Abstract: An electric can opener has a handle that is used to ‘close’ a blade towards a traction wheel so as to pinch a top rim of a can while the lid is removed, in a known manner. When the handle is moved downwards, the blade is carefully controlled in its movement as the result of the cooperation of three cams mounted on a pivot shaft of the handle. The blade is moved sideways and downwards so as to arrive at the pinching position in a manner that ensures that the rim is not jammed from above and that vertical thrust is applied during the can opening operation.