How to Use a Smooth Edge Can Opener? | No-Sharp-Edges Cuts

For the full breakdown, see our best Smooth Edge Can Opener guide.

The key difference from a standard opener: you position the cutting wheel below the lid’s edge instead of on top of it. That one positioning choice is what leaves both the can and the lid with edges smooth enough to touch.

Positioning the Opener on the Can

Set the can on a level countertop. Hold the opener with the side-wind knob facing up and the cutting wheel underneath, aligned with the can’s rim. The edge of the can’s top should sit inside the opening beneath the cutting mechanism, just below the lid’s rolled edge.

Press the handles together to engage the cutting wheel against the can’s side. You should feel the wheel bite into the metal. The opener’s non-slip grip handles keep it steady while you turn.

This below-the-rim position is what separates a smooth edge opener from a standard one. A regular opener cuts through the top of the lid, leaving two sharp edges. The smooth edge design cuts the side of the can below the rim, so neither the can nor the lid ends up sharp.

The Cutting and Lid Removal Process

Turn the side-wind knob clockwise. You’ll feel the cutting wheel travel around the can’s circumference. Keep turning until you complete a full circle and feel the resistance suddenly drop — that means the lid is fully separated.

Turn the knob counterclockwise one full turn to release the lid from the cutting mechanism. Then open the handles and lift the opener away from the can.

Common Mistakes and What to Avoid

• Cutting from the top edge. If you position the opener like a standard one, you’ll get sharp edges — the exact problem the tool is meant to solve.
• Overturning the knob. Once the resistance drops, stop turning clockwise. Extra turns can warp the lid or jam the mechanism.
• Grabbing the lid. The pliers exist so you don’t touch the edge. Use them every time, even if the edge looks smooth.
• Assuming all smooth edge openers are the same. Some are electric, some have knife sharpeners, some don’t. The OXO Good Grips model is manual with no sharpener. Check your specific product’s features before assuming anything.

Why This Design Wins for Safety

If you’re comparing models or wondering which smooth edge opener fits your kitchen, our tested roundup of the best options covers the differences in build quality, handle comfort, and cutting performance.

Once you’ve used a smooth edge opener a few times, the positioning becomes automatic. Below the rim, turn clockwise, reverse one turn, pliers to lift. That’s the whole sequence.