in length.
1561009
These are larger than the P-38 about twice the size. Not verifying P-51 is correct, I am not the seller am a buyer, just saying these are larger then the P-38.
1561010
I understood that the P-38 plane was also known as a 'tin can opener' referring to it's combat against ships. The 'tin can opener was just applied to the device as well. Good story at any rate.
1561011
I've heard someone in the service say it takes 51 turns to open a gallon can. I don't know if that's true or not though.
114272
Also realize this is a tactical/combat design. Few participate in these operations using a compact weapon.
1257163
Yes. The ones I received were marked Shelby, Made in USA. They even had the feel & finish as the originals. The original one I have on hand to compare with came from Viet Nam war. There are some knock-offs out there that don't even compare & will bend, fall apart, rust. Shelby made the P-38 opener what it is; others have ALL fallen short of meeting their standards.
1901917
Check out this Wikipedia link (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P-38_can_opener) for a comparison of the two can openers. I have been using my opener since I got it around 1965.
587631
So funnnnnny,Mine did the same,I had to turn the can hard manually to get it to open can because it was jammed with paper on can...Its JUNK...Just bought a new one with 5 stars,guess you get what you pay for!!
1195606
the p-38 or p-51 can opener is very easy to use simply open the cutting edge away from the opener, place on top or can and press down this will puncture the can keep that motion in turning around top of can it will fully open, hope this helps, please refer to u tube as they have vids on how to do it as well with graffic vidsRON
1257161
Mine says US Shelby on it, and it is from my Dad in WW2 1944, The design is the same, however the metal is different, mine is appears to be made from steel and the new one is made from some other kind of metal. Both items work well, my orginal P38 has severed me well as I have used it since 1950 in Boy Scouts.
1174220
Not at all. Fold out the blade, hook the little clip under the lip of the can and start cranking away. You will be amazed at how fast you can open a can with one of these.Larger cans of course take a bit longer as well as some more "work".There is only one other can opener that compares to these and that's the one on a Swiss Army Knife.I have/carry 3 Can Openers. A P-38, a P-51 and a Swiss Army Knife.That should say something.
1328232
I hardly ever have a problem opening a can with this. It may have happened, but if it did, I think it was with my very old one which lasted about nine years. I do have one of those old, very cheap can openers. but don' have to use it often. This one is the best. Hope this helps. Peggy
1723435
It's been awhile since I've had mine but to reply without going to confirm I seem to recall it's the pick & pluck foam what made the difference. I made some 'throw and go' out of several of these to hold a firearm, magazines (2), and a box of ammo in each. My only recommendation preference for them was to provide a better latch to prevent accidental opening.
552482
Made in Germany. Only Sargent and Greenleaf 833 and 951 (starting at $1200) are stronger but have a Medico locking system which can be picked with tools and knowledge as can the Abus 37/80. The only lock that cannot be opened is by Abloy of Sweden, the PL362 being almost as strong as the Abus. Even Mark Weber Tobias cannot open their rotating disc cylinder.
2063590
No, it is not an exaggeration. Everywhere there was a side road shooting off into the median (whether there was a traffic light or just a cut road), it said to stay right. Very annoying. It is not a case of road name changes, or anything like that. Dale Mabry runs from Macdill AFB all the way to Pasco County. I realize an open convertible is not far to comment on the volume, I said it was closed, and although it is more noisy than other cars, it is not that bad. Anyway, has anyone tried this:C520-PowerCradle: Mio C520 Factory Power Cradle with built-in speaker No, it is not an exaggeration. Everywhere there was a side road shooting off into the median (whether there was a traffic light or just a cut road), it said to stay right. Very annoying. It is not a case of road name changes, or anything like that. Dale Mabry runs from Macdill AFB all the way to Pasco County. I realize an open convertible is not far to comment on the volume, I said it was closed, and although it is more noisy than other cars, it is not that bad. Anyway, has anyone tried this:C520-PowerCradle: Mio... » Read More No, it is not an exaggeration. Everywhere there was a side road shooting off into the median (whether there was a traffic light or just a cut road), it said to stay right. Very annoying. It is not a case of road name changes, or anything like that. Dale Mabry runs from Macdill AFB all the way to Pasco County. I realize an open convertible is not far to comment on the volume, I said it was closed, and although it is more noisy than other cars, it is not that bad. Anyway, has anyone tried this:C520-PowerCradle: Mio C520 Factory Power Cradle with built-in speaker « Show Less
1168682
The year varies, but Kimber "Meprolight" will not ship any that are more then two years old! Kimber told me that they simply recycle the ampules of tritium and that they only ship fresh units! Mine were dated less then four months! They claim a 15 year life span, so that's something to count for these sights! Keep in mind they need a sight pusher to remove the old sights and to install the new ones! Also note that it will take some hand fitting, and still require quite a bit of force to install! Done correctly, these are some of the tightest and most secure sights out there, and they are bright, without being a distraction!!!! The year varies, but Kimber "Meprolight" will not ship any that are more then two years old! Kimber told me that they simply recycle the ampules of tritium and that they only ship fresh units! Mine were dated less then four months! They claim a 15 year life span, so that's something to count for these sights! Keep in mind they need a sight pusher to remove the old sights and to install the new ones! Also note that it will take some hand fitting, and still require quite a bit of force to install! Done correctly, these are some of the tightest and most secure sights out there, and... » Read More The year varies, but Kimber "Meprolight" will not ship any that are more then two years old! Kimber told me that they simply recycle the ampules of tritium and that they only ship fresh units! Mine were dated less then four months! They claim a 15 year life span, so that's something to count for these sights! Keep in mind they need a sight pusher to remove the old sights and to install the new ones! Also note that it will take some hand fitting, and still require quite a bit of force to install! Done correctly, these are some of the tightest and most secure sights out there, and they are bright, without being a distraction!!!! « Show Less
1901919
The p-51 is much larger and duller. P-38 was a better quality. I am still using mine from the Viet Nam era
2284032
The nozzle , ugh, it ruins the can. Its a two handed operation just to 'open' the nozzle and then a second person to lift and pour into the fuel tank. Weird and I would not buy another just because of that uneducated mechanical change.
1901922
One thing for certain is that the P-51 is made larger, I suppose because the new generation of men are larger with larger hands than us old Vietnam era guys.
653970
We have had ours for a little more than 5 years and it has just started having difficulty opening cans with 1 rotation. We are active with scouting and church which means we usually are involved in food preparation which not only entails opening regular cans but the larger # 2 1/2, #5 and #10 cans so it has had probably double the usage that a normal household would put it through. We just replaced it with another which I'm sure will give years of service.