11 Best Shucking Knives
- by Kristina Perrin
- Last Updated: February 27, 2023
Are you ready to get your shuck on? Well, you’ll need a reliable oyster knife to do the job, and we’ve got just the thing. The oyster knife is used to remove meat from the oyster shell. To get the right oyster knife, you have to look at the hard guards’ layout, the blade handle, and the tip style.
Oyster knives come in all shapes, designs, and sizes, so it’s important to hold one in your hand to see if it feels comfortable before you buy. The best oyster knives make it easy to shuck the toughest of oyster shells. Choosing the wrong oyster knife can make the process more difficult than it needs to be. So, be sure to select one that feels good in your hand and is the right size for your needs.
Here are the best oyster knives we could find from some of the tried and tested kitchen knife brands on the market.
Best Shucking Knives Top Picks
- 1. Best Overall - Oyster Knife by HiCoup
- 2. Best Non-Slip - Oxo Good Grips Oyster Knife
- 3. Best Handle - Dexter Russel New Haven Style Oyster Knife
- 4. Best Large Oysters - Dexter Russel 4 Inch Galvestone Style Oyster Knife
- 5. Best New Haven Style - Victorinox New Haven Style Oyster Knife
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1. Oyster Knife by HiCoup
An oyster shucking knife by HiCoup is our top pick because it’s made of high-quality stainless steel, has a non-slip grip, and is the perfect size for most oysters. The blade is 3.5 inches long, and the overall length of the knife is 9 inches, making it small enough to fit comfortably in your hand but large enough to get the job done.
The handle design in this HiCoup knife makes it easy to grip, even when your hands are wet, and the high-quality stainless steel means it will last for years of use. The pakkawood handle fits perfectly into your palm and provides a skid-free grip that helps you open your oysters securely, even in a wet task. If you’re looking for an oyster knife that is both durable and easy to use, this is the one for you.
Pros
- The pointed tip is simple to pry, and it comes with an ergonomic handle
- An oversized hand guard protects your hand from slipping the knife
- Includes gorgeous leather sheath
- Lightweight to handle small oysters but robust to tackle big oysters
Cons
- Not the most comfortable handle
- Thick tip
- It doesn’t fit standard sheaths
2. OXO Good Grips Oyster Knife
If you’re looking for a grip that’s not only comfortable and stylish but something you can rely on, OXO good grips oyster knife is the knife for you. Whether you’re working with some difficult knife oysters or you want extra insurance of a non-slip grip, this knife will be a perfect fit.
Additionally, a slightly bent tip allows it to easily pry open even in the trickiest oyster shells, and it comes with an ergonomic handle, so your hand will thank you later. This oyster knife is also dishwasher safe for easy clean-up. Its accessible price makes this knife a great option for any oyster shucking beginners.
Pros
- Lower price point
- Easy to use
- Slightly bent tip
- Soft, easy to handle
Cons
- No hand guard
- Rubber handle could become slippery
- The blade may be too short for some people
3. Dexter Russel New Haven Style Oyster Knife
If you’re looking for an oyster knife that looks as good as it functions, this New Haven style knife from Dexter Russel is a great option. The contoured sani safe handle of this oyster shuckers makes it easy to grip. A narrow middle makes it easy to control the knife, while the slightly bent tip provides extra leverage when shucking oysters.
Pros
- Ergonomic handle
- Slightly bent tip
- The narrow blade is easy to control
Cons
- The price point is higher than some other options
- No hand guard
- The blade may be too short for some people
4. Dexter Russel 4 Inch Galveston Style Oyster Knife
If you’re shucking a lot of large oysters, you’ll definitely need a knife that can handle it. Galveston knives have a longer blade that can make it easier to get through those tough oysters. This Galveston-style knife has a 4 inch blade, making it almost twice as long as other oyster knife blades. This allows for an easy time maneuvering into large oyster hinges and shells.
This knife from Dexter Russel is made from high-carbon steel, so it can definitely tested and proven to be able to handle the task. The textured grip will also help you keep a good grip on the knife while you’re working.
Pros
- Longer blade for larger oysters
- Made from high-carbon steel
- Textured grip for good grip
Cons
- It May be too large for some people
- Not dishwasher safe
5. Victorinox New Haven Style Oyster Knife
If you’re looking for a smaller option, this New Haven style oyster knife from Victorinox is a great choice. It has a 2.5 inch blade, making it the perfect size for those smaller oysters.
