Corkscrew sharpening

[h0b0]

Sharpening probably isn’t what I need but it is a good staring point for the thread.

I have a corkscrew that was fantastic when new but is now “dull”. It was a gift and means a lot to me. When new it would go through cork like it wasnt there. Unfortunately, this is the second one after the first was replaced under warranty for the same reason that ended in it breaking.


I’m assuming I don’t need to sharpen it but what do I need? Lubricant?

Any help gratefully received.

[fttm canada]

Wouldn’t have thought lubricant a good idea , try sharpening the tip on a grinding wheel ? Failing that buy screw tops or boxes , hth .

[21TonyK]

a bit of plain candle wax will help

[Snow and Rocks]

Is it particularly blunt? I've just used our corkscrew which isn't especially sharp at all and it works fine.

[WelshRich]

Is it possible that the corkscrew has stretched (or bent) when pulling on a stuck cork?

If it hasn’t stretched evenly, it may now have a “variable pitch” (probably poor terminology) but rather than the whole screw following the hole made by the point, it may be binding in the cork. (Are the turns of the corkscrew still evenly spaced?)

[Ezra]

h0b0 said:

Sharpening probably isn’t what I need but it is a good staring point for the thread.

I have a corkscrew that was fantastic when new but is now “dull”. It was a gift and means a lot to me. When new it would go through cork like it wasnt there. Unfortunately, this is the second one after the first was replaced under warranty for the same reason that ended in it breaking.


I’m assuming I don’t need to sharpen it but what do I need? Lubricant?

Any help gratefully received.

Well, you live and learn.

[h0b0]

Ezra said:

h0b0 said:

Sharpening probably isn’t what I need but it is a good staring point for the thread.

I have a corkscrew that was fantastic when new but is now “dull”. It was a gift and means a lot to me. When new it would go through cork like it wasnt there. Unfortunately, this is the second one after the first was replaced under warranty for the same reason that ended in it breaking.


I’m assuming I don’t need to sharpen it but what do I need? Lubricant?

Any help gratefully received.

Well, you live and learn.

Warranty on a corkscrew? Yeah, the first was a gift from my mother at $100. That was after the 50% discount. When new it glides effortlessly through the cork. Over time it becomes more and more difficult. The pointy bit is still pointy but the paint has worn off. I’m wondering if they coat it with a slippery paint.

They come with a second twisty bit but that also wears out.


ETA just done some research and they coat the screw in teflon and many people say it wears out. Replacement is $50 just for the screw bit.

[sherman]

h0b0 said:

Warranty on a corkscrew? Yeah, the first was a gift from my mother at $100. That was after the 50% discount. When new it glides effortlessly through the cork. Over time it becomes more and more difficult. The pointy bit is still pointy but the paint has worn off. I’m wondering if they coat it with a slippery paint.

They come with a second twisty bit but that also wears out.


ETA just done some research and they coat the screw in teflon and many people say it wears out. Replacement is $50 just for the screw bit.

Would this work?
PTFE spray.
£7.19 from screwfix.
PTFE is just the chemical name for the brand name Teflon.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/wd-40-dry-ptfe-lubrican...

[h0b0]

sherman said:

h0b0 said:

Warranty on a corkscrew? Yeah, the first was a gift from my mother at $100. That was after the 50% discount. When new it glides effortlessly through the cork. Over time it becomes more and more difficult. The pointy bit is still pointy but the paint has worn off. I’m wondering if they coat it with a slippery paint.

They come with a second twisty bit but that also wears out.


ETA just done some research and they coat the screw in teflon and many people say it wears out. Replacement is $50 just for the screw bit.

Would this work?
PTFE spray.
£7.19 from screwfix.
PTFE is just the chemical name for the brand name Teflon.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/wd-40-dry-ptfe-lubrican...

I will give it a try. I suspect it will not have staying power though. I looked at the Teflon coating process and it’s not a diy thing. The corkscrew is meant to last 8000 bottles. If that was the case I’d have a bigger drinking problem super power than Gerard Depardieu who drinks 14 bottles of wine a day. He is wise though, he starts off with champagne breakfast so it doesn’t strain his corkscrew.

[LooneyTunes]

h0b0 said:

ETA just done some research and they coat the screw in teflon and many people say it wears out. Replacement is $50 just for the screw bit.

Presumably, with replaceable worms, it’s something like a Le Crueset lever model (e.g. LM 250)?

If so, there are a number of third party sellers of replacement worms on Amazon. No idea if they’re any good but much cheaper than the original;

The wax/ptfe suggestions might be worth a go.

[Kermit power]

h0b0 said:

Warranty on a corkscrew? Yeah, the first was a gift from my mother at $100. That was after the 50% discount. When new it glides effortlessly through the cork. Over time it becomes more and more difficult. The pointy bit is still pointy but the paint has worn off. I’m wondering if they coat it with a slippery paint.

They come with a second twisty bit but that also wears out.


ETA just done some research and they coat the screw in teflon and many people say it wears out. Replacement is $50 just for the screw bit.

Just to check, what sort of dollars are we talking about here? Is there one that exchanges to sterling at 50 to 1 or something???

I've got a Threshers' branded waiter's friend similar to this...



It was free with the purchase of three bottles of wine about 35 years ago and I've used it ever since without mishap, including a year of sixth form and 4 years of Uni working every hotel banqueting and restaurant shift I could lay my paws on.

Granted, the little knife isn't quite as sharp as it used to be, but I still expect my kids to fight over it when it comes to dividing up my estate!

How on earth can anyone justify spending more than a tenner on a corkscrew?!?!?

[LooneyTunes]

Kermit power said:

How on earth can anyone justify spending more than a tenner on a corkscrew?!?!?

Go on… you know it makes sense to spend a little more…

[h0b0]

Kermit power said:

Just to check, what sort of dollars are we talking about here? Is there one that exchanges to sterling at 50 to 1 or something???


How on earth can anyone justify spending more than a tenner on a corkscrew?!?!?

US dollars. It was a gift. Gifts often are an extravagance that you normally couldn’t justify. Also, it worked great when new. Even now in being fussy. So much easier than other corkscrews.

I’m investigating check replacement parts on Amazon.

[h0b0]

I bought cheap replacement screws on amazon. Success, the screw slides through the cork like its not there. Failure, it slides straight back out leaving the cork in place.