Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire oyster shucking

Any suggestions? I always fight them. Just watched a couple videos that might help. Wish I'd gotten a special knife by now, last time I used an automotive gasket scraper. Any good substitutes for a tool?

We've got 2 bushels coming in today from the Chesapeake Bay. Looking forward to the eating, not so much the work to get to 'em.

Screwdriver with a little work to the tip will work

Buy a knife you cheap bastard.

How did 'ya know?

Buying one or even making one is doable. Remembering to do before next time it is the hard part.

My brother uses a wood chisel and starts it with a hammer..

Whatever that's worth to you.

Been there with the hammer. Too many chunks.

I use a screwdriver if a shucking knife ain’t available. Use a kitchen towel so you don’t stab yourself. Start at the narrow hinged end. Once you get the tip in, give it a twist.

Thanks Mad, I didn't know till today with the video which end to start. At least 2 guys in the crowd have a handle on it, but I want to help & up production a bit. Sounds like the gasket scraper I've got might be better than I thought. I have kevlar gloves for piece of mind.

Making a note to get the proper tool for next time.

Maintain firm pressure with the tip of the shucker as you deliberately ease into the hinge with an ultra low frequency wiggle.

Wish I had that problem.

Almost lost a big toe to an oyster

Find a shucking knife or make something like one if you can't find a real one, a conventional pointed knife is not your friend. Doable, but putting one 3/4 of the way through the palm of my hand a long time ago made using the proper tool make a lot of sense all the sudden.

Throw them on the barbeque, shells and all. They'll pop open when steamed in their own juices.

We plan to steam some, that's the easy button. But love 'em raw, & we'll have Rockefeller also. That of course requires shucking too.

Appreciate the info guys, we only do this about once a year. Hard to stay on top of the skills, & it's not something we grew up doing for sure.

How many have you broke like that? Now try to get them open..


I have flat shucked some oysters and I can tell you, that is NOT the way to do it. It works in a pinch, but not as standard M.O.





Sage advice.

I meant what I said about firm pressure and a slow deliberate twist and slight wiggle. You don’t want to force it. Just find the weak spot and ease it in.

You may break some of the flaky crust off the out side, but the blade should go in clean without breaking the shell.

Playing stickball with oyster shells as a kid. Swung at one breaking inside and took it on the thumb.

Man that fugger got swollen and infected quick. They had me juiced up on ALL the antibiotics!

Wear the kevlar gloves. Especially, if this is your first time. Think about holding your hand out flat, like you are a member of the recipient class.

Then, with your fingers cupped on one side of the oyster and your thumb doing the same on the other side, if you accidentally push your shucker tool through the oyster, you'll have a good chance it goes out into air between your fingers and your thumb, instead of into your hand.

Ask me why I know.

Most Walmarts sell oyster knives.