How do you use an Ah-so wine cork puller?

Question

seriously; i have never seen any diagram how to use this thing, not even on the packaging on the ones they sell; is one of those prongs supposed to stick into the cork? is one prong supposed to be on opposite sides of the cork with the other prong? are both prongs supposed to slide together on one side of the cork? diagrams/link would be appreciated

Answer 1

This type of opener -- also known as the Butlers Friend -- works well on some bottles, not so well on others.

One prong should be longer than the other. Insert that first between the cork and the bottle and wiggle it down till the other prong reaches the cork, then insert the second prong. Now you have two prongs on opposite sides of the cork. Rock them back and forth while easing them down. When the prongs are all the way down, twist the handle and lift. The corks should come up gripped between the prongs.

This opener works best on smooth polished corks, which are fairly common on US bottled wines, but many inexpensive European bottled wines have very rough sided corks which the Ah-So doesn't work well with.

One risk is you push the cork down into the bottle as you insert the prongs.

I have had one for over 30 years and only now ever use it as a last resort on very old crumbly corks when a normal corkscrew thread can't get a grip.

It is known as an Ah-So in the USA as that was the name of the Greman company who sold them in the US. In the UK they ar eknown as Butlers Friends since in the olden days butlers could use them to remove corks from good bottles, drink the contents and top the bottle sup with cheap wine and re-insert thecork without any sign of the bottle being opened.

A good 'waiters friend' corkscrew with a Teflon screw is inexpensive and much more efficient.

Answer 2

Cork Puller

Answer 3

Loved your story. Now i have an interesting story to tell at a party I am attending tomorrow. Once when we had guests over, our cork screw was giving trouble. My husband tried and tried in vain to open the wine bottle. Then the gentleman who was keen on the wine, got tired of waiting and decided to help my husband. They tried everything, first separately and then together.. finally in frustration, we saw my husband with the wine bottle between his thighs and the other guy gripping the cork screw and pulling with all his might. It was a really funny sight.. Your story brought back that memory.

Answer 4

Ah So Wine Opener

Answer 5

if it is the one that It has two flat, flexible, dull blades, one of which is longer than the other. To remove the cork, wedge the longer blade between the bottle and the cork, and slide it in gently. When it's in far enough, slide in the shorter blade too. Wiggle it gently back and forth until it's most of the way in, and then slowly rotate the cork while pulling up. The key words are gently and slowly. If you take your time each step of the way, you'll extract a pristine cork

Answer 6

basically the prongs silde in on either side of the cork, once it is in all the way, you simply pull and turn at the same time. This type of cork screw does not work very well on the newer plastic type corks. I don't have any links or diagrams, just experience with lots of wine...

Answer 7

I'm so glad you asked this - and got answers. I gave up using that because I always ended up shoving the cork straight down into the bottle!

Answer 8

Nevermind...

Answer 9

Hurrah, that's what I was exploring for! Thanks to author of this question.

Answer 10

I think so