Swing-A-Way

Why r/BuyItForLife recommends Swing-A-Way

57 mentions from real owners

• #1Dec 28, 2025

  Can opener that lasts??

  Swing a way. 30 years later looks brand new.

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• #2Dec 28, 2025

  Can opener that lasts??

  Swing-A-Way Wall Mount Can Opener. Ours is mounted on the wall inside our walk-in pantry..... 30 years, still going strong.

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• #3Dec 6, 2025

  Church key recommendations?

  Wait hold up, are we talking about can openers or actual church keys? Because I was thinking you meant bottle openers and got real confused about opening condensed milk with one lmao The swing-a-way manual ones are bulletproof though, had mine for like 15 years

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• #4Dec 4, 2025

  Something you didn’t expect to be BIFL but outlasted your expectations?

  Definitely my Swing-A-Way portable can opener, 43 years and still working great.

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• #5Oct 7, 2025

  Stopped buying cheap versions of everything and cooking actually got easier

  I like to find old Swing-a-Way can openers at thrift stores and clean them up. I gift them to friends and family.

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• #6Sep 5, 2025

  What's a purchase under $50 that has genuinely improved your daily routine?

  Swing-a-way but NOT the new ones, they were sold out or moved overseas or something.

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• #7Sep 4, 2025

  What product would you seriously stockpile if you found out they weren't going to sell it anymore?

  I have an Oxo side cutting opener. It's handy for times I want to put the lid back on a partial can. I also have a couple cans on the stove to pour grease into. The lid keeps the smell in. That said, I have two Swing can openers, one with a long crank and a standard one, both of which are at least 40 years old. Now that I think about it, one is from the early 1960s. Both work perfectly. Probably will still be working 40 years from now.

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• #8Sep 3, 2025

  What product would you seriously stockpile if you found out they weren't going to sell it anymore?

  Wish I'd thought to buy four or five Swing-A-Way can openers back when they were still good.

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• #9Aug 1, 2025

  what's your best BIFL item under $50 that most people overlook?

  Swing-a-Way can opener. I never had good luck with can openers until I read some post from a lady saying Swing-a-Ways are the best. I bought it, and 10 years later it is going strong. I think it's like $14 on Amazon.

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• #10Jul 9, 2025

  Important Kitchen Essentials?

  Swing-a-way can opener

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• #11Jul 2, 2025

  Name your top 5 BIFL items

  My 1996 Doc Martens (made in England, not China) I've had them resoled twice. Victronix knives 1996 Kitchaid mixer. She's taken a lickin' for sure 1980s GE hand mixer. I bought it at a thrift shop. It may never die My Swing A Way can opener. Works perfectly

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• #12Jul 1, 2025

  Does anyone else feel like it's impossible to buy quality stuff anymore? Seems like every single thing I buy falls apart absurdly fast. I try to get quality stuff, but reviews are all fake, star ratings are bought... how do you avoid buying junk?

  > How do yall break stuff so easily This. I think a lot of people coming here are the sort to impulse buy junk and then are surprised that it breaks. I can't think of any normal-ish thing I've bought that was just junk. Some basic searching for reviews or examining things in real life stores is all I've ever needed. The one exception being can openers, and once this sub put me on to swing-a-way and the modern replacement, I've been fine there.

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• #13Jun 3, 2025

  What are your favorite niche BIFL items that are currently available?

  “Swing-A-Way” can opener. It was the brand we had growing up. When I moved out on my own I didn’t think much about can opener brands until every one I bought crapped out or broke within a year or so. Asked my mom what the brand on our (still kicking from the 80’s) can opener was, bought the Swing-A-Way, and now I’m good for a few decades or so.

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• #14May 2, 2025

  What’s a kitchen item you bought once and never had to replace?

  My mom was “upgrading” from our swing-a-way to an electric can opener, so I offered to re-home the swing-away we’ve had my whole life. Now I’m a very proud owner. This things going on 30 years at LEAST and it’s the best can opener. Meanwhile my mom’s been cycling through new can openers as they all have broken or done a crap job.

