One of the easiest ways to add a bit more functionality to your EDC is by integrating a bottle opener in your daily kit. You can find them on multi-tools, keychains, knives, and even some wallets. But because of how common they are, they don't get the attention they deserve. The truth is there are so many interesting and fun ways to integrate a bottle opener into your everyday carry. And even if you don't drink often, they're great to have at parties (when we get to have them again). If you don't EDC one already, or if you feel like upgrading the old rusting one in your kitchen drawer, we've rounded up 10 of our favorite bottle openers below, just in time for National Beer Day.
Kershaw’s well known for their line of everyday carry pocket knives, but they also make compact multi-tools like the PT-2. This one-piece tool integrates a bottle opener into a sturdy 8Cr13MoV stainless steel pry tool. It even adds hex wrenches and screwdriver tips into the mix. And when things get slippery and wet, you’ll appreciate the textured glass-filled nylon handle and jimping at the spine that lets you get a firm grip over it as you crack open a cold one.
This update to the classic EDC-favorite Griffin Pocket Tool Mini sizes things down to just 2" long while still providing you hex wrenches, a mini pry tool, a flathead driver, and most importantly, a bottle opener on the side. Aside from the standard bare titanium colorway, you can pick up the GPT Mini in other variations such as blue, green, pink, and bronze.
If you’re tired of small EDC bottle openers that take more than one try to take off a beer bottle cap, you might want this compact standard-style D-ring bottle opener made by TI-EDC. Its design offers one-motion cracking open of the drink of your choice, and its durable titanium construction will last you beyond a single party without cracking or corroding in the process.
If you’re the outdoorsy type, you know how important having a signal whistle can be if you find yourself in trouble. And instead of carrying a flimsy plastic whistle, you might consider picking up this gorgeous sculpted titanium Siren whistle by Kizer. It packs a full 120-decibel signal when you blow through it, but its most important function for our purposes here is the integrated bottle opener at the rear that makes cracking open a cold one at the summit an easy affair.
If the drink of your choice includes a cork (either because it’s aged beer or you prefer wine instead), you know that a standard bottle opener does pretty much nothing to get that open. What you need is a way to integrate a corkscrew into your EDC, and one of the best ways to do that is to integrate a Swiss Army Knife (SAK) into your carry. The Victorinox Picknicker in particular includes a locking Sandvik stainless steel knife, two bottle openers, a can opener, flathead screwdrivers, and a reamer along with the all-important corkscrew.
A lot of the tools in this category tend to be made out of either stainless steel or titanium, but if you’re looking for something with a bit more of a heritage feel that will develop a nice patina as you use it, check out this aesthetic copper-plated bottle opener made by Kikkerland. It’s a pocketable dedicated bottle opener that gives you enough purchase on a beer bottle cap that it only takes one try to crack a cold one open. But unlike a fully-copper tool, the base stainless steel is harder and it won’t bend over time so you can enjoy using this tool for years to come.
If small tools aren’t your thing because they get lost, check out the YETI MOLLE Zinger, which is specifically designed to attach to PALS-/MOLLE-compatible webbing so you can always have a bottle opener on hand. And because it’s attached to the mount with a retractable cord, you don’t have to worry about leaving it at a party after losing track of the time.
If you’re a fan of carabiners for everyday carry, you know how useful they are at keeping your keys attached to your gear or to your pants as you move around. This particular one is made out of grade 5 titanium and precision machined for a sleek look that packs a lot of functionality into its small 2.4" size. While it’s definitely not load-bearing, the swing-gate mechanism holds on to your keys well, and there’s hex wrenches, a screwdriver, and a bottle-opener built into the side.
The keychain is where most people’s bottle openers tend to stay. Unfortunately, the typical keychain bottle opener is a big and bulky deal that makes even less sense if you’ve slimmed down your ensemble with something like a key organizer. At the bare minimum, all you need is a bit of a lever to crack a bottle open, and the Pangea Designs PiCO keychain bottle opener provides just that: a small, lightweight, and durable titanium lever that you actuate with the key ring to lift a bottlecap out of its place.
