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Which performs better: Connoisseur's Compact Wine Opener vs. Metrokane Rabbit?

We've been using either a ice pick-like manual pump or a funky lever action cork screw affair for the last few years and frankly BOTH are a pain to use. We're interested in these ergonomic rabbit looking things, but at the prices they're going for, we don't want to end up with another costly piece of FOD that will just get stuck in the drawer along with the "electric scissors from hell" and the Reynolds wrap hand held vacuum sealer.

I've read reviews pro and con on both the Metrokane & the Brookstone. I trust THIS crowd more than unknown reviewers.
Is one better made than the other, or is there another one out on the market & under the radar that will hold up just as well for a lot less?

Also, will it perform with the screwy corks that aren't made of cork? Screw tops I can get over, but these plastic looking corks just seem strange.

(I'd ask over on the wine side, but DANG! if those people don't sometimes come down on what they think is a stupid question)

by lavikinga
asked a year ago

15 Answers answer

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vote-for1vote-against

a waiter' corkscrew, in my opinion, is the best.

here's one on amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Pulltap-Double-hinged-Waiter-Corkscrew/dp/B0000AV1B9/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1300124869&sr=8-1

Only don't buy that. you can get one in the store for about $2. Sometimes the wine shop will have some to give away as promos.

vinithehat
a year ago

vote-for3vote-against

@vinithehat: I am loathe to admit this, but I have a bit of difficulty using one. Call it a combination of bad coordination and a touch of arthritis in my hands, but I have a devil of a time working those. (Who knew one could get old people arthritis when you're not old???) That's why I'm looking for something that has a more ergonomic bent to it. Gettin' old sux.

lavikinga
a year ago

vote-for2vote-against

@crabnebula: THANK you! I want a rabbit type but am too cheap to pay 50 bucks for it.

lavikinga
a year ago

vote-for4vote-against

@lavikinga: Manual pump? I've used the compressed air thingies (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002S6BNU). They work pretty well as long as the cork isn't damaged.

I haven't tried the Connoisseur's, but we have a Rabbit that's ridiculously easy to use. I have a gift pack like this: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000XS5M8E. But I wouldn't have paid that much. I think I paid closer to $20 for it. Or maybe it was a gift. It's held up very well over several years.

@vinithehat: My my wife and I each used to wait tables. We're both quite adept at using a waiter's tool. But there's no way it's easier or faster than a Rabbit - especially for an arthritic user.

To use the Rabbit:
Cut the foil
Clasp handles on either side of bottle
push lever down
pull lever up

That's it.

To release the cork, repeat the lever motion. When not on a bottle, it releases the cork instead of drilling into it. Clever design.

For anyone wanting to use a waiter's corkscrew, a hinged one like vini linked to is easier to use.

anotherhiggins
a year ago

vote-for2vote-against

Pssst! Hey, guys? Is it just me or does anyone else see one of my above replies is all hyperlinked-ish?

lavikinga
a year ago

vote-for3vote-against

@lavikinga: nope, it's just you. you've gone off the deep end.

just kidding. i see it too. it's happened elsewhere too: http://deals.woot.com/questions/comment/9c1f5344-f5a2-46e5-b599-f38e567985ea - a comment from @josefresno

smtatertot13
a year ago

vote-for3vote-against

I really like my rabbit but have no experience with the other one. I can say that the rabbit is WAY better than a waiter's corkscrew, which I really have trouble with.

benyust2
a year ago

vote-for3vote-against

Using a rabbit you'll have problems with Charles Shaw and some other wines that use the same type of synthetic cork. They ruin the screw by stripping the coating off them.

prosperouscheat
a year ago

vote-for2vote-against

@prosperouscheat: Thanks you for answering this question. Between the two cork pullers I currently have, I usually use the pump as that seems to damage the cork less and gets it out relatively easier than the screw version.

lavikinga
a year ago

vote-for3vote-against

@prosperouscheat: @lavikinga: I don't buy 2-Buck Chuck (actually I think it's 3-bucks now) often, but I've used the Rabbit on some X-Buck Chucks and lots of other wines that use the plastic corks. I haven't noticed any problems.

anotherhiggins
a year ago

vote-for2vote-against

@lavikinga: Have a read through the comments on the rabbits that have been offered through Woot (there have a been quite a few) and you may see a pattern as to what works and what doesn't. @anotherhiggins hasn't had problems but I remember a few that did have issues.

prosperouscheat
a year ago

vote-for2vote-against

@prosperouscheat: Thanks for the heads up. Maybe I'll just use a regular (cheap) corkscrew for those from now on, just to be safe.

anotherhiggins
a year ago

vote-for1vote-against

@anotherhiggins: the 2-buck chuck corks aren't plastic, they're just VERY hard cork. And they do wear the screw out eventually. However, those are available for $5 each, so it's not a big deal.

rhmurphy
a year ago

vote-for1vote-against

It's the 'better mousetrap' syndrome. While there are all kinds of bottle openers that do the job well, I still use and prefer a basic wine key.

sm0ld3r
a year ago

vote-for2vote-against

Thanks to everyone who chimed in with good advice. AtC can always be depended upon for good opinions. I think I'm going to take the leap and and go with a less expensive model. If it turns out it doesn't work for me, I have plenty of wine drinkers in my life to whom I can pass the failed experiment.

lavikinga
a year ago

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