Netscape Forum Poll: Favorite cork puller

[Robin Garr]

Assuming that you haven't gone over entirely to screw caps, the cork extractor is still perhaps the wine enthusiast's most indispensible tool. But <i>which</i> cork extractor? Do you favor the old-fashioned two-wing puller? The so-called "waiter's model" that resembles a pocket knife? The two-pronged "Ah-So" that works its prongs down opposite sides of the cork? Or maybe a fancy hand-held or table mounted lever model? Everyone has a favorite, and we invite you to tell us yours in this week's Netscape/CompuServe Community poll.

<b>Click here to vote!</b>

(Standard reminder: You don't have to register or log in at Netscape to vote, and you're welcome to post comments in either forum.)

I open the vast majority of bottles in the kitchen using my waiter's model. However, if I'm putting on a show for folks over for dinner, I'll take a few interested individuals down to the cellar and, involving them, make a small production out of selecting and opening using the brass table mounted lever model.
By the way usually only guys want to see the cellar and that suggests another poll question. I'll have to think about that a little more.

I have a stainless steel Italian model (single jointed) that I like even better than the double jointed waiters variety. Perfect screw / handle length w/ great levereage. Flat and fits neatly in my pocket.

I prefer it over everything I've tried.

Richard

I like the waiters corkscrew, but unlike Richard have a very strong preference for the "pulltap" (2-stage hinged model with teflon worm). The 2 stage means I can always extract a long old cork even if I don't exactly center. I have a very nice Laguoile single stage one, works well but if I end up with a long old cork it can snap from bending.

It's good to have an AhSo for truly crumbly corks. And a funnel filter.

I like the waiters corkscrew, but unlike Richard have a very strong preference for the "pulltap" (2-stage hinged model with teflon worm). The 2 stage means I can always extract a long old cork even if I don't exactly center.

Ditto.
Best, Jim

Two waiters friend style and a rabbit syle screwpull. Useage depends on mood. We also have a table mounted one which has yet to make it out of the box. A very well intentioned present from the parents, but a bit worrying that they think we drink enough to justify it! One wine tasting I must get it out for it's debut.

regards

Ian

Useage depends on mood. We also have a table mounted one which has yet to make it out of the box. A very well intentioned present from the parents,

LOL, we had one of those from the same source also. I think we re-wrapped it and presented it as a B-day present to another friend who can't get the hang of a waiter's style.

Richard

Two-winged... haven't had a problem with a cork yet.

I love the waiter's corkscrew for its portability and compactness, although I have to say that I've used a two-wing model at home for ages and despite the fact that many people seem to dislike them, it has always worked well for me. I have received numerous other expensive/fancy corkscrews that have either been painful on the hands due to a fashion-over-function design, or that have simply busted after a few months' use. The plain old aluminum two-wing keeps on going and going, though.

For me, it depends on quantity. If I'm opening just a few (1-3) bottles of wine, I use my waiter's friend. OTOH, if I need to open more than that, I'll break out the Screwpull since it speeds up the process so much.

Mark Lipton

I like my two-winged model. It's a yuppie model that is too cute (Alessi), so it's more for the funniness of it than the fact that it works better than any other types (it's the one that looks like a woman with a face and everything).

[Robin Garr]

I lhave to say that I've used a two-wing model at home for ages and despite the fact that many people seem to dislike them, it has always worked well for me.

I have two points of dislike for them, personally, neither really fatal.

First, they're not portable. Being able to stick the waiter's model in my pocket and take it everywhere is a big selling point.

More serious for me is that I have never seen a two-wing puller with an open helix. They almost invariably seem to have a solid "wood-screw" worm, and while they work okay most of the time, they're more problematical with older or fragile corks. If I had one with a helix, that would be an improvement, but I'm still underwhelmed with them not being suitable for pocket use.

I lhave to say that I've used a two-wing model at home for ages and despite the fact that many people seem to dislike them, it has always worked well for me.

They almost invariably seem to have a solid "wood-screw" worm

My two-wing has an open helix. Quick perusal of Target shows most of their two wings have the open helix, so maybe it's changing.

I would agree that somes two-wings are decidedly subpar, my parents have one. Anything with plastic on it I would stay away from it.

I voted pocket screwpull on the technicality "cork." For other stoppers I use a waiter's pal with a 1/2" claw to save the worm on the screwpull.