Our Top 10 Picks for the Best Oyster Knives – Models Compared
Nothing beats the luxury of eating oysters after a long and tiring week. However, taking the succulent and edible part out of its shell is inconvenient and can even be dangerous if you don’t have the right tool. Browse our top picks to find the best oyster knife that will make the wonderful experience of eating oysters even better.
Table of Contents
- 10 Best Oyster Knives - Comparisons
- Best Oyster Knives - in 2020 Reviews
- 1. Rakuen New Haven Curved Tip Oyster Knife and Shucker
- 2. Victorinox Oyster Knife 2-3/4-Inch Hooked Tip New Haven Style Blade
- 3. Oyster Knife by Archer
- 4. Oyster Knife by HiCoup
- 5. Dexter Russell Clam Shucking Knife 3-inch
- 6. Swissmar Shucker Paddy Universal Oyster Knife
- 7. OXO Good Grips Oyster Knife with Non-Slip Handle
- 8. Oyster Shucker Knife with Hand-Guard-Set of 6
- 9. Trudeau Oyster Knife Set
- 10. Winco Oyster/Clam Knife
- Final Verdict
10 Best Oyster Knives - Comparisons
Image | Product Name | Primary Material | Blade Length | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Rakuen New Haven (Currently unavailable) | Carbon Steel Blade | 2-3/4" | |
  | Carbon Steel Blade | 2-3/4" | ||
  | Stainless Steel Blade | 2-1/2" | ||
  | 420-Stainless Steel | 2-1/2" | ||
  | Carbon Steel Blade | 3" | ||
  | Stainless Steel | 3" | ||
  | Stainless Steel | 2.1" | ||
  | Stainless Steel | 3" | ||
  | Stainless Steel | 2-3/4" | ||
  | Stainless Steel | 2.3" |
Best Oyster Knives - in 2020 Reviews
We have reviewed these oyster knives according a few very important specifications:their blade, grip, and overall design.
This oyster knife from Rauken comes with an antibacterial non-slip handle, which allows for a safer grip even when your hands are wet. The carbon steel blade of this knife has a thin, angled tip that will help you pry open even tough-to-open shells with ease.
What we liked
- The blade of this knife is largely blunt until its tip, which is curved. The tip makes it easy for me to get more out of the oyster, however the blade is also a bit longer than most.
- The grip on this knife is perfect; it is neither sticky nor slippery.
- Rauken offers lifetime guarantee on this product.
What we didn't like
- The blade of this knife is longer than most, so you’ll need to be careful when using it.
Victorinox is a Swiss company with operations tracking as far back as 1884. While they specialize in Swiss army knives, their other products are impressive as well. The oyster knife they offer both looks and feels really professional. It comes in two blade sizes; I preferred the 3-inch blade, since 4 inches would run the risk of hurting yourself.
What we liked
- I chose the 3-inch blade (they have a selection of sizes), and it works pretty well. It is blunt on the tip, but it can still pierce properly. The curvature at the end also helps get the tender meat remaining.
- The whole knife is around 5 inches, and it looks pretty sleek. As expected from the original makers of Swiss knives, the design is impeccable.
- I never felt the handle being slippery, so I thought it was rubber. Turns out that it is actually made from Fibrox, a microbe-resistant rubberized material. This knife is nice to look at too.
- This knife is NSF-approved.
What we didn't like
- Nothing bad per se, but there is no hand guard, which is a deduction in my eyes since hand guards give these knives a safer feel and function.
Archer Kitchenware offers only 4 products, and 3 of them are containers. This made me a bit hesitant, but this oyster knife turned out to be great. I can definitely see myself buying another one as a birthday present for a friend.
What we liked
- This knife features a full tang, stainless steel blade, and one edge is a bit sharper than the other one. Blade itself is kind of short (around 2 and a half inches), but itdoes its work well.
- It’s a beautiful knife—the designer should get a raise, the looks of this knife are worthy of a grade A+! While I’m not a big fan of wooden handles, this one just feels and looks so good that I did not even notice it was wood!
- The steel hand guard is a great addition to the handle—I had peace of mind that there is virtually no chance of me hurting myself thanks to this safety feature.
What we didn't like
- Nothing bad to say—it’s a great shucker that is also very stylish, it would even make a great gift.
HiCoup is a small, customer-oriented company that specializes in corkscrews and other wine-related items, and their professional-grade oyster knife definitely got my attention.
