Customer Reviews

Metrokane Houdini Lever-style Corkscrew, Blue

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I just can't get over how easy this corkscrew is to use. Instead of having to pull the cork from the bottle, you use lever action to do all of the work for you. Since switching from a tradition corkscrew, I haven't had a single cork break or get stuck in the bottle. Also, since you need less of the 'screw' in the cork, I haven't had any cases where the corkscrew went through the entire cork, meaning no little bits of cork in the wine.

The only thing I can think of to improve this product would be some way to secure the two handles for storage. They tend to stick out quite a bit, which takes up a lot of space and since they are spring loaded, if you close them and put them in a drawer they spring out and make getting it out of the drawer a challenge. I solved the problem by simply using a rubber band, but someone clever enough to come up with such an innovative design should be able to solve such a trifling problem.

Man...I thought our Houdini corkscrew was cool, until I saw my friend's Metrokane Rabbit corkscrew. The Rabbit is much more sturdy and well worth the extra couple dollars.
The joints on the Houdini start getting a bit wiggly after a few uses, which really impedes on the usability of the product. My friend's Rabbit doesn't seem to have that problem.
If you're looking for a spiffy contraption, yet only open about 5-10 bottles of wine in a year, than the Houdini should do you just fine. If you plan to use this on a regular basis, then splurge and upgrade to the Rabbit.

For the same cost of traditional / "ah-so" prong type openers, this screwpull knockoff is a good buy (but must consider the bulky size tradeoff). However, when compared to the expensive versions it is a sorry substitute. I have used a LeCreuset Screwpull daily for the last year or two and it has been basically no-brainer flawless even with challenging corks. The Houdini requires one to manually confirm the point is going in centered and one must play with the grip to ensure the point "catches" in the cork. In the first week, I have ripped one cork and plunged another -- mistakes that the expensive models make nearly impossible. The unit is stylish and looks a lot more expensive than what it is going for, but the adage you get what you pay for still holds. If you open a lot of bottles pay the bucks and eliminate frustration. If you are debating between a "waiter's" corkscrew and this for the same price, and you don't mind the bulk, then this will suffice.

My wife has accretions in her thumb that interfere with her use of it, so we have to look for devices that make it easier for her- and I'm not adverse to easy, either. We've had the Metrokane a couple of weeks now (we usually have wine with dinner), and it works so simply and easily! I was initially suspicious of its slender, wire-like screw, which rotates going in AND out, but we just follow the instructions, and voila! out comes the cork. So far, we've used this on cold and warm bottles, stoppered with natural or reconstituted cork, and it works every time- sometimes, the cork can initially be a little resistant to remove from the corkscrew itself. (NB: We now have used this device on non-cork or plastic closures, and as they are denser, it takes more care and work...) I only wish it stowed flat- we improvise by using a heavy rubber band (produce / broccoli bands) around the handles, which allows it to fit flat in a drawer. Highly recommended!

I have two of these, the Brookstone (expensive) and the Houdini (1/3rd the cost). Both work exceptionally well. The Brookstone is all metal, and will certainly outlive me; the Houdini has some polycarbonate parts, which is why I gave it four of five stars, but feels pretty solid. The remarkable thing is how easily they work -- two flips of the lever and the cork pops right out. Another flip and the cork falls off the screw. This thing really does work.

It opens wine bottles well enough, but then so has every other wine opener that I have ever owned. This one looks cool doing it, though. It requires some force to throw that lever over, so I wouldn't recommend it for the frail. It puts a bit of torque on the bottom of the bottle, causing me to worry that it is going to slip and take out some glassware. It doesn't work well with plastic corks. The foil cutter is of poor quality. It takes up a lot of room in a drawer.

This worked really well when I first got it, but it seems as though it gets harder and harder to use as time goes by, almost as if it's wearing out. And it's not when you insert the corkscrew into the wine, it's when you try to pull the cork out - it's almost impossible now. So, bottom line is - it will work for maybe a year or two but then you'll need another, which to me isn't acceptable for the price I paid.

Wasn't so sure about the blue color, but it never gets lost in our kitchen! The mechanism is fun and easy to use (once you read the directions and follow them!). We get a kick out of the contraption every time we open a bottle. What used to be a chore (and was always passed off to my husband to do) is now something fun (and fool proof!). Go figure! The biggest challenge is that it doesn't go through the wax that now tops so many wine bottles so you have to get that off before you extract the cork with this, but after you've removed the wax a few times, you get it figured out. With this contraption, gone are the days of cork pieces in the wine, or worse, broken corks!

This would be a great gift for anyone who enjoys wine. (storage is a bit of a challenge ... it doesn't really fit in a drawer so we keep it in a cupboard).

I bought this corkscrew last year after having some mishaps with my old double wing style corkscrew. All the reviews that talk about how easy it is to use are RIGHT on the money! I love it and recommend it highly! It is a breeze to use and I love how simple it is to remove the cork once the bottle is open. I got it for a low price but would happily have paid more knowing what I know now!

This one works efficiently and quickly. So does the foil cutter, so keep it handy. Better cork (or uncork) in a room apart from your guests, because they all want to give it a try, and there you'll be with your whole cellar of opened bottles.