This knife is also made from high-carbon steel, so you know it’s up for the task. In the handle, the forward bulge works at stabilizing the thumb rest, while the narrow body behind it strengthens the rest of the fingers with a strong grip. For strong protection at the base of the palm, the rear of the palm is bulging again.
Pros
- Best to open small and medium-sized oysters for half shell serving
- An ideal design, when perfect oysters are required half shell
- The most popular pocket knife and multi tool brand in the world
- The thinner blade is good at getting under the oyster’s top shell
Cons
- The blade is a little bit too small to adequately deal with large oysters
- Some users have said that the handle is a bit on the small side as well
- No hand guard
6. Rockland Guard Oyster Shucking Set Knife
This shucking oyster knife set offers a non-slip grip and a rigid tip, making it easier and safer to remove oyster meat. The set includes an oyster knife, gloves, and a storage bag. Detaching the abductor muscle of oyster shells is comfortable. It’s dishwasher safe, unlike other oyster knives.
Pros
- Non-slip grip
- Rigid tip
- Includes gloves and storage bag
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Some users found the knife difficult to control
- The blade is a bit on the small side
7. Mercer Culinary Boston Style Oyster Knife
Are you new to shucking oysters and looking for a budget-friendly option? This oyster knife from Mercer Culinary might be a good choice for you. The Boston style knife has a short, stubby blade that is easy to control. It also has a non-slip grip, so your hand won’t slip while you are shucking.
The rounded blade tip also makes for added safety, so if you’re new to shucking oysters, this knife might be a good option for you. The knife also comes with gloves and a storage bag to keep everything together. The knife is dishwasher safe, too.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Comfortable handle
- Durable blade
Cons
- Not dishwasher safe
8. R. Murphy Duxbury Oyster Knife
This new haven pattern oyster knife is a favorite among professional cooks, oyster farmers, and home cooks. The short 2 inch stainless steel blade can penetrate a tough hinge and then pry the oyster open with ease. The pointed tip makes it easier to pry into the oyster hinge and remove the top shell without breaking the bottom oyster shell.
The green polypropylene plastic handle has a sleek look and is also comfortable to grip and easy on the hands. The knife has also been tested to be dishwasher safe and will not rust or corrode.
Pros
- Short 2 inch blade
- Pointed tip for easy opening
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Not ideal for larger oysters
9. Toadfish New Haven Style Oyster Knife
If you are looking for an oyster knife that can handle both small and large oysters, the Toadfish New Haven Style Oyster Knife is the one for you. The 4 inch stainless steel blade is just the right size to pry open a large oyster, and the curved tip makes it easy to remove the meat from the shell
The handle is made from recycled plastic and is comfortable to hold, even when your hands are wet. Toadfish will plant ten square feet of new oyster habitat with every knife sold. The toadfish shucking knife is one of the most durable oyster products on the stage.
Pros
- Holding flush the most with the top shell prevents the wasting of oysters
- Part of the sale income goes directly to projects for habitat restoration
- Thicker blade structure and less bend than the signature knife
Cons
- Quite difficult to turn while popping the oysters
10. Dalstrong Providence Style Oyster Knife
The Dalstrong Providence oyster knife is made with a 3.5-inch blade that is perfect for easily prying open oysters. The sharp, durable blade is made from German steel and is resistant to rust and corrosion. We’ve tested the wooden handle and found that it’s comfortable to hold and provides a firm grip.
The Dalstrong Providence oyster knife is a great option for those who are looking for an oyster knife that is durable and easy to use. The blade has a pointed tip for tipping between close shells, while the long handle gives you plenty of leverage to pry open the oysters.
Pros
- Offer an excellent oyster shucking for all
- The long handle offers great leverage to open the shellfish
- Forged with the finest grade stainless steel without bending or breaking
Cons
- It’s quite heavy
11. Dragon Fruitee Oyster Shucking Knife
This sleek oyster knife blade is made of high quality carbon stainless steel for added durability and strength. After several shucked oysters, home cooks and restaurant professionals have tested it and agree that this is one of the best shucking knives on the market. The pointed tip is excellent for slipping between close oyster shells, while the long handle provides good leverage to pry open the mollusk.
