You can do the same thing with a table knife or spoon. Put the tip under the edge of the jar lid and lift up gently - you can hear the seal pop. It might take a few times to figure it out but it does work. I have a jar key also but this works in a pinch. I got mine years ago at the Container Store and it has lost some of it's edge and doesn't grip as well.

Good thing you found one to replace it!

In the meantime, it might not be as good or easy, but you can open your jam, in the meantime, with an old fashioned can punch, like we used on cans before pull tabs. Or a flathead screwdriver. Just put the point under the rim, like you would with your JarKey, and lift gently. If you need a fulcrum for the lever action, you can fold up a tea towel or potholder and stuff it between the opener and the jar, or even a small block of wood.

A good old fashioned church key works well, too. The sharp end easily fits under the rim. And so do the paint can lid pries that seem to pile up in the garage. I use the lid pry for all manner of jars.

I always pop the seal with an old style can opener, the type that opens a can like a tomatoes juice can to put a triangle hole for pouring. I put the pointed end under the lid on the side and then pop the seal with it. I bet one of those paint can lid openers would work great to pop a seal too.

I use the old method I learned many years ago. Put the jar upside down in a small bowl and let it sit in real hot water for a minute or so. No tools required.
Sue

I know what you are referring to....Alisande recommended it, and I think of her every time I use it. Jarkey lid lifter. An old fashioned "church key" can work if the lid isn't too deep.

http://www.amazon.com/Brix-JarKey-Opener-Original-JarPop/dp/B00167Z2UO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1433300878&sr=8-1&keywords=jarkey+jar+opener

I love the jar key and just got the larger one, too, for those oversized jars. Raven told me about that one.

My brother gave me the original one for Christmas about 12 years ago and I first thought "what a weird gift" but then it became my favorite kitchen drawer gadget. Mine is red so it's easy to find.

On occasion, I have grabbed an oil filter wrench from the garage. I keep 3 sizes out there. An ordinary strap wrench works too, but one should use these with care because filter and strap wrenches can apply great pressure in the circumferential direction and may break a glass jar or crush a metal container if too much force is applied. For smaller jar lids, a pipe wrench will work.

Heating the lid by immersing it in hot water works by expanding the metal.

In an emergency, another quirky method works that was used by my mother. Take a heavy handle of a table knife or other object, hold the jar upright and begin tapping/striking the edge of the lid in the loosenign direction. Rotate the jar while tapping until you have made at least one circuit around its perimeter. There will should be small dents on the edge of the lid. Now, try to unscrew the lid. You may find that it has unstuck.

That reminds me. I need to shop for a jar lid wrench/opener for the kitchen. Nothing works better than a proper tool. We had one, but the way the handle was fastened to the jaws was a joke. It promptly snapped off the first time someone gave it a good squeeze. I'll be looking for a better built one.

Are you sure it didn't get stuck to last lid? :)

Here's an excellent jar lid opener, I've had mine for years. You screw it in under your cabinet and the slide the can in the V shape and it has grippers, you twist and it opens so easily. The bonus is you can't misplace it lol.http://www.amazon.com/Fox-Run-Opener-Under-Counter/dp/B0000VLPSA