Best Oyster Shucking Knife – 10 Top Choices for Shucking Like a Real Pro in No Time

For the seafood lover, nothing pairs better with palm trees and champagne than a fresh oyster.

Unfortunately, they are quite pricey at raw bars and restaurant. Shucking this seafood at home can save you a small fortune.

The best oyster restaurant in town can be at your table.

YES, it’s possible if you have the best oyster shucking knife for a pain free shucking experience at home.

Shucking fresh oysters isn’t that difficult. However, it’s all about having the right knife, specially made for shucking the oysters to reach the meat with ease.

So, what are the best oyster shuckers?

Well, for an oyster lover like you, there are some shucking knives that perform really well.

In this oyster shucking knife review, we’ve rounded up 10 best picks that every oyster lover should have. They are also essential for coastal living.

Keep scrolling to discover them.

10 Best Oyster Shucking Knives in 2022 Comparison

This quick table will help you to compare the specs of our 10 picks at a glance.

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Our Recommended 10 Best Oyster Shucking Knife Reviews

It’s somewhat challenging to pick a good knife from the hundreds out there. There are plenty of options to choose from, all different sizes, shapes, and blade designs.

However, we’ve compiled a handy list of 10 best knives and reviewed them. Hopefully, this will help you find the best oyster shucking knife for home or beach use and enjoy this low-fat, low-calorie, and protein-rich seafood.

1. HiCoup Oyster Shucking Knife, HK-03

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Shuck all oyster- big or small- with this beautiful and commercial grade HiCoup oyster and clam knife.

It’s a perfect tool for an instant seaside getaway. What’s more, it’s the fastest knife to efficiently open any shellfish.

Measuring 6.5-inch from tip-to-tip with a 2.5-inch blade, this one-of-a-kind shucker is incredibly strong and feels great in your hand.

The knife is compact enough to tackle small oysters yet sturdy enough to handle large ones. Of course, it’s lightweight and comfortable with a simple design.

Top Features & Benefits

Mirror finish 420-stainless steel blade has the perfect width and rigidity to slip between the shells of the oyster to open them powerfully.

Full tang, tapered construction of the blade adds strength and durability to this tool.

Wooden finished pakkawood handle fits comfortably in your palm. It offers a skid-free grip for fuss-free and sure-handed shucking even when your hands are wet.

The triple-riveted handle offers the worry-less uses.

Oversized handguard protects your hands from hitting sharp pieces from the oyster shell if the knife slips during shucking

Genuine leather sheath helps keep the blade safe while not in use and carry it from coast to coast

Cut resistant gloves comes included making it inherently safer than some. Of course, they are 100% food safe.

Pros

• Premium quality and workmanship
• Very good looking
• Durable and compact design
• Simple and safe to use
• Firm and comfortable grip
• Simple to store and carry
• Replacement or refund policy

Cons

• The gloves need some improvement.

Bottomline

HiCoup HK-03 is a perfect knife for any shape and species of oyster. It’s very sturdy for opening the shell, and sharp enough to scrape out the muscle. The blade is thick, the guard is excellent, and the pakkawood handle is awesome. It also can be a great gift idea for your oyster shucking buddies. This is what you buy when you want something to take it to the next level. Overall, it’s a great deal for the price.

2. OXO Good Grips Oyster Knife, 35681

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OXO Good Grips Knife is designed to withstand the toughest of oyster shells. The pointy edge and handle of this tool make a world of difference compared to the blunt oyster knife.

There is enough leverage in the handle that makes working through a pile of oysters simple. It penetrates the hinge of the oyster and doesn’t bend while twisting.

Top Features & Benefits

The stainless steel blade is sturdy and won’t bend when twisted.

The 3-inch long blade is just perfect for getting the job done, without being too big to handle.

Bend tip of the blade makes it easier to cut away at the muscle on the top of the oyster.

The soft grip is perfect if you’re going to be opening a lot of oysters without feeling stressed

Comfortable silicone handle won’t slip in your hand, even when wet.

Pros

• Very sturdy and designed perfectly for the job
• Very easy to use
• Comfortable for extended use
• Excellent leverage
• Dishwasher safe for easy and quick cleaning

Cons

• No handguard

Bottom line

OXO Good 35681 is one of the most robust and most durable knives available on the market today.

This knife works really well once you figure out how to use it. All in all, perfect! We’d happily recommend it.

