Most restaurant servers open wine with the same simple tool: a waiter’s corkscrew, often called a wine key. It folds flat, cuts the foil, pulls the cork with a lever that rests on the bottle’s lip, and opens a beer bottle too. In a Mexican kitchen it gets used for more than a bottle of red with dinner: a dry white for a pot of sangria, a bottle for a clam and chorizo broth, or a quick glass while the carnitas cook.
These wine key reviews cover eight waiter’s corkscrews from OXO, Pulltex, Franmara, Vacu Vin, Viski, Craighill, Laguiole Style de Vie and Lefty’s, and leave out the keys already on our best wine opener and best value wine opener guides. We compare them on the lever, the worm, the foil cutter and what each maker states.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, product specifications and verified buyer reports.
Quick verdict: which wine key to buy
For most homes, buy the OXO Steel Double Lever Waiter’s Corkscrew: a two-step lever, a non-stick screw, a foil cutter and a soft grip, from a widely sold kitchen brand. If you open many bottles in a row, the Pulltex Pullparrot Click Cut has a foil knife you open with one finger. For a wine key to keep for years, the Craighill Best Wine Key has a ratcheting arm and a five-year guarantee.
The table compares the five standouts, one for each kind of host. All eight are reviewed in full below.
Five wine keys compared
One pick for each kind of host, with the lever and foil cutter each maker or listing describes.
| Wine key | Best for | Lever | Foil cutter | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
OXO Steel Double Lever Waiter’s CorkscrewBest overall
|
Everyday use at home | Double lever, two steps | Built in | View on Amazon |
Pulltex Pullparrot Click Cut Waiter’s CorkscrewEasiest foil cutting
|
Opening many bottles in a row | Double lever, two steps | Click Cut knife, opens with one finger | View on Amazon |
Franmara Murano Waiter’s CorkscrewRestaurant-style pick
|
Restaurants, wineries and catered events | Two-step boot lever | Retractable serrated knife | View on Amazon |
Craighill Best Wine KeyBest premium
|
A wine key to keep for years | Ratcheting swingarm | Angled folding knife | View on Amazon |
Lefty’s Left-Handed Folding Waiter’s CorkscrewBest for left-handers
|
Left-handed hosts | Single, with bottle gripper | Folding knife | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Lever types and features are as stated by each maker or listing.
Our wine key reviews, one by one
The eight keys below include classic double-lever keys, a restaurant-trade key with a serrated knife, a premium ratcheting key, a wood-handled gift and one made for left-handed hosts. Each review says who it suits, what the maker states, and one honest reason to skip it.
1. OXO Steel Double Lever Waiter’s Corkscrew – Two Steps, Soft Grip
OXO’s waiter’s corkscrew is the plain, sensible wine key: a double-lever design that pulls the cork in two motions, a stainless steel screw, a foil cutter and a bottle opener, all in one stainless steel body with a soft, non-slip grip, according to the listing.
The double lever is what makes a wine key easy for anyone who does not open bottles for a living. You set the first notch on the lip of the bottle and lift the cork halfway, then move to the second notch and lift it the rest of the way. That shorter pull keeps the cork straight and is gentler on long or tight corks than a single-hinge key. The listing title describes the screw as non-stick, which helps it turn into the cork without tearing it.
The listing does not say where it is made or give a warranty, and it does not describe the foil cutter’s blade. For a first wine key that will also open beer and sodas at a party, it covers the basics well.
Why we like it
- Double lever for a two-step pull
- Non-stick stainless screw, per the listing
- Foil cutter and bottle opener built in
- Soft, non-slip body
Key specifications
| Model | 3110200 |
|---|---|
| Lever | Double lever |
| Worm | Stainless, non-stick (per title) |
| Foil cutter | Yes |
| Bottle opener | Yes |
| Body | Stainless steel, soft grip |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a home host who opens a bottle now and then and wants a key that is easy to use with little practice.
Skip it if you want a known blade type on the foil cutter or a stated warranty; the listing gives neither.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Easy two-step pull
- Comfortable grip
- From a widely sold kitchen brand
Cons
- Foil cutter blade not described
- Origin and warranty not stated
- Plain looks
2. Pulltex Pullparrot Click Cut Waiter’s Corkscrew – One-Finger Foil Knife
Pulltex is the Spanish company behind Pulltap’s corkscrews, the double-hinged waiter’s corkscrew on our best wine opener guide. This is a different Pulltex model, sold on Amazon as the Click Cut Monza and by restaurant suppliers as the Pullparrot Click-Cut.
