How to open champagne bottles with a sword or dirk.

[Bob C]

In response to a request, I'm posting this in a thread of its own. Some of you may have seen it in a thread in the pics section.

I read in Maxim magazine that French sailors opened bottles with their sabres, and the article explained how they did it. I tried it with my dirk after a banquet last month, and it worked beautifully. Here's how it's done:

1 - Use CHILLED champagne or other sparkling wine. There's less pressure.

2 - Remove the wire basket and foil covering.

3 - Find the seam on the side of the bottle. Aim the bottle away from spectators and fragile items, mostly upright but pointed slightly away from you.

4 - Lay the blade flat against the bottle, along the seam. Slide the blade quickly up the seam, sharply striking the glass "ring" at the top of the bottle. The ring will separate from the rest of the bottle, taking the cork with it. The point where the seam meets the ring is the weak spot on the bottle. That's why it works. It should break cleanly.

5 - When all your friends exclaim their amazement, think to yourself "Thanks, Bob!"


You might want to practice at home before trying it in front of an audience.

[billmcc]

Bob,
Thank you for posting this interesting technique. I originally assumed you used an expensive dirk to open the bottles. I am amazed your dirk only cost about $20.


All,
In case you haven't seen Bob's recent post about where he purchased his dirk, here is the link: http://budk.com/product.asp?pn=BK1093

[pdcorlis]

Pictures man pictures!

[Bob C]

Sorry Phil. I don't have any pics of the process.

Here's a pic of the dirk.

[mbhandy]

Bob What do you use to attach the dirk to your belt? Picture.

MrBill

[Iolaus]

4 - Lay the blade flat against the bottle, along the seam. Slide the blade quickly up the seam, sharply striking the glass "ring" at the top of the bottle. The ring will separate from the rest of the bottle, taking the cork with it. The point where the seam meets the ring is the weak spot on the bottle. That's why it works. It should break cleanly.

Am I the only one concerned about the fact that we're talking about broken glass at the point where something going into our bodies would be poured out from?

[Bob C]

If you don't suck it directly from the bottle, you won't have a problem. As I stated, the ring separates cleanly. There are no shards.


mbhandy - you hang the dirk from a dirk frog.

[Owl of Oban]

Am I the only one concerned about the fact that we're talking about broken glass at the point where something going into our bodies would be poured out from?

I've done this many times after a hot air balloon flight, (another hobby of mine) using a sabre.

The released pressure when the top comes off results in a small fountain of champagne that takes care of any glass shards that may result. I've never had a problem with it, and the spectacle is quite impressive.

Cheers,
John

[billmcc]

Bob,

Did a dirk frog come with your dirk? If not, where did you buy your dirk frog?

[Casey]

And my wife bought a 200$CAD Laguiole(French Knife Maker) cork screw.

Actually, she was trying to be kind and add to my knife collection. I had to explain to her that a corkscrew was not a knife, even if it was made by Laguiole.