Customer Reviews

Screwpull by Le Creuset Waiter's Corkscrew

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

....but a solid corkscrew. Love the deeply-hinged boot. Makes extracting longer corks a snap. The hinge action and overall construction is superior in every way to the ubiquitous Pulltap corkscrew.

My big problem with it is the bulk. It has a very wide handle. Not a problem if you keep it in a drawer in the kitchen, but too big to comfortably carry in a pocket; as I need to as I'm a bartender at a wine bar. If you want something with the same design but in a slimmer form, seek out the original Coutale. I found the original Coutale corkscrew for $15 at a certain winery in Paso Robles co-owned by a certain famous family from France's Rhone Valley. (If that ain't a hint, chances are you aren't much of a wine snob.) That's what I carry at work now.

I open dozens of bottles a night at work and I'm very particular about the harware I use. I've tried everything from cheap distributor give-aways to Pulltaps to Coutale/Screwpull to Chateau Laguiole (the carbon fiber Eric Beaumard edition is quite nice) and this Screwpull/Coutale design is by far the easiest to use.

I received my first "screwpull" double action corkscrew 3 years ago personally from the inventor: Phillipe Coutale from Cahors France. He is a fifth generation winemaker, a thinker and inventor, (builds and flys his own airplane). His goal was to make a corkscrew that was easier, faster and more reliable than Pulltap. I believe he accomplished his goal. He sold the rights for the black handle model to LeCreuset,the Screwpull brand holder in the US. The even nicer solid stainless steel and the Rosewood handle models are on the market for the same price. [...]

I received my Screwpull wine key as a Kendall Jackson promo. I think it's awesome. It's very reliable but the bottle cap opener could use some work. But, as a bartender I have a regular bottle opener/speed opener in my back pocket anyway.
I like the "2 step" wine keys because they're great on longer necked wine bottles like the Chateau St. Michelle Reisling at my work or the Fontana Pinot Grigio. This wine key works so well that I don't always even need to use both "steps". The cork comes out with the first step making it fast to get drinks out in the service well.
I love it and even though I received a free one, I'm going to buy one or two extras because servers tend to gank stuff when you're not looking.

Screwpull Waiter's CorkscrewI have used all kinds of corkscrews. Started with the traditional twist and pull ones got tired of putting that much effort into pulling. Progressed to the Jumping jack style but got tired of having bits of cork in the wine when the screw punched out the bottom of the cork. Graduated to the Rabbit style by multiple companies, used them until the teflon on the screw wore off and friction increased either to the point where the screw untwisted or handles broke. Single stage corkscrews that you buy put such a load on the foot part where it meets the neck of the bottle tend to chip the neck of the bottle when pulling a particularly tough cork. NOW This two stage Screwpull Waiter's corkscrew is the easiest best tool I have ever used. The two stage foot decreases the pressure on the neck of the bottle and increases the mechanical advantage to pull those tough corks. It makes pulling a cork effortless and easy. My wife loves it as well she used to struggle with the old rabbits and the single lever types would force her to strain to extract a cork. once again BEST EVER!!!!

.... why this tool is called a "waiter's corkscrew". Read the other reviews and notice how many of them were written by waiters and sommeliers. The pulling action can be done in two movements, first partial then complete, with a minimum of force and a maximum of reliability. The cork is almost never broken up, so there won't be cork debris in your wine. It fits in your pocket, it takes up little room in your drawer, and it impresses your relatives from the small town. The European prototype, seen in every restaurant in France, is called Coutale.

I offer this review as a seasonal gift to a couple of amazonian 'friends' who have recently reviewed other sorts of tools.

I debated whether or not to get a waiter's friend or a "fully automated" corkscrew, and I'm very glad I decided on the Screwpull waiter's friend! It is compact, so I can take it on picnics/travel (in checked baggage) and store it easily in the kitchen. It has a wonderful feel in the hand; solid and comfortable. The two step system (which I did not fully understand until I did it myself) provides the perfect angle to remove the cork and is a really slick design. It works just fine in synthetic and natural cork. The corkscrew is not teflon coated, which I thought would make it harder to twist into the cork, but it glides smoothly in with minimal effort.

I would recommend this over the bulkier corkscrews because it has a built in foil cutter and, once you get the hang of using it, will impress your friends and guests much more than the whiz-bang automated ones, which require little skill to operate (though if you are interested in an automated one, the Pinzon Penguin is excellent). This would make a great gift also!

Having used all kinds of corkscrews over the years, I was surprised to discover something so convenient and efficient. I can't imagine how the simple two-step action had escaped me, and why it is not the de-facto standard. It handles tight difficult corks that my bulky, sophisticated, expensive corkscrews struggle with. It is also very nicely and sturdily made. I don't anticipate needing any other from now one. I have bought several more since they make inexpensive, useful presents.

I bought this corkscrew while traveling in Burgundy, and it has served me very well. Fits in your pocket easily, and the two-step hinge is perfect for bottles with longer corks. Now that I am home, I find that I'm using this corkscrew more than my original Screwpull lever model. It is just a much simpler device, and has the foil cutter blade built-in, so you don't have to dig out the separate foil cutter. Just a really simple, elegant design. It'll travel with me everywhere.

The Screwpull 2 step is easy to use and very stable as it has a sturdy handle and design. I purchased extra ones for my wine bag, handbag and camping trunk. I haven't had any issues with either of mine. It's the one I reach most often for at home.

I am a professional waiter and I open dozens of bottles a night, it works great . Double pump action is a must, sleek and slim and the blade is sharp !