Man Demonstrates How to Open a Can With His Bare Hands and Concrete

(Tim Boyle/Getty Images)

A YouTuber posted a video demonstrating how one, in a bind, can open a can without a can opener, using only a piece of concrete.

But he doesn’t use the concrete to smash the can open.

In the demonstration, “OVRLXND” uses a small can of SkarKist tuna.

Then, he places the can’s top on the concrete and rubs it several times. The can’s top appears to be damaged due to the abrasive surface of the concrete.

After that, he uses a knife to pry the top of the can off. However, results may vary.

“Out of all the videos on YouTube that illustrate this technique, I don’t know why Lifehacker picked mine. There are definitely better-quality videos with better explanations of how to do this. If I ever had any idea 150,000 other people were going to see this, I‘d definitely have done some things differently. I’d have found somewhere quiet. I‘d have used a better camera angle. I’d have had less rambling dialog. I wouldn’t have used a knife at the end,” he wrote.

He then revealed why he didn’t simple use a knife from the get-go.

“Safety is the big reason,” the user said. “Leveraging the blade against the metal is dangerous. A lid cut free is sharp as well. Even being careful, accidents can happen. If you’re in a situation where this is something you need to do, odds are you don’t want to be taking any risks when it comes to the possibility of cutting yourself.”

Meanwhile, it’s a more simplistic way.

“In an emergency, being able to take charge and delegate tasks is important. Scrubbing a can on concrete or a stone is something you can let a kid do while you go build a fire or put together some sort of shelter,” he wrote.

If someone is stuck in a forested or remote area, a rock can work.

“Should you find yourself in the woods, look for a stone or rock. Flat is easier to work with but anything should do,” he said.

Another One

Another user, DaveHax, demonstrated how to open a can with a spoon and nothing else.

“How to open a can of food using a spoon. If you haven’t got a can opener, you can use this life hack to cut your way into the can using a spoon. Good for an emergency or a camping trip. Be very careful of sharp edges and consider wearing safety gloves,” he wrote.

In the video he takes the can, places it on a flat surface, and uses a normal spoon to puncture the top before moving the edge of the spoon to create a larger opening.