I was reading a post concerning P-38's and something occurred to me to ask: I have an old folding Ekco cap lifter/can piercer of the sort that used to be called a "B-52", about an inch and a half long folded, and it can be threaded onto a keychain beside a P-38, Sparky, Superior sharpener, etc., which is where mine is right now. I haven't exactly looked for these things, but I haven't particularly noticed them around anymore either, and I would like to get some for friends. Even in the days of pull-tops and twist-off caps, they are handy. Has anybody seen these recently?<br><br>

No b-52s, but P-38s are common.The old P-38 is hardly obsolescent or just for opening cans.I've used mine for fish lures,emergency ice cleats,splitting roots for cordage, sewing thimble and small vise for holding needles and matches. Canned rations and water are still in widespread use worldwide A good stropping with a ceramic rod helps.Occassionaly larger European versions are offered for sale among the surplus retailers. Some have had bottle openers, spoon handles etc.<br><br>

I seem to remember an opener that was either designated or marketed as a "P5*" (P fifty-something) that was a longer version of the P38, with sort of a spoon shaped handle. Seemed like a solution looking for a problem.<br><br>>>I've used mine for fish lures,emergency ice cleats,splitting roots for cordage, sewing thimble and small vise for holding needles and matches.<<<br><br>And, of course, as a screwdriver. <br><br>Not to mention that the real ones (which are tempered) work very well as a striker with an artificial flint (Spark-Lite or whatever)- usually better than the striker/shaver supplied (if any), nice large showers of sparks with little effort, and no worry about your knife edge. Since they're also flatter than most strikers, you can chuck the supplied striker and get all the added functionality almost as a free bonus.<br><br>How did you use one as a lure? Drill another hole, or lash it somehow?<br><br><br>

I posted some comments about P-38 can openers in other contexts. Sorry, I'm not familiar with the B-52, though. From your description, was it something like this?<br><br>http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1175477223<br><br>

To make a field trial lure I used Pine sap to glue a barbless hook down the impressed spine of the P-38 and ran the filament up through the keychain hole. I secured other end to a large split ring and used gloves. I caught a Salmon from my MLB in Oregon. I then released the salmon.<br><br>