16 APRIL 2019
OBSESSIONS
4. FOLDING BOW
“This folding corkscrew is
referred to by collectors as
the Copley because it is
featured in a painting by John
Singleton Copley that hangs
in the Museum of Fine Arts
in Boston.”
2. CHINNOCK
“An important patent because it
was cheap to make and the
average person could afford
one. The worm is turned into
the cork; continuous turning
extracts it.”
8. HENSHALL
“In 1795, the Reverend Samuel
Henshall was granted the first
English patent for a corkscrew
by adding a button above the
worm on a T-handle corkscrew.”
(The brush is for dusting old
bottles.)
5. WIENKE WAITER’S
FRIEND
“Commonly used in restau-
rants, this is the earliest
version of the waiter’s friend.
To me it isn’t as significant as
these other types.”
3. COLUMBUS SPLIT
FRAME
“The spring between the
handle and the frame assists
the extraction by exerting
pressure on the handle to
gradually withdraw the cork.”
1. RACK AND PINION
“The frame is formed by two
rods fastened into the shoulder
at the top. The tempered steel
springs attached to the bottom
of the frame are a patented
invention by Thomas Lund.”
7. FRENCH CONCERTINA
“The concertina, or lazy tongs,
is a compound lever that helps
in cork extraction. Pulling up
on the handle brings the levers
into action for more power
when you’re pulling.”
6. THREE-FINGER PULL
“The three-finger pull gives a
little extra grip when extract-
ing the cork, and the leather
covering adds a little comfort.
One still has to tug quite hard
with this type.”
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Corkscrews Through the Ages
