RothcoG.I. P-38 Can Openers - 15 Pack

The P-38's arrived today in a padded envelope. Fifteen can openers were in a heavy plastic resealable bag. I can't tell for sure if they are nickel plated. As far as I can observe they are as close to Mil-Spec as I can see from looking on the internet. I tried bending it by hand and I couldn't get it to bend. It will bend if I push it just right against a hard surface. That indicates it may not have the mil-spec hardening. I tried to bend it against some harder steel like opening a can, but it wouldn't bend under my strength.Overall, it will open cans which is what it is made for. It has a better cutting tip and is harder than the Chinese knock-offs I see in retail blister packs.I sent one to my father who had one from Vietnam. I will ask him if it is the same or not.

After my stint in the US Army infantry during the Vietnam era, I am quite familiar with the P-38. I brought home as many as I could for the simplicity and ease of opening cans while on outdoor camping trips, etc. Nothing beats a trusty P'38!! Buy the big bag and cache them everywhere.

I purchased these for my Bug Out Bag, as well as keeping a can opener at my desk for when I'm at work and can't duck out for a quick lunch break. They work perfectly for that.The only real issue I've found is that the metal seems to be a little soft. Specifically, the portion of the can opener that hooks under the rim of the can became slightly deformed after I used it to open a number of cans. It actually looks like the hook is bent slightly, with the result of the hook being a rather sharp protrusion.On final note, this does take a bit of forearm strength to use, and if you are using it on a #10 can, you can expect it to take some time to open one.

These are smaller in length and width and the metal is thinner than the standard US P-38's. But Smaller may be preferable if space and weight is an issue.Blade does not unfold easily initially. But that could help to keep blade in closed position while carrying.Key chain hole is located next to blade as opposed to the opposite end on the standard US P-38. (Standard P-38 have "US" stamped on them)These are stamped with "MIL -J- 0837"I can't attest to longevity as I've only just purchased.They open cans the same as the standard and I guess that's all that matters. I will buy these again so long as they don't break or bend.

I make tiny survival tins with Altoids-Smalls tins. These p-38's fit in there great. I've got one on all my keychains. They're perfect for camping, or taping to the inside of your canned food cache.They're incredibly easy to use once you figure it out. Takes about as long as using a hand-crank can opener when you get the feel for it.I've bought others that were not sharp at all, and incredibly difficult to use. All of them in this 15 pack are sharp enough to rip the top off a beer can easily.They don't say Shelby, but they're printed with MIL-J-0837. I've got some Shelby's as well, and I cannot tell the difference. I'll be buying more of these.

These will not be the same as what was issued back in the days of C-rations. The concept is the same and these do work. My father gave me one of these many years ago. Since then I had used nothing else to open cans. I lost it a few years ago and I could not get used to using the standard can opener. I took a chance and ordered these. I am so glad I did. I am cooking for myself more often these days and I need to be able to quickly open a can. I've had no problem with my batch. I may give some out as gifts.

I bought these to give to my friends in a Military motor cycle club. They are the same as what we were given with our C-rations. Handy little thing to have on your key chain.

I got my first P-38 in the summer of 71 with my first box of C-rats courtesy of the U.S. Army. I still have that thing, still works great. When I received this order of P-38s I noticed these are identical to my old one, then noticed they are still made by the same company. Great little gadget to have on your key ring just in case you ever need a can opener, flathead screwdriver, mini gut hook, portable hook for hanging stuff,

Very flimsy, i'm gonna get a better can opener that will also be more practical because this one bends and breaks really easily. It's also complicated to use given its very small size. Don't waste your money and time here.