GI P38 Can Opener
The GI P-38 Can Opener is the classic folding pocket can opener issued to U.S. troops with canned field rations from 1942 through the 1980s. Just 1.5 inches long, it pairs a stamped steel body with a folding carbon-steel blade that hooks the rim of a can and walks around the lid with a simple twisting motion. A punched lanyard hole lets you carry it on a dog tag chain, keychain, or paracord loop, and it doubles as a flathead screwdriver, seam ripper, and pry tool. Standard kit for survival tins, mess kits, bug-out bags, and anyone who wants a proven field tool in their pocket.
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- SKU
- GI-P38
- Material
- Stainless Steel
- Style
- Military
$1.99
$0.65
Description
Features
- Genuine GI Specification — Built to the same U.S. military pattern issued with C-Rations from WWII through the 1980s.
- Compact 1.5-Inch Profile — Folds flat to roughly 1.5 inches (38mm) long, slipping easily into a pocket, pack, or ration kit.
- Stamped Steel Construction — One-piece steel body with a folding carbon-steel cutting blade for fast, reliable can opening.
- Notched Hook Design — Locks onto the rim of the can and "walks" around the lid with a simple twist-and-bite motion.
- Lanyard Hole — Punched hole accepts a keychain, dog tag chain, or paracord loop so it stays with you in the field.
- Boil-Sterilizable — Per the original mil-spec, the lanyard hole allows the opener to be suspended in boiling water for sterilization.
- Multi-Use Field Tool — Doubles as a flathead screwdriver, seam ripper, box cutter, and bottle pry for everyday utility.
- Featherweight Carry — Weighs next to nothing, making it standard kit for bug-out bags, survival tins, mess kits, and EDC keychains.
- Proven Combat Heritage — Famously nicknamed the "John Wayne" by GIs and considered one of the Army's most enduring small inventions.
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Customer Reviews
Top customer reviews
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P38Everyone should have one (or 8 like i bought). Great stocking stuffer. Teach your children well.
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Tiny thing that just WORKSBought a couple of these to throw in my camping bag. Takes a little practice at first, you gotta walk it around the rim of the can and let the little blade do the work but once you get it its faster than my electric opener at home. I even used it to scrape a pan and cut some paracord which was handy. For a couple bucks you really cant complain, this thing is gonna outlive me.
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Takes practice but works great threw in every bagBought a handful of these to stash in my range bag, camping kit, and glove box. Figured for the price of like two bucks each it's cheap insurance. Yeah there's a learning curve first time i used it i butchered a can of Hormel chili pretty bad and got metal shavings in my food (my own fault, you gotta go slow and keep the blade hooked under the rim). Once you get the technique down though it opens cans clean and fast. The thing weighs basically nothing and takes up zero space which is the whole point. I've opened probably 30 cans with the one in my camping kit now and the blade is still sharp.
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Same one we had in the armyBought this to keep in my truck. Its the real deal, same P38 I used back in the 80s. Opens anything from tuna to peaches no problem. Only downside is its so small you gotta be careful not to lose it.
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Tiny but tough little toolBeen carrying one of these in my range bag for years now. Opens MREs and canned beans faster than my multitool. Still sharp after a couple hundred uses.
Tough as nails
Takes practice to get the hang of it
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