3. Dexter-Russell (S121PCP) – 2.75″ New Haven Style Oyster Knife – Sani-Safe Series

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Dexter-Russell S121PCP from Sani-Safe Series is a New Haven style oyster knife. It’s a professional-grade oyster knife that can easily handle even the most stubborn oyster shell.

It is the easiest to use and most reliable knife with excellent reviews and is mentioned prominently in the” geography of oysters” as the preferred product.

Top Features & Benefits

High carbon, high alloy DEXSTEEL blade runs through the length of the handle- no wiggle or looseness in the knife.

Slight bent tip helps leverage the initial pop making opening oysters much easier than regular flat blade tip. The curve and the bevel are at nice angle thinning the point, both of which contribute to the most ergonomic shucker.

Hard plastic handle with textured surface ensures a slip-resistant, good grip. The blade is deeply embedded in the handle and won’t lose.

The robust and ergonomic anti-slip handle offers you safe and comfortable handling.

Pros

• Very simple in design
• Commercial kitchen quality
• Stain-resistant blade
• Excellent grip, comfortable to hold
• Super easy to clean
• NSF certified for safety
• Made in the USA

Cons

• Hand wash only, not dishwasher tolerant.
• The blade edge is a little thick, separating meat from the shell of small and delicate oysters will be a little tricky.

Bottom line

Whether you are a novice or a pro, Dexter-Russell (S121PCP) is the way to go for full-proof shucking. It is excellent for popping even the most difficult hinges. The outstanding performance of this tool will compel you. Overall, it’s a great little oyster knife.

4. Rockland Guard Oyster Shucking Set

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Rockland Guard oyster knife is perfect in every way. It is well- made, sturdy, and well balanced. The sleek and elegant looking of the knife makes it a must-have tool for any seafood lover.

The optimal shucking design lets you crank through a whole colony of oysters without breaking a sweat. It can crack through even the most hardened shells easily.

This shucking set includes a knife plus gloves that make it an amazing bargain.

Top Features & Benefits

3.5-inch knife is long enough to pry open shells without breaking or chipping them.

Stainless steel blade cuts wholly and cleanly to lift oysters from the shell.

Non-slip grip handle is durable and sturdy enough to handle those task jobs.

Cut resistant hand gloves do a great job and protecting your hands from getting poked. It’s lightweight and offers comfortable protection without the bulk. The gloves are 100% food safe and machine washable for easy cleaning.

Pros

• Made with quality materials
• Complete kit with knife and gloves
• Ideal blade length for shucking
• Good feel and grip
• Non-slip and safe to use
• Four sizes (S, M, L or XL) gloves, snug fit for all

Cons

• The gloves are not waterproof.
• The blade tip is too wide to open the smaller oysters. But for a large one, it’ll work well.

Bottom line

Above all, Rockland Guard is a great oyster set at an incredible price. Although nothing fancy, the combo is all you need to start shucking oysters right now.

5. WENDOM Oyster Knife Shucker Set (2 knives, Gloves & Silicone lemon squeezer)

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This shucker set containing two oyster knives, one pair of gloves, and a silicone lemon squeezer is an incredible deal.

WENDOM Oyster Knife offers you the strength that you can trust. You can efficiently and effectively open any type of seafood shell- big or small- with this knife set.

The knives are perfectly made, and the set comes with two, so you can shuck your favorite oysters twice as fast. The gloves that come included are average-sized and suitable for adult hands size. Conveniently, the gloves are machine washable in a delicate bag.

Silicone lemon squeezer a nice addition to this set.

Top Features & Benefits

Forged from high-quality 3CR13 stainless steel the blade offers the best class performance, keeping its sharpness long time.

The black plastic handle is non-slip, soft and comfortable to grip.

The EN388 level 5 multi-function gloves are made of the highest cut resistance level material on the market that certainly adds a sense of security.

Lemon squeezer comes with the set as a gift for customers. It can be a valuable addition to your kitchen gadgets.

Pros

• Power assisting design
• Strong and sturdy
• Convenient and safe to use
• Replacement or full refund policy

Cons

• The handles of the knives are too small for large hands.

Bottom line

It’s a complete kit that works great and has everything you need. All in all, it offers you a great value at a great price.

6. SPEENSUN Oyster Shucking Knife

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Speensun is a unique professional grade shucker that is useful to pry open various seafood such as oysters, clam, mussels, and scallops.

It’s extremely durable and feels great in hand. Measuring 6.5-inch from tip to tip with a 2.5-inch blade, this knife is lightweight, compact, and comfortable.

Its design is simple and conforms to ergonomics. It’s specially designed for right-handed or left-handed users.

