I love oysters, whether I’m eating them raw and freshly shucked or cooked to perfection in a recipe like my Oysters Rockefeller. But in order to enjoy these tasty shellfish, it’s important to have an oyster knife to shuck them. Oyster knives are specially designed to make shucking oysters as easy and safe as possible, and trying to open an oyster without one of these can be dangerous!
Whenever I need an oyster shucking knife, I like to make sure I have one of the best oyster knives to get the job done. The following products are some of my personal favorites and the best on the market.
My Top Picks:
- What’s in My Kitchen: R Murphy/Ramelson New Haven Oyster Knife Shucker – $38 at Amazon
- Best Budget: OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Non-Slip Oyster Knife – $11.99 at Amazon
- Best Splurge: Made In Oyster Shucker – $49 at Made In
- Best Handle: Swissmar Shucker Paddy Universal Oyster Knife – $19.95 at Amazon
Reviews of The Best Oyster Knives
1. What’s in My Kitchen: R Murphy/Ramelson New Haven Oyster Knife Shucker
This is my absolute favorite oyster knife because it’s easy to use, comfortable to hold, and durable. In fact, anyone from a total beginner to a professional chef can use this oyster knife! The handle is made from recycled plastic, which is an added bonus if you like to buy environmentally-friendly products.
The Specs:
- Blade length: 2.58 inches
- Blade: High carbon stainless steel
- Handle: Recycled plastic
What I Like:
- Affordable
- Comfortable to hold
- Bent tip makes it easy to access hinge
What I Don’t Like:
- Hand-wash only
What Others Are Saying:
The R Murphy/Ramelson New Haven Oyster Knife Shucker was named one of the best oyster knives by Serious Eats and SAVEUR.
Buy the R Murphy/Ramelson New Haven Oyster Knife Shucker:
2. Best Budget: OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Non-Slip Oyster Knife
If you’re looking for an affordable oyster knife, then this one from OXO is a great option. It’s super comfy to hold thanks to the non-slip grip, and its blade has a bent tip that makes it really easy to open oysters. However, the blade may warp after repeated use, so you might be replacing this oyster knife more than you would other knives on this list if you plan to do a lot of shucking.
The Specs:
- Blade length: 2.75 inches
- Blade: Stainless steel
- Handle: Non-slip plastic
What I Like:
- Affordable
- Comfortable to hold
- Bent tip makes it easy to access hinge
What I Don’t Like :
- Relatively short handle
- Blade can warp after repeated use
What Others Are Saying:
The OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Non-Slip Oyster Knife was named one of the best oyster knives by The Spruce Eats, Serious Eats, and SAVEUR, and it has a 4.7-star rating on Amazon from more than 2,500 reviews.
Buy the OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Non-Slip Oyster Knife:
3. Best Splurge: Made In Oyster Shucker
If you’re a serious oyster shucker, then it might be worth splurging on a fancy oyster knife like this one from Made In. The walnut handle is beautifully crafted and allows you to have a sturdy grip when using it. This oyster knife is built to last for countless shucking sessions — just make sure you wash it by hand when it’s time to clean up.
The Specs:
- Blade length: 2.63 inches
- Blade: 420HC High carbon stainless steel
- Handle: Walnut
What I Like:
- Durable
- Comfortable to grip
- Timeless elevated look
What I Don’t Like:
- Expensive
- Hand-wash only
What Others Are Saying:
The Made In Oyster Shucker was named one of the best oyster knives by The Spruce Eats, Serious Eats, and SAVEUR.
Buy the Made In Oyster Shucker:
4. Best Handle: Swissmar Shucker Paddy Universal Oyster Knife
The Swissmar Shucker Paddy is a fan favorite because of its expert design, which was created by a world champion oyster shucker and Guinness World Record holder for most oysters shucked in under one minute. Its handle takes some getting used to, as the pistol grip is different than others on this list. But once you’ve adjusted, you’ll be shucking oysters as fast as the pros in no time.
The Specs:
- Blade length: 2 inches
- Blade: Stainless steel
- Handle: Plastic
What I Like:
- Well-designed handle
- Blade can access hinge with ease
- Dishwasher-safe
- Can also be used to shuck other shellfish
What I Don’t Like:
- Handle shape takes some getting used to
What Others Are Saying:
The Swissmar Shucker Paddy Universal Oyster Knife was named one of the best oyster knives by SAVEUR and Food & Wine.
