Oysters fall in the sophisticated end of the food spectrum and seafood lovers can never say no to devour some fresh oysters. Even though you have to go look for them in expensive restaurants, preparing them right at your home is absolute culinary bliss. However, you can barely do it without the right tools at your disposal and the right tool for this task is not regular knives or screwdrivers but the designated oyster knives.
Although the job looks easy, shucking an oyster shell is rather a tedious job and takes years of practice to do it perfectly. Now imagine performing this difficult task with the wrong oyster knife. It will require double the effort. This is why we have shortlisted some of the best oyster knives the market has to offer you so you can make an informed purchase and the one that fits your preferences.
Best Pick
We have crowned the best oyster shucking knife’s title to the HiCoup Oyster Shucking Knife as it is a one-stop solution. It comes with all the wonderful and necessary features that you desire from the best oyster knife starting from being compact and portable to being dishwasher-friendly, it has got it all. Not only is the kit eye-catching but can perform its tasks with maximum efficiency. Accompanied by gloves that protect your hands from getting cut and a super-classy leather pouch makes this stand out among all the others.
Budget Pick
The product that will be worth your every penny is the oyster knife from OXO Good Grips which features an ergonomic grip that not only looks after your comfort but also ensures your safety as it is skid-free which prevents kitchen accidents. Together with the bent-tip blade that will pop-open even the tightest shells and the dishwasher-friendly nature, it will give you the best oyster shucking experience ever, all within your budget.
Quick Comparison: Top 12 Best Oyster Knives
1. HiCoup Oyster Shucking Knife
For the very first product in our review article, we have chosen the oyster shucking knife from HiCoup which stands out because of its very attractive outlook with a mirror-finish stainless steel body and a glossy pakkawood handle.
The oyster knife is made up of 420-high carbon stainless steel which makes it strong but yet it is lightweight and feels very comfortable in your hand. It is of professional grade and you will not have to question its durability as it will outlast its competitors because of its tough build.
The two and a half inches blade is not only beautiful and artistic but also has a thickness to it which gives it its rigidity. The knife also has an ideal width which makes it very easy to slide it into a shell.
Additionally, the blade which is firmly secured by the sturdy wooden handle fits just right in your palm and ensures comfort because of its hand-guard feature. The knife also comes with triple rivets. It further ensures safety since it features a slip-free surface that allows you to get a good grip on the knife even with wet hands.
Last but not least the knife comes with a leather sheath with a belt loop that can be useful while storing it.
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2. OXO Good Grips Oyster Knife
The next product up is from OXO Good Grips which is constructed from sturdy stainless steel and features a rubber skid-free handle that will not slip even using wet hands. The handle is not only non-slip but also gives an ergonomic grip which will both make the task easy as well as safe.
The feature that makes it unique is that it comes with a 3 inches bent-tip blade which makes opening even the tightest oyster shells easy-peasy and very time efficient.
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3. WENDOM Oyster Knife
If you are new to this shucking business then you should consider this product from WENDOM which is targeted at beginners as it comes with a 360-degree safety feature. Moreover, it comes in a set of 2 knives which means double the fun!
The knives are made up of 3CR13 Stainless steel and the thick blades are professionally sharpened, meaning the blade will be only sharp where it is necessary ensuring 100% safety.
Also, the knives are of premium quality which means that the blade will not bend even after repetitive use and is fit for efficiently and effectively opening any type of seafood shell.
Besides, the oyster knife set is accompanied by gloves which are made up of material that is cut-resistant at maximum! This protects your hands from cutting even if the knife gets misplaced.
Furthermore, this product features a black plastic handle that is both soft and comfortable to use and has a great balance to it. Moreover, it is non-slip so you do not have to worry about sliding it off while using it.
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4. Rockland Guard Oyster Knife
The next entry in our review article is the oyster knife from Rockland Guard which is constructed from the best quality 420-stainless steel with a 3.5 inches dimension. The material gives the product its rigidity. Moreover, the width of the blade is perfect for sliding in and opening the oyster shells with ease.
