5 Essential Oyster Knives for Every Budget

A good oyster knife should have two things: a sharp, durable blade and a balanced, ergonomic handle. Everything beyond that is superfluous. Fortunately, a number of manufacturers are forging oyster knives that shed industrial looks in favor of handsome, occasionally bespoke, details. Below, find five oyster knives at a range of price points, each of which looks and works great, suitable for first-time shuckers and oyster aficionados alike.

Opinel Folding Oyster & Shellfish Knife

One of the only folding shellfish knives on the market, EDC favorite Opinel’s No.9 shucker is crafted from compact, varnished bubinga. Its carbon steel blade is not only highly durable, but it also aligns with the knife’s center axis for improved comfort, ease of use and reduced risk of slipping while shucking.

R. Murphy Wellfleet Shucker

Designed for maximum comfort and efficiency, the R. Murphy Wellfleet Shucker’s hand-polished rosewood handle is contoured to fit perfectly in your hand. Brass rivets keep it durable and handsome, and a uniformly hardened, high-carbon stainless steel blade makes for virtually effortless shucking.

Wüsthof 4281 Oyster Knife

The family-owned Wüsthof company, based in Solingen, Germany, has been forging high-quality knives since 1814. With a laser-cut blade made from high-carbon German stainless steel and a bolster to protect hands from sharp shells and slippage, the 4281 Oyster Knife showcases centuries of manufacturing expertise.

Grid Supply Co. Handmade Bourbon Barrel Oyster Knife

Made from bourbon barrel staves from Hardywood Park Craft Brewery in Richmond, Virginia, each Bourbon Barrel Oyster Knife from Grid Supply Co. is unique in and of itself. For those less interested in bourbon, Grid Supply Co. offers a similar knife made from wood repurposed from a 100-year-old tobacco barn, stained with leather dye to enhance the character of the wood grain.

Williams Knife Co. Hammered Edisto Oyster Knife

Hand-forged and fully customizable, the Edisto Collection from Williams Knife Co. features a slightly more pointed tip and flared blade, designed specifically for smaller oysters found along South Carolina’s Lowcountry (though it’s suitable for shucking bivalves regardless of provenance). It’s an investment for sure, but for true oyster aficionados, it’s the best-looking knife around.

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