Corkscrew Review: Code 38 Pro

[Tyler_Rico]

@Brian G r a f s t r o m

Tyler,

In Post 4, you call the purchase of a $245 corkscrew “laughable.” You then call such a purchase “unjustified.” What if you reviewed a $245 bottle of wine and somebody then called the purchase “laughable” and “unjustified.” IMO, that’s the equivalent of that somebody calling you stupid. So, my point is, I read your post (Post #4), and many others, as calling Chaad stupid and/or belittling his choice to support this product (regardless of whether he spent his own money on it or not … and, fwiw, I believe him that he will be forking over his own money for the corkscrew (see my above response to David for a more lengthy explanation of why I believe him)). And, calling somebody stupid is the equivalent of slinging shit, in my book.

I think you took my words out of context and it seems you are misinterpreting what I said.

I said a $245 corkscrew is laughable as in the device itself; never referring to the purchase of one being laughable. I then said that I didn’t think I could go through enough $5 pulltaps in my life time to justify a purchase of a $245 corkscrew never commenting on the OP’s “purchase” as unjustified.

I use “purchase” in quotes as the OP more than likely didn’t purchase this and his only intent was to pimp this item.

[Brian_G_r_a_f_s_t_r_o_m]

@Tyler Rico

@Brian G r a f s t r o m

Tyler,

In Post 4, you call the purchase of a $245 corkscrew “laughable.” You then call such a purchase “unjustified.” What if you reviewed a $245 bottle of wine and somebody then called the purchase “laughable” and “unjustified.” IMO, that’s the equivalent of that somebody calling you stupid. So, my point is, I read your post (Post #4), and many others, as calling Chaad stupid and/or belittling his choice to support this product (regardless of whether he spent his own money on it or not … and, fwiw, I believe him that he will be forking over his own money for the corkscrew (see my above response to David for a more lengthy explanation of why I believe him)). And, calling somebody stupid is the equivalent of slinging shit, in my book.

I think you took my words out of context and it seems you are misinterpreting what I said.

I said a $245 corkscrew is laughable as in the device itself; never referring to the purchase of one being laughable. I then said that I didn’t think I could go through enough $5 pulltaps in my life time to justify a purchase of a $245 corkscrew never commenting on the OP’s “purchase” as unjustified.

I use “purchase” in quotes as the OP more than likely didn’t purchase this and his only intent was to pimp this item.

Do you find the purchase of a $245 corkscrew laughable, Tyler? If you find a $245 corkscrew as “laughable” – as in “the device itself”, then I don’t see how you wouldn’t fine the purchase of such a device also laughable.

HYPO: I find $300 bottles of wine “laughable” — as in the wine itself. But, I do not find the purchase of said wines “laughable.” Does that make any sense to you whatsoever, Tyler? Yeah, it doesn’t make any sense to me, either.

[zachary_l_a_n_g]

My theory on a $250 corkscrew…

If you have the money and like it - buy it and enjoy
If you have the money and don’t like it - don’t buy it
If you don’t have the money and don’t like it - move along and dream of something else
If you don’t have the money and like it - hey, that’s what credit is for right?

logic with wine board posting
If you don’t like the thread - don’t read it
if you don’t like the thread and want everyone to know - do it nicely, intelligently and just say it once. We all read your barbs the first few times, no need for the carousel effect here.

Now carry on my wayward sons!

(this post is not directed at any individual person)

[Mel_Hill]

I think it is cool that EA got a story idea from WB!
At least that is my assumption…
Was this also om eBob?

[NickWittman]

Researching corkscrews today, ran across this thread. Looks great, but ultimately bought a Chateau Laguiole for $120 ish. Hope it will last at least a decade! Curious why some corkscrew producers feel the need to add a bottle opener to them? For those that open a Miller Genuine Draft after a 1969 Leroy Echezeaux?

[PaulJ]

On Dec 7th Rajat Parr tweeted this: “The Greatest Cork Screw in the World!! Thank you @codewineknives 9+ Sanrio Clothing Themes For Adults (Kawaii Outfit Aesthetic & More Tips) - Lockerz”
So guess people in the industry feel there is something to this…

[Gary_Schulte]

Sorry I missed this thread months ago as I only have crap openers since my rabbit pull broke on an awful synthetic cork. However, when saw the picture in the review all I could think of was a nice saltwater luer.

[chaad_thomas]

@NickWittman

Researching corkscrews today, ran across this thread. Looks great, but ultimately bought a Chateau Laguiole for $120 ish. Hope it will last at least a decade! Curious why some corkscrew producers feel the need to add a bottle opener to them? For those that open a Miller Genuine Draft after a 1969 Leroy Echezeaux?

For professional users, and especially sommeliers, the need to open crown capped bottles, such as mineral water or beer, arises in the normal course of work in most cases.

[NickWittman]

Interesting enough, replacing my $30 ish Cartailler Deluc referenced early in the thread. Have used it for maybe 10 years now and pulled at least a thousand corks. It is still going pretty strong, and really a good tool. Only issue that just happened, the corkscrew now protrudes a bit outward making it not as comfortable to hold when cutting the foil off a bottle. The knife is still sharp enough to easily cut foil, a sharp point at the end of the corkscrew, and pivot points all firm as if it were still new. Think the Cartailler Deluc is one of the better choices for wine professionals or everyday users, low cost in the event it gets lost, and certainly durable based on my experience. And hey, even has a bottle opener!

