Two Artisan EDC Bottle Openers Worth a Look: OED Panel Spike and Panel Pry Bar

Introduction

Bottle openers are everywhere, but most of them are forgettable. The two tools in this piece are not. Both come from Ryan Forbes, a metalworker in Ohio who creates artisan everyday carry tools under a small American workshop, and both are built with a level of finish you rarely see in a category this humble.

A quick note before anything else: these are pocket tools with a pry-oriented design, so it is worth checking your local laws on legality of carrying tools like these before you clip them to your keys.

OED Panel Spike Bottle Opener

The Panel Spike is a stout, solid-feeling tool made from a copper alloy with a stainless steel panel set into the body, which is where the “panel” in the name comes from. The front end has a sculpted profile that calls to mind an eagle or falcon, and it doubles as a light-duty hammering surface for small tasks like tapping in a small item or opening boxes.

The opener itself works by dropping the tool on from one side of a cap and giving a short pry. The cap pops off cleanly, and the solid construction means there is no flex or wobble in the motion.

It is the kind of object that feels genuinely good in the hand, with the heft and warmth of metal that has been shaped by hand rather than stamped out by the thousands.

OED Panel Pry Bar Opener

The Panel Pry Bar takes a different approach. Instead of working from the outside of the cap, you approach it from the inside, prying the cap off with the front end acting as a short, solid pry bar shaped like an inclined plane. It keeps the same bird-crest styling language, slightly smaller, and it carries a warm brass-like finish.

It sits nicely in the hand and, while you might notice it in a pocket on a run, it is compact enough to live comfortably in everyday carry. Like its sibling, it is finished to a standard that makes it as much a pocket piece as a tool.

How They Open a Bottle

Both tools grab a cap with a flat, meaty bite and plenty of leverage, and both make the job feel satisfying rather than routine. One quirk from the demonstration bottles: some capped drinks also use a screw top, so the opener will not always be needed even when the bottle looks like a classic crown-cap.

There is real enjoyment in using a well-made tool for a small daily task, and that is exactly the appeal here. Pulling one of these out at a barbecue and opening bottles for everyone by the cooler is half the fun.

Which One Should You Pick

If you want a stouter tool with a light-duty hammering face and box-opening ability, the Panel Spike is the more versatile pick. If you prefer a cleaner pry-bar motion and a slightly smaller, brass-toned carry, the Panel Pry Bar is the better fit. Both are available through the maker’s storefront, which has been gathering up independent artisans in the EDC space.

Either way, both tools reflect genuine American craftsmanship and skill, and both make an everyday task noticeably more pleasant.

Conclusion

These two openers prove that even the simplest tool category can be elevated with good materials, thoughtful design, and handmade care. Check your local carry laws, pick the shape that suits your style, and enjoy having a bottle opener worth showing off.