What is an oyster knife?
An oyster knife is a sharp knife with a sturdy handle that is specially designed for opening oysters. The knife is usually between 15 and 20 centimeters long and has a blunt point to prevent the knife from accidentally passing through the shell and into the hand. The handle of the knife is also designed to provide a good grip so you can apply more force to open the shell.
How do you use an oyster knife?
Using an oyster knife requires a certain amount of caution and precision, but is actually quite simple. Below are the steps to open an oyster safely and efficiently:
Step 1: Clean the oyster
Before you start opening the oyster, clean it thoroughly. Rinse the oyster under cold water to remove any dirt or sand. Use a brush to thoroughly clean the oyster.
Step 2: Hold the oyster
Hold the oyster in the palm of your hand, with the flat side up and the pointed side toward you.
Step 3: Find the opening in the shell
The next step is to find the opening in the shell. This is the spot where you will insert the oyster knife. The opening is usually located on the side of the oyster, close to the hinge.
Step 4: Insert the oyster knife into the opening
Carefully insert the tip of the oyster knife into the opening of the shell. Push the blade down and towards the hinge, applying a little force to open the shell.
Step 5: Detach the shell
Once in the opening, gently wiggle the oyster knife back and forth to loosen the shell from the oyster meat. Try not to cut the shell too deeply, otherwise you can damage the oyster flesh.
Step 6: Remove the top shell
Once loosened, you can carefully remove the top shell. Use the oyster knife to cut any muscles that hold the shell together.
Step 7: Release the oyster from the bottom shell
After removing the top shell, you can separate the oyster from the bottom one. Use the oyster knife to cut the oyster from the shell. Try not to damage the oyster meat.
Step 8: Check the oyster
Check the oyster before serving it. Remove any grit or residue from the shell. The oyster should look nice and shiny. It's that simple!
Choosing an oyster knife
In the APS Glass & Bar Supply range you will find the EMGA oyster knife. This is an oyster knife with a total length of 16.2 centimeters and a slightly shorter blade. This oyster knife is very suitable for when you want to cut oysters very precisely. This variant is also a good choice if the oysters are on the small side.
In addition to the EMGA oyster knife, you will find it with us APS oyster knife of our own brand. This knife has a total length of 19.7cm and a longer blade. This makes it suitable for cutting larger oysters if you need to be less precise.
Do you need help choosing the right oyster knife? Please contact us, we are ready to help you!