The Leaping Frog Corkscrew (Corkscrews in general)

Member Name: Ric!

Product:	Corkscrews in general
Date:	12/05/02 (676 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Well Made, Shiny, Ideal Gift

Disadvantages: Difficult to use on synthetic 'corks'

The Leaping Frog Corkscrew is a superb quality item which looks good, feels good, and makes a great present.

It is a chrome plated, top heavy corkscrew, designed in the image of a frog. You simply screw the twisted tool into the cork, and then as you pull the cork out of the bottle, the legs of the frogs extend to make it appear as though the frog is leaping. Of course, this is not only for aesthetic purposes. The unique riveted springy frog-leg system means that the vertical pulling force required to remove the cork is greatly reduced.

Cut and paste this link to see an image of it: http://www.frogstore.com/images/Pic81057.jpg

In its resting position, the Leaping Frog Corkscrew sits at 15.7cm long. The maximal width is 11.7cm (the frog's arms), and depth 3.4cm (the rim which the cork sits inside). With the frog leaping in its fully extended position, the length increases to 20.3cm. The item weighs in at a whopping 421g.

As I've mentioned, the item is designed to look like a frog, and no detail has been spared. It is beautifully crafted from the webbed feet up to the bow-tie and facial features of the frog. The words 'the Leaping Frog TM' are engraved across the legs on both sides of the item.

The corkscrew may look the part, but it's performance is slightly disappointing. I find this item more difficult to use than a traditional lever-mechanism corkscrew. However, when popping traditional wooden corks, it is not too much of an effort, and it can be done without making yourself look like a wimp. The trouble arises when you try and remove a plastic cork (maybe it's my own fault for buying cheap wine!). The situation with these synthetic 'corks' borders on the ridiculous. You have to muster up all your might, and sometimes even hold the bottle between you feet, while attempting to remove the piece of plastic that is sitting between yourself and a drunken evening.

So,
to summarise, the Leaping Frog Corkscrew is:

- Big,
- Heavy,
- Sometimes very difficult to use, but
- Attractive and well-made.

Would I recommend it? Well, yes and no. I don't recommend it as your no.1 corkscrew in the house. But this item is charming and appealing. Imagine how nice this shiny, chrome plated frog will look sitting on a clean tablecloth, in amongst a beautifully laid table, as your dinner guests are arriving for a meal (!!!) It also makes a great gift (which is how I came to have mine). It comes beautifully boxed and well presented.

I have seen this item for sale in Boots and The Gadget Shop, during my infrequent shopping trips to town. A quick search doesn't reveal them on either of these retailer's web sites, though. You may well find it whilst browsing during some forthcoming retail therapy. I have, however, found it available for sale at: http://www.egertons.co.uk/shop.taf - rather than look through all the sections, just scroll to the bottom and type in the product code, which is: F2107 (you will get to see a photo of it 'in-action' with the legs extended!!). Price: £15.50 - expensive for a corkscrew, maybe, but I believe it to be a very good price for this quality item of giftware.

Happy drinking.

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