In addition to that, like all the former ones, this also comes with a non-slip soft handle with a very ergonomic grip which has a good balance on the hand. The blade also features a bent-tip that pries open even the toughest of the shells.
Another feature that makes this product our favorite is that it comes with gloves that provide platinum protection. It is awarded the EN388 level 5 cut resistance materials which give the highest resistance against cut compared to all the others available to you. The gloves are of food-grade quality and washing them is super-easy as they are machine washable. This means you do not have to take extra care of it.
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5. Victorinox Oyster Knife
Our fifth position in the article has been grabbed by the oyster knife from Victorinox which features a long and bright red handle and is manufactured in Switzerland.
The blade of the knife is made up of premium quality stainless steel that does not only make it durable but also protects it from rusts.
The attractive looking red handle gives a very comfortable grasp and feels strong in your hand while you use it. It features a thumb rest which ensures your comfort and better leverage. Not only that, it has a slip-resistant feature which makes it suitable for use even with wet hands.
Moreover, the knife is NSF approved which means that the knife will not harbor any sort of bacteria on it so you do not have to worry about using this as it does not pose any health risks.
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6. Dexter-Russell Oyster Knife
If you are looking for an oyster knife that is a top choice of restaurant professionals then this one from the USA brand Dexter-Russell should be the one for you. It is a haven pattern knife that features a Sani-safe handle that is made from polypropylene and has a texture to it for providing a skid-free grip.
The handle is moreover of an ideal length which fits perfectly in your hand giving you a good balance. The blade of the knife is made up of high-quality carbon stain-free DEXSTEEL which gives it its strength.
The knife additionally comes with a 2¾" bent-tip to assist opening shells so you do not require extra effort for it.
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7. Mercer Culinary Oyster Knife
The next product in our article is very similar to that of the previous one in terms of appearance. It is the oyster knife from Mercer Culinary and is constructed from high carbon stainless steel which makes it strong and tough. The ideal thickness of the blade is perfect for reaching the hinges of the oyster effortlessly making shucking a piece of cake.
The feature that makes it different is its rounded blade tip which ensures your safety and protects you from cutting yourself. The tip of the blade is also bent which gives you better leverage and stability to your hands while you perform the task.
Moreover, the dimple textured polypropylene handle ensures a solid grip for you so that the knife does not slide off from your hand. The rounded back of the handle is another feature that ensures your comfort and lets you have an ergonomic grasp.
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8. SPEENSUN Oyster Shucking Knife
If you looking for a great value deal then this oyster knife set from SPEENSUN should be the one for you as it includes 2 knives and large size gloves. The gloves come with a protective layer that protects cuts in turn protecting your hands.
This is different because it has a blade that comes with a reinforcement design and is made up of 2.5mm 2Cr13 stainless boasts durability and strength. The flat and flawless knife also features an anti-slid handle which is made up of premium quality rosewood and just does not slide off while opening a shell. The handle is supported with a copper head and steel nail rivets.
Another feature that makes it unique is that it can be used by both left and right-handed people as it comes with a very ergonomic design of unilateral cutting edge.
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9. Aedgoye Oyster Shucking Knife
This oyster knife kit from Aedgoye is the perfect combo of knives and gloves that is offered to you by the market with an extremely attractive finish. The kit comes with two knives with black textured ABS handle that are non-slip which ensures your comfort and lets you shuck your oysters without creating a mess. The handguard provides a solid and super-grip which gives you better leverage.
The blade is made up of premium quality stainless steel and is thick so you do not have to worry about it bending while with bulk oysters. Moreover, the gloves that accompany the knives are of 100% food-grade quality and it offers super easy clean-up as it is machine washable so you do not have to take the trouble of handwashing them. Furthermore, they resist cuts like a winner providing safety to your hands.
This classic combo-set is perfect for any occasion, be it a picnic or an indoor party.
