diff -Nbaur -x '*~' -x '#*#' nethack-3.4.3/include/extern.h nethack-tinopener/include/extern.h
--- nethack-3.4.3/include/extern.h	2003-12-08 10:39:13.000000000 +1100
+++ nethack-tinopener/include/extern.h	2005-12-05 17:01:45.000000000 +1100
@@ -521,6 +521,7 @@
 E int NDECL(Hear_again);
 E void NDECL(reset_eat);
 E int NDECL(doeat);
+E int FDECL(use_tin_opener, (struct obj *));
 E void NDECL(gethungry);
 E void FDECL(morehungry, (int));
 E void FDECL(lesshungry, (int));
diff -Nbaur -x '*~' -x '#*#' nethack-3.4.3/src/apply.c nethack-tinopener/src/apply.c
--- nethack-3.4.3/src/apply.c	2003-12-08 10:39:13.000000000 +1100
+++ nethack-tinopener/src/apply.c	2005-12-05 17:00:41.000000000 +1100
@@ -1365,6 +1365,7 @@
 	}
 }
 
+
 boolean
 tinnable(corpse)
 struct obj *corpse;
@@ -2926,17 +2927,8 @@
 		res = dowrite(obj);
 		break;
 	case TIN_OPENER:
-		if(!carrying(TIN)) {
-			You("have no tin to open.");
-			goto xit;
-		}
-		You("cannot open a tin without eating or discarding its contents.");
-		if(flags.verbose)
-			pline("In order to eat, use the 'e' command.");
-		if(obj != uwep)
-    pline("Opening the tin will be much easier if you wield the tin opener.");
-		goto xit;
-
+	        res = use_tin_opener(obj);
+		break;
 	case FIGURINE:
 		use_figurine(&obj);
 		break;
diff -Nbaur -x '*~' -x '#*#' nethack-3.4.3/src/eat.c nethack-tinopener/src/eat.c
--- nethack-3.4.3/src/eat.c	2003-12-08 10:39:13.000000000 +1100
+++ nethack-tinopener/src/eat.c	2005-12-05 17:01:09.000000000 +1100
@@ -2092,6 +2092,24 @@
 	return(1);
 }
 
+int
+use_tin_opener(obj)
+register struct obj *obj;
+{
+    register struct obj *otmp;
+    int res = 0;
+    if (obj != uwep) {
+	if (!wield_tool(obj, "use")) return 0;
+	else res = 1;
+    }
+
+    otmp = getobj((const char *)comestibles, "open");
+    if (!otmp) return 0;
+    start_tin(otmp);
+    return(1);
+
+}
+
 /* Take a single bite from a piece of food, checking for choking and
  * modifying usedtime.  Returns 1 if they choked and survived, 0 otherwise.
  */
diff -Nbaur -x '*~' -x '#*#' nethack-3.4.3/src/invent.c nethack-tinopener/src/invent.c
--- nethack-3.4.3/src/invent.c	2003-12-08 10:39:13.000000000 +1100
+++ nethack-tinopener/src/invent.c	2005-12-05 16:59:22.000000000 +1100
@@ -902,6 +902,7 @@
 		|| (!strcmp(word, "untrap with") &&
 		    (otmp->oclass == TOOL_CLASS && otyp != CAN_OF_GREASE))
 		|| (!strcmp(word, "charge") && !is_chargeable(otmp))
+		|| (!strcmp(word, "open") && otyp != TIN)
 		    )
 			foo--;
 		/* ugly check for unworn armor that can't be worn */