Abstract: A mechanism is provided for use in a can opener comprising a body; rotationally mounting to the body about a first axis a drive wheel for engaging the rim of a can; rotationally mounting to the body about a second axis and drivably rotatable by the drive wheel, a cutter wheel; eccentrically mounting to said cutter wheel, a cutting knife movable on rotation of the cutter wheel to a cutting position in which the cutter knife forms a nip with the drive wheel such that the cutting knife penetrates through the cylindrical wall of the can, to provide a cut therein as the opener orbits relatively therearound, wherein the cutting position is defined by a cutting interval corresponding to a segment of rotation of the cutter wheel in which the cutting knife is sufficiently proximal to the drive wheel to form the nip.