The listing says it pulls corks in two steps without breaking or damaging them, works as a bottle opener, and is made in Spain. The Click Cut part is the foil knife: a WebstaurantStore listing for the same model says a raised button on the blade lets you open it with one finger, which helps when you hold the bottle in the other hand.
The Amazon listing is short and does not describe the worm, the body material or a warranty, so treat this as a pick for the design rather than for a long list of specs. The dimensions on the listing, 18.6 by 12 by 2.3 cm, appear to be the package size rather than the tool.
Why we like it
- Two-step pull, per the listing
- Foil knife opens with one finger, per a supplier listing
- Made in Spain
- From the makers of Pulltap’s
Key specifications
| Model | 107-839-00 |
|---|---|
| Lever | Double lever |
| Worm | Not stated |
| Foil cutter | Yes, Click Cut button |
| Bottle opener | Yes |
| Body | Not stated (gray finish) |
| Made in | Spain |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits someone who opens several bottles in a row, at a party or a family dinner, and wants a quick foil knife.
Skip it if you want full specifications before you buy; the Amazon listing is brief.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fast one-handed foil cutting
- Two-step lever
- Made in Spain
Cons
- Thin listing details
- Model name differs between sellers
- No warranty stated
3. Franmara Murano Waiter’s Corkscrew – Built for Restaurants and Events
Franmara supplies wine tools to the hospitality trade, and the listing describes the Murano as made for restaurants, wineries and catered events. It is a two-step key: you use the first, smaller boot lever to lift the cork halfway, then the second to pull it out.
The foil knife is retractable and serrated, so it saws through tough capsules and folds out of the way. The worm is an open spiral with a non-stick coating, which the listing says pierces the cork easily. The handle is translucent blue with a soft-touch underside.
Franmara’s spec sheet for model 3166 says it is made in Italy, about 4 5/8 inches long, and that the cap lifter is built into the boot lever. No warranty is given.
Why we like it
- Two-step boot lever
- Retractable serrated foil knife
- Non-stick open-spiral worm
- Made in Italy, per Franmara
Key specifications
| Model | 3166 |
|---|---|
| Lever | Two-step boot lever |
| Worm | Open spiral, non-stick coating |
| Foil cutter | Yes, retractable serrated |
| Bottle opener | Yes, in the boot lever |
| Body | Translucent handle, soft-touch underside |
| Made in | Italy |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a host or a server who wants a light, tough key that handles foil and corks quickly.
Skip it if you want an all-metal body; the handle is translucent plastic with a soft-touch section.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Serrated knife cuts tough foil
- Two-step pull
- Made for professional use
Cons
- Plastic handle
- No warranty stated
- Blue is the only color on this listing
4. Vacu Vin Waiter’s Corkscrew – Double Hinge for Any Cork Length
Vacu Vin makes a range of wine accessories, and its waiter’s corkscrew is a straightforward double-hinge design that the listing says gives more leverage for removing corks and handles corks of all lengths.
It has a serrated foil cutter and a bottle-top opener, and the black body is compact enough for a drawer or an apron pocket. That is the extent of the listing’s details: it does not give the worm type, the material of the body or a warranty.
The double hinge is the feature that matters most. On a long cork from a bottle meant for aging, a single-hinge key has to lift too far in one go and can bend or break the cork; a second step solves that.
Why we like it
- Double-hinge mechanism
- Serrated foil cutter
- Handles corks of all lengths, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | 68514606 |
|---|---|
| Lever | Double hinge |
| Worm | Not stated |
| Foil cutter | Yes, serrated |
| Bottle opener | Yes |
| Body | Not stated (black) |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a home cook who wants a plain, compact double-hinge key from a known wine-accessory brand.
Skip it if you want to know what the body is made of; the listing does not say.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Two-step leverage
- Serrated foil cutter
- Compact
Cons
- Few details on the listing
- No warranty stated
- Plain black only on this listing
5. Viski Summit Double Hinged Waiter’s Corkscrew, Copper – Copper Finish, Five-Turn Worm
The Viski Summit is a double-hinged wine key. According to the listing, it has a five-turn worm, a built-in foil cutter and a bottle opener for beer and soft drinks.
The body is stainless steel finished in polished copper, which is the reason to choose it: it matches copper mugs, jiggers and shakers on a bar cart. A five-turn worm is long enough for standard wine corks.
