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International Home + Housewares Show 2012: "Kebo" One-Handed Bottle Opener

By Ray Hu - March 14, 2012

in International Home + Housewares Show

Coverage sponsored by the IHA

Updated on March 15, in response to comments

You couldn't make it up: a father and son who discovered a vintage bottle opener (left at the daughter's house by an ex, no less), who—possibly inspired by the freewheeling tailgate culture of their native South Carolina—decided to update the concept for modern times. The tale ends (and the company begins) with the "Kebo," an elegant one-handed bottle opener:Inspired by the Theodore Low bottle opener from the 1930s, this modern interpretation offers better seamless function and classic styling that will last for generations. Cast of stainless steel and polished to a mirror finish, this device exudes quality, artistry and timelessness.

Guess which is which...

Company founder Rush Dixon—the son and brains behind the brand—improved on the existing design by incorporating a magnet to catch the cap. Where most bottle openers (one- or two-handed) actually 'pop' the cap, bending it and releasing it towards the ground, the "Kebo" is a bit more refined: not only does it hold the cap in place but it keeps it intact, such that the cap can be reused (albeit not forming an airtight seal) if necessary. It's perfect for pranking an unsuspecting friend with an 'unopened' bottle... or, for those of you who are more interested in creating beer as opposed to destroying it, bottling homebrew (just be sure to sterilize the caps before you reuse them!).

The packaging ain't bad either...

As for the name? It's a twist on the term "bottle key," chopped and screwed (so to speak) to form the distinctive neologism. The name has caught on: Dixon noted that his friends and acquaintances often thanked him for the "Kebo" as opposed to the "bottle opener"—more evidence that it's more than just the latter. Even the IHA themselves saw fit to award Rush3 LLC with a first-ever Innovation Award in the Hand Tools & Cutlery category.

It's no Core77 Design Awards trophy, but it's an auspicious start for Rush3 LLC...

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Ray

12 years ago

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I've updated to the post to mention one of the main features: the magnet that holds the cap in place so it doesn't fall to the countertop or floor (as with other openers). Also, the mechanism is designed to remove the cap cleanly, without bending it, so it can actually 're-cap' bottles (but not with an airtight seal).

John - You can also pull it like a trigger with your middle or ring finger... and founder Rush Dixon mentioned that he'd seen people skip the loop entirely, using it like a nutcracker.

tokyospark - Dixon mentioned that they tried to find a local shop for manufacturing but the form was too complicated (incidentally, they ended up going with an overseas manufacturer, so we'll expect to see knockoffs shortly)

kostas - agreed about the video

Thanks for the feedback,
Ray
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kostas syrtariotis

12 years ago

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this is almost identical and was presented 2 years ago:
http://thalesjacobi.blogspot.com/2010/05/bottle-opener-new-invention.html
Btw, the Kebo's site really misses a demo video...
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tokyospark

12 years ago

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"...classic styling that will last for generations".

That's a pretty broad claim for a device with virtually no styling. For a cast piece, it appears more like a simple extrusion (and no doubt will be reproduced as such in 3..2..1..). Personally, I like the original one better for the same reason as stated above, I don't want to put my finger in it.
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Keith F

12 years ago

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A solution looking for a problem.
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John

12 years ago

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I looked it up and I like the original better, don't need to stick your thumb in it.
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-Joel-

12 years ago

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This is kinda funny to win an innovation award. Reason being that yes you can open a bottle one handed but are probably going to use two hands when you pop the cap off. You're probably going to need to catch the cap rather than let it drop on the floor. That being said, I love the look and the action of the device. It is very cool.
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