Ever since the manual smooth edge can openers came out, I wished for an electric can opener to do the same thing.

As a part of a larger order of other things from Amazon, with free shipping, this can opener cost me $19.99, plus Washington State Sales tax.

My Hamilton Beach 76600 needs to be used this easiest way, though, to rate 5 stars from me. I must rest the can on a common plastic can cover in my hand -- so the can could rotate without having to shift it in my hand.

Not shiny, but dull gray plastic can covers are the most slippery. A cover for each can size may be best, as I do it. I have thought of water or olive oil to lubricate the plastic cover, but I have seen no need to try it.

My 76600 came new from Amazon with no helpful "can cover tool for" or comment about the method I describe. Now, I see an orange thing sitting beside the Hamilton Beach 76600 on the Hamilton Beach web site. I don't know if that is now offered for holding the can.

My startup skill was poor before I used the plastic cover in my hand, as I describe. My other hand was busy, of course, moving to the right and holding down the combination slider clamp and switch on the top of the can opener.

Holding the cans as I would hold a drinking glass was a great disappointment. Even putting some fingers under the can was disappointing. I felt very clumsy and succeeded in cutting the smooth edge unevenly, ending up with a partly cut top of the can.

Repeated runs around the poorly held can made it possible to re-cut so close to the previous cut that little strips of the can top could serve as unwelcome splinters, also found by others.

I got similar splinters from my manual smooth edge can openers, too, when they became dull and required repeated cuts around the can.

I have been an excellent customer of Amazon.com, and really rely on the reviews of all their items. This Can Opener, does not open ANY CANS! I wrote Hamilton Beach, and emailed them about their so called Marvelous Can Opener, If I even had a chance of returning this to Amazon I would, but it was bought for a Christmas Present, and now I am extremely embarrased!

I have tried to "get the hang" of using it and have not. I bought a black and decker and am very happy with it. If I could send it back to Amazon for a refund, I would but the shipping and time make it not worth it. I am now reluctant to buy small appliances through the mail for this reason.

I have used this one for a little over a year. It leaves metal cuttings on edge too. It wore out recently. The cutter is wore off. I am trying to find a replacement part now. None on the Web Site for Hamilton Beach, www.hamiltonbeach.com. I am still looking. I liked it while it worked even with the dangerous metal cuttings. To bad the cutting edge was made so cheaply. I will try to find another brand like this type of can opener if I cannot replace the part for a fair price. More than likely will have to toss it out.

So far so good. The only readon I didn't give it 5 is because it doesn't have a hands free mode. With 2 little ones at my ankles, i am partial to anything that doesn't require constant attention. So far it is really nice quality can opener. I really like it's height for those taller cans.