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10. Opinel Oyster & Shellfish Knife
For the tenth product, we have chosen the oyster & shellfish knife from Opinel which is basically a fine-looking foldable pocket knife. The blade of the knife is constructed from Sandvik 12C27 modified stainless steel which makes it strong and durable.
The stainless Virobloc comes with a safety ring that has two sections incorporated in it. One of the sections stays fixed whereas the other one slides for secure locking.
The pointed blade of the knife is able to penetrate and open the oyster without causing damage to them and features a dimension of 6.5cm long. The tip of the blade has a thickness of 0.2 cm and is centered to the axis of the knife which facilitates comfort and efficiency. The strength of the blade gives you enough leverage.
The blade is supported by a handle that is made up of hard Padouk wood also referred to as New Guinea Rosewood. The deep red rosy varnished finish of the blade does not only make it look good but also resists moisture absorption.
It is suggested that you do not keep this submerged in water or keep it damp for a long time and hand washing and drying the knife is recommended in order to extend its service life.
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11. Melocean Oyster Shucking Knife
If you are someone who judges a book by its cover then this one shall be your favorite from our list. This oyster knife kit from Melocean comes with a value set of 2 knives in a beautifully packed premium wooden box accompanied by lots of goodies! The gifts include an ebook, an oyster shucking brochure, and a clam shucking guide.
The guide and the ebook help you learn shucking the right way and also allow you to perfectly prepare your seafood platter. Not only that, you can learn all about oysters with the help of this.
And in terms of its build, you can be worry-free as the 2.5 inches blades of the knives are made from high-quality 3CR13 solid German stainless steel which makes it a robust choice. Moreover, the knives are professionally sharpened to facilitate efficient and effective shucking of any seafood that comes with a shell.
The strong blades are supported by comfortable solid wooden handles with a polished finish that resists the knives from slipping. The handles come with a supplemental gripping power that provides safety as it will not slide off causing any accidents. Each knife features a full-tang dimension of 6.3 inches which fits perfectly in your hand ensuring a good balance. Moreover, it facilitates an easy cleanup and requires hand washing.Pros
Cons
12. Toadfish PUT 'EM BACK Oyster Shucking Knife
For the last and final spot, we have chosen the very different-looking oyster shucking knife from Toadfish that is a fusion of a traditional and modern shucking knife.
If you are someone who feels deeply responsible for the environment then this is the greenest option on our list as the handles of the knife are constructed from post-consumer recycled plastic which is more sustainable.
Moreover, the proceeds from the sale of these are spent for a great cause. They are invested in oyster habitat restoration projects where for each kit sold, 10 square feet of new oyster habitat is planted.
The handle is not only environment-friendly but gives the greatest comfort to the users as well. It comes with a thumb rest print design on the handle which ensures a proper grip of it preventing slippage. The ergonomic grip gives the knife better leverage and can cut open the oyster shells very easily.
Moreover, the blade comes with a bent-tip and sharp edges which allow you to pop open the shells from the hinge very readily.
Pros
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Things to Consider Before Buying Oyster Knives
Methods of shucking an oyster
There are two basic methods followed by the professionals while shucking an oyster but before choosing a method, you should identify the point where the shells are tightly attached (the hinge). After you are done doing that, you can go with either of the following methods,
- Hinge Method: In this method, the knife is placed between the shells exactly near the hinge in the back.
- Front Door Method: In this one, the knife is placed at the front of the shells where the abductor muscles are present which holds the shells together.
Types of Oyster Shucking Knives
The oyster knives can be classified under four major types in terms of shape and length which the market offers to us and they are:
1. Boston Style oyster knife is one that features a dimension of 3 to 4 inches and
- Has a longer blade
- Has a narrower blade
- Has a rounded blade-tip
- Has a pear-shaped handle
- Are slightly convex
- Shucks oysters from the sides and not from the back.
