SE Watch Case Back Opener - HN7

I work in a retail store that specializes in replacing watch batteries. The employees were using X-Acto knives to pop off the backs of watches so I took it upon myself to order these tools and contribute them to the work place. They were really well received by the coworkers that had never used them before. They offer more of a firm and sturdy design than the others available on the market. These are also ideal for dismantling and getting into electronics - key fobs, gps units, iPods etc... The store has been using these full time - at least 50 times a day - for over 6 months and they have no signs of wearing out. For the price they are worth every cent and then some.

I tried different tools to open the back of some old watches to replace the battery myself without much luck. I saw this type of knife reading some articles on the internet. So I purchased this 4Pk and they really work great. When you hold them you know what a good product you have. Each knife is inside of a sleeve but a second clear sleeve covers the blade; very nice. I did practice taking the back off of some old watches before trying on a nicer watch. I had to look for the lip around the back of the watch using a magnifying glass to place the blade. If you don't have much strength in your hands you can use just the very tip of the blade like I did. The back of the watch came off easily. The number on each battery was easy to replace. With a little W-D 40 on a Q tip applied around the case it snapped back in place. You will save yourself some time and money when you replace the battery yourself and this product will help.

It did the job for me. I decided to start changing the batteries myself after a jewelry store and then a even a watch repair store (they let the clerk do it) really marred up the back of a couple of my more expensive watches. This worked very easily for even those petite watches that gave stores trouble - the backs just popped right off. (This link I found in a comment on another review for this product is an excellent guide for technique http://www.esslinger.com/howtoopenasnapoffcaseback.aspx.) I've used it about half-dozen times and can see some small marks and very minor dents, so I took off a star. Despite the marks, it is pretty hard steel compared to most cheap tools I get and I imagine it will last me a few years anyway.

I bought mine when I saw one being used by a profession cell phone repair shop. In certain situations it is the ideal "Spudger". One of those tools that you'll reach for more than you think on your bench. DURABLE as hell! I BROKE the point off one. See pic. BUT what it took to do that was bending in back and forth prying probably SEVENTY times, no kidding! I was impressed. (I bought 2 more to replace it) Its made of 440 steel and it holds a substantially sharp edge too. I hone mine on a diamond whetstone. Slices paper. sharp enough to cut you good. GREAT for EMO'S ;-) You COULD take the sharp edge down some by sanding if you wanted, making it less like a micro katana. IN MY OPINION, this is a excellent quality tool who's uses you will find go well beyond just opening watch backs. If it were sitting on your bench, and no-one told you what it is for, how many uses would YOU find for it? Me? Here's a few: fingernail cleaner, label adhesive remover. De-burr aluminum, Prybar for plastic plugs on aluminum square tube, removing plastic housings from electronic devices, Oh, and I did pry a watch back apart with it too. ;-)

I thought this handy little gadget would word getting the back off my wife's Bulova watch when I tried everything else! The Lip on the back of the watch has a less than a Hair clearance to get any tool under to remove the back so I can change the battery, but failed. Not the manufacture's fault that this tool did not work, it the watch manufacture's fault. It has the company name engraved on the back of the watch where my wife worked as a 10 year gift working there. Not sure if Bulova does this on purpose so you can't remove the back? Not taking it to a jeweler either and pay a zillion $$ to do it. So I guess the watch will just sit although my wife is upset. UPDATE: Used an old steak knife with jagged edges , back popped right off. Also wanted to note on this item...blade was too thick for the back of my watch. But tool may be useful for other things.

It's 440 stainless steel, which is a good quality and sturdy steel commonly used to make good quality stainless knives. It's not exotic are super-hard compared to some newer formulations, but is a great choice and nice to see in an economical tool like this. And just like any knife, you can and should plan to maintain the blade if you want it to perform well. It will dull with use and may not arrive with the optimal profile for watches you have, so get a sharpening stone and sharpen it or re-profile it to work best for you. That said, the handle/scales riveted to the side of the full stainless steel tang blade are a little crude and appear to be rough stamped from a softer metal, most likely aluminum. If you have a metal file or even a fingernail file, you can soften the edges of the handle and remove any burrs to bring it up to the quality of the blade itself. On the positive side, they are firmly riveted to the blade. I like this opener and think it's was a good deal for the $5 and change I spent on it.

Not wood. Arrive wet inside sealed plastic packaging. Tip is not fine.

5-6-2013. Tool arrived and looks well crafted, although I have not used it yet. I was opening my watch backs (snap-in variety) with a Swiss army know can-opener blade. This appears that it will do the job well. The "SE Knife, Watch Case Opener 4 1/2in (4 Pk)" description is a bit confusing. I didn't expect four products, only one based on price, but the "4 pk" would lead one to think it was four items. After I use it a time or two I may re-evaluate this assessment. 3.2.2014. I wish that I had purchased the SE - Knife - Watch Case Opener, 4.5in., 4 Pk. This one only had a single knife. A later purchase from a differ vendor had four knives. All the same item. They work fine and open my Timex watch back easily. Be sure to place the honed edge against the back cover and curved side against the case. Otherwise it slips out and doesn't open.