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The Best Bartender Multi-Tool

Last updated on March 7, 2024

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Opening a bottle of wine isn’t easy. Corks are designed to fully seal everything in order to preserve freshness for weeks, months and even decades. Over the years, manufacturers have come up with plenty of innovations to make it easier, but it’s tough to beat the functionality of a corkscrew.

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But corkscrews have also undergone some innovations over the years. Today they’re built to resist getting stuck or shredding the cork. One way this is done is through the use of Teflon coating to create a smoother entrance. Once the metal removal tool is in place, you use the handle to pry it out.

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The build of a corkscrew is actually quite simple. The classic design has a handle attached to a spiral removal tool, called a “worm.” You simply push the worm in and spin it until you reach resistance. At that point, you can use the handle to pry the cork from the bottle. There are variations on this design, including a winged corkscrew that does the twisting for you, but often those are less portable than more traditional corkscrews.

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Servers, bartenders and sommeliers use something called a waiter’s corkscrew, which is built to open numerous corkscrews on a daily basis. Also known as a wine key, this tool is built to be both functional and compact, sliding into a pant or apron pocket for easy access throughout a shift.

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The handle itself plays an essential role in the ease of cork removal. Newer waiter’s corkscrews come with double-hinged or spring-loaded levers that reduce the work you’ll have to do on your end. For professionals, this boosts efficiency to reduce guest wait times. At home, though, you’ll simply be able to get the cork out of the bottle without having to strain yourself. That’s a relief whether you’re serving wine for two or entertaining a full house of friends and going through multiple bottles in a short stretch of time.

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Our Picks For The Top Bartender Multi-Tools

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Product Overview
Our Take
 Our Top Pick

Barvivo Professional Waiters Corkscrew

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Barvivo

Professional Waiters Corkscrew

You'll have a tool on hand to open wine or beer with this compact corkscrew. The worm is coated in Teflon to ease the process of cork removal. It also includes a tool for beer cap removal to keep the party going well into the night.

Overall Take

Compact DesignThe compact design of this corkscrew makes it easy for taking on the go with you.

 Best Basic

Vintorio Ergonomic Waiters Corkscrew Wine Key

Vintorio

Ergonomic Waiters Corkscrew Wine Key

The rubberized handle on this corkscrew wine key makes it easy to get a firm grip on the corkscrew as you're removing the cork. The worm is made from nonstick stainless steel to reduce the risk that your cork will shred while you're removing it. The foil remover is built to handle a wide range of foil types, and it also comes with a beer opener.

Overall Take

Easy Foil RemovalThis corkscrew wine key has serrated edges on its foil cutter to get your cork removal off to a strong start.

 Best for Families

Coutale Sommelier Spring-Loaded Double Lever Waiters Corkscrew

Coutale Sommelier

Double Lever Waiters Corkscrew

This corkscrew is built to last, with top-quality materials and a spring-loaded design. A serrated foil cutter ensures you get a clean cut each time, and you can choose from multiple handle finishes to fit your personal preferences. There is a groove in the worm designed to help you gain extra leverage while you're pulling the cork out.

Overall Take

Spring-Loaded DesignThe unique spring-loaded design gives this corkscrew extra power during cork removal.

 Best for Chefs

Gentlemen’s Hardware 12-In-1 Detachable Multi Tool

Gentlemen's Hardware

12-In-1 Detachable Multi Tool

This multi tool has 12 separate tools, with a detachable feature that lets you split it into two separate tools as needed. In addition to a corkscrew, you'll get a cheese grater, zester, garlic crusher, channel knife, paring knife, serrated knife, peeler, fork, spoon, bottle opener and can opener. The tools are stainless steel, but you'll need to h...

Overall Take

12-in-1This multi tool is handy for a variety of tasks.

What to Look For

  • When you’re looking at any multitool, it’s all about the tools it includes. At the very least, you’ll want a foil cutter, but a bottle opener can come in handy, too. Some multitools come with useful items like knives and cheese graters.
  • Handles play a more important role than many people realize. Look for one with a hinge or spring that gives you extra leverage as you’re removing even the most stubborn corks.
  • You should also consider cleanup between uses. If your corkscrew comes with a wooden handle, you may not be able to put it in the dishwasher.
  • Corkscrews come in a variety of designs, and some are much more compact than others. If you’re going for a multitool that has a few extras, though, you’ll add bulk to your corkscrew. Some let you snap the extra tools off for when you just need a corkscrew.
  • Corkscrews tend to be put through heavy-duty use, so durability is especially important.
  • The fulcrum is the point where the handle meets the worm. This is crucial to any corkscrew’s design.
  • There can be a bit of a learning curve with a corkscrew, as you know if you’ve ever tried to use one. Waiter’s corkscrews aren’t made to be easy to use. They’re built to get results. However, once you get the hang of the corkscrew professionals use, you’ll likely find you can use any corkscrew with ease.
  • The foil cutter is another essential piece of the puzzle. Some cutters can shred the foil rather than making a neat cut. A foil cutter that has a serrated edge makes a big difference.
  • Some handles can be bulkier than others. This may contribute to the corkscrew’s functionality, but if you want one you can tuck into a pocket, you may want to look for one that’s more compact.

More to Explore

The wood that keeps your wine tasty and fresh comes from the bark of the cork oak tree, which is the top tree species found in Portugal. In fact, more than half of the corks produced worldwide come from Portugal. Corks have a unique cell-like structure that gives them the ability to expand and retract when necessary. To save money, though, some wineries use synthetic corks, which are made either from pliable plastic or dehydrated raw materials like sugarcane and sugar beets. Unfortunately, that comes at the expense of consumers, who find that synthetic corks are harder to get out of the bottle than their natural counterparts, making it even more important to buy a newer corkscrew built to tackle the task.

More to explore