Customer Reviews

Metrokane Velvet Corkscrew, Black

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I love this corkscrew, it works very well. After having used the waiter type for years, this is a fantastic change. Having the foil-cutter built in is a big plus, I don't have to fumble around with a piece on the end like with the waiter or have a seperate piece to keep track of, and it does the job just fine.

It's much simpler and smaller (saves space and is more transportable) than the lever type, which I've also used. And, in my opinion, is more efficient and easier to use. I've also heard complaints that they tend to get more difficult to use over time.

I can't stand the "winged" type either, they are such a pain. The problems that I had with the waiter or winged types were getting them started and making sure that the screw went in straight, having it slip while pulling, or struggling to get a stubborn cork out. I've also had the worm (screw) loosen or break over time with the waiter corkscrews. These are not a problems anymore.

It may be more expensive than the more basic types, those may be the way to go if you only open a bottle once a month or less. But it is so worth it if you are opening a bottle a week or more. Every time I use it I'm am amazed by how easily the cork comes out. Looks like this tool will be around in my home for a long time.

***Update***
Not as durable as I first anticipated. It worked beautifully for just about a year, when it suddenly broke during use. I was very disappointed because it had worked so well up until then. Just something to keep in mind when buying, because of the higher price. I miss this corkscrew, wish it were a little cheaper because then I wouldn't mind buying another to replace it. Instead I've gone back to the cheap waiter-style corkscrew.

This is the best corkscrew, so easy to use and very nicely designed. (There's one displayed in the Museum of Modern Art in NYC). This is the best price I've seen for this product. I've seen it elsewhere for $24.99 and up.

This corkscrew does its primary job easily and consistently. Without a doubt, this is the best corkscrew I've ever owned.

Where it's no so great is the built-in foil cutter. There are small metal blades along the inside of the grip, and the intent is that you should turn the corkscrew on its side, place the blades along the outside of bottle mouth, squeeze and turn. This works pretty well in probably 60 to 70 percent of the bottles I've tried it on. However, on some bottles, the reinforcing ring below the mouth is a little too high, and it prevents the blades from being able to reach the foil. So it works fine in most cases, but you'll probably want to have a dedicated foil cutter (or at least a knife or something) handy just in case.

There are MANY different functional designs for corkscrews. The last design we used had two gear handles on the side, and an oval handle at the top. It worked OK, until the main screw snapped, after 5 years and probably 50 corks. But the screw travel distance was never enough to pull the cork all the way out. This Metrocane model ... just works. The big handle is easier to turn than the last, and you just keep turning while squeezing the lower half against the bottle-neck, and the cork walks right out - all the way ! Easy-peezy. It may not be quite as fast as those $100+ models, but for home use, and a few bottles at a time, it's a pleasure to use. And with the bigger handle, it takes less hand strength to operate.

The Metrokane Velvet Corkscrew has few moving parts and appears to be very sound. The dependability of your cork pulling device is crucial to the satisfaction of wine drinking, so the lack of complex breakable parts is an asset.

I rarely write reviews, but I love this product so much I had to take a minute and say so. I have had this over a year and just marvel at its ease of operation and simple design. I did have one break on me when my husband had an extraordinarily tough cork to pull out - I mean this thing was so touch I don't think any corkscrew could have done it. But the main reason I decided to write is that when it broke I sent it back under the lifetime warranty policy and within one week I had a brand new one delivered to my door...how is that for customer service. Highly recommended! I also have the Velvet Pocket corkscrew and love that too!

This is a very nice corkscrew for the money. It removes the cork effortlessly every time.

This product works great. I have tried a couple of other corkscrews that just don't seem to be as easy as this one. Simply put it on the bottle, turn the handle, cork is gone, no effort needed.

A friend gave me one of these corkscrews so I bought more for Xmas gifts. It's so easy to use and light weight. The wine I drink has really tough corks and I've broken at least 3 cork screws that were a lot fancier and more expensive. So far this was in holding up.

This tool worked great on the first 8 or so bottles, easily extracting the cork. On the last bottle the cork must have been in a bit tighter because the handle split in two right at the top while attempting to extract the cork with only a moderate amount of force. Examining the handle, and the thinness of the plastic at the apex, where the screw fits in, I am surprised this lasted through the first 8 bottles. When I switched to a simple corkscrew the "tight" cork came out easily enough. Definitely, imo, a faulty design of the handle mold. The plastic needs to be MUCH thicker where the two handles come together.