The 5 Best Oyster Knife Picks for Enjoying Fresh and Raw Oysters

If you’re ready to get your shuck on…

…you’ll definitely want a sturdy, reliable oyster knife for all of your bivalve needs.

These knives are unlike a typical chef’s knife…

…because the blades are much smaller, shorter, and duller.

These short, dull blades allow you to loosen…

…the hinge of the oyster gently so that you can remove…

…the top shell and enjoy a dozen raw on the half shell.

How frequently you’ll be shucking and the types of oysters… 

…that you’ll be shucking will play into your oyster knife decision. 

It’s always a good idea to hold an oyster knife…

…in your hand in order to get a better sense of how it feels in your hands.

In addition to having a comfortable grip and a sturdy blade…

…that can crack through even the toughest shells…

…the grip should feel safe and easy to use.

Let me tell you Jonah’s story before we move forward…

My current job is that of a cook in a kitchen where we shuck about hundreds oysters per night.

I recently purchased one of the best oyster knives available,

it is very delicate and can be easily used. I expect it to last a long time.

The tip of this knife is a bit delicate,

but it is sharp so it doesn’t require brute force to open even the trickiest oysters.

I will definitely recommend this oyster knife to my friends.

Now it’s time to get started…

A Guide to Buying Oyster Knives

Type of Knife

The oyster knives can be categorized into five different types.

A New Haven blade is usually short and wide with a slightly curved blade…

…and a Providence blade is similar to a New Haven blade…

…except it doesn’t have a curve.

Afterward, there are Bostons and Galvestons…

…which are much longer and have narrower blades.

The last type of oyster knives are the Frenchman oyster knives.

Frenchman oysters usually have sharper edges…

…that make it easier to locate the weak part of the oyster so you can break it open.

Type of Blade

In addition to the look of the knife, the blade is also important.

Some blades have tapered or rounded ends, while others do not.

The blade length can range from 2 to 4 inches.

The majority of blades are made from stainless steel…

…but some also contain carbon, making them slightly stronger and more durable.

Types of Handles

When it comes time to use the oyster knife…

…you’ll be holding on to the grip just as much as the blade.

You’ll most likely use a plastic or wood blade.

In contrast to other knives, oyster knives can be washed in the dishwasher…

…because their blades aren’t too sharp…

..so you don’t have to worry about them dulling. 

The handle should fit comfortably in your hand…

…be heavy enough that you have some leverage (but not too heavy)…

…and a non-slip grip is an added bonus.

Here’s the main part…

Our Top Picks for Oyster Knives

Let’s go through them one by one…

R. Murphy UJ Ramelson Duxbury Oyster Knife

Professional cooks, oyster farmers…

…and home cooks love this New Haven-style oyster knife.

It can penetrate a tough hinge on an oyster…

…without applying a lot of pressure with its short 2 ⅛-inch stainless steel blade.

(Longer blades are prone to breaking or bending).

With the pointed blade tip, it is easiest to pry into the hinge…

…removing the top shell without damaging the bottom shell.

In addition to its sleek design, the green polypropylene plastic handle is comfortable…

…to hold and easy to use.

The knife was designed with all the important considerations in mind…

…because Island Creek Oyster farmers were consulted during the design process.

Due to its light weight and well-balanced handle and blade…

… the knife is easy to maneuver around oysters.

Pros:

• Sturdy short blade
• Comfortable, easy-to-grip handle
• Sleek design

Cons:

• Not ideal for larger oysters

“Your new oyster knife should last a long time. 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.” 

Adam Evans – Executive Chef and Owner of Automatic Seafood & Oysters

Mercer Culinary Boston-Style Oyster Knife

A Boston-style knife will get you the best bang for your buck…

…if you’re new to shucking oysters.

The crowd favorite oyster knife comes with a white polypropylene handle…

…that is both attractive and functional…

…and its 3-inch blade gently prys open oyster shells.

If you’re new to the oyster shucking process…

…you won’t need to worry about accidents…

…because the blade tip is rounded to ensure safety.

Reviewers praise the knife’s quality and effectiveness…

…especially considering its low cost.

Although some reviewers point out the blade lacks sharpness…

…this can actually make the job easier and safer.

Pros:

• Durable blade
• Comfortable handle

Cons:

• Not dishwasher safe

Keep reading…

OXO Good Grips Oyster Knife

The OXO Good Grips is a great option if you want a grip…

…that is not only stylish and comfortable, but also stays in place.

If you’re working with difficult oysters…

…or just want the extra assurance of a non-slip grip…

…you’ll love how well this knife grips. 

No matter how wet or oily your hands or grip are…

…the knife will not slip out of your hands.

Stainless steel blade features a slightly bent tip…

…that makes it easy to pry open even the hardest shells.

It can be cleaned in the dishwasher.

Reviewers noted that the blade had a little more flex than they liked…

…making it less durable than some of the other options.

At such an accessible price point, this knife is a great choice…

…for those who are just starting out shucking oysters.

Pros:

• Easy to handle
• Inexpensive
• Slightly bent tip

Cons:

• Blade has some flex and isn’t as sturdy

Dexter-Russell 4-Inch Galveston-Style Oyster Knife

You’ll probably want a knife that can accommodate the size…

…and strength of these shells if you’re shucking a lot of large oysters.

Galveston-style knives have blades that are almost twice…

…as long as other oyster knives.

The large hinges and shells can be easily maneuvered with this.

Carbon steel blade is strong enough not to bend or break…

…but thin enough to open hinges without breaking the entire shell.

Reviewers note that this knife opens a lot of oysters quickly…

…and has lasted them for a long time.

It’s best to hand wash and dry after each use to achieve best results and longevity.

Pros:

• Blade is super strong
• Long-lasting

Cons:

• Not dishwasher safe

Last, but not least…

Rösle Stainless Steel Oyster and Mussle Knife

 At first, shucking oysters can seem intimidating…

…so get a knife you can trust and rely on for easy results.

Rösle knives are great for beginners because they have built-in hand guards…

…that protect your fingers when opening oysters. 

It’s still recommended to use a glove and nestle the oyster in a kitchen towel.

Its stainless steel construction makes it sturdy and durable…

…plus the handle and blade are well-balanced for ease of use. T

he knife also features a small hanging ring for easy storage when not in use.

Pros:

• Hand guard for safety
• Durable and strong stainless steel
• Hanging ring for easy storage

Cons:

• Expensive
• Blade doesn’t have a bent tip

Sum Up!

You should always consider what variety of oysters…

…you will most likely shuck on a regular basis when choosing…

…which oyster knife would be best for you.

That’s because different blade designs work best with oysters from specific regions. 

Conclusion

For the majority of oyster shucking situations…

…the R. Murphy UJ Ramelson Duxbury Oyster Knife…

..which was designed with Island Creek Oyster farmers in mind, is a better choice.

When you’re new to oyster shucking…

…the Rösle Stainless Steel Oyster and Mussle Knife will keep you safe…

…because it features a hand guard to prevent injury.