Monopol Ah-So Cork Puller 6285 556C Chrome

Per Amazon, 4 Stars means "I like it". I DO like it (somewhat), when my regular corkscrews (with screw-like shafts, including a rabbit-type) would destroy a cork that is already in bad shape. I bought this cork remover for this purpose: however, hoping it would remove good corks as well as the others so that I can put the others away.The good:- Can remove fragile corks but not reliably. I've pushed soft corks that don't adhere to the bottle neck into the bottle. If cork is damaged, first pierce it with a very sharp, thin object (thin knife) diagonally from the rim to the opposite side of the bottle neck. This is to hold the cork in place. Then, use this cork puller, very gently, while preventing the cork from pushing into the bottle with the other sharp object. This works most of the time but it is not easy! I don't care to hear from people impressed by reputation and high price (or snobs) that it takes just the right wrist action to be successful with a difficult cork. This might be an acceptable comment if the cork remover performed better than others with a good cork.The bad:Much more effort to remove a decent cork from a bottle (95% of the time). Action that works best for me is to start insertion of puller with long prong on one side of the cork, rock puller slightly side-to-side, prong-to-prong while pushing in, until puller is almost completely inserted. If I pull too soon (more prong exposed), there is greater chance of failure. Next, while pulling cork out, slowly spin cork puller around neck of bottle as if removing a large screw. This takes more muscle than a regular corkscrew that leverages the pulling action mechanically against the top of the bottle. I'm not saying this doesn't work; rather, I'm saying that other corkscrews do this better, and this applies to most bottles having a decent cork.-Higher price than most other corkscrews; about same price as Rabbit brand, but less material and product complexity. To argue otherwise, one would have to show molecular structure of the metal is superior in a meaningful way (facing a cork) or the physics is superior (and it's not, in most cases).Conclusion: Per Amazon, 3 Stars means "it's OK". I hesitated giving 3 stars because this frequently signifies really a poor product. This puller is good, not great, for pulling damaged corks (5% of bottles, at most). It works, with more difficulty than regular corkscrews, for pulling most corks. On average, therefore, it falls short of 4 stars. I imagine aficionados of this fabled product will object to my review, but so be it. Be honest: which product does best on an average bottle?

To start off - works perfectly and is great and the same design as the ones from 30+ years ago. BUT I really wanted one that had the name/logo stamped into the handle like the image shows. This is true to the 'vintage' ones with the only exception being they say 'Germany' vs 'West Germany'. However the one i was sent has a rather cheep looking painted on modern logo. If you are buying this purely to use it then by all means i.t is perfect. But note the difference in appearance if 'vintage' reproduction was your motivator to get this vs another cork puller of this style.

Far and away my favorite cork puller. I had one for years and broke it when I failed to push the prongs all the way in and turned it. My stupidity on the pullers fault. Use it the way it is intended and it will give you years of use. The best part, it that it doesn't tear up the cork and you can with a little care reinsert the cork if you don't use the whole bottle. I bought two, because I didn't want to be without one if I got stupid again.Oh and buy the way, this is a high quality one. I have had others that were not well made and they frustrated the hell out of me. Spend the money on a quality tool and you won't be sorry!

Love it! It is the only two prong cork puller that does not push the cork into the bottle rather then sliding along the sides so you can then pull the cork out. First one we bought lasted over 30 years bought a bunch of other then. This one looks like it will last even longer.

Great for removing broken corks. Have been using for years

Old corks sometimes need help and the Ah-so cork pullers are the only ones that we purchase. It helps to pull out old corks that might break.

Very good quality... obviously quite a bit more than the cheaper ones. Maybe not even the best value but if you want the best I think this one is it.

WAY over priced. This item is no better than the one I bought 10 yrs ago for around $10. Made in Germany...whopeee