What we liked
- It has a full tang blade that is thick and super strong, just what you’re looking for in an oyster knife.
- The handle has a hand guard to protect your hands even when they’re wet. This knife is convenient to hold and has great balance for its weight (it is very light).
- This knife also looks well-crafted and classy. Its handle is made from pakka wood which gives this knife an exquisite, elegant look.
- Comes with a genuine leather holster for safe storage.
What we didn't like
- No cons, really; the extra leather pouch makes it a great personable gift.
Dexter Russel is a major player in cutlery; it claims to be the oldest cutlery manufacturer in the United States.While they offer a great variety of oyster knives, this specific knife stood out for me. Note that they actually have a shorter one (2.75 inches) as well, but I’ve found this one to be much more practical.
The knife itself has an old, classical feel to it; the wooden handle and the 3-inch blade look very simple, but they also make this oyster knife look elegant.
What we liked
- The carbon steel blade is not very sharp, but not totally blunt either. It worked just fine for me—I managed to open an oyster with it in under a few seconds.
- Its design looks professional, but it’s also rather simple. But why fix something that is not broken?
What we didn't like
- The wooden handle is unfinished.
- The beech wood handle feels a little rough compared to pakka wood handles.
Swissmar is a multinational company, with their headquarters in Ontario, Canada. They have a lot of products to offer from a wide range of areas like cutlery to ovens, giving their portfolio diversity.Their oyster knife has an unusual pistol-like design, which makes it different from most other oyster knives.
What we liked
- The dual-axis blade featured on this knife makes oyster shucking a lot easier.
- The unique design of this knife feels a bit awkward at first, but it becomes really convenient when you get used to it. It’s also ambidextrous.
- The handle also comes with a finger guard.
What we didn't like
- Learning to handle this knife may take some time since most of us are used to more conventional knife designs, but once you get the hang of it, you will see that the pistol handle design actually works.
OXO is known for their high quality kitchenware. They offer a lot of products, but their oyster knives are particularly popular. This specific oyster knife is a recurring item in reviews, and for good reason—it is durable and practical, and not to mention, stylish!
What we liked
- The tip of the blade is slightly curved, making shucking easy. The blade is also quite thin, but it does not bend.
- I love its design—this knife looks slick and modern. I can picture giving it to a nephew who just started college; it just looks very hip!
- They were not lying when they said the handle is non-slip; it’s soft and feels comfortable in my palm, and I have never felt it becoming slippery.
What we didn't like
- I didn’t find any real flaws, but I would love to have the blade a bit longer.
TrueCraftware is an online retail company that specializes in products related to the restaurant business. This set of 2 oyster knives lives up to the company’s promise—they are simple, sturdy, and effective.
What we liked
- The stainless steel blade has the grayish dull shine I am looking for, and that is a plus. The blade is around 3 inches long, which is the perfect length for me.
- The handle feels rubbery, but it works just fine. It also comes with a hand guard, which is another plus.
What we didn't like
- It’s not a negative per se, but the design is very simple, a little too basic for me.
- I’ve had some minor issues with the grip because it sometimes gets a bit slippery.
Trudeau is an old establishment; they can trace their retail activities since 1889 over four successive generations. The company offers a wide range of products mostly centered around dining and cutlery. Their oyster knife set is certainly unique since it comes with a sheath that is designed to hold oysters and not just for storing the knife.
What we liked
- The stainless steel blade has beveled edges that can easily pry open oyster shells.
- A great addition to this knife is the clamp-style sheath that is included in the set; you can use it to safely hold the oyster, making the task a lot easier.
- Both the knife and the sheath have a great grip.
What we didn't like
- I would prefer having the blade a bit sharper.
This 6-piece oyster knife set from Winco is a perfect choice for occasional and first-time oyster eaters. This knife is easy to grip, relatively light for its kind, but still does the job.
What we liked
- This simple and affordable oyster knife set isgreat for occasional seafood parties.
- It’s perfect for those starting out since it has a hand guard and the blade is not very sharp.
- Comes with a wooden handle.
- Dishwasher-safe.
What we didn't like
- This knifeis definitely not the best one on the market, but it will do the job.
- It is not very durable. I’d only recommend it to those who are looking for a cheap set of knives they can occasionally use at gatherings.
Final Verdict
Oysters are extremely delicious, but shucking them requires time and practice. Finding the best oyster knife will help you enjoy this seafood a lot more. And by the way, while oyster knives may not look dangerous, they definitely need to be used with caution.
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