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• #15May 1, 2025

  What’s a kitchen item you bought once and never had to replace?

  Swing-a-way Can Opener I haven't had it that long, but I used it at work and bought one for home. I think it is old-school solid.

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• #16Apr 9, 2025

  Vintage Swing-A-Way Can Openers

  BIFL, yes. I have 2 swingaways, a spare found at Goodwill and a pass me down. They simply work. Whereas the ones that cut the folded layer of the lid are great, but not BIFL, as they break and sadly don't come in an all-metal construction.

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• #17Apr 5, 2025

  Vintage Swing-A-Way Can Openers

  At my advanced age in life, I prefer the term, 'Classic' vs. vintage lol Mine is almost 40 yo & is built like a tank, because I also use it as a glass jar opener. I just whack the lid to dent, & loosen it. 10 yrs ago I tried 1 of those Starfrit things that open the tin around the side, leaving a sharp edge ... nope ... that got tossed within a week.

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• #18Apr 5, 2025

  Vintage Swing-A-Way Can Openers

  So funny, a friend wanted a can opener and I recommend that style from the video. He got it and said it was trash and didnt work. I bought one and used it and it totally works. Told him WTF was he doing, and he tried it again and turns out it was so smooth and easy to use he didn’t even realize it was working, and visually it barely looked like it cut anything, but then he lifted the lid off and was shocked. He was too used to that shitty sold style.

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• #19Apr 5, 2025

  Vintage Swing-A-Way Can Openers

  I have two Swing-A-Way can openers, and both are over 40 years old. One has a long crank handle, which makes it easier to use. I also have an OXO good grips smooth edge can opener. Unfortunately, OXO no longer offers this model. It works very well, but the soft grip material likely won't hold up as well as the vinyl grips on the Swing-A-Way.

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• #20Apr 5, 2025

  Vintage Swing-A-Way Can Openers

  Yup - still have and use mine - no need to replace

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• #21Apr 5, 2025

  Vintage Swing-A-Way Can Openers

  We used to have the one that mounts on the wall. It was the best can opener we ever had.

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• #22Apr 5, 2025

  Vintage Swing-A-Way Can Openers

  I've had mine since 1988!

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• #23Apr 5, 2025

  Vintage Swing-A-Way Can Openers

  I got one from a Thrift Store and it served me for 10 years used, finally developed a problem where it couldn't clasp tightly on cans, had to retire it.

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• #24Apr 5, 2025

  Vintage Swing-A-Way Can Openers

  I also have the same one in brown! My parents got themselves a new one, gos knows why, and gave me their Swing A Way. I'm clinging on it, I love how it's still going so strong!

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• #25Apr 4, 2025

  Vintage Swing-A-Way Can Openers

  Kept one of these in my camper truck in the 90s. Ate many canned veggies with that opener.

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• #26Apr 4, 2025

  Vintage Swing-A-Way Can Openers

  Agreed. While not as efficient as a table mounted opener it is more reliable…but I’m talking for restaurant use.

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• #27Apr 4, 2025

  Vintage Swing-A-Way Can Openers

  One is enough for a lifetime.

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• #28Apr 4, 2025

  Vintage Swing-A-Way Can Openers

  I bought a swing-a-way from Canadian Tire a few months back for like $8. There are certain parts of the fit and finish that are clearly cheaply done, but overall I’ve been pleasantly surprised to see that it performs exceptionally compared to simulator priced competitors. I’ve been through a few can openers in the last few years, even ones that cost 20-30 dollars and were trash.

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• #29Apr 4, 2025

  Vintage Swing-A-Way Can Openers

  Colleagues who own a swing-a-way: I am about to blow your mind. If you hold the opener in your right hand, but hold it horizontally on the other side of the can, it magically turns into a seam-cutting opener. And it works so damn well that I have to think it was designed that way. See here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/th7aicuywreyu3n1vvua3/swing-a-way-seam-cutter.JPG?rlkey=4xbvlo4h1qt4kkdka9xk0wxo0&st=bmqhbjzd&dl=0

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• #30Apr 4, 2025

  Vintage Swing-A-Way Can Openers

  for true BIFL get the long crank handle model. got one for a wedding gift @ 19, thought it was silly until now I'm 50+ and getting arthritis in my fingers.

