Abstract: A can opener (30) includes a housing (32) which supports a drive wheel (64) for rotating a can (82) loaded on the opener. While the can (82) is being rotated by the drive wheel (64), a cutter (74) is severing a lid (80) of the can therefrom. An actuator (86) is pivotally mounted at the rear of the housing (32) and extends across the top, and over the front, of the can opener (30) to provide the external control for operating the can opener. A switching mechanism (136) and a disc (184) are located within the housing (32) and are responsive to movement of the actuator (86) by a user to operate the can opener (30). A magnet assembly (98) is removably located on the underside of the actuator (86) for attaching magnetically to the lid (80) of the can (82) during a lid-cutting operation to facilitate removal of the lid from the can after completion of the lid-cutting operation. A blade sharpener (42) is located at the rear of the housing (32).