Clavelin Sommelier’s Corkscrew - Patented Single Pull Manual Bottle Opener with Foil-Cutter and Bottle Cap Remover, Black, 5.5 Inches

I bought this as a gift for a wine enthusiast. I have a more traditional sommelier’s corkscrew from Laguiole en Aubrac, and although this Peugeot corkscrew is much more affordable, it seems to have great fit and finish, and an equally exciting, though more modern, design. My friend remarked on the satisfying and unique mechanism the first time he used it. In terms of practicality, although I did not use it myself, it seems to open bottles with ease.

Solid, well made, cool and functional design; smooth action; great foil knife. Only negative is weight, it’s solid but heavier than a standard wine key which may be annoying in a dining room environment with full pockets

Pay attention to Peugeot's product video: after you screw the worm in, you have to fold both the wooden handle and the jointed (sliding two-part) steel opening-lever way back down, right next to the neck of the bottle. You will notice that the jointed opening lever shortens (collapses) as you do this. Only then do you raise the handle... if you do it right, it is smooth as buttah... almost effortless. If it takes a lot of effort, you're doing it wrong. Peugeot has a great corkscrew here, but using it is not intuitive to everyone (see reviews here).The review here that the edges are too angular/sharp? Way off base. The handle is like very other waiter's-style corkscrew, but the cog mechanism sets it apart.Give it a try. You'll probably love it. If not, Amazon has free returns. (No affiliation with Peugeot/Amazon/etc. Just a guy who hopes this thing is still around in 20 years, despite Peugeot's poor marketing [taking time to explain how to use your cool new gadget is part of marketing, no?].)

I am comparing this Peugeot Clavelin model to my much more expensive, older LaGuiole Sommelier Series Corkscrew. The Peugeot model is definitely good value. The elements are not as refined and rounded as LaGuiole's best work. The Peugeot IS the sturdier design: the foil cutter is backstopped by a fixed metal rest. After years of service, my LaGuiole corkscrew foil cutter loosened to the point that it over-extended beyond the spine of the device. Both products feature a proper, useful helical screw to lift the cork. The Peugeot corkscrew includes a spring lift mechanism that makes possible the raising of a long cork without resetting the screw.Compared to cheaper corkscrews: cheap and simple ones offered at counters in wineries work well enough for a short period. They do not hold up for long. Scales loosen or crack; joints fail. Peugeot offers a working man's tool at a fair price.

Best of the best wine opener.You can’t find better

Good for opening bottle

Functional and streamlined.

You would think the guys at Peugeot would drink enough wine to make the perfect corkscrew, alas it is not so. 2 complaints with the unit. First the tip of the screw is at a shallow angle which makes it hard to initially penetrate a cork. Second, as you twirl the corkscrew to place the screw in the cork, there are many sharp edges along the body of the handle that are pretty uncomfortable. The cam mechanism is very cool and nicely engineered, unfortunately they missed the other stuff.