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• #31Apr 4, 2025

  Vintage Swing-A-Way Can Openers

  Have the same one for 60 years, inherited from Grandma.

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• #32Apr 4, 2025

  Vintage Swing-A-Way Can Openers

  Ive had mine for a long time. I put a tiny amount of oil on the parts that have rusted, just kinda...once in a while when i remember.

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• #33Apr 4, 2025

  Vintage Swing-A-Way Can Openers

  This is the only can opener that has ever worked for my family. My mom has had one for at least 25 years and it still works great. She gifted me and my brother each one last christmas. Love it.

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• #34Apr 4, 2025

  Vintage Swing-A-Way Can Openers

  I have two of these: one from my childhood that my parents gave me, and one I inherited from an uncle. Still as good as ever, meanwhile every can opener I've owned with plastic parts has long since broken.

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• #35Apr 4, 2025

  Vintage Swing-A-Way Can Openers

  I’ve had one of these for probably a decade and will never go back. Hell, I bought one for my camping kit.

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• #36Apr 4, 2025

  Vintage Swing-A-Way Can Openers

  I saw one at a second hand store, opted to buy it (12$ for an electric can opener). I'll be damned if it isn't the best can opener I've ever owned. I got a old 70s roll cutter that I've adjusted to cut smoothly, but its still cutting the lid, and makes a little mess. 

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• #37Apr 4, 2025

  Vintage Swing-A-Way Can Openers

  I converted because of this, never looked back. The biggest plus is having your can opener stay clean.

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• #38Apr 4, 2025

  Vintage Swing-A-Way Can Openers

  I've still never run across these in a thrift store, but they're readily available on eBay for $10-20 shipped. I've bought many sets for people

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• #39Apr 4, 2025

  Vintage Swing-A-Way Can Openers

  I’d be willing to bet it lasts my lifetime

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• #40Apr 4, 2025

  Vintage Swing-A-Way Can Openers

  That looks solid and might last another decade.

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• #41Apr 4, 2025

  Vintage Swing-A-Way Can Openers

  My parents had a Swing-A-Way my whole childhood and it still lives. When I moved out, I went through 4 new build can openers and couldn't figure out why the hell they kept breaking. I got fed up with paying full price, so I got a vintage Swing-A-Way for 50c at Goodwill out of desperation. I've had it for nearly a decade and I don't see it failing any time soon. The best tip I have is to keep the blade and gears clear of food residue so it doesn't rust or gunk up.

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• #42Apr 4, 2025

  Vintage Swing-A-Way Can Openers

  This is, in my personal opinion, the only sort of acceptable can opener. I've tried many other sorts and I always come back to these.

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• #43Apr 4, 2025

  Vintage Swing-A-Way Can Openers

  They still sell those. Bought one last year because I was tired of the cheap plastic piece of shit ones

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• #44Mar 4, 2025

  BIFL, but also BISecondhand. What are some things that everyone should keep an eye out for, but can commonly be found for cheap when preowned.

  Shit, I buy most big ticket stuff used, I'll do a quick list of the things that comes to mind: **Electronics:** * Laptop - refurb Dell Precision * Desktop - used HP Z2 G4 plus RX 5700XT * Terra master NAS and surplus HGST hard drives * Xbox controllers * Camera - Canon 5D MkII + Tamron 28-75mm f2 * Watch - Pebble Time **Household stuff:** * Kenmore laundry center * Frigidaire dehumidifier * Panasonic microwave * Swing-a-way can openers * Cuisinart food processors * KitchenAid mixers * pots and pans * bakeware * Clothes, mostly Eddie Bauer, Chacos, LL bean **Tools:** * Toro lawnmower (from the side of the road) * Used spare parts for lawnmower * Bosch jigsaw * DeWalt router * Milwaukee weedeater * Pole saw attachment * Sawzall * Impact wrench * JBC soldering station * HP oscilloscope * Tektronix power supplies * Kikusui DC loads * REED LCR meter * surplus RF cables and connectors Most of these didn't require any fixing beyond some light cleaning, and in most cases I would say that I got a good deal. Even paying the upper end of market value for the used market, you still get a much nicer product than what the same money would buy new, and you get to help keep more unnecessary stuff from being produced Its a bit intimidating to start buying expensive stuff online, but once you get a feel for how sellers in a particular niche tend to advertise and document things, you can get a very good idea of how the things will function.

