I love oysters, whether I eat them raw, freshly shucked, or cooked to perfection in recipes like my Oysters Rockefeller. However, in order to enjoy these delicious clams, it is important to have an oyster knife to peel them. Oyster knives are specifically designed to make shucking oysters as easy and safe as possible, and trying to open an oyster without one can be dangerous!
Whenever I need an oyster shucking knife, I want to make sure I have one of the best oyster knives to get the job done. The following products are 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 on Amazon.
- Best Budget: OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Non-Slip Oyster Knife – $11.99 on Amazon.
- Best splurge: Made In Oyster Shucker – $49 at Made In
- Best handle: Swissmar Shucker Paddy Universal Oyster Knife – $19.95 on Amazon.
Reviews of the best oyster knives
1. What's in my kitchen? R Murphy/Ramelson New Haven Oyster Carl Shuker
This is my favorite oyster knife because it is easy to use, comfortable to hold, and durable. In fact, this oyster knife can be used by anyone, from complete beginners to professional chefs! The handle is made from recycled plastic, which is an added bonus if you're looking to buy an environmentally friendly product.
specification:
- Blade Length: 2.58 inches
- leaf: High carbon stainless steel
- handle: recycled plastic
What I like:
- available
- You can hold it comfortably.
- The tip is curved for easy access to the hinge.
What I don't like:
What others are saying:
R Murphy/Ramelson New Haven Oyster Knife Shucker has been named one of the best oyster knives by Serious Eats and SAVEUR.
Buy R Murphy/Ramelson New Haven Oyster Knife Shucker:
2. Optimal budget: OXO Good Grip Stainless Steel Non-Slip Oyster Knife
If you are looking for an affordable oyster knife, this knife from OXO would be a good choice. The non-slip grip makes it very comfortable to hold, and the curved blade tip makes it easy to open oysters. However, the blade can bend after repeated use, so if you're doing a lot of shucking, you may find this oyster knife more replaceable than any of the other knives on this list.
specification:
- Blade Length: 2.75 inches
- leaf: stainless steel
- handle: non-slip plastic
What I like:
- available
- easy to hold
- The tip is curved for easy access to the hinge.
What I don't like:
- relatively short handle
- Blades may bend after repeated use
What others are saying:
The OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Non-Slip Oyster Knife has been named one of the best oyster knives by The Spruce Eats, Serious Eats, and SAVEUR, and has a 4.7-star rating from over 2,500 reviews on Amazon.
Buy OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Non-Slip Oyster Knife:
3. Best show off: Made with Oyster Shaker
If you're a serious oyster shucker, it might be worth splurging on a nice oyster knife like this one from Made In. The walnut handle is beautifully crafted and provides a firm grip when in use. This oyster knife is built to withstand countless shucking tasks. When cleaning, be sure to wash by hand.
specification:
- Blade Length: 2.63 inches
- leaf: 420HC high carbon stainless steel
- handle: walnut
What I like:
- durable
- Comfortable grip
- Timeless, luxurious look
What I don't like:
What others are saying:
The Made In Oyster Shucker has been named one of the best oyster knives by The Spruce Eats, Serious Eats, and SAVEUR.
Buy Made In Oyster Shucker:
4. Best handle: Swissmar Shucker Paddy Universal Oyster Knife
The Swissmar Shucker Paddy is a fan favorite due to its expert design, created by a world champion oyster shucker and Guinness World Record holder for most oysters shucked in under one minute. The pistol grip is different from the others on this list, so it will take some getting used to the grip. But once you get used to it, you'll soon be shucking oysters as fast as a pro.
specification:
- Blade Length: 2 inches
- leaf: stainless steel
- handle: plastic
What I like:
- well designed handle
- Blades have easy access to hinges
- Dishwasher safe
- It can also be used to shell other clams.
What I don't like:
- The shape of the handle takes some getting used to.
What others are saying:
The Swissmar Shucker Paddy Universal Oyster Knife has been named one of the best oyster knives by SAVEUR and Food & Wine.
