chickencam Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 I can never open the bags that are knitted together with string without using scissors, there must be an easy way of doing it or all farmers would be bald from tearing their hair out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajm200 Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 (edited) Hi, Years ago I worked in a greengrocers that used to get produce in paper sacks that were sewn shut. Most of the guys had a way of undo them by simply tugging the end of the string across the width of the sack so that either the string snapped and unravelled or the sack ripped open where it was sewn. I never go the hang of it though - guess I wasn't strong enough Edited March 3, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 I usually use scissors but did actually manage the last one - I think you have to pick the right bit to pull & rip . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted February 29, 2008 Author Share Posted February 29, 2008 yes but which is right bit?? I feel so chuffed when one works but i get so mad when they don't especially when it is 7am and the wind is whistling up my dressing gown Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 I always use scissors....otherwise I end up in such a temper that I spill the contents of the sack when I give it one final yank and it rips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 I've only managed to do the string thing correctly once I use a Stanley knife and sort of chop my way through the stitching. Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedusA Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 I have made it my lifelong study to open the "crocheted" string at the top of bags and never have a problem now. It's just making sure you have the "right" end and not the "wrong" one. Works every time. *ducks to avoid being slapped for smugness* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 But which is the right end/side to start from Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 Turn the sack upside down and pull the red/brown strip which has the stitching through it. Yank the whole thing and it tears really easily. (Only took me 5 attempts and several kilos of spilt layers mash) *its nice being smug* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 Last time I had a delivery of pellets they came in an outer bag. I studied the stitching on the outer bag very carefully, and it unravelled beautifully! I then used exactly the same method on the inner bag - and it didn't work. Which just proves there IS no magic way! Get a Stanley knife and slash it open, that never fails Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 Turn the sack the other way up so the stitching is now at the bottom then unroll the other end Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 Smart "Ooops, word censored!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted March 3, 2008 Author Share Posted March 3, 2008 It's so nice to know I am not the only one who hacks at them with frustration after getting each end totally knotted There were a few smug exceptions but we can't all be perfect can we Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick_W Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 Hi, I've opened thousands of these. Maybe one in a hundred doesn't work with the method below. However, there is a knack to it, and as you will probably only be opening a couple of bags a year, it may take a while Put the bag on the floor so that the end with the string on is uppermost. Most of these bags will say open at the end that DOESN'T have the string! This is complete rubbish, and I know no-one (in the trade) who does this. There is usually one end that will have a longer piece of string than the other; wind the longer piece of string a couple of times round your index finger, so that there is about an inch of string left between your finger and the bag. This is where the knack comes in: Give a couple of sharp tugs upwards and slightly back over the top of the bag. If the paper starts to rip you're done; just keep pulling all the way along the bag top. If it doesn't try again until it does If the string breaks you'll have to either tear the bag with your hands or get a knife, sorry. I never thought I would have to explain this Regards, Nick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted March 3, 2008 Author Share Posted March 3, 2008 I'll try to remember this in a couple of months when i need to open a new bag Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...