Top Features & Benefits

Mirror polishing 3CR14 + stainless steel integrated blade is thick and solid that offers perfect rigidity and width. The blade is high-temperature resistant, not easy to rust and not easy to broken.

Pakka wooden handle provides a non-slip grip to open the oyster and clams safely. It’s safe to use even when your hand is wet. It’s also mold-resistant.

Glove set is 5-level cut-resistant for more secure use of the knife. It’ll protect your hand from oyster if accidentally it slides during shucking.

Three rivets are firmly fixed together with the handle and the blade so that the blade doesn’t fall off.

Oversized hand guard prevents injury if it slides during shucking

The included leather case is useful to avoid damaged blade or cut hands. You can hang it on a hook or tightly on your belt.

Pros

• Lightweight and comfortable to use
• Perfect for both left-handed or right-handed users
• Ergonomically designed
• Non-sliding grip
• Provides extra protection

Cons

• Nothing found

Bottom line

SPEENSUN opener has the ideal width and rigidity to handle large or small oysters and slide between the shells to open them easily. It provides excellent leverage for ease of opening the shells. Definitely, you’ll be impressed with its performance.

7. TANG SONG Oyster Clam Pearl Shell Shucking Knife (8 pieces)

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TANG SONG 8-piece knife set is excellent for the opening scallop, oyster, shell, and many other shellfish.

When you hold a picnic or a dinner party with your family or friends, these 8- piece knives will be your helper. So you can enjoy your time without worrying about spending much time working with oysters and other seafood.

Top Features & Benefits

High-quality stainless steel 2.85-inch long blade is perfect to handle small or large oysters.

The pointy blade tip makes it easy to open the shell with low effort.

The smooth wooden handle is eco-friendly, safe and convenient. It’s comfortable to grip when you use it.

Pros

• Excellent quality
• Sturdy and built-to-last
• Eco-friendly and safe for health
• Attractive looking

Cons

• Not perfect to open very hard oyster shell.

Bottom line

Overall, these 8-piece oyster knife set is excellent. You won’t find a better knife set at this price.

8. RiverView Original Chesapeake Bay Oyster Shucking Knife

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The Chesapeake Bay oyster knife is built to safeguard your hands. If you’re going to open a lot of oysters, mussels, clams, lobsters, or crabs, you’ll be glad to have this knife.

It may not look fancy, but it gets the job done perfectly. It’s made to work and last a lifetime. Once you use it, you’ll realize why it’s a favorite choice of professionals and homeowners alike.

This seafood knife comes to you in a white box that makes it a great gift. The box also provides both a beautiful appearance and safe handling.

Importantly, the knife is certified by SGS, FDA, and LFGB.

Top Features & Benefits

A top-quality 420 stainless steel blade offers the best performance to handle the seafood.

The tapered 3-inch blade allows it easy penetration of the shellfish. Once entered, the strong blade lets you twist the knife to pop open and release the meat.

The solid hardwood handle is durable and will last years to come.

The rounded handle design gives you a smooth, firm, comfortable grip and good leverage.

The handguard provides extra safety by preventing your hand slipping forward and allowing you to apply the additional pressure that may be needed to easily open the shellfish.

Pros

• Functional and well-made
• Handy and comfortable to use
• Feels good in the hand
• Secure and safe to store
• Full “no question asked” refund policy

Cons

• Not at all fancy.
• The tip of the blade is a flat bevel that is not pointy/thin enough to quickly get into the crack of an oyster.

Bottom line

RiverView Oyster shucker is a handy tool to split the top of the shell from the bottom easily. It’s also great to pick leftover crab meat from the claws as well.

9. R. Murphy/Ramelson Duxbury Oyster Knife

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R. Murphy Oyster Knife is designed with the oystermen at Island Creek Oysters in Duxbury, Massachusetts, to make shucking effortless and straightforward. It’s a top seller all around the world today.

The blade features an upturned point that goes through the oyster hinges very easily. It doesn’t flex that makes working around the hinges very easy without chipping.

This knife will make all day oyster shucking enjoyable and not tedious. It’s lightweight and perfectly balanced in your hand. So,

Top Features & Benefits

420HC stainless steel is perfectly hardened, ground, and polished to offer you a sturdy blade.

A short 2-1/8 inches long blade won’t bend or break like a longer blade.

A pointed blade tip makes this tool ideal for working into the oyster hinge and prying open oyster shells.

Ergonomically shaped polypropylene plastic handle is comfortable and easy to grip.