Buy the Swissmar Shucker Paddy Universal Oyster Knife:
Other Oyster Knives to Consider
Mercer Culinary Boston Style Oyster Knife
You’ve probably seen this quintessential oyster knife at a restaurant or two, and that’s because it’s affordable and effective. It has a straight 3-inch blade that makes easy work of opening oysters and the blade’s rounded tip adds extra safety. The Mercer Culinary Boston Style Oyster Knife is available at Amazon for $12.78.
Toadfish Oyster Shucker’s Bundle
This set might be the most expensive on this list, but it’s worth it because it includes two oyster knives and a cut-resistant shucking towel. One of the knives in this set has a bent-tip blade that’s designed for beginners, while the other is designed for more professional shuckers so there’s a little something for everyone. The cut-resistant shucking towel is also great if you want a bit of added protection when you’re just starting out. The Toadfish Oyster Shucker’s Bundle is available at Amazon for $76.97.
Williams Sonoma x Billy Reid Oyster Knife
This gorgeous oyster knife has an Acacia wood handle and a copper-plated stainless-steel end cap. It measures 6.5 inches long from the tip of the blade to the end cap and it’s hand wash only. The Williams Sonoma x Billy Reid Oyster Knife is available at Williams-Sonoma for $29.95.
Why You Can Trust Me
Hi! I’m Gina, the author and recipe developer behind Skinnytaste. My mission is to make tasty recipes that are just as flavorful as they are healthy! I’ve developed tons of delicious seafood recipes using fresh, in-season fish and shellfish since starting Skinnytaste, from salmon recipes to shrimp recipes and so much more. One of the seafood recipes I have on repeat when oysters are in season is my Oysters Rockefeller, which I wouldn’t be able to make without the help of my favorite oyster knife.
I’ve personally used many of the products featured in this article. For those I haven’t used, I consulted other food blogs and food publications to put together this list of the very best oyster shucking knives available.
Everything to Know Before Buying an Oyster Knife
What to Consider Before Buying an Oyster Knife
There are two main things to consider before buying an oyster knife:
Blade type: If you’re a beginner when it comes to shucking, you’ll want to look for a bent-tip blade as this blade shape makes it easiest to open oysters. If you’re a more advanced shucker, you’ll be okay with a straight-tip blade.
Handle material: Oyster knives typically either have plastic handles or wooden handles and if you’re someone who likes to throw everything in the dishwasher, you’ll want to buy an oyster knife with a plastic handle. Oyster knives with wooden handles must be washed by hand, so while they might be prettier, they’re also more high maintenance.
How Do You Shuck Oysters?
Here’s a step-by-step guide to shucking oysters:
- Set up your shucking station with your oyster knife, a tea towel, and your oysters on ice to keep them fresh while you shuck.
- Fold your towel into thirds and place your oyster belly-side down on one part of the folded towel, then fold the towel over the oyster so that the hinge (the pointed end) is exposed.
- Place your hand on top of the folded towel that’s partially covering the oyster in order to hold it in place while you shuck.
- Place the tip of your oyster knife in the hinge.
- Twist your knife to get the tip into the hinge, then pry your oyster open. You can rotate your oyster knife while you’re twisting in order to open the oyster more.
- Once your oyster is open, clean your blade using the tea towel.
- Cut the muscle using your clean oyster knife.
- Discard the top shell and use your oyster knife to further separate the oyster from the shell by running the knife under the oyster.
How Do You Open Oysters Without an Oyster Knife?
Trying to shuck oysters without an oyster knife can be dangerous, especially as a beginner. If you’re an experienced shucker, it’s possible to shuck an oyster with a paring knife. But I recommend sticking to using an oyster knife to make sure your shucking experience is as safe as possible.
What’s the Difference Between a Clam Knife and an Oyster Knife?
Clam knives are longer, thinner, and have a more rounded tip, while oyster knives are shorter, thicker, and have a more pointed tip. The blades on oyster knives also tend to be sharper, which make them dangerous to use for opening clams. Because of this, I wouldn’t use a clam knife on an oyster either.
Are Oysters Alive When You Eat Them?
If you’re eating raw oysters, then yes! Raw oysters are served on ice to keep them as fresh as possible so that they taste delicious when you eat them. If you’re eating oysters in a dish like Oysters Rockefeller then the oysters are cooked and therefore no longer alive when you eat them.
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Prices were accurate at time of publication.