What can you use to open an oyster?
Have you ever wondered….What can I use to make opening oysters simple and easy at home? We tell you how to find the best blade, and the best protective aides.
There are a vast range of tools that can aide the tricky task of shucking oysters fresh at home, we shall introduce you to a few of them, and what to look for in terms of quality.
KNIFE
The most important tool in a shuckers arsenal is the trusty shucking blade. Getting into oysters is hard, especially when they are fresh and put up more resistance, so it is important that the tool that you choose is strong.
Most kitchen knives are sharp but their narrow point makes them likely to snap if used in the task of shucking oysters, so it is best to avoid them if you can. You may find that you could use a screwdriver to get to the tasty meat inside the shell however it is a very crude and will likely not be clean.
Humans have enjoyed oysters for millennia and have come up with the perfect tool, which has all the qualities that make opening oysters a simple task. The shucking knife has a short stout blade with a large ergonomic handle which enables a strong grip and greater control of the knife which is important for safety and also for preparation of restaurant quality oysters. The blade does not have to be sharp however this can aide the process of detaching the oyster meat from the shell once it has been opened. It is important that the blade has no flex as this can be a point of weakness and lead to the an injury.
Handles are traditionally made of wood however plastic is becoming more popular as it is more hardwearing under the naturally wet conditions. With the application of food safe varnishes to the wood the durability can be increased of wooden handled shucking knives.
There are a range of shapes and sizes for the handle, which can suit anybody so it is really important that you choose a blade that is suitable for you to make sure that you shuck safe.
Hand protection
Always shuck with protection
The process of opening oysters is inherently dangerous due to the close proximity of the knife and the shuckers hands, and we do not recommend opening oysters without the correct equipment as it can be dangerous.
There are many options for to protective equipment, and you shall hear a few below:
– Cloth : The irregular shape of the oyster and their wet exterior can roll around on the shucking surface, however, by placing a cloth underneath this can limit the movement whilst you get to the tastiness inside. If the cloth is sufficiently large the excess can be placed on the top half of the oyster with the hand wrapped, this will provide a better grip during the task. It should be noted that there will be limited protection from the pressure of the blade through the cloth.
– Shucking block : A wooden alternative to the cloth, which provides more protection than the thin fabric. Angled in the shaped of the oyster, it provides a housing for securing the oyster in the process of shucking. By placing the oyster inside the shucking block there is less chance of slippage.
The shucking block may or may not have a wedge to anchor it to the surface in which the shucking is taking place. The shucking block will be made of a thick material which will limit the exposure of the hand to the blade.
– Gloves : Just as knights wore chainmail to protect them from blades in battle, professional shuckers wear chainmail gloves to protect them from blades in the preparation of oysters.
The chainmail glove is the best choice of protective equipment for oyster shuckers as they cover the entire hand, and much of the wrist. Being made of interlinking loops of stainless steel they provide ultimate protection for the shucker. Many can be tightened to provide a comfortable fit.
The links of the chainmail glove must be small enough to prevent any form of penetration by the blade. However this is what we recommend for any oyster aficionado.