The listing marks the warranty as “no warranty”, so consider it a good-looking, light-duty key rather than a tool for heavy use.
Why we like it
- Double-hinged lever
- Five-turn worm
- Polished copper finish over stainless steel
Key specifications
| Model | 4890 |
|---|---|
| Lever | Double hinge |
| Worm | Five turns |
| Foil cutter | Yes |
| Bottle opener | Yes |
| Body | Stainless steel, polished copper finish |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Warranty | None (per listing) |
Why we recommend it
It suits a host who keeps a home bar and wants a wine key that matches copper barware.
Skip it if you want a warranty; the listing states none.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Attractive copper finish
- Two-step lever
- Five-turn worm
Cons
- No warranty
- Finish may show wear
- Origin not stated
6. Craighill Best Wine Key – Ratcheting Arm, Sommelier Design
Craighill, a design brand, developed this wine key with sommelier André Hueston Mack. Instead of fixed notches, it uses a ratcheting swingarm that locks in both the open and closed positions, according to the listing, which makes the pull smooth and controlled.
It has an angled foil knife that the listing describes as very sharp, so open it slowly, and a crown cap opener. The body is stainless steel with a stonewash finish and matte red grip scales. It measures 4.6 by 1.5 by 0.6 inches and weighs 4.6 ounces, which is heavier than most keys and gives it a solid feel.
Craighill’s guarantee page says this wine key is covered for five years from purchase, rather than the lifetime cover on its other products. The listing also says it is best suited to home use and casual entertaining, and points high-volume professional users to its care guide.
Why we like it
- Ratcheting arm that locks open and closed
- Designed with a sommelier
- Stainless steel body with grip scales
- Five-year guarantee, per Craighill
Key specifications
| Model | LWKST110 |
|---|---|
| Lever | Ratcheting swingarm |
| Worm | Not stated |
| Foil cutter | Yes, angled folding knife |
| Bottle opener | Yes |
| Body | Stainless steel, stonewash finish, red scales |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Warranty | 5 years (per Craighill) |
Why we recommend it
It suits a wine lover who wants a heavier, well-made key to keep for years or to give as a gift.
Skip it if you open wine in volume for work; Craighill itself suggests it is best for home use.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Smooth, controlled pull
- Solid weight
- Five-year guarantee
Cons
- Very sharp knife needs care
- Not meant for high-volume service
- Heavier to carry
7. Laguiole Style de Vie Corkscrew, Olive Wood – Wood Handle in a Gift Box
Laguiole is the name of a French village and a style of knife with a bee on the spine, and the listing is honest that “Laguiole” is a general term rather than a protected trademark. Laguiole Style de Vie is a company that makes Laguiole-style tools, and the listing states that its products are made in China.
This wine key has an olive wood handle with the bee at the top, a two-step lever, a long screw that turns five times, a foil cutter and a bottle opener in the long lever. It comes in a black wooden box with a certificate of authenticity from the brand, which makes it an easy gift.
Wood handles need a little care: hand wash and dry the key rather than soaking it. The listing does not state a warranty.
Why we like it
- Olive wood handle
- Two-step lever
- Five-turn screw
- Wooden gift box
Key specifications
| Model | KurkOlijf |
|---|---|
| Lever | Two-step lever |
| Worm | Five turns |
| Foil cutter | Yes |
| Bottle opener | Yes |
| Body | Stainless steel, olive wood handle |
| Made in | China |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits someone buying a wine key as a gift who wants the traditional Laguiole look.
Skip it if you want a key made in France; this one is made in China, as the listing states.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Attractive wood handle
- Two-step lever
- Comes boxed
Cons
- Made in China despite the French style
- Wood needs hand washing
- No warranty stated
8. Lefty’s Left-Handed Folding Waiter’s Corkscrew – Screw Turns the Other Way
Every other key here has a worm that turns clockwise, which is natural for a right hand. Lefty’s, a store that sells left-handed tools, has this folding waiter’s corkscrew made with a screw that rotates counter-clockwise, which the listing says is much easier for left-handed people to use.
It is a 4-in-1 tool: a knife for the foil, the corkscrew, a bottle gripper that rests on the lip while you lift, and a bottle opener, all folding into a compact orange body. The listing says it is custom made for Lefty’s.
It is a single-step design, so long corks take more care than with a double-lever key. The listing does not give materials, origin or a warranty.
