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If you want to open clams then you’ll need a specialist knife to do so. Other solutions can be found but they won’t be as effective or safe. There are many great knives available and we set out to find the best clam knife for you.
We looked high and low to find the top 10 clam knives on the market. We’ve also completed in-depth reviews on each of them while also creating a buying guide. You’ll get all the info you and find the perfect knife for easily shucking those clams. Let’s get started!
Best Clam Knife
Mercer Culinary Clam Knife
Mercer has been able to make the perfect clam knife with all of the qualities that you will be looking for. The blade is made from a high carbon form of steel which gives it immense strength. It gives you the long-term durability you’re looking for and comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
Along with that, the material will also give it the sharpness required to slice into the clam. The blades are also stain-resistant and won’t rust. The tip of the blade is rounded which makes it fairly safe to use, even when not wearing gloves.
The knife makes it easier than ever to open up clams and you’ll be able to do so with the minimum of fuss. The handle is ergonomically designed for a high level of comfort while also giving you a secure grip. The poly materials also give it exceptional strength.
Dexter Russell Clam Shucking Knife
This is perfect for anyone looking for a traditional wooden handle. It not only looks great but it performs very well too. This one is made from beech and complements the steel blade that extends from it.
That blade is made from high carbon to give it the strength required to prise open those clams time and time again. The whole knife has quality throughout with the rivets on the handle giving it the level of security you’d expect from a product made in the USA.
The blade is 3 inches long and the perfect shape for shucking clams. It’s advised that you hand wash it after each use to keep it look at its best. It’s highly rated and brilliant value for money.
Victorinox Clam Knife
Victorinox is a company well known for making high-quality products and are notorious for making the Swiss Army Knife. This is another product from them which is up to that high standard.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of this knife is the handle. It’s very comfortable to grip and allows you to put plenty of pressure into the clam without hurting your hand. It also allows you to twist easily and get plenty of leverage into the clam.
You may be surprised at just how thin the blade is but it is both strong and rigid. Many people will find that clams they thought were impossible to open can be easily unlocked with this knife. It produces impressive results time and time again.
Winco – 7 1/2″ Clam Knife
If you wanted to have a pair of clam knives then these are going to represent great value for money. They come with a traditional wooden handle that has a good level of quality and is going to feel comfortable in your hand.
The blade is made from stainless steel and has the level of stiffness required to shuck clams. It’s thin enough to get into any clam and long enough with the 3.5” blade.
The level of safety is high here as the blade is dull enough to touch with your finger but sharp enough to get the job done. Construction is at a high standard with the handle being triple-riveted for the highest levels of security.
Farberware Seafood Clam Knife
Farberware has been able to make this clam knife that offers exceptional value for money while also looking great. The blade has been specifically made for clams so you can have plenty of confidence in its performance.
The handle is wooden and has a traditional and stylish look. It’s also comfortable to grip and you can apply a high amount of pressure. On top of this, the handle also has the durability required for the demands of clam shucking.
It’s recommended that the knife should be hand washed to prevent any damage. It’s supported by a limited lifetime warranty which gives you plenty of confidence in its long-term durability.
Winco Oyster/Clam Knife
Winco has been able to create this fantastic knife that is ideal for both shucking clams and oysters. It’s highly rated by almost everyone that has used it and it’s easy to see why as it excels in all the right areas.
The handle is a great shape with it being wide and rounded. It makes it comfortable to grip for long periods of time, allowing you to shuck a large number of clams. It’s also made from wood and has a stylish design.
The blade is made from stainless steel and has a collar between the blade and the handle which is a brilliant extra safety feature. It’s only 2mm thick but has all the strength you need to make shucking clams as easy as possible.
Melocean Knife Shucker Clam Opener Kit
In order to have the highest levels of quality you want a blade that fully extends into the handle, known as ‘full-tang’ and that’s what you get here. That metal is then covered by a stylish wooden handle that offers both high grip and comfort.
These are a little more expensive than some other options we’ve looked at but you can see their level of quality. The metal used is the highest quality stainless steel to give exceptional durability while also staying sharp.
