You’ve probably tried it, but have you? Sabrage sounds wild, but is a centuries-old tradition that’s brimming with excitement and pride. Imagine the scene: an elegant event, with everyone dressed to perfection, and then someone comes up with a saber to cut the champagne bottle’s neck. It’s got a certain je ne sais quoi, don’t you think? Read more for more

Time travel for a second. Imagine the Napoleonic Wars in early 19th century. Napoleon’s army took pride in its style and bravery. As a celebration of their victory, the soldiers used their military blades to break open champagne bottles. According to them, the ordinary cork popping wasn’t good enough. You can see now why this tradition has a following.

You’ve probably seen some of the YouTube fails that show people trying to saber their champagne, and ending up in a fizzing mess. Avoid being that person. It may seem simple enough: grab your saber and slide it into the bottle. Boom, celebratory bubbly. You’ll need a bit more finesse.

It’s simple: you need a great bottle of bubbly. A bottle that will withstand a few roughhousings. It’s about the technique – find the seam in the bottle because it’s weak. Hold it with a 30-45-degree angle. The saber is moved along the neck until the cork and top of the glass are ripped off. You should still keep your guests at arms length. No one wants a pair of eye patches as a gift.

What makes a sword? What is a saber? Is it an old sword handed down from your grandfather? What about something you got at a dress shop? Neither. The tools for this job are specially designed. These champagne sabers are designed in different styles. They often have ornate handle designs and shiny blades. These sabers do not have to be very sharp. They only need heft, precision and a good design. It’s a perfect gift.

Why do you need to sabrage the wine? Why not just pop it like the average Joe? Isn’t it a bit dramatic to have the whole thing go down like this? Yes, in fact. And that is the point. Drama, showmanship and drama are what people love. You may have heard of the phrase “go large or go away”. Sabrage can be summed up in one word. You’re not opening a bottle. Instead, you’re performing. It’s important to create a memorable event, which people will remember long after last night.

We’ll switch gears for a moment and talk safety. The first rule in sabrage is to be aware of your surroundings. You should be aware of the surroundings. You don’t need that cork to fly away and smash into Aunt Edna’s glass vase. Be sure that those around know what you’re doing. One quick “Hey look at this!” can save your life.

It’s important to consider temperature. Your bubbly needs to be really, really cold. Cold as in just taken out of the ice-bucket cold. If it’s too hot, you might end up with a stream of foam coming up your nose. It’s a sure way to ruin a special occasion. You should keep your cool, unless you want to end up a hot, sticky mess.

What’s the best way to make this cooler? The stories that go with each saber. You can hold a tiny piece of history, with its intricate craftsmanship and designs. Some collect stamps and others champagne sabers. Each saber tells an elegant story.

You don’t need to worry if this sounds like it is beyond your level. Everyone starts somewhere. The key is to have fun. This is not rocket-science. Grab your saber. Find that sweet spot and give it your best. Worst case scenario? You get a funny story, and you also get a mop. Best case? You can be the hero that night.

Sabrage means more than opening a glass in style. Part art, part history, and with a lot of panache, sabrage is a unique experience. This is what makes the special moments of life that much more memorable. Next time, forgo the bottle opener in favor of a saber to make a splash.

Ready to give this a go? Practice makes perfect so start out outside away from valuables. Happy sabering!