Most helpful customer reviews

96 of 99 people found the following review helpful.
Good Value
By A Customer
Product represents a good value for this type of corkscrew. We've had it for about a month now, and used it to open more bottles of vino than I care to admit! Never had any problem with a bottle of red (served at room temp), but have had some difficulty with chilled whites (cold corks harder to pull), and it simply refuses to pull artificial corks (perhaps on principle!!) overall, a good gizmo. motivates you to stick with good quality reds. with the reds it's been a 5-star performer.

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful.
Corks come out in one piece---what more can you ask?
By Robert
I bought this as a gold box offer because I was tired of the old cork screws (the ones with the arms that you use to pull a cork). I've had to many cork failures with all the other types I've used.
This unit makes it easier to hit the middle of the cork every time. All you do is grab the top of the bottle is grip of the opener, and lift the arm. This drives the screw into the cork for you. Then you just push down on the same lever and the cork comes out---intact (every time for me). It sometimes requires a slight pull, but this is minor.
It also comes with a foil cutter, which works well also.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful.
Newer 2008 Models Much Improved: Great Opener!
By A reader
I was really surprised at all the negative or lukewarm reviews until I looked at the dates: these are mostly from 2002-2003, and the most recent one I saw was 2004. Half a decade later, the Houdini is MUCH improved. Mine is a champ, and opens every bottle flawlessly and quickly. I drink wine EVERY DAY, so it has to work continuously, and it does. While some five-year old reviews talk of wobblies or weak joints, this is no longer true. The 2008 Houdini is solid! It also now comes with it's own case (rubber handle retainer included), so you don't have to worry about storage issues. I'm a hard-core wine aficionado, and this is a superb opener. I can't think of any way they could improve it.