Pros
- The blade is made from high quality carbon stainless steel for durability and strength
- The pointed tip is excellent for slipping between close oyster shells
- The long handle provides good leverage to pry open the mollusk
- The knife is dishwasher safe
Cons
- Some users find the knife a bit too heavy
- The blade doesn’t have a bent tip
Factors to Consider When Buying Oyster Knives
With different types of kitchen knives available on the market, choosing your shucking knife may not be easy. Thankfully, we have some considerations here that may help make your work easier.
Type of Knife
There are five general categories for oyster knives. These include new haven blades, which are short and wide with a slightly curved blade, there are providence blades, which are similar to new havens but not curved. There are Bostons and Galvestons, which are much longer and have more narrow blades.
Lastly, there are Frenchman oyster knives, which are short in length and wide. Frenchman oyster knives have sharper sides that will make it easier to get into the oyster.
Size of Knife
The size of the knife is going to be important, especially if you have small hands. You want to make sure that you can grip the handle and have enough control over the blade.
If you’re going to be shucking a lot of oysters, then you might want to consider getting a larger knife. This way, you won’t have to put as much pressure on the oyster and risk breaking the shell.
Type of Handle
The type of handle is also going to be important. You want to make sure that you’re comfortable with the way that the knife feels in your hand.
There are a few different types of handles, including wood, plastic, and composite. Each type of handle has its own advantages and disadvantages. Wooden handles are going to be the most comfortable for most people. They’re also going to provide the best grip. However, wooden handles can absorb moisture, which can cause them to crack over time.
Plastic handles are going to be less comfortable than wooden handles. However, they’re not as likely to absorb moisture, and they’re generally more durable. Composite handles are a mix of both wood and plastic. They offer the best of both worlds in terms of comfort and durability.
Type of Blade
The type of blade you choose is also going to be important. There are two main types of blades: straight and serrated. Straight blades are going to be better for precision cutting. However, they’re not going to be as good at cutting through tough materials. On the other hand, serrated blades will be better at cutting through tough materials. However, they’re not going to be as precise.
Handguard
The handguard is another important consideration. This is the part of the knife that will protect your hand from the blade. It’s important to choose a handguard that’s comfortable, and that will stay in place while you’re using the knife.
Tang
The tang is the part of the knife that extends into the handle. It’s important to choose a knife with a full tang. This means that the tang extends all the way to the end of the handle. Full tang knives are going to be much stronger and more durable than those with partial tangs.
FAQs on the Best Oyster Knives
What is an oyster knife?
An oyster knife is used to separate oyster meat from an oyster shell. It comes in different sizes and shapes and with different blade designs.
What is the difference between an oyster knife and a clam knife?
An oyster knife has a shorter and thicker blade than a clam knife. The blade is designed to pry open an oyster shell without damaging the meat inside.
Can you shuck oysters with regular knives?
It’s not recommended to shuck oysters with regular knives. This is because regular knives are longer with wider tips, making it harder to nudge it within the oyster shell hinges to pry it open.
Should oyster knives be sharp?
No, oyster knives should not have a sharp blade, and they do not need to be sharpened or maintained. The dullness of their blade is advantageous for safely and easily opening an oyster.
Our Recommendations
In overall, HiCoup Providence style oyster knife stands out to be the best shucking knife available. The finish and features of this set makes it the best knife set.
Secondly, R. Murphy UJ Ramelson Duxbury Oyster Knife makes it second in the list because it has been tried and tested with many home cooks, oyster farmers and professional chefs. It comes with super features, including the short 2 inch stainless blade which enables it penetrate tough hinge of an oyster without applying too much pressure.
Lastly, for budget friendly conscious Mercer Culinary Boston style is the perfect choice as it comes at a slightly $9 on sites such as Amazon. Despite the fair price, it still offer features that are competitive on the market.
As you can see, there are many different types of shucking knives available on the market, but not all of them are created equal. When choosing the best kitchen knife make sure it’s comfortable for you to hold and use and that is the right size and shape for the oysters you’ll be shucking.
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Kristina Perrin
Kristina is an expert DIY home remodeler and mom to three. When she's not cooking or experimenting with new recipes, you can find her working on new home improvement projects or writing about her favorite kitchen appliances or DIY projects on Kitchen Infinity blog.