Another chimed in with a more confident guess:
“Old school can opener… puncture into can and lever forward one step at a time to cut the top off. Makes great jagged edges you can cut yourself on and get tiny metal shards into the contents.”
That comment struck a nerve.
Suddenly, people weren’t just identifying the object—they were reliving childhood injuries.
“Still have a scar where it slipped and embedded in my arm when younger!!!” one commenter shared.
“I’ll never forget [when] this went right through my hand trying to open tin,” another recalled.
As it turns out, the “weapon” in question was indeed a vintage can opener—an old-school design that demanded strength, patience, and a steady hand. It also left behind more than a few scars for those who underestimated it.
The history of the humble can opener is surprisingly dramatic.
Canned food existed long before a practical way to open it did. Early cans were so sturdy that people often had to rely on brute force—think chisels and hammers—to get inside.
In 1858, American inventor Ezra Warner created one of the first dedicated can openers. His design featured a curved blade that pierced the lid and a lever to pry it open. It was effective but far from user-friendly. The U.S. military adopted it during the Civil War, though it wasn’t particularly suited for everyday home kitchens.
