How to open a champagne bottle with a sword

Understand the properties of the glass champagne bottle. The key to opening a champagne bottle with a sword lies in the pressure inside the bottle.

• Because of the way champagne is bottled, carbon dioxide gas generates a pressure of about 15 kilograms of force on the cork.
• Glass is fragile. This means the bottle will shatter rather than bend when force is applied.
• The pressure within will cause the glass to crack, leading to the neck of the bottle and cork breaking off.

Buy multiple bottles of champagne. You won't succeed on your first try, so having several bottles of champagne on hand is essential. This technique works even with inexpensive champagnes, so you don't need to spend money on premium bottles.

• Even sparkling wine bottles will work.
• Generally, French and Spanish champagnes have thicker bottles than American ones, and they tend to be pricier as well. Thicker glass is easier to cut than thin glass, but if you're on a budget, American champagne will still suffice.
• This technique typically requires half a case or even a whole case of champagne to perfect. You can expect to spend at least 600,000 VND (6 bottles at 100,000 VND each) for practice. Practicing with inexpensive sparkling wine bottles that have corks is a cost-effective way to go. Be aware that some cheap bottles are made from poor-quality glass and may break easily, increasing the risk of failure.

Find a sword. Your sword doesn't need to be overly sharp; in fact, a sturdy knife will do the job just as well. Of course, using a sword looks more impressive and dramatic!

• This technique is easiest with a thick, sturdy knife or sword. The flatter the blade, the better (the two sides should be parallel to each other).
• You might want to practice with a meat cleaver before investing in a beautiful sword.
• Check out second-hand stores or liquidation sales where you can find a sword at a reasonable price.
• There are swords specifically designed for saber champagne bottles that you can find online.

Chill the champagne. The colder the neck of the bottle, the easier it will be to execute the technique.

• Make sure to chill the bottle in an ice bucket before attempting to saber it.
• Be careful not to shake the bottle of champagne.
• Do not place champagne in the freezer. Doing so will ruin the flavor of the wine, or the bottle might explode.

Find an open space. It's best to do this outdoors. The technique will cause shards to fly and champagne to spill, so it's better to practice outside unless you're in a place like a gym.

• Some people report that the cork can fly as far as 6 meters, so you'll need plenty of space.
• Remember to maintain a safe distance from the guests around you.

Prepare the champagne bottle. Wipe off any moisture from the bottle. Remove the foil and the wire cage from the top of the bottle. Keep your thumb on the cork as you perform the technique. It's possible that simply removing the wire cage will cause the cork to fly off.

Find one of the two seams on the bottle. This is where the two halves of the bottle are joined together. This is the weakest point of the bottle, so you will focus on this area when performing the technique.

Hold the champagne bottle at a 30-degree angle with the seam facing upwards. The cork should be positioned higher than the base of the bottle. Make sure to point the cork toward an open space to avoid hitting anyone or anything. The angle at which you hold the bottle doesn't have to be perfectly precise.

Use your non-dominant hand to hold the champagne bottle. Grip the base of the bottle firmly. Place all your fingers except the thumb underneath the bottle (on the opposite side of the seam) and keep them clear of the sword's cutting path. The bottle will rest on your fingers while the thumb stabilizes it.

• The sword won't make contact with any part of the base of the bottle, so your hand will be safe.

Place your thumb in the concave area at the bottom of the bottle. This grip helps you hold the bottle securely without risking injury to your thumb.

• Once your thumb is in the correct position, practice holding the bottle by closing or opening your fingers.
• Choose the grip that feels the most secure and safe to you.

Place the sword blade on the neck of the bottle. The blunt edge of the sword should be facing the cork. Hold the sword parallel to the body of the bottle.

• You can also use the sharp edge of the sword, but it might chip.
• Using the sharp edge can also cause the bottle neck to break unevenly.

Locate the ring on the neck of the bottle. You will aim the blunt edge of the sword at this ring.

• Pay attention to where the ring meets the neck of the bottle. This is the weakest part of the bottle.

Practice sliding the sword from the base of the bottle to the ring. Training will help you get familiar with this movement before you attempt the real cut.

• You can also set the sword aside and practice with your hand alone.

Slide the sword along the neck of the bottle and strike the ring. Grip the sword firmly and perform the motion with confidence. The bottle neck will break neatly and the cork will fly off. If done correctly, the neck will break cleanly. Remember to execute the movement decisively, meaning your hand shouldn't stop when it reaches the ring. Keep moving your hand forward and follow the path of the cork's flight.

• The break at the neck will be most beautiful if you aim for the seam at the ring.
• If you don't apply enough force or stop halfway, the technique will fail.
• If it doesn't succeed on your first try, return to practicing. Keep in mind that you need to move your hand (the one not holding the sword) quickly and confidently.

Inspect the neck of the bottle for any glass shards. Use a cloth to wipe the neck clean if necessary. Be careful not to push any glass fragments into the bottle.

• The internal pressure will cause the cork and bottle neck to fly off, preventing glass shards from falling into the bottle, but you could still inadvertently drop some glass into it.

Pour the wine and enjoy! Be sure to check the glass for any glass shards before drinking.

• At this point, you should also check the neck of the bottle and the cork. Be cautious not to step on the bottle neck, and don't touch the sharp edge when picking it up.

• This technique doesn't work for sparkling wines with screw caps (like Andre brand).
• If you're hesitant to attempt sabering a champagne bottle at an upcoming event, you can hire an expert to perform the technique. Look for someone trained by "La Confrerie du Sabre d'Or". They might even teach you how to saber a bottle properly.
• If you don't succeed on your first attempt, the initial shock will cause the wine to "spill" more when you eventually get it right. Repeated failed attempts may lead to jagged cuts on the bottle (and the wine becoming undrinkable).
• This technique won't work with non-carbonated wine. The internal pressure plays a key role in the neck breaking off.
• The broken neck of the bottle will have sharp edges. Handle with care when picking it up.
• Dispose of bottles that have been poorly sabered. Do not drink from bottles with jagged breaks. A properly sabered bottle will have a clean break (sharp but not shattered).

• A bottle of champagne or sparkling wine sealed with a cork and chilled.
• A sword or a large knife with a squared blade edge.
• A spacious area for the cork and bottle neck to fly forward (about 6 meters).