Armed Polite Society
Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: Monkeyleg on January 31, 2014, 07:00:26 PM
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I'm wondering if anyone has any tips for cleanly opening the plastic packages that many tools come in. The packages are usually two piece, with a top and bottom, and sealed with a lip running around the side. The only way I've found to open them is to just cut them apart with scissors, which makes it embarrassing if the item needs to be returned.
This drives me nuts.
Suggestions?
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Finally the first one in --- DETCORD!
I've found no easy way - just knives, scissors, and band-aids.
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Detcord!
You knew it was coming.
Cutting them open is pretty much the only option I know of.
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They're not designed to be resealable, so I wouldn't worry about it. You can cut around the edge of the "blister," if you like. I've also heard that a can opener works well on that lip. Haven't tried it much, myself.
That kind of packaging (and all the other plastic that people are opening on a daily basis) makes me really wonder about people that don't carry a pocket knife. What is up with that?
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I've taken to using some old off-brand tin snips.
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Can opener. The manual kind.
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I've taken to using some old off-brand tin snips.
A while back, someone posted a picture of some special snippers designed especially for the pupose of opening those plastic packages.
The tool comes in one of those same plastic packages :facepalm:
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A while back, someone posted a picture of some special snippers designed especially for the pupose of opening those plastic packages.
The tool comes in one of those same plastic packages :facepalm:
:rofl:
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I usually use kitchen scissors , but I think I will try a can opener next time.
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I just rip the crap open with whatever is handy.
Those things arn't made to be opened, they are made for display.
As such, it is my right as a consumer to say "stupid company, if they want to resell it when I returned it, they should have used smarter packaging"
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Someone said that the definition of irony is cutting your hand on the plastic package that the knife sharpener came in.
Anyway, I'm in the 'scissor around the edge' camp.
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I was given one of these years ago and it works great: http://www.amazon.com/HIC-Porcelain-95142-iSlice-Opener/dp/B00106JH5M
It is magnetic so it is always on my fridge.
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I just use my pocket knife. I cut as close to whatever I'm trying to remove as I can without damaging it or my knife. Usually that's where the plastic starts to bulge out around the product.
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I zip them open quick and easy with a sharp knife. Pocketknife works but a utility knife works great
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(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.pandawhale.com%2F41103-OpenXHB0357jpg-XUl6.jpeg&hash=970cbc1b122a6f2acf1d5fe4634960650e4b3c70)
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(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.pandawhale.com%2F41103-OpenXHB0357jpg-XUl6.jpeg&hash=970cbc1b122a6f2acf1d5fe4634960650e4b3c70)
That's the one =D
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Those things arn't made to be opened, they are made for display.
Actually, I think they're made to make at least some people too ashamed to return products. Many years before you were born, BSL, to return a product to the store it had to be defective or you needed a very good reason. Stores didn't just take things back without question as they do now.
Returns cost stores money. Those opened packages can't be sold as new. Sometimes they're returned to the manufacturer for a partial credit. Other times stores sell them as seconds. Either way, the stores lose money. If they can make the customer reluctant to return the item because the package is cut to shreds, it saves money.
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I have read articles in the medical literature about the sort of terrible hand and finger lacerations people have sustained from trying to open these packages and ripping themselves to shreds on the sharp edges thereto.
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Actually, I think they're made to make at least some people too ashamed to return products. Many years before you were born, BSL, to return a product to the store it had to be defective or you needed a very good reason. Stores didn't just take things back without question as they do now.
Returns cost stores money. Those opened packages can't be sold as new. Sometimes they're returned to the manufacturer for a partial credit. Other times stores sell them as seconds. Either way, the stores lose money. If they can make the customer reluctant to return the item because the package is cut to shreds, it saves money.
Pffft. The number of people who would actually care enough is statistically insignificant, and people like that aren't the ones returning products in large numbers. The packaging is chosen for least material and packaging cost, cheapest shipping and storing, and loss prevention.
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Pffft. The number of people who would actually care enough is statistically insignificant, and people like that aren't the ones returning products in large numbers. The packaging is chosen for least material and packaging cost, cheapest shipping and storing, and loss prevention.
This. Blister pack is cheap, showcases the product, helps with shoplifting, and is durable.
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I'm wondering if anyone has any tips for cleanly opening the plastic packages that many tools come in. The packages are usually two piece, with a top and bottom, and sealed with a lip running around the side. The only way I've found to open them is to just cut them apart with scissors, which makes it embarrassing if the item needs to be returned.
This drives me nuts.
Suggestions?
Torch?
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This. Blister pack is cheap, showcases the product, helps with shoplifting, and is durable.
And the inventor should be shot. And then shot again.
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And the inventor should be shot. And then shot again.
Also true.
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And the inventor should be shot. And then shot again.
Can you seriously not master a sharp object to the point where a blister pack gives you no trouble?
Honestly products secured with zip ties or twist ties are more aggravating than a clamshell blister pack...mainly because it can be tricky to get them off without breaking delicate things.
And if you think a blister pack is aggravating it is NOTHING compared to the plastic racks some companies use to secure their sockets, such as Lowes does
(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iheartsavingmoney.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2011%2F12%2Fkobalt-socket-set.jpg&hash=bd92125613688cd9356f57feff56758243d4b1ed)
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Honestly products secured with zip ties or twist ties are more aggravating than a clamshell blister pack...mainly because it can be tricky to get them off without breaking delicate things.
You can't handle a zip tie? Turn in your man card. :P
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You can't handle a zip tie? Turn in your man card. :P
Oh I can...but when they are securing in something that's breakable or something you don't want to mar is when they get aggravating. Otherwise my pliers snap them right off.
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Those things arn't made to be opened, they are made for display.
