I purchase a few things in jars, but not very many.....because most of the stuff I use I can myself. Then I take those rings off after a day or two when the seal is fast. Of course, I don't do my own maraschino cherries, olives, or the occasional odd and end. I find that nine times out of ten, when the vacuum seal is broken, the lid easily twists off. So, I take a church key (one of those old fashioned type things you puncture something like evaporated milk with) turn it over and use the pointed triangle to slip under the lid just a bit, and lift and you can hear the air whoosh in. Then it untwists easily. I've nothing against kitchen gadgets, or any other appliance when it helps with a disability. But I hate cheaply made kitchen appliances and most of them are anymore. Yes, I get frustrated as well, with safety rings, pinch/twist/and bear down locks, the whole nine yards. That's why my drawers are filled with all sorts of kitchen shears. The sad thing is I can remember when you could buy an article of food and not have to worry about somebody fouling it for the fun of it. I think it points more to something being a lot more wrong with society than lids.

I have a little arthritis in my right hand. I'm also not super-strong. I have three manual jar openers-my DH, a rubber circle "gripper" and an old mechanical jar opener made of wood and metal that clamps onto jar lids. One way or another,I get my jars open!

I used to bang the jar on the counter or with a knife until someone told me it can chip the glass. I don't want any small glass splinters in my food! I just bought this jarpop opener from Amazon, along with some more Spayway glass cleaner. Both tips from Flamingo - Thanks Flamey :)

With the jar pop you don't need any hand strength at all because you don't try to unscrew it at all the little tool hooks up under the edge of the lid and as you push on it the vacuum seal pops and it just opens up easily. I have found a few jars that the lid was not made just right and the jar pop could not get a good grip but not many. I think maybe I got mine at bed bath and beyond on their wall of gadgets. But I have had it so long I don't remember for sure. I need to get another one to leave in the RV.