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.