Have you ever been to an oyster-shucking party? This resurfacing trend has many people looking for the best oyster knives as gifts for their socialite friends.
Or maybe you decided to add more oysters into your diet, wanting to benefit from their high values in nutrients protein, zinc, and omega-3.
Then it’s time to ditch your kitchen knife and pick specialized tools!
In this article, I will describe several different styles of oyster knives – including Boston, New Haven, and Japanese – and the differences between them.
Do You Need a Special Knife for Shucking Oysters?
Oyster shucking needs elbow power and strength. You can shuck oysters with any knife – even a flathead screwdriver in a pinch! But it’s much safer and faster with an oyster knife, especially if you shuck in bulk.
So, do you need a Boston-style knife or a Kaki Muki? What’s the best oyster knife? Read along if you want to know how to choose a strong, durable, and easy-to-use oyster knife.
What is the Best Oyster Knife?
I think the best oyster knife is the Victorinox 7.6399.3-X1. It’s not fancy to look at, but it sure means business. It can cut through small and big oysters without straining your wrist, bending, or slipping.
The Hicoup kit is a great all-in-one set that has everything you need for oyster shucking, including a pair of cut-resistant gloves to protect your hands.
The Different Kinds of Oyster Knives
- New Haven. These beginner-friendly knives feature a short blade with curved tips. The short blade is perfect for the classic hinge method of shucking, and the pear-shaped handles offer a tight grip and excellent ergonomy.
- Boston. This versatile style allows you to shuck oysters of all sizes. The long blade gradually tapers on the tip, which is slightly rounded. The handles are shorter but more plump than New Haven, offering a better grip. Boston knives are better for side-opening shucking.
- Providence. Featuring a short, dull blade, it’s perfect for popping small and medium-sized oysters open using the hinge method. It has a pointed tip, which is not curved, which is the only thing that makes it different from the New Haven style.
- Duxbury. Sporting a very short and pointy blade, it’s perfect for opening small oysters at large quantities and high speeds.
- Galveston. Perfect for medium and small oysters, this style looks like Boston. The only difference is that Galveston has a wider blade and a less pointy tip.
- Japanese-style. Kaki Muki and Seki are among the most famous Japanese-style oyster shuckers. They feature wooden handles of different shapes and lengths, perfect for shucking Pacific oysters and clams.
My Favorite Oyster Knife: Victorinox 7.6399.3-X1
| Star Rating | 4.8⭐ |
| Material | Carbon steel blade, plastic handle. |
| Best Feature | Thin blade with an upward bend |
The Victorinox New Haven Style oyster knife is a true testament to the quality and sturdiness of Swiss workmanship. This knife’s outstanding feature is its thin, yet strong, blade that can slide into any oyster smoothly. The plastic handle fits snuggly and firmly into your hands and doesn’t slip no matter how wet your hand is.
Pros
- Great price
- Easy to use
- Perfect grip
- Works excellent for shucking and cutting the muscle
Cons
- The thin blade may need a different shucking technique
- Not strong enough for difficult oysters or bulk usage
Best Oyster Knife for Gifts: OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Non-Slip Oyster Knife
| Star Rating | 4.7⭐ |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Best Feature | Non-slip handles |
This oyster knife has the best value for money, so it’s perfect for purchasing in large numbers for parties. The non-slip handle offers a good grip, and the bent tip makes shucking a breeze, even for inexperienced shuckers. It doesn’t strain the wrists and cuts right through the oyster without getting damaged or bent.
Pros
- Ergonomic design
- Tough and durable
- Sharp blade
- Dishwasher-safe
Cons
- Short handles
- Blunt edge makes prying difficult
Best Oyster Knife for Beginners: Dexter-Russell 2.75″ New Haven Style Oyster Knife
| Star Rating | 4.8⭐ |
| Material | Made in USA carbon steel blade, textured polypropylene handle |
| Best Features | Stain-free handle and blade |
New Haven styles are perfect for beginners. They have a pointed and curved tip that lets you get into any hinge and open any oyster. This Dexter-Russel knife features the company’s signature Sani-Safe handles, which are both sturdy and easy to sanitize, since they can withstand high temperatures. The long blade works on all kinds of oysters, making it a perfect option for beginners.
Pros
- NSF certified
- Sturdy
- Great value for money
- Great grip
Cons
- Hand-wash only
- The blade is duller than other brands
Best Oyster Knife with Wooden Handle: R Murphy/Ramelson
| Star Rating | 4.8 ⭐ |
| Material | Stainless steel blade, wooden handle |
| Best Feature | Handcrafted |
If you value experience and workmanship that stands the test of time, this R Murphy oyster knife is up your alley. It has the quality and design as the classic knives they’ve been making for a century. The handcrafted design ensures an ergonomic and comfy design with a perfect grip. The New Haven tip has a curved design that pops the oyster open without damaging the muscle.
Pros
- Great for small and big oysters
- The blade is the perfect length for prying oysters open
Cons
- Not the best shape for side shucking
- Not dishwasher safe and you should dry it immediately after washing
Best Kit with Gloves: Hicoup
| Star Rating | 4.5⭐ |
| Material | Stainless steel blades, engineered wood handle |
| Best Feature | Handguard and gloves |
Whether you’re a seasoned or occasional shucker, you always risk stabbing your hand if the knife slips or the oyster is too hard. This set gives you everything you need for hassle-free and safe shucking. The blade is thin and sturdy enough to shuck small and large clams. The guard is an extra safety measure that protects your hands.