As such, it is my right as a consumer to say "stupid company, if they want to resell it when I returned it, they should have used smarter packaging"
They're not just made for display, they're made for theft deterrence. They're harder for a thief to surreptitiously open the package and simply take the contents. Harder for the company to argue that it's a stolen item and not a used(but in 'like new' condition) if it doesn't have it's tags, packaging, or at least video of the thief taking the packaging off, along with said packaging...
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They're not just made for display, they're made for theft deterrence. They're harder for a thief to surreptitiously open the package and simply take the contents. Harder for the company to argue that it's a stolen item and not a used(but in 'like new' condition) if it doesn't have it's tags, packaging, or at least video of the thief taking the packaging off, along with said packaging...
Sadly, true. Once again, no good, stinkin', dirty, low down thieves ruin it for the rest of us.
Thanks God for Amazon (who doesn't have to worry about shoplifters) frustration-free packaging.
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This actually works quite well. Kinda scissors with offset blades.
http://www.amazon.com/Zibra-ZPCOPEN-OR-Universal-Package-Opener/dp/B000IHHOVI
I was given it as a gag gift one time after I was complaining to someone that the person who invented the bubble packaging should be shot. Turned out I actually use the gadget quite often. If not home I just use a pocket knife.
They sell stuff in this packaging in Airports! :facepalm:
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This actually works quite well. Kinda scissors with offset blades.
http://www.amazon.com/Zibra-ZPCOPEN-OR-Universal-Package-Opener/dp/B000IHHOVI
I was given it as a gag gift one time after I was complaining to someone that the person who invented the bubble packaging should be shot. Turned out I actually use the gadget quite often. If not home I just use a pocket knife.
They sell stuff in this packaging in Airports! :facepalm:
Cute. And the reviews say it does what it claims - which is to open
sealed clam chell packages
But how does it do on the plastic packaging?
stay safe.
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I use a 24" stomp shear. Really.
What, you don't have one?
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I like it when people mangle the plastic packaging, then return it.
It then goes on the discount aisle for me. =D
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(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FCQxHe2CT-ec%2Fhqdefault.jpg&hash=c4cc7a4bd5bce9275da6509cd3fe7cd8c8e0ac21)
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http://www.countycomm.com/hookknife.html
Hook it over one edge and just pull.
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I use a 24" stomp shear. Really.
What, you don't have one?
Larry, that's as bad as me using a lathe to open tuna. :laugh:
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Scissors.
Ben said it best:
And the inventor should be shot. And then shot again.
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And the inventor should be shot. And then shot again.
I disagree. The inventor should be sealed inside a form fitting plastic package until he tells us an easy way to open them.
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And the inventor should be shot. And then shot again.
Then hermatically sealed in one of his own blister packs, dead or alive, doesn't matter.
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Then hermatically sealed in one of his own blister packs, dead or alive, doesn't matter.
No just lock him in a room without scissors or knife and put all his food and water in those same packages.
I've actually found that you can trim the seals lip off the sides and it can make those packages easier to open without cutting up everything. Kind of a pain though.
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I use a 24" stomp shear. Really.
What, you don't have one?
I tried using a shear-type paper cutter, but:
(A) It only works for packages with flat bottoms.
(B) It's more of a pain in the ass getting out the paper cutter and setting it up on the table than it's worth.
I also tried a Bernz cutter, but it had the same problem as the paper cutter WRT the item having a flat back.
Mostly, I just use scissors. And, while I ain't gonna spend no $11.00 for a single-use product, I was thinking of buying one of those kitchen shears for cutting up chickens and the like... which has multiple uses.
I refuse to use a knife on them. I'm too clumsy and I know I would cut myself. Got enough scars already. And it always happens 187 milliseconds after you start to think, "Watch it, if it slips you'll cut yourself.. OW!"
There are some now which just have little "pips" molded around the outside edges and are pretty easy to open. Sometimes, even without toolery.
Yep. Detcord.
But for the lowlife thieves who made all this, and locks on your house, necessary.
Terry, 230RN
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I have a pair of heavy-duty scissors that look more like snips (short, thick blades) that I got just for this task.
They work great on blister packs and those wire-ties that hold toys down in their packaging.
Sawdust
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Tried the scissor route. Kept having cuts or near cuts. Started using a mini utility blade for the task. Works good but not for salvaging the packaging for a return.
If it's broke I don't care about the packaging. Not my problem.
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I tried using a shear-type paper cutter, but:
Yeah, they don't work so well, with the curved blade. A stomp shear is a "guillotine" style shear, where the blade come straight down, but at an angle. I discovered it worked when I had to engrave something like forty Cross pens that were blister packed. It would have taken me longer to get them out of the packaging than to engrave them.
For the zip ties and wires, I have a little tiny pair of side cutters I got at Lowe's, and I keep several pair of the $1.98 scissors from Lowe's too, for opening poly bags.
There's all kinds of weird little tools I use every day. A pair of 8" bolt cutters from Harbor Freight to remove backings from things I mount on plaques, and a couple pairs of split ring pliers for assembling keychains, and several pairs of needle nosed pliers.
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Many moons ago when I worked for Pepsico, these (http://www.walmart.com/ip/17478281?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=3&adid=22222222227001004618&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=41849133910&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=35022722230&veh=sem) where the standard issue scissors for the restaurants.
Somehow, around the time we found out we were going to be let go, our boss went around and and gave us all several "going away gifts" that he had liberated from hither and yon. Included were a couple of pairs of those scissors.
That was 1996ish. Still going strong, best damn scissors I've ever owned and will cut through anything.
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I bought a pair similar to those from Kershaw that I gave to my wife at least 25 years ago. They still work, but they're about worn out.