- Suitable for all kinds of oysters
2. Galveston Style oyster knife is one that features a dimension of 4 inches and
- Has a longer blade
- Has a broader blade
- Has a rounded blade-tip
- Is fit for shucking medium and large-sized oysters.
3. New Haven oyster knife is one that features a dimension of 2¾ inches and
- Has a shorter blade
- Has a wider blade
- Has a pointed blade-tip
- Has an upward bent-tip
- Does not cause any damage to the oysters
- Is fit for shucking when oysters are served on the shells
4. Providence Style oyster knife is one that
- Has a shorter blade
- Has a wider blade
- Has a straight blade
- Has a pointed blade-tip
- Is fit for hinge method
- Is fit for shucking medium-sized oyster shells.
5. Large Frenchmen oyster knife is one that features a dimension of 2½ inches and
- Is slightly longer
- Has a very pointed tip
- Is sharp on both edges
- Is fit for shucking European, Kumamoto, Olympia, small Pacific, and small Atlantic oysters.
6. Small Frenchmen oyster knife is one that features a dimension of 2 inches and
- Has a shorter blade
- Is fit for side opening method
- Is fit for shucking European and small oysters
FAQs
Q. Is it necessary to wash oysters after opening them?
Answer: You do not have to rinse or wash it after shucking it. However, you are required to wash them before shucking them in order to get rid of any dirt present on the shells.
Q. Do you shuck oysters and then cook or cook and then shuck?
Answer: There is no specific rule for this but if your shuck your oysters before, it will let you season the meat inside. But you can also toss them in a grill and cook it and then go for opening them. If they are exposed to high heat, they can open on their own.
Q. How long can you store a shucked oyster?
You can store your oysters after shucking in your fridge for as long as 10 days provided that you have kept them in ice right after you have shucked them.
Things to look for in the best oyster knife
1. Handle of the knife
One of the most important things to consider in an ideal oyster knife is the handle of the knife. Shucking oyster shells require a lot of strength and if you cannot get a good grasp of your knife, you are at a higher risk of cutting yourself. Not only that, if you are not comfortable holding the knife, you will end up messing with the oyster meat while shucking it since it will not give you proper leverage.
Even though most of the knives claim to come with a non-slip handle, you need to be careful and check this claim out before going right at shucking it.
2. Blade of the knife
What is a knife without its blade? This is another important feature to consider in an oyster knife. Having already discussed the types of knives that are offered to you by the market, you also need to be aware of the material your desired knife is made up of.
It is always safe to go for knives that are made up of stainless steel as it can withstand greater pressure and provides resistance against rust.
3. Durability
The easiest way to ensure the durability of a product is to for the ones that come with a warranty. In this way, you will get the manufacturer’s words for it.
There are other ways to ensure durability like going for sturdy materials like high-quality stainless steel.
4. Dishwasher-friendly or not
If you are someone who dislikes hand washing your utensils, then you should go for the ones which are dishwasher-safe.
However, it is wise to wash your oyster knives by hand even if they are dishwasher-friendly because as dishwashers wash aggressively, this can cause damage to sharp longer tools which will reduce its service life.
5. Accessories
Who doesn’t love extra goodies! Some shucking knives come with a great value deal along with protective gloves and extra knives and even some come with a lemon squeezer.
This feature may not be a complete necessity but extras are always welcomed.
However, the protector gloves are an essential some of you as it acts as a safeguard against any hand cuts and ensures your safety.
6. Versatility
Versatility is another feature that can be considered while making your purchase. You should go for the one that is suitable to be used in different circumstances. Also, oysters do not come in one size only so it is wise to choose one that is able to shuck a variety or at least more than one size of oysters or seafood that comes with a shell.
Closing Remarks
This shucking business may look easy but there are a lot of things to learn about oysters as a whole. Be it for your home kitchen or a commercial purpose, for regular shucking or infrequent ones, we sincerely hope with the help of this in-depth analysis of the best oyster knives, you can level up your shucking game and choose the right one that suits your requirements.
Happy shucking!