An Ah-So corkscrew (also known as a “cork fork” or a “butler’s thief) is basically two metal prongs that you shimmy down the sides of the cork and then pull up. The functionality is as basic as it gets and it requires more muscle than other corkscrews, but it comes in handy when you have a crumbly or broken cork (like on an old wine).
Here are the steps to using an Ah- So or check out Josh’s video to see it in person!
- Insert the longer prong first, then the shorter side
- Rock the prongs back and forth while pulling up
- The cork should move up as you pull until voila! you’ve removed the cork
- If the cork is broken simply repeat the above steps for each piece
17 Comments
Karole Miele
July 2, 2019 - 1:19 pmI can only hope I am privileged enough to enjoy a glass of wine coming out of a bottle old enough to require the use of an Ah-So corkscrew!
A.J. Delaup
July 4, 2019 - 10:34 amYou can throw that devise away. Don’t even try to use it, you could shove it into your fingers or hand.
Just saying 🙁
David P Dickmeyer
November 17, 2019 - 8:04 pmNot so! Are you aiming the device at your hand or the cork? I suppose you would also say a corkscrew is dangerous!
RP
July 8, 2019 - 5:04 pmNo sir… that is not the way to use that device. You are going to break it. You must insert the prongs all the way down to the handle BEFORE twisting and pulling up. I suggest switching to a cork screw if the prongs will not slip around the cork. By the way, this device allows you to save the cork intact without damage.
Mitchell Pain
January 18, 2020 - 3:27 pmI’m a somm and agree. If the prongs aren’t all the way in you can snap them off. We had a house guest do that to my Ah-so when I was not there to open the bottle. It can do a little damage to older corks so you have to make sure no cork goes into the bottle when you pull the cork out. I usually give a little wipe just before it’s ready to come out.
JW
July 24, 2021 - 10:08 pmYou are exactly correct. The rocking motion is to work the prongs all the way in, twist and then pull up. I have had some older wines and had corks crumble with a regular cork screw. The Ah-so has worked every time on older corks and it is now what I use for older wines every time.
AA
September 29, 2019 - 4:14 pmSomething we have found helpful using the “ah-so” is to touch a finger print lightly into the liquid of what’s being served (steak fat?) or whatever and deftly rub the tines of the ah-so. This eases the entry of the tines into the neck of the bottle and makes removing the cork that much easier.
Eric
November 2, 2019 - 4:23 pmI never thought of that, thanks.
Eric
November 2, 2019 - 4:16 pmYes, the ah so cork screw is so much easier to use than the traditional cork screw without the wings, and yes, you nudge it down, and then turn and lift. Always gets the stubborn cork out without having to use a screw driver or chisel and hammer to mash it down into the bottle and break it up!
John Sementa
April 29, 2020 - 2:43 pmI use an Ah-So (I prefer “Butler’s Friend”) almost all of the time. I don’t mean to be overly critical but I have yet to see a more ham handed demonstration on how to use one than the above video. The secret is easy does it. Get the prongs started as described and gently ease it back and forth until the tines are all the way down. Lastly with a twisting motion ease the cork out. This type of cork screw is especially helpful with older bottles, like Vintage Port or 1855 Classified Bordeaux which commonly peak at 20+ years past vintage.
Ray Krause
October 7, 2020 - 6:20 pmOne important step neglected in the tutorial is to always turn the Ah-So in the same direction when extracting as the tines will take a directional set. Twisting back and forth will only tweek the tines and shorten the tool’s usefulness in extracting older cork.
Mark
November 24, 2020 - 3:08 pmTwo comments: 1) The Ah-So DOES have a foil cutter – it is the longer of the two prongs; 2) While it is okay to hold the neck of the bottle while extracting the cork this should only be done if the cork comes out very easily otherwise the bottle should be held lower down on the “fat” part of the bottle. If the bottle is to break it always breaks 2/3s of the way down the neck. If holding the neck your hand WILL BE CUT. The other comments I will make is that the Monopol “Ah-So” is superior to any others I have tried and over time a prong will break – always have a spare handy!
Tom Dehn
January 7, 2021 - 5:23 amAs above , Butler’s Friend is the correct name; friend , because the butler would disappear into his master’s cellar for a tiple of fine wine, extracting the cork undamaged. This could be replaced after topping up the looted wine bottle with some cheap plonk
Mark Barlow/ 12 Obsession Crystal
February 18, 2021 - 10:16 amI carry to all tastings, as sometimes someone brings great old bottle. Also cheap corks sometime break, I use on all 10+ yr old bottles, rather than trying corkscrew and possibly breaking cork, then harder to get out.
His Step #2. Rock while pulling up??, turn will work not rock.
I have antique 2 prong, invaluable, timeless!
Mark
March 13, 2021 - 12:26 pmold corks might be “stuck” to the sides of the bottle, take your ah-so and with the long prong only insert around the cork several times to break the “seal” then yur cork stands a better chance of coming out in one piece
A. Squaretail
January 31, 2022 - 3:15 pmIts all I use any more. Easy, simple, light and does the job. I don’t think it takes that much effort either.
Steve Boyer
February 26, 2022 - 11:02 amHow was the cork in the first bottle successfully remove? Could be an idea for your next presentation.