Pros

• Very strong and great for handling volumes of oysters
• Lightweight and well-balanced
• Delicate and easy to use
• Excellent blade shape
• Good ergonomics
• Versatile to use
• Made in the USA

Cons

• The blade is a bit short for releasing meat from larger oysters, but the shucking itself is very smooth.
• Not dishwasher-friendly

Bottom line

For shucking small to medium shellfish, R. Murphy Dux is an excellent tool for both beginners and experts. It’s the best design on the market for the price if you’re shucking a variety of different oysters.

Best for the price!

10. Victorinox 7.6399.2-X1 Providence Style Oyster Knife, 44692

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Finally, we have this providence style oyster knife from Victorinox, world’s most known brand for multi-tools, bread knives, steak knives and pocket knives.

This providence style blade is a great all-around knife for small to medium-sized oysters to open up the hinge and to slide the knife along the side to release the adductor muscle.

The nice thing about this Victorinox Providence is- the blade tip is very thin at the tip of the point, but it’s very sturdy just back from the tip. This feature makes it easy to get into the hinge with a bit of wiggling. It stands up to prying open the hinge with just a bit of blade buried in the hinge.

Top Features & Benefits

High carbon steel blade has good size and thickness to get the job done.

2-3/4-Inch providence style straight blade does an excellent job separating the flesh from the flat side of the shell.

The Fibrox (a resin-based, microbe-resistant material) handle makes your oyster shucking experience reliable and safe.

Ergonomic, super grip handle design reduces fatigue when shucking a bunch of oysters at once. The handle is slip-resistant even when wet.

Pros

• Good looking
• Great build and material quality
• Compact and sturdy
• Nice, secure grip
• Dishwasher safe
• NSF approved
• Made in Switzerland

Cons

• No issues

Bottom line

Considering the quality of the blade and handle, the Victorinox 44692 is a very good deal.

What to Look For When Choosing the Best Oyster Shucking Knife

So, how to choose the right oyster knife?

Although personal preference plays a part when it comes to the knife design you like to shuck with, this guide will give you a better idea of what to look for to find a reliable model to suit your needs.

The Blade

Oyster knife blades don’t need to be sharp. But they have to be durable, rugged, and sturdy enough to open the shells. Remember that the bigger the oyster, the stronger the hinge.

If your knife blade is low-quality and made from a weak and soft metal, the most frustrating thing that may happen is for the blade to bend. So, blades also required to be firmer and thicker to pry open the oysters with little effort and withstand the pressure without bending or losing shape.

Blades with bent tips will provide more leverage to make it easy for you to open the most robust shells with less effort.

The blade materials should be corrosion-resistant. This is because the saltwater in oysters may cause damage to the knife over time. The best type of material to use for the blade is high-carbon stainless steel.

The blade should also be of the right length. If the blade is too long, it may bend, and it’ll be harder to use. On the other hand, with a very short blade, it’ll also become hard to open the larger oysters. However, the ideal length is from 2-inch to 3.5-inch. Anything longer or shorter than this will give you a hard time for opening an oyster.

The Handle

If you’re going to shuck more than half a dozen oysters or shellfish at a time, the comfort of holding the handle should be your main concern.

Choose a knife handle moulds to the shape of your hand and big enough for your fingers and thumb to curl around. They also need to be easy to grip tightly and slip-resistant to prevent cuts and gives you cleaner and neater looking Oysters.

The handles are mostly designed with rubber, plastic, or wood for optimal grip and low slippage. Wood handle tends to soak moisture, causing it to decay.

Handles with slick surfaces will make the task of opening oysters time-consuming and dangerous for both your hands and your knife.

Knife Guard

An oyster knife with finger guard will make your knife experience safe. While shucking, your hand may slip and cause injury, especially in wet and slippery conditions. For this reason, a knife guard is important to protect your hand from prospective injury. This raised edge ensures that the blade won’t reach too fat inside the shell.

Sheath

Take into consideration where- at home or beach- you’re most likely to be shucking oysters. If you mostly shuck oysters at your home, having a travel sheath isn’t that essential. On the other hand, if you like to collect your oysters and enjoy them on the beach, a travel sheath will make things a lot easier. Additionally, the sheath will also help you to store the knife safely.

Conclusion

Hopefully, the information you found in this best oyster shucking knife review was useful for comparing the different models. We’re sure that this top-list has helped you narrow down your choices for your needs.

With any of these oyster knives, opening oysters will be a piece of cake.

Enjoy your favorite briny delicacy!

Happy shucking!