If you open up a lot of cardboard boxes and packaging everyday, having a trusty utility blade on hand is pretty important. And it’s even better when the utility knife you pick also performs other essential EDC tasks, like prying things open, and of course, opening bottles. The Gerber Prybrid X is the smaller of two new utility knives they’ve put out this year, and this one uses a smaller standard craft blade for fine cuts. The tool also includes 550 paracord for retention, but you can take it off in a pinch for its myriad of uses.
I would be remiss if I didn't include one that anyone can have for the right price of $FREE.99 and that is a folded piece of paper. This will make you the man (or woman) of the party. Can you tell that I get excited about bottle openers?
Of the ones I own...
Brewzer - The opener is a bit too far back for good leverage. I think it needs to moved forward about 1/4". Otherwise, works OK.
SAK opener - The leading edge is a bit thin/sharp, tends to punch through difficult bottle caps, but it works OK. Sometimes have to re-position it to get a cap off.
Shard - The prybar angled end makes it difficult to get caps off in one try, the hook end is a bit sharper than necessary and I actually chipped a bottle top with it once.
Doohickey - Poor design all-around with the biner gate placed right where your finger rests as you try to use the opener.
My favorite isn't on the list...The CRKT Viva. It's one of the largest EDC openers, but I find it works the best for it's intended purpose. If I know there's going to be some session drinking going on, it'll be hanging from my beltloop!
I love my Shard but it lives up to its name- I've chipped bottle tops twice with it. Nothing takes the wind out of your sails like a freshly opened beer with a handful of invisible glass Shards inside.
I have a couple über-minimal keychain screwdrivers so the TEC Accessories Bot-L-Bit is a tiny, functional conversation starter I carry. Once the Kickstarter project for the Bit Bar delivers I'm set!
Nothing I own can crack open a cold one better than my Leatherman Skeletool. The Kershaw Shuffle 8700 opener doesn't work very well, but will do in a pinch. It's good to see the drastic improvement in the Shuffle II. will buy on sight.
I have a [email protected]#$ load of openers that I rotate in my EDC. The two that I have used the most this year are the Kock SoloTitan Ti (22) and The Lever Tool Card. The SoloTitan gets the most claps from the THOTs! Great article Jonathan.
These are some great bottle openers, and I actually own a couple of them on the list! But my favorite is the Beerd Tool by Otto Tactical Tools (ottoedc.com)! It pops tops like nobody's business and I always have one with me!
Great list. I do love a good keychain bottle opener. Personally I've found the DooHickey to be next to useless. The Corter Bottlehook is one of my favourites. You've left out Grovemade's Key Ring. It has a slight knack to use it but its a fantastic opener and keyring. Also, check out Brian Coffey on Etsy. He makes great openers and prytools.
I concur, The DooHickey was a waste of coin. I sharpened the edge just because. The Grovemade Key Ring is one that I don't have. I'll have to get once Riki Tiki! Brian Coffey you say? Roger...
I'm always looking for something to replace my SAK waiter but it keeps on being my perfect EDC for outdoor social events. It's got a bottle opener that also doubles as a P38 style can opener, cork screw, and a tiny blade which is perfect for packaging.
Personally I prefer the TPT by bigidesign. I got it on me anyways because of the flat profile, the tools on it and the disposable blade. It's got a good grip and provides enough lever to open most bottles.
My favorite Keychain bottle oppener is the NiteIze S-biner Ahhhh. It is easy to use and works as an S-biner so I can use it to clip my keys to my belt loop.
The Kershaw Shuffle II is the best bottle opener knife I have used as well. I find bottle openers in the style of the Yeti one or the Kikkerland one tend to work the best. I had one similar to the Yeti design from Yards Brewing on my keychain for years and it worked great
Little late to the party here but I would also suggest Bev-Keys. If you dont mind a little extra weight, they are really well made and you can get them customized for fairly cheap. The one I carry now was my dads from when he was 15, making it about 30 years old. They last forever.
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