Torque: Double Action

The Thomason

In 1802, an English Engineer named Edward Thomason obtained a patent for an advanced corkscrew that, although complex in design, was extremely simple to operate. A cylindrical frame helped position the worm; clockwise turns of the handle would insert the worm and extract the cork. Counter-clockwise turns of the handle would eject the cork from the worm.

From the Collection of Donald A. Bull.
Patented 1802. England

The Wing Nut

Use the top handle to insert the worm. Lift the cork by turning the triple wing nut, which is attached to the top of the frame. Quite reliable. A little more work to use than the Counter Screw (below), though, since the relatively short width of the triple wing nut provides less leverage. Press here for variations.


Made by A. M. Perille. France

Double Screw with Locking Top

A single crosspiece serves dual roles of handle and fly nut. Lock the crosspiece in place by depressing the locking device (top center), and it will stay fixed on the shank as the worm inserts. Unlock the crosspiece, continue turning, and the cork is extracted. Interestingly enough, the cork does not actually turn; it moves straight up the bottleneck!

The corkscrew shown here is more like a fine machine tool than an ordinary kitchen gadget; all parts are solid, hefty, and made with precision. In addition, a wide groove in the bottom of the frame is filled with India rubber to soften the impact on the bottle lip. Press here for more.

19th Century. German

The Counter Screw

The top handle is connected directly to the worm and is used to insert it into the cork. The bottom handle is connected to a cylinder that encloses the worm on the inside and has reverse threads on the outside. Turning the bottom handle lifts the top handle - and hence the cork - out of the bottle. The extra width of the bottom handle provides good turning leverage.

By the way, the wood frame helps center the worm on the cork. Although the corkscrew shown here was made in Spain, it is a classic French design. Press here for Variations

.Olive Wood. Spain

Side Handle

The crosspiece on top is used to insert the worm, and the frame helps position it. The handle on the side is attached to rack-and-pinion gearing, all of which work together to easily lift the cork. Based on Lund's London Rack, patented in 1855.

Circa 1960. France

The Victor

This is a classic example of the English corkscrew, The Victor. It has an open frame, is plated steel This is a nickelplated version of a flynut corkscrew from the beginning of the 20st century.

19th Century. England.

"BASIC GOODS". 1980s

Sieger 600

Invented in Germany around 1980, the Sieger 600 was hailed early on as an "Antique of the Future. The black collar is attached to a hollow cylinder that sits inside the bulb on a reverse thread. After inserting the worm, hold the collar and turn the bulb clockwise - the cork lifts up into the bulb. Twist the cork off the worm, and an unusual spring mechanism rotates the collar snugly back inside the bulb.