The Best Bartender Multi-Tool

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

• 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.