You also get a few great extras here with the opener guide and ebook. They are perfect for both oysters and clams with beautifully designed features. It’s all backed by a limited lifetime warranty to give you plenty of confidence in its longevity.
J&J Products EZ-Clam Shucker
Some clams can be very stubborn and are hard to get open. Some knives can’t cope with that but this is a great example of a knife that can easily deal with the hardest clams.
It has a stainless steel blade that has a toughened tip that allows you to easily get in the clam and then twist. You can do that simply from the very solid grip it has which is also rounded to give you a high level of comfort.
That handle has a non-slip surface which offers great safety. All of this comes at a very good price, making it excellent value for money. It’ll make light work of a large number of clams whilst avoiding hand pain and any other issues.
Dexter-Russell S127PCP Dexter Clam Knife, 3″
When dealing with tough clams you need to have a highly secure grip on your handle. Many prefer the grip on this model to a wooden feel as it allows you to apply a high level of force with no issues.
All of the materials used here are very high quality. This includes the blade which is made from a high carbon form of steel. It will allow the blade to remain stain-free while also giving it the profile and strength required.
This knife is very highly rated with a long list of happy users. The build quality can be trusted with this knife being made in the USA. As with most of these knives, it’s advised that you hand wash it after use to keep it at its best for longer.
TOR Clam Shucker Knife
If you were aiming to give your clam knife as a gift then this could be what you’re looking for. It comes in a natural wood gift box that looks fantastic. It also gives you a great place to store the knife when not in use.
The beautiful design doesn’t stop there. The handle on the knife is made from rosewood which looks brilliant and provides high grip. It’s secured to the blade with two rivets that give it plenty of durability.
The blade is perfect for clams. It offers the right level of sharpness while also being strong enough to cope with the constant twisting motion. It’s a little more expensive than some others on this list but many will happily pay for that extra quality.
Best Clam Knife – Buying Guide
Blade
The blade of a clam knife is usually fairly long, has a rounded tip and is fairly thin. You should be looking for these features to make shucking clams as easy as possible. It also needs a high level of strength and should therefore be made from a high-grade metal.
Handle
The handle of the clam knife needs to be able to cope with the constant twisting motion required. This needs both a durable material and a wide handle that is comfortable to grip. We see a few different materials used such as textured plastic, rubber and wood. All three work very well and the best one for you often comes down to personal preference.
Size
Most of these clams are similar in size to each other as there is a common shape that is most suitable for clams. The whole knife is usually around 7” in length with the blade being around half that. Some can be a little longer or shorter but this is around the ideal size to get into any size of clam.
Accessories
It’s always good to see if the clam has any additional accessories that may be useful. Some of these models come in a pair which can offer excellent value for money. Others have a storage box with it that also works perfectly for those giving it as a gift.
Warranty
These knives have to deal with plenty of force and should be built to last. It will always give you peace of mind when they are backed by a long warranty. It shows that the company has a lot of confidence in their product while also giving you assurances that you’ll be covered should something go wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an oyster knife and a clam knife?
There is a fairly noticeable difference between the two, reflecting the difference in the two shells. Clam knives are longer and thinner, and also have a rounder tip. Oyster knives are a little sharper while also being wider and shorter.
What is a clam knife used for?
A clam knife is used exclusively for opening clams. It could be used for other tasks if required but it’s designed for use with clams. If you’re planning on opening up oysters then it’s best to get a specific oyster knife to do that.
What is clam shucking?
The word shuck means removing the shell of something that is eaten. Therefore, shucking is simply a term used for opening shells. This is also true of opening oysters, which is also called shucking.
How do you open clams naturally?
Clams can be very stubborn to open which is why it’s the best idea to use a specialist knife to do it. There is not a natural way to make them open. It’s best to grab yourself a quality clam knife that will get the job done easily.
How do you shuck clams?
Clam shucking is a fairly simple process. You place the clam in your hand with the hinge in the crease of your thumb and index finger. You then insert the knife into the lip and push it in. You then twist the knife and this will break open the shell.
Once you’ve done that, you can then pull the clam fully open with your fingers and then use your knife to cut off the upper and lower muscles. You’ll then be able to fully open the clam and the body will be detached.
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