DQ - the bags look like Zip Locks. You can open them the same way as a Zip Lock. I have never had one loose vacuum in the 6 months that I have had one. I am not sure of cost per bag, which is why I said that FS mey be cheaper per bag. I tend to put things that will be used all at once in FoodSaver and things that I will open, use part of and reclose in Handivac. I use haddivac for a lot of refirgerator stuff, Tomatoes, lettuice cheeses, etc. When I make and patty hamburger, I individually wrap the aptties and put them in handivac bags, take out what I need and revacuum. Same with hot dogs and some fish filets. the bags come in quart and gallon, like Zip Locks.
I understand that when Handi Vac first come out there were problems with bad bags and maybe the vacuumer. Mine has been rock solid.
As I said earlier and this may be hard to describe, the FoodSaver bag is a two piece bag and when you cut the end off, you can wash the bag and reuse. I tend to write on the end that gets cut off the date that it was frozen. The Handi Vac is actually a three piece bag. The outsides are similar smooth plastic t the Zip Lock. Indide one fo the sides, covering half of the side is a ribbed panel, like FoodSaver. In one corner, is a little blue circle which makes a valve. This is where you apply the vacuumer. Should some sort of liquid, like meat or fish juice get between the ribbed panel and the smooth plastic, it is difficult to clean out and I do not reuse the bag in that case.
Hope this helps
AC
AC
