I take an OTC medication. Since it is often not available locally I ordered a large quanity. It now comes in a blister pack which requires scissors to open. Previously it came in a convenient cylindrial container.

No shit... I hate that packaging with a passion.

I bought a Leatherman tool once that came in plastic packaging. I sat there thinking if only I had something like a Leatherman tool, I could get it out of the packaging.

When I'm struggling, usually with a sharp instrument in my hand, pocking, jabbing, and slicing, all while muttering the most profane language I can think of at the time, I wonder how many people are killed or seriously injured trying to open some of the packaging we consumers face now a days.

I’m laughing, but not really. I’m 61 and am seriously concerned. Does anyone ever test the “tear here”packaging or (big problem) “squeeze here”, as in mouthwash bottles packaging? I’m really worried I will not be able to open things I need to. Really hurts my hands, or flat can’t do it.

Ahhh, the curse of the "easy tear perforations".
Example:
For a quick snack, I like the single serving DiGiorno Mini pizzas. To nuke it, you have to take it out the box, unwrap it and then fold the damn box into an elevated cooking platform with a reflective surface that ensures proper nuking. Try that! I dare you. Never once have I gotten the perforations actually separated cleanly in a way I could build the little platform. I resort to hacking up the box with scissors until I can use the reflective surface for the pizza.
I hope there is a special hell awaiting the designer of the DiGiorno mini pizza box.

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
Ahhh, the curse of the "easy tear perforations".
Example:
and then fold the damn box into an elevated cooking platform with a reflective surface that ensures proper nuking. Try that! I dare you.

I buy another brand of small pizzas that uses the same frustrating folding thing with the box. It says, tear the perforations, but on my brand, there are perforations, and there are also sort of slits (especially at the corners). You cannot even see the slits unless you get the light on them right. To make it worse, at the corners, there are two sets of parallel slits. I finally got a box/platform made on about the 10th pizza.
 
And those "easy tear perforations" on packages that come in the mail, "tear here to open". Hah. I pull the indicated tab, and the perforated strip hardly ever makes it to the other side without disintegrating.

Got a new soldering iron delivered yesterday. Knife wouldn't cut it open, and trauma shears only worked with a lot of effort.

When it comes time to consider breaking out the Dremel with a cutting wheel, packaging has gotten a bit out of hand.

Metal snips work great on those packages.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Wi...ALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

quote:

Metal snips work great on those packages.

Packaged in a blister pack, no doubt.

Agree with Henryaz on the Amazon envelope with "tear to open" thing that goes to about 2 inches then epically fails.

Duracell battery 2032 blister pack...no doubt made doubly challenging because little kids think these are candy. Xacto knife required.

Big ol honkin' serious loop handle scissors.

This is a Milwaukee brand, I have a different brand, but look at the pic and get the idea. The big roomy handles let you get serious with those stupid packages.

I actually have 2, on in the garage shop and one in my hobby room. It gets the job done without straining your hands or fingers.

Home Depot, Lowes, Ace, these are available anywhere. Expect to pay between $15 to $20, just do it, open up your wallet and do it. You won't regret it.

Milwaukee Link, but there are others. Git'cha some!
.

Yep. I went with huge scissors too. Mine are Fiskars.
Heres the total skinny:
Fiskars PowerArc Shears. 10 inch. Model 710150-1001
26 bucks on Amazon.
Perforations? We dont need no stinkin perforations!

quote:

Originally posted by comet24:
Metal snips work great on those packages.
<snip>

Agreed. I’ve always called ’em tin snips.

My technique for the year-off Amazon envelopes: I use two pliers. Clamp one just below the perforation, the other just above and pull. Usually works. I don’t know how normal people do it.

quote:

Originally posted by 4MUL8R:
Duracell battery 2032 blister pack...no doubt made doubly challenging because little kids think these are candy. Xacto knife required.

What is it with some of those battery packs. You should have seen me trying to open a six pack of 2032 and 2025 the other day. Reciprocating saw or chainsaw were entering my mind.

I rarely toted a knife before this form of packing came out. I find toteing it's a must have now.

quote:

Originally posted by comet24:
Metal snips work great on those packages.

I used to use some aluminum and sheet metal snips for that. My wife heard me cussing about this kind of packaging one day and got me one of these:
Link


I didn't think much of it at first, but the offset jaws and heavy metal contruction really does work well. The other built in shit isn't useless, I just never remember it's there.

Plus one on the scissors. I have two pair of the Fishers, one in the kitchen, the other near where I open mail. Couldn't do it without them.