Oh!
I hate the stupid rigid plastic packaging that junk I buy comes in. It’s called clamshell packaging. And it hates you.
I always tried opening it with scissor, muscle, and will power. And fear. A healthy does of fear because the edges of the plastic was scary sharp.
Today, I finally bought an external hard drive so I could back up my computer. I’ve maybe learned a wee lesson after this incident.
The external hard drive, a portable one from Toshiba for $99, came in that hateful clamshell packaging.
I feared it.
I GOOGLED it.
And learned a duh! easy lesson about opening them. Scissors suck. Use a can opener.
Can Opener Method
1. Get a standard rotary can opener out of your kitchen.
2. Open the clamshell as if it was a can. The sharp wheels of the can opener will cut the plastic, without cutting your hands.
It worked! Hey, the plastic is still sharp, but oh man so much better.
Posted by Melissa on August 3rd, 2008 under Observations
August 3rd, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Gah! I hate the clamshell. Thanks for the tip. I usually go for the scissors but I have the scars to prove that’s not the best method.
August 3rd, 2008 at 7:06 pm
What are the chances I’ll actually remember this next time I’m faced with a plastic clamshell?
August 3rd, 2008 at 9:10 pm
I wonder if this will work with the “no sharp edges” kind of can opener? I guess I’ll find out.
August 4th, 2008 at 8:57 am
Wow, I hope I remember this for Christmastime! Cuts from those darn things hurt!
August 4th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
So what about the dreaded plastic CD thingy?
August 4th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Thanks. Good to know.
August 5th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Awesome…I will SO use the can opener next time…brilliant
August 9th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
I have actually resorted to busting some of these things apart with a HATCHET!
I knew that scissors was not the way, as the side you cut just snaps back and lacerates your hand. However, the hatchet seemed a bit…extreme.
August 10th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Holy cow, a hatchet!!!