Let's Talk Wine Openers
The Waiter, The Butler, and The Viral Opener
The discussion kicked off when I noticed a specific, highly engineered tool on display—The Durand® Wine Opener. The staff smiled and told me it has become an absolute best-seller recently, flying off the shelves after being featured in viral social media videos by top sommeliers.
That conversation sent me deep into the fascinating world of wine openers. It turns out, how you open your wine is just as steeped in tradition, engineering, and a little bit of sneaky history as the wine itself.
If you are looking to upgrade your wine accessories—or find the perfect gift for a fellow enthusiast—here is what you need to know, straight from my chats at La Maison du Vin.
Why Specialized Tools Matter
In the world of fine wine, handling delicate items requires specialized tools. When removing a cork from an old bottle of wine, you need instruments designed not to damage what you’re working with. These tools have evolved from simple designs into precision instruments.
Examining history, patents, and current usage illustrates the shift from “brute force” to precision, enabling us to enjoy fragile vintage wines.
The History of Wine Bottle Openers
The need for cork removal tools began in the 17th century with glass bottles and cork stoppers. Before the corkscrew, extracting corks was challenging and often destructive.
From Muskets to Wine Bottles
The first corkscrews evolved from military tools called “gun worms,” used by soldiers to remove stuck wadding or musket balls. They adapted these tools at home for wine and cider.
By 1681, England recorded a “steel worm” for corks. This was popular as people bottled cider and beer, keeping them on their sides as noted in John Worlidge’s 1676 book, Treatise on Cider.
Better Leverage and the “Henshall Button” 
In 1795, Samuel Henshall patented the first corkscrew, introducing a small metal disk, the “Henshall Button,” to improve leverage and ease of use.
This innovation prevented the screw from going too deep, aiding in neatly removing corks. Later designs, like the “winged” corkscrew, further enhanced user leverage.
The “Friends” of the Trade: Waiter vs. Butler
Historically, wine openers were categorized by the people who used them most. Today, the two most iconic pocket-sized tools go by very specific names.
The Waiter’s Friend (Corkscrew/ Sommelier Knife)
This is the classic folding corkscrew you see in every restaurant. Invented by a German named Carl Wienke in 1882, the “Sommelier Knife” features a small foil blade, a spiral “worm,” and a hinged lever (often a double-hinged fulcrum) . It is built for speed, efficiency, and leverage, allowing a waiter to cleanly extract a fresh cork in front of a table in seconds. It is the workhorse for young wines and daily high-volume service.
If you mainly drink young wines, a quality Waiter’s Friend is all you need.
The Butler’s Friend (The twin-prong puller)
This is where the history gets fun. The “Butler’s Friend”—the Americans call it the Ah-So—doesn’t have a screw at all. Instead, it features two thin metal prongs of slightly different lengths. You slide the prongs between the glass neck and the cork, rocking it back and forth until it’s fully inserted, then twist and pull.
Why… “Butler’s” Friend? Legend has it that 19th-century British household butlers favored this tool because it doesn’t pierce the cork. A clever butler could extract the cork intact, pour themselves a healthy glass of the lord’s premier cru, top the bottle off with a splash of water, or cheaper alcohol, and push the unblemished cork right back in. No hole, no evidence!
Where the Name "Ah-So" Comes From
The most likely origin is the German phrase ach so!, which means "Ah, I see!". This describes the "lightbulb moment" a person has when they finally understand how the tool works.
Anatomy of a Perfect Opener: Why The “Worm” Matters
During my chat at the shop, we got into the mechanical nerdy details of what makes a standard corkscrew good. It all comes down to the “worm”—the coiled metal spiral.
Here’s the thing…
While many may think a stronger, thicker metal is better, this is a dangerous misconception. The most important element of the worm is that it must be crafted from a tempered metal that retains a slight flexibility or “give,” rather than being a totally rigid, thick, drill-like auger.
If the metal is too thick and hard it acts like a wedge. As you twist it in, it violently displaces the cork outward against the glass neck. That immense pressure has nowhere to go, meaning either the cork shreds into pieces, or worse, the neck of the bottle shatters in your hands.
The ideal worm is an “open spiral” wire helix. It slices cleanly through the cork rather than boring into it, and its slight flexibility absorbs the tension, allowing you to extract the cork smoothly.
The Ultimate Showdown: The Durand
If you collect older wines (think 15 to 20+ years old), you know the anxiety of uncorking. Old corks become brittle, soggy, and incredibly fragile.
For decades, The Twin-Prong Puller was the only answer. Because it grips the cork from the outside, it prevents a fragile cork from crumbling. However, the Butler’s Friend has one fatal flaw: if the old cork has shrunk slightly, the downward pressure of inserting the prongs can accidentally push the cork into the wine bottle. Et Voila…
The Durand® Wine Opener
Invented by wine collector Mark Taylor (and named after his friend Yves Durand), this patented tool is the holy grail for vintage wines. It completely solves the Ah-So’s flaw by combining both tools into one.
It is flawless. The Durand® Wine Opener guarantees a clean extraction of even the most compromised, crumbling corks. It’s no wonder social media caught wind of it; watching it effortlessly pull a 40-year-old cork intact is incredibly satisfying.
The Ultimate Collector’s Tool: If you regularly open older vintages, The Durand® Wine Opener is not an accessory; it is an insurance policy for your expensive wine.
How it works:
1. Twist the HELIX into the cork’s center until the STABILIZER BAR touches the top of the cork.
2. Start with the “long” BLADE, then tuck the “short” BLADE on either side of the STABILIZER BAR between the cork and bottle.
3. Push the BLADES down with a fun rocking motion until the HANDLE is close to the STABILIZER BAR.
4. Grab the STABILIZER BAR and HANDLE together, twist, and gently pull up to pop that cork out!
Even with the Durand, delicate corks may need extra care. Use your fingers near the bottle’s neck to help it glide out during the grand finale!
👉 Buy The Durand® Wine Opener online from La Maison du Vin
Next time you pop into La Maison du Vin, take a moment to check out their accessories section. A great bottle of wine deserves to be opened with respect, and having the right tool makes all the difference in the world.