Why we like it
- Counter-clockwise screw for left hands
- Knife, gripper and bottle opener fold in
- Compact
Key specifications
| Model | SF551 |
|---|---|
| Lever | Single, bottle gripper |
| Worm | Turns counter-clockwise |
| Foil cutter | Yes, folding knife |
| Bottle opener | Yes |
| Body | Not stated (orange) |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a left-handed host who has always found a standard wine key awkward.
Skip it if you are right-handed; the screw turns the opposite way.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Made for left-handed use
- Four tools in one
- Bright color is easy to find in a drawer
Cons
- Single-step lever
- Few material details
- No warranty stated
Single, double or ratchet: how the lever works
A waiter’s corkscrew works as a lever. You turn the worm into the cork, set a notch on the lever against the lip of the bottle, and lift the handle. A single-lever key, like the Lefty’s, does this in one movement. It is compact and quick on short corks, but on a long cork the handle has to travel a long way and the cork can bend or snap.
A double-lever or double-hinged key, like the OXO, Pulltex, Vacu Vin and Viski, adds a second notch. You lift the cork halfway on the first, then move to the second and finish the pull. The cork comes out straighter and with less effort, which is why most servers carry one. The Franmara works the same way with a smaller boot lever as the first step. A ratcheting key, like the Craighill, replaces the fixed notches with an arm that adjusts as you pull.
How to choose a wine key
Lever. Choose a double lever unless you have a reason not to. It is easier on long and older corks.
Worm. Look for an open spiral, sometimes with a non-stick coating, like the Franmara’s. A spiral with an open center grips the cork without drilling a hole through it. Five turns is long enough for standard corks.
Foil cutter. A serrated knife saws through thick foil and wax; a smooth blade needs to be sharp. The Pulltex Click Cut and Craighill are the quickest to open.
Handle and weight. Plastic and soft-touch handles are light and grippy; metal and wood feel more solid. A heavier key like the Craighill sits well in the hand but is less comfortable in a pocket.
Warranty. Most listings here do not state one. Craighill offers five years on its wine key; Viski’s listing says no warranty.
How we put these wine key reviews together
We looked for waiter’s corkscrews sold on Amazon in the United States from identifiable makers, left out the corkscrews already on our other wine opener guides, and checked each key’s stock with Amazon’s product data before writing. We left out keys that were nearly sold out when we checked, including Coutale Sommelier, Laguiole en Aubrac, Château Laguiole and the Pulltap’s Slider, as well as unbranded multipacks. Details come from each Amazon listing and, where we could find them, the makers’ own pages and spec sheets: Pulltex’s product list, Franmara’s spec sheet and Craighill’s guarantee page. Where neither says something, we write “not stated”. We did not use these keys for this page, and we have not cited published reviews, including Wirecutter’s, because we did not read them for this guide.
Wine key questions, answered
What is the best wine key brand?
No single brand is best for everyone. Pulltex, the maker of Pulltap’s, and Franmara both supply the restaurant trade; OXO makes easy, widely sold kitchen tools; Craighill makes a premium key with a five-year guarantee. Choose by lever type and foil cutter first.
What is the best wine key on the market for beginners?
A double-lever key such as the OXO. The two-step pull is forgiving if you have not used a wine key before.
Is a wine key better than a winged or electric opener?
A wine key is smaller, needs no batteries and works on any natural or synthetic cork, but it takes a little practice. Winged and electric openers need less skill; our best wine opener guide covers them.
What does Wirecutter say about wine keys?
We have not read or cited Wirecutter’s wine opener review for this page, so we cannot summarize it. Our picks are based on maker specifications and listing details.
How do I use a wine key without breaking the cork?
Cut the foil below the lip, center the tip of the worm on the cork, and turn it straight down until one turn is still showing. Use the first notch, then the second, and lift slowly at the end.
Our pick for the wine key in the kitchen drawer
Buy the OXO Steel Double Lever for an easy, all-round wine key. Choose the Pulltex Pullparrot Click Cut for quick foil cutting, the Franmara Murano for a light restaurant-style key, the Craighill for a premium key to keep, and the Lefty’s if you are left-handed.
Once the bottle is open, the best wine decanter and the best wine glasses cover what comes next, and the best wine stopper and pourer guide covers what is left over. Please drink responsibly. To pair a glass with dinner without doing the dishes, see our drinks and the menu, or call to order.
