These Oyster Knives Are Shucking Awesome

Other Options We Tested

• Oxo Good Grips Stainless Steel Non-Slip Oyster Knife: This seemed promising at first, but the blade was too flexible for stubborn oysters. Over time, it seemed to loosen in its housing, making it less effective and less stable overall. The knife does feature Oxo’s Good Grips handle, which we found can be held securely and stand up to years of use on other Oxo products. With its affordable price point, this knife may still be attractive to people new to shucking oysters before they upgrade to a style suitable for their favorite varieties.
• Made In Oyster Shucker: Although this oyster knife is beautiful, we found it hard to use and struggled to get wedged into the hinge of the oyster. Likewise, the handle was slightly rough and uncomfortable to hold. Paired with the high price point, we decided to leave it off the list.

What to Look for in Oyster Knives

Type of Knife

There are five general categories for oyster knives. For the most part, New Haven blades are short and wide with a slightly curved blade, and then there are Providence blades, which are similar to New Havens, except they don’t have a curve. Next, there are Bostons and Galvestons, which are much longer and have more narrow blades. Lastly, there are Frenchman oyster knives, which are short in length and wide. Frenchmans typically have sharper sides that will make it easier to locate the weak part of your oyster where you can break it open.

Type of Blade

Beyond the look of the knife, the blade is also an important factor. The blade length can be anywhere from 2 to 4 inches, and some have tapered or rounded ends, while others do not. Most blades are made from stainless steel, though some possess carbon, which makes those blades slightly tougher and more durable.

Type of Handle

The grip is just as important as the blade because this is what you’ll be holding on to when it comes time to use the knife. Blades are usually made of either plastic or wood. Unlike other knives, it’s OK to put most oyster knives in the dishwasher because their blades aren’t too sharp, and you don’t need to worry about dulling them. (However, check the manufacturer's cleaning instructions, as some knives are better washed by hand to preserve the longevity of both the handle and blade.) The handle should feel comfortable in your hands and be heavy enough that you have some leverage (but not too heavy), and a non-slip grip is an added plus.

FAQs

How do you shuck oysters with an oyster knife? 

To shuck an oyster safely and efficiently, you’ll first need an oyster. Lay a clean dish towel on your work surface and place the oyster, flat side up, on the towel. Fold the towel over the oyster so that only the hinge of the oyster is exposed. Use your non-dominant hand to hold the oyster from the top and keep it in place.

"Every oyster has a hinge or spot where the oyster knife fits in," says Adam Evans, the executive chef and owner of Automatic Seafood and Oysters in Birmingham, Alabama. "Once you find that, the knife needs to get wedged inside. After you find this sweet spot, then it’s a matter of cranking the knife like a motorcycle until the shell pops."

Use your dominant hand to gently wiggle the blade of your oyster knife into the hinge, subtly twisting until the seal breaks and you’re able to wiggle off the top shell. Run the knife to the top of the oyster so that the entire top shell comes off, and scrape the knife gently along the inside of the top shell to loosen the muscle. Clean the oyster if necessary and enjoy.

Should oyster knives be sharp? 

No, oyster knives do not have a sharp blade, and they do not need to be sharpened or maintained. The dullness of the blade is advantageous for safely and easily opening an oyster. "Your new oyster knife should last a long time," says Evans. "They do break if you try to pry your oysters open as opposed to cranking them open. If the tip breaks, then it’s best to just get a new one.”

Can you open oysters without an oyster knife? 

If you don’t have an oyster knife, you can always grill your oysters or bake them to open the shells easily. In order to enjoy an oyster raw, you’ll need a knife to shuck it.

What's the difference between an oyster knife and a clam knife?

Because the thickness of the shells on oysters and clams differ, the implements we use to open them differ also. An oyster knife has a blade that is shorter and sharper than that of a clam knife, which has a blade that's generally longer, thinner, and with a rounder end. While the sharp point of an oyster knife is intended to bore through thicker shell and pry open the shell, a clam knife uses a blunt knife to open the back of the shell and take out the meat. Using the wrong knife runs the risk of damaging the shell and ruining the meat. If you're a regular home shucker, you may want to invest in both.

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

Sara Tane has written nearly a dozen buying guides for The Spruce Eats, understanding what consumers and cooks need to consider before making a new purchase for their culinary adventures. She is a professionally trained chef in addition to an oyster shucking enthusiast. Born and raised on Long Island, New York, she is no stranger to a dozen on the half shell and learned how to shuck from a young age.

Julie Laing has been a writer and editor for more than 25 years and is the author of the weekly newspaper column and food blog, Twice as Tasty. She spent several years as a vegetarian before shifting back to pescatarian because she simply loves oysters and other shellfish. She and her husband seek out oyster farms so that they can shuck the mollusks themselves at home or aboard their sailboat, The Blue Mule. She tested three oyster knives for this article. Julie published her first cookbook, "The Complete Guide to Pickling," in 2020.

Sources

Adam Evans is the executive chef and owner of Automatic Seafood and Oysters in Birmingham, Alabama.