What is the proper & the easiest way to use this type of opener? I always have trouble. And, on a few occasions pushed the cork inside the bottle accidentally. Who is out there proficient with these things?

LCC,

You're talking about the "waiter's friend", or "ah-so", right?

If so, here's an interesting conversation over on eBob discussingthis very topic.

By this topic I thought you meant something totally different....

Winetex LOL. I didn't know what to think.

I've been actually using these things for a long time. Believe it or not, until a few months ago, I haven't used a corkscrew for over 20 years. I used to use one of those gas injection gizmos and when it ran out of gas, I bought the 2 pronged openers and have been using it since then. Now that I have a "rabbit" knock-off, I use that.

These can take a couple of practices to get good at them. I have pushed quite a few corks into the bottle before i figured it out. The key is patience and short, controlled rocking movements. once it is in, you should be able to slowly twist the cork out.

Yes, smaug. Once it is in, I can take out the cork easily. My problem is pushing it in (the bottle opener---before I hear any jokes). What do you mean by "rocking"?

I guess kind of like a see-saw. Rock it back and forth gently in such way that you inch one prong in, then the other, etc. Don't try to push both prongs in at the same time. Does that help? FWIW, The prong opener is great for travel or for soft corks- i use it if I ever break a cork, but otherwise it is sooo much easier to use a regular cork screw.

I do not like the two-pronged openers, but mainly since I could never get them to work well enough.

I once had the neck of a bottle break in my hand using this type of opener. I haven't used one since.

I hate the things myself.

I used one of those things one time and the top of the bottle just about shattered in my hands. Regardless of the fact that it was operator error I won't use one again.

They are great for older bottles - especially for port, since they always seem to crumble on me when I open them.

Some people swear by these things. I made it my goal to master this opener. I am getting better. And, thanks smaug.

And, another advantage: This type of an opener leaves the cork in tact (if done right).

The main thing is to rock it whle pushing in. Then twist when pulling out. I've opened hundreds of bottles this way, but now the rabbit as spoiled me. As said before, great for soft corks.

Waiters friends are all I use. I bought a Screwpull (Rabbit ear version) a few years back, and quite frankly its too cumbersome to carry with me, so it spends most of its time in its box beside my Riedels.

GATC,

Thanks for the X-rated post!!!

budman -

What budman said!

Should this be with 'Tongs'?

I was hoping for some fabulous method whereby I could lick the cork off.

I've found whennot to use the Ah-So. When you remove part of a cork and a small piece remains, you'll push it into the wine with this type of cork remover. In this situation, I use a travel Screwpull and angle it into the remaining cork.