Buy Swissmar Shucker Paddy Universal Oyster Knife:
Other Oyster Knives to Consider
Mercer Culinary Boston Style Oyster Knife
You've probably seen this classic oyster knife in one or two restaurants. That's because it's cheap and effective. The 3-inch straight blade makes it easy to open oysters, and the rounded tip adds extra safety. Mercer Culinary Boston Style Oyster Knife is available at: Amazon $12.78.
Bundle of Toadfish Oyster Shuckers
This set may be the most expensive on this list, but it's worth it because it includes two oyster knives and a cut-resistant paring towel. One of the knives in this set has a curved blade designed for beginners, while the other has a more professional blade, so there's a little knife for everyone. If you want a little extra protection when you're just starting out, cut-resistant peel-off towels are also great. Bundles of the Toadfish Oyster Shucker are available for purchase at: Amazon $76.97.
Williams Sonoma x Billy Reid Oyster Knife
This stunning oyster knife has an acacia wood handle and copper-plated stainless steel end cap. It measures 6.5 inches from blade tip to end cap and is hand washable only. The Williams Sonoma x Billy Reid Oyster Knife is available at: Williams-Sonoma ($29.95).
why you can trust me
hi! I'm Gina, author and recipe developer at Skinnytaste. My mission is to create delicious recipes that are healthy and taste great! Since starting Skinnytaste, I've developed countless delicious seafood recipes using fresh, seasonal fish and shellfish, from salmon recipes to shrimp recipes and more. One of my recurring seafood recipes when oysters are in season is Oysters Rockefeller, which I can't make without the help of my favorite oyster knife.
I have personally used many of the products featured in this article. For the ones I didn't use, I consulted other food blogs and food publications to put together a list of the best oyster shucking knives available.
Everything you need to know before buying an oyster knife
Things to Consider Before Buying an Oyster Knife
There are two main things to consider before purchasing an oyster knife:
Blade Type: If you are a beginner at paring, you may want to look for a blade with a curved tip. This is because the blade shape makes it easiest to pick oysters. If you're a more advanced shaker, you'll probably be fine with a straight blade.
Handle Material: Oyster knives typically have plastic or wooden handles. If you're the type of person who likes to throw everything in the dishwasher, you may want to consider purchasing an oyster knife with a plastic handle. Oyster knives with wooden handles are prettier but also cost more to maintain because you have to wash them by hand.
How do you shuck oysters?
Here's a step-by-step guide to shucking oysters.
- To keep oysters fresh while shucking, set up a shucking station with an oyster knife, tea towel, and oysters on top of ice.
- Fold the towel into thirds, place the oyster belly side down on one part of the folded towel, then fold the towel over the oyster to expose the hinge (pointed end).
- Place your hand on the folded towel partially covering the oyster to hold it in place while you shuck it.
- Insert the tip of the oyster knife into the hinge.
- Twist the knife to insert the tip into the hinge, then lift the oyster open. To open the oysters more, you can rotate the oyster knife while twisting.
- Once the oysters are opened, use a tea towel to clean the blade.
- Using a clean oyster knife, cut the muscle.
- Discard the top shell and use an oyster knife to run a knife under the oyster to further separate the oyster from the shell.
How do you open oysters without an oyster knife?
Shucking oysters without an oyster knife can be dangerous, especially for beginners. It is possible to shuck oysters with a paring knife if you are skilled at shucking. However, we recommend continuing to use an oyster knife to ensure as safe a shucking experience as possible.
What is the difference between a clam knife and an oyster knife?
Clam knives are longer, thinner, and have a rounded tip, while oyster knives are shorter, thicker, and have a pointed tip. The blades of oyster knives tend to be sharper, making them dangerous to use for opening clams. That's why I also wouldn't use a clam cleaver on oysters.
Will I stay alive if I eat oysters?
If you eat raw oysters, yes! Raw oysters are delicious to eat as they are placed on ice to maintain maximum freshness. If you're eating oysters in a dish like Oysters Rockefeller, the oysters are cooked and are no longer alive when you eat them.
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Prices were correct at time of publication.
