Ah-so opener. What am I doing wrong?

[Al B.]

There are also inexpensive cork pullers that go all the way into the bottle, close around the broken chunk of cork and then can be removed safely without using any hammer or breaking glass etc. It takes 10 seconds and is far easier than the plastic bag or napkin "trick" that some use. Although the cloth napking works well too once the bottle is empty. Up to you.

Do these devices work on whole corks that have been pushed into a bottle, or only on chunks of cork that are smaller than a full size cork?

[Tom D.]

There are also inexpensive cork pullers that go all the way into the bottle, close around the broken chunk of cork and then can be removed safely without using any hammer or breaking glass etc

I once bought a device that claimed to do this, and found it utterly useless - can you suggest a brand name that works?

Tom

Try a web search for "Corkfish". Kind of cheap but it has worked for me (although I still like the plastic bag method).

[Andy Velebil]

For those that don't know, here's the plastic bag method of removing a cork. Generally works quite well....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Y82j3R7tXw

[Peter W. Meek]

Do these devices work on whole corks that have been pushed into a bottle, or only on chunks of cork that are smaller than a full size cork?

Yes, but they require the same amount of pull that a set cork (in the normal position) requires. If you can't pull the cork with a straight tee-handle corkscrew (I rarely can), you won't be able to pull a pushed-in cork with one of these.

The bag trick requires an empty bottle. Unless you are trying to save the bottle or the cork, it is basically useless. Now, the handkerchief trick works with a nearly full bottle (you can't push the cork INTO a full bottle). However, I have found that people are a bit put off by seeing it done with a used handkerchief or bandanna pulled from the back pocket. (The more for me.)

(You tie a small knot in the corner of the bandana, push the knot down the neck of the bottle with a straw until it is just below the lower end of the cork, and pull it back out, bringing the cork with it. I have demonstrated this several times.)

[Andy Velebil]

However, I have found that people are a bit put off by seeing it done with a used handkerchief or bandanna pulled from the back pocket. (The more for me.)