Mine will become a backup however. Never purchased an “expensive” opener before, but figure if it lasts 10 years, why not give the Chateau Laguiole a shot? Decided against a Code 38, and to go with a tried and true brand. Never seen a Code 38 at any offline, restaurant, wine shop or any other place for that matter? No idea how it functions over years? It does look nice, but have never had the opportunity to see it in action!

[Thomas_K]

I have a Laguiole, which I love, but the knife on it requires more arm action than it delivers in cutting. Any easy ways of sharpening these?

[chaad_thomas]

@NickWittman

Never purchased an “expensive” opener before, but figure if it lasts 10 years, why not give the Chateau Laguiole a shot?

You should enjoy the step up in looks, handle material quality, comfort, and finish, but none of that is to take away from the DeLuc. It is one of the best inexpensive corkscrews I’ve ever used.

[chaad_thomas]

@Thomas K.

I have a Laguiole, which I love, but the knife on it requires more arm action than it delivers in cutting. Any easy ways of sharpening these?

There are at least five different Laguiole corkscrew producers whose tools are available in the USA. Any idea which brand you have?

[Stephen_Williams]

Well it would seem that I have very generous friends, as one of them has just given me a Code 38 “Stealth”, which I note from the website is the titanium coated model. I haven’t had the chance to use it yet, however all I can say is it is beautifully tactile, well weighted piece of engineering/ craftmanship.

It won’t make the wine taste any better, and I wouldn’t have paid the price myself, but I’m very grateful to have one. Now all I need to find is bottle to open…

[David_Fesq]

I’m late to this, and just transitioning from lurker status, so forgive me…

I will add my thoughts though,as one of the these made its way into my possession last month. (I didn’t pay for it, but I did swap some of my own wine).

I’d like to express a tone that probably makes up about the average for the responses here. It is the best made, most expensive piece of principally unnecessary kit you can get. I have dozens of wine knifes around the winery and house, from a long history as a sommelier and general wine drinker. Whilst I do tend to reach for the closest, and have opened plenty of great old wines with a $5 job, the Code 38 is a lovely thing to hold and use. It really just comes down to the personal choice of spending that kind of money.

Maybe I’m trying to retro-fit a bit of justification, but I think of the tens of thousands of dollars I’ve spent on wine, with all the disappointing or corked bottles; this is as good a wine-knife as I’ll ever own or need, and hopefully it’ll last forever. I can live with that.

[Humberto_Dorta]

After reading this thread I realized I own lots of different Riedel glasses, three vinturis, a glass carrying case, some expensive wine totes, and lots of expensive wine but I didnt own a nice wine key. So I went to look and ended up buying a Laguiole simply because they appeal aesthetically more to me than the codes. I have to point out that there are some Laguioles out there in the $700 range which makes the two and change seem less outrageous. To each his own.

[chaad_thomas]

@Humberto Dorta

I have to point out that there are some Laguioles out there in the $700 range which makes the two and change seem less outrageous.

134 posts later, I cannot help quoting the very first post in the thread:

“…you can pay more for a corkscrew that delivers less.”

[Robert.A.Jr]

You know Chaad, as a fellow cyclist, I would think you’d “go big, go campy!”

Still don’t get the criticism on this thread over the price of a screw, yet we have thread after thread about wines cresting $200, $300 and even $1000 in price, and then in an evening, they are gone. Spending $250 on a mechanical work of art to me is a “no-brainer”. Have not used this corkscrew yet, so cannot comment on quality, but if the quality is there, the price does not bother me. Laguioles are entirely in this price-point. I’ve spent more on corkscrews than I have on a bottle of wine, but these are antique collectibles. Fun as hell to open an old bottle of wine with an equally old tool.

[Josh_Pitcl]

Count Raj Parr among the Code 38 fans:
http://www.afr.com/p/lifestyle/life_leisure/sommelier_dream_comes_true_abdZjEKN5CD8pebnmknWeI

[NED_VALOIS]

I have to weigh in on this. I bought several Laguiole Corkscrews in Paris in a Laguiole shop on the Ile St Louis , including the Ebony & Ivory example shown in a earlier reply, and love it. I also have a Ebony corkscrew and a corkscrew made from the metal of a decomissioned Concord Jet (gift to my son) , both Laguiole. Great items to recall a wonderful trip to Paris.
I passed on the solid sterling one !
I love & appreciate fine craftmanship in items , such as these, and they are MUCH CHEAPER than the Porsche and/or Purdey shotguns !!!

[G_D_y_e_r]

@Brian G r a f s t r o m

Guys who work in construction pay more than $100 for their hammer, and rightly so. A nice hammer makes a big difference, yet a hammer is not “of complicated nature.” Most people don’t pay more than $15 for their hammer. I see no difference here.

And, what about the value in simply thinking the corkscrew is cool? Or that it looks cool? Or feels cool? Seriously, I don’t get the flak Chaad is receiving on this.

My thoughts exactly on the first paragraph. If you use the tool a lot as a professional, it’s worth it.

But I don’t know if I can picture a construction worker launching into a diatribe against $15 hammers. Why should he give a crap? If you use a hammer only sporadically then why buy the luxe expensive hammer.

Even for the regular wine drinker, there’s little reason to waste money on a fancy tool unless it’s as a display piece.