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• #45Mar 4, 2025

  BIFL, but also BISecondhand. What are some things that everyone should keep an eye out for, but can commonly be found for cheap when preowned.

  Finally, I can share my $2 CAD find that someone may appreciate, cuz my husband didn't understand... An older Swing-A-Way can opener! Just needed a thorough cleaning but it is built like a tank and works 100% better than my modern Swing-A-Way (that was also made in the US). My "old" can opener has been downgraded to the trailer and my thrift find is in my kitchen drawer. Just don't make em like they used to, I guess.

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• #46Feb 10, 2025

  A can opener that doesn’t break?

  We lost ours at some point. Spent 15 years buying can openers that broke, then finally got a new old swing away on eBay. Perfect. Fantastic. Comfortable. Works like a charm & will hopefully last another 30 years.

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• #47Feb 10, 2025

  A can opener that doesn’t break?

  Get a Swing A Way. Their are cheap and last forever.

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• #48Feb 3, 2025

  What’s one product you bought that has lasted forever and was totally worth it?

  Swing-a-way can opener. But it has to be the one that's made in the USA. Found it online years ago and bought 2 right away just to be safe. Still have both!

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• #49Feb 2, 2025

  Any recs for a new can opener? This is the highest rated one of my online short list so far. Thoughts?

  Go on eBay and buy an old Swing A Way. My parents have had one for as long as I've been alive and it still works fine. I just got one for my wife and I and the first time she held it she nearly dropped it because of how overbuilt it is. You won't regret it.

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• #50Feb 2, 2025

  Any recs for a new can opener? This is the highest rated one of my online short list so far. Thoughts?

  The EZ-Duz-It can openers are the same as the old Swing-A-Way ones. Don't buy on Amazon, as there are known counterfeiting issues.

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• #51Feb 2, 2025

  Any recs for a new can opener? This is the highest rated one of my online short list so far. Thoughts?

  I have broken 3 cheaper ones, and had a few more be so terrible that they are useless. The one I grew up with had been with my family for 20 years, it was a Swing-A-Way one, before they went under and were resurrected as a shitty imitation, a ghost of their former quality. Now that I'm in a more permanent living situation, I'd like a more permanent can opener (among other things)

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• #52Feb 2, 2025

  Any recs for a new can opener? This is the highest rated one of my online short list so far. Thoughts?

  Swing a way — it’s the can opener NASA sent up to Skylab. I doubt they’ve changed much over the years.

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• #53Feb 2, 2025

  Any recs for a new can opener? This is the highest rated one of my online short list so far. Thoughts?

  Find an old Swing A Way can opener. They are cheap and last literally forever.

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• #54Jan 1, 2025

  Can opener that doesn't break in less than a year

  I don’t understand what people do to go through a can opener (or a measuring cup) in a year. I have an OXO that’s lasted me for ages and a Swing a Way that I stlll have because it works as well as the day I bought it.

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• #55Jan 1, 2025

  Can opener that doesn't break in less than a year

  I Like Swing-A-Way but their production moved over seas years ago. EZ-DUZ-IT is the new Swing-A-Way and made in the USA.

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• #56Jan 1, 2025

  Can opener that doesn't break in less than a year

  We have a walk-in pantry, so we installed a wall mounted swing-away opener ~25 years ago. Original unit, still going strong. I keep a US Army P-38 behind the silverware for odd cans.

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• #57Jan 1, 2025

  Can opener that doesn't break in less than a year

  I’ve had two can openers in 15 years and honestly don’t understand what some people do with their stuff. The latest is a Swing-A-Way. It feels like the last one and works the same as I when I got it 4 years ago.

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