Pros
- Strong blade
- Great price
- Full tang blade
Cons
- The gloves run small and may not fit larger hands
Best Japanese-style Oyster Knife: Seki Japan Oyster Knife
| Star Rating | 4.5 ⭐ |
| Material | Stainless steel blade, Wooden handle |
| Best Feature | Rust resistant |
This Japanese-style knife isn’t only for oyster shucking; you can use it on clams, scallops, and other shelled sea creatures. The slim blade is incredibly sturdy, perfect for professional shucking.
The wooden handle isn’t slippery and fits snuggly into your hands, offering a perfect and comfy grip.
Pros
- Ideal blade size and quality
- Handguard
Cons
- The blade can come loose
- Not dishwasher-safe
Best Boston-style Oyster knife: Mercer Culinary Boston Style Oyster Knife
| Star Rating: | 4.7⭐ |
| Material: | Stainless steel blade, Polypropylene handle |
| Best feature: | Easy to clean |
A Boston-style oyster knife does not have a curved tip to cut through the oyster, but this one still gets the job done. Its ergonomic handle and long, strong blade get into any oyster without exerting much pressure. The polypropylene handle makes it durable and easy to clean.
Pros
- Affordable
- Long blade
- Easy to use
Cons
- The tip is a bit sharp, so you need to be careful
- Hand wash only
How To Choose the Best Oyster Knife
Sturdiness and safety are most important features of a shucking knife. However, style, aesthetics, and technique all have to align to for a knife to be perfect for you. Here’s what to look for when buying an oyster knife.
Even if you’re a newbie, you’ll quickly see all oyster knives are not the same just by looking at them. They come in different blade shapes and lengths, making them suitable for different purposes.
Generally, an oyster knife’s blade should be:
- Long to reach the entire length of the oyster
- Thin and pointed to easily wedge in
- Wide to provide leverage inside the oyster
- Strong enough to not break
You may find that oyster shuckers aren’t as sharp as kitchen knives – and that’s intentional. That’s because sharp knives can get snap or get chipped easily. While oyster knives don’t need to be sharp, they should be pointed. Pointed tips help detach the abductor muscle of the oyster once the knife is inside the shell.
Material Quality
Shucking oysters is no easy task. It requires a great deal of elbow grease and high-quality materials to withstand the pressure.
The blades should be made of sturdy materials that won’t chip, warp, bend, or become brittle. Stainless steel and carbon steel are the most common materials.
Carbon Steel vs Stainless Oyster Knives
While both are sturdy, carbon steel is more brittle and may rust. Since oysters contain brine and salty seawater, you should pick a material that doesn’t corrode easily. That’s why I recommend stainless steel oyster knives.
The knife’s handle construction is also key. You need sturdy handles that don’t break easily. Whether the handle is plastic or wood, look for a full tang handle. This means that the metal blade extends all the way up into the end of the handle. A full tang handle is much less likely to break, even when you’re putting all your muscle into it.
Design and Grip
Since you work with wet and slippery oysters and exert massive pressure, you need knives that offer a tight grip and don’t slip. That’s essential in preventing jabbing your hand or cutting your skin.
Textured plastic handles are the best as they offer the highest grip. Plus, you should pay attention to the handles’ shape and size to ensure they fit your hand and you can keep them in your hand comfortably without straining your wrist.
Maintenance
Maintaining your oyster knife might be the last thing that comes to mind. After all, it’s a knife that goes into the washing machine after each use, right? Granted! That is, usually. Not every oyster knife is dishwasher safe.
As you saw in the products recommended in this article, many knives can’t be machine washed – especially those with carbon steel blades.
Some require a bit of maintenance, like drying after washing, since carbon steel is prone to rust. Wooden handles shouldn’t be left wet as they can get stained or warp. This may not be a dealbreaker, but you should consider it before purchasing your knife if you can’t take care of it properly.
Safety
You’ve been pretty lucky if you haven’t hurt your hand while shucking oysters! Even experienced shuckers may slip and jab their hands. So, regardless of your expertise, you should consider the knife’s safety features.
Hand guards are useful protective parts that prevent the knife from slipping. You can also get a kit with thick gloves that protect your hands. If you’re a beginner, you may want to start with dull and round blades to minimize the chances of hurting yourself.
Appearance
Your oyster knife may not count as a piece of cutlery that blends with your kitchen decor. It’s a tool supposed to be sturdy and functional. However, it can serve as a conversation piece or something you can show off your sense of aesthetics with.
Oyster knives come in various designs and handle colors that can match your kitchen decor or other cutlery.
Price
Oyster knives aren’t luxury items; you can find them at very affordable prices. Some of them are so reasonably priced that you can buy several of them for your oyster parties.
You don’t need to break the bank to get a decent oyster knife. Most run between $10 and $20 each. However, you may find specialty or handcrafted ones for over $50.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should an Oyster Knife be Sharp?
Oyster knives don’t need to be sharp, although they should be thin enough to cut into the oyster hinges. If an oyster shucker is sharp, it can chip while you’re trying to pry the oyster open. A dull knife is strong enough to withstand these impacts.
What is the Best Shape for an Oyster Knife?
The best oyster knife is long and thin with a curved tip. This is the best shape for getting into the hinges and opening the oyster. The curved tip allows you to cut the abductor muscle more easily.
What is a shucking knife?
A shucking knife is a specialized tool for prying oysters. It’s the same thing as an oyster knife, just by a different name. It has a unique design that reduces the physical force you need to put into opening an oyster.
Conclusion
If you haven’t tried oysters at home, it’s just about time! With the right tools and a bit of elbow grease, you can enjoy your favorite seafood without a trip to a seafood restaurant.
My favorite oyster knife is Victorinox 7.6399.3-X1, a sturdy and durable knife that makes shucking a breeze. With its Swiss quality and ergonomic design, you can easily pry any oyster.
