Do people open tricky jars by stabbing them with a knife?

[YesILikeItToo]

I’ve just stopped my mother from stabbing a sharp knife into a metal jar lid directly from above. I was pretty shocked, it seems to me obviously dangerous. She said that’s what her mate does. Do people do this? Or is she covering up the fact that she made a poor decision? I’ve seen a couple of other examples of patently unsafe ‘work arounds’ and I’m starting to wonder what to do about it.

Bloody hell, never heard of this, and am stupid and clumsy enough for it to be a really bad idea anyway. I have four alternative methods: steep the lid in hot water, grip with any rubber glove type material to gain purchase, channel my inner rage, or ask a less feeble family member. Never thought of simply releasing the vacuum or whatever it is with a regular bit of cutlery, but that'll go on my list too.

Yes, but I usually use a bradawl. A lot safer than a knife.
I just opened a jar of pickles from Lidl and tried hot water, rubber glove, tea towel, two rubber gloves. None worked. Bradawl did the job first time. Just don't tip it up in the fridge.
We get crushed garlic (KTC brand, much nicer than Lazy Garlic that's always in loads of vinegar) which also has really tight seals but we got one off, once, without piercing it so we save that lid for the next jars.

I do this to release the vacuum, have done since forever

JarKey. Does the same thing breaking the seal. No need for other gadgets

HRTFT tap around the rim of the lid with the back of a knife; all the way round.

Just bash the top with something heavy eg, metal water bottle. Give it a sharp clunk and it’ll undo easily