Bruce is impressed by a new (to him) cork remover

Okay, I know this will likely be old news to everyone else, but last night, for the first time, I used what is called an "Ah So" cork remover and, the day after, I am still mightily impressed.

I usually use the "wing type" of cork remover and, for the vast majority of corks, that works just fine. Last night I had a very stubborn cork and I am always afraid of putting too much pressure on the wings and having them snap, as has happened a few times.

I then tried the waiter's friend and that didn't work.

So, I pulled out my Ah So that I had purchased several weeks ago for only a few bucks. My wife doubted that it would be able to do much, since it is just a small handle, with two thin strips of metal.

Pushed the two strips of metal into the neck against the cork, gave it a slow turn and, wow, it lifted out like nothing.

Doesn't take much to impress me and, yes, I am impressed.

I've got one of those and do not use if very often. It is one of four different type of cork removers sitting in the drawer. I use the Ah-so and a CO2-based cork remover only when needed, and they both do the job when the others simply cannot handle it for some reason. It sure is nice having them around.

-- Clark

Link please....?

Here is a tutorial Alejandro.

http://www.wineeducation.com/access/open/index.html

Thanks Bob, although this tutorial looks much more complicated and time consuming than my experience.

I've had the AhSo in my arsenal of tools for many a year, by crackey.
I use it mostly as a backup for my LeverPull, my corkscrew of choice. Sometimes, the AhSo can abrade the cork going in and leave little bits&pieces of cork floating in the wine (small thing). Occasionally, the cork will be loose enough in the neck of the btl it can push the cork into the btl (bigger problem). Sometimes, when the wine has some age on it and the cork is a bit crumbly and the corkscrew starts to rip a hole in the cork, the AhSo is helpfull in breaking the cork/btl neck seal and getting the cork out. And w/ some of the artifical plastic (the SupremeCorq in particular) and hard/composite corks, the AhSo can require an Herculean effort to get in.

I've actually had two break on me while extracting a cork. I got cut in the finger in the process. Yet I still do like to use them when a cork snaps below the lip of the bottle.

And, FWIW, they are not suitable replacements for a jaw harp. I have the chipped tooth to prove it.