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The oyster fork is a tool used to open oysters. It consists of two parts: a handle and prongs. There are various types of forks depending on their shape and size.
Oysters are delicious seafood that are often served raw or cooked. They come from bivalve mollusks (a type of shellfish) and are eaten worldwide.
In addition to being delicious, they also contain high levels of protein and minerals.
There are many ways to prepare them. You can eat them raw by simply shucking them yourself, or you can cook them in any number of ways.
Some people prefer to use the traditional method where they are opened with an oyster fork and then placed into a hot oven for about 10 minutes.
The most popular way to serve them is as part of a meal. This means that they are usually paired with other foods such as breads, salads, vegetables, sauces, etc.
Most restaurants will have a selection of different kinds of oysters available.
These include Pacific oysters, which are found in the West Coast states; Atlantic oysters, which are common all over North America; and Eastern oysters, which are native to the East Coast.
How To Eat Oysters
1. Open the oyster by inserting the tip of your oyster fork between the shells.
2. Use the fork to pry it open.
3. Remove the top shell using the edge of your knife.
4. Place the oyster in your mouth.
5. Eat!
Oyster Forks - A Brief Introduction
An oyster fork is a small implement used to open oysters and similar shellfish. It consists of a long curved metal handle and flat metal prongs.
Both ends of the handle are bent at right angles so that the oyster can be pried apart.
A good quality oyster fork should be made of stainless steel and have a smooth finish. The handle should be comfortable to hold and easy to grip.
The prongs should be thin enough to allow you to insert it easily between the shells of the oyster without breaking them.
A variety of sizes and shapes are available. Most commonly there are three main categories:
Standard oyster fork. This is the classic style of oyster fork. It has a straight handle and a rounded end.
Long-handled oyster fork. This style of oyster fork has a longer handle than the standard version. It is designed to make opening oysters easier.
Short-handled oyster fork or spoon. This style of oyster fork is shorter than the standard version but still has a rounded end. It is ideal for eating oysters while standing up.
When choosing an oyster fork, consider how much force you need to apply when opening oysters. If you are only going to eat one or two oysters per sitting, a short handled oyster fork may be sufficient.
However, if you plan to consume several dozen oysters during a single sitting, a long handled oyster fork will be more useful.
OUR TOP PICK
This is an oyster fork set that is made by Winco. Winco is one of the top suppliers of tabletop equipment and smallware in the US. Their items are good quality, and great value.
This twelve-piece set of oyster forks obviously comes with twelve of the forks, so you'll never have to dig around in the kitchen drawers every time you have oysters.
This oyster fork comes in a Windsor pattern, and it is great for everyday use as well as occasional use. It is extremely lightweight, so you can hold it and use it with complete ease.
These Winco forks are extremely durable, and functional at the same time. They are made from 18-0 stainless steel, which is a high grade type of stainless steel.
The 18-0 stainless steel blend is made from 18% chromium and 0% nickel, making it great for simple items such as cutlery, and tea and coffee equipment.
This fork also has a vibro finish, which is a way of brightening and smoothing metal.
These oyster forks are small, and the handle is 3.75 inches long, and 0.5 inches wide. We thought the forks were extremely dainty, and you can hold them with great ease.
These oyster forks weigh 1.6 ounces each, and they are made in the USA. They are dishwasher safe, and they are highly rated.
Winco also makes a twelve-piece set consisting of different cutlery such as dinner knives, iced teaspoons, and soup spoons, but you can also buy them separately.
These oyster forks are nothing too posh or special, but they do the job very well.
We rate these oyster forks as being the best value within our list, and think that they are easy to use, and they look fine.
Pros
- Excellent value at 66 cents per fork.
- Shiny and attractive
- Easy to use
Cons
- Flimsy metal
For shoppers who prefer to check multiple flatware options, pop over to Winco.
EDITORS CHOICE
This oyster fork set is another great option. These forks are made by the brand Fortessa, and you get a set of twelve.
As a brand, Fortessa create some of the highest quality cookware and tableware.
They were founded in 1993 after taking inspiration from German porcelain, and the brand's love of shared meals and experiences is something that is super important to them.
Although the price of this set is almost four times the price of Winco's, these forks are exceptional in quality, and you still get twelve for the price, which works out at $3 per fork.
These oyster forks feature a grand city pattern which makes them look casual and modern. They look elegant, but you can also use them every day if you wish to.
These oyster forks are made from 18/10 stainless steel. This stainless steel is resistant to stains and rust, and it has a continuous shine. The shape and design of these forks make them comfortable and great to hold.
This is because of the grand city design which helps balance the weight, heft, and balance of the fork in your hand.
These oyster forks have a 360 degree design, and this design is the same on the front and back.
The oyster fork also has polished fork tines enabling you to get the best and longest-lasting quality. The oyster forks are also dishwasher safe, so you do not have to worry about washing them up.
Overall, we loved the design of these forks, and we thought they were timeless and elegant.
We loved the weight of the fork, and it felt really high-quality. The 18/10 steel provides thickness and heaviness to the forks, so you can hold them comfortably and easily. They also retain their polish, and they are completely resistant to rust.
Pros
- The heavy design
- Timeless and elegant shine
- Long-lasting quality
Cons
- Smaller than they appear
For shoppers who prefer other flatware options, pop over to Sur La Table!
BEST VALUE
These forks provide a quantity solution over quality, but if you don't have the use for oyster forks, these will suit you very well.
In this pack, you get fourteen oyster forks, and they are priced at under fifty cents per fork in this kit.
These New Star oyster forks have a classic and timeless appearance, yet they are practical and easy to hold.
They have a really shiny and attractive finish. They feature a no-frills design that means you can use these oyster forks in the most casual environment, or the most posh.
The 18/10 stainless steel that is used to make these oyster forks comes to the highest standard, and they are designed with the finest materials in mind.
This steel also ensures that these oyster forks are resistant to a lot of damage, such as rust, stains, and corrosion.
These oyster forks have a mirrored, polished finish. This not be for everyone, as these forks are not the most expensive.
However, we loved how these forks looked pricier than they are, and they provided a really refined and mature appearance.
These oyster forks have a rose design, too, which we thought was really sweet and elegant. They are super dainty and nice to hold as well.
They were also great to hold, with a weighty and secure feel in the hand. The heavyweight construction of these forks ensures that they are comfortable to hold, as well as being heavy enough not to fall out of your hand!
These forks are well-trusted, just like the New Star Foodservice brand. The brand supplies amazing quality kitchen supplies that are reliable and good quality.
Additionally, these oyster forks are dishwasher safe, making them a great option for family events and gatherings.
Overall, these oyster forks make a great addition to your kitchen drawers, and they are really elegant looking with their rose pattern at the top.
The forks are 5.8 inches by 1.5 inches, and they are good to use for the occasional oyster!
Pros
- Light and comfortable
- Lovely rose pattern
- Amazing value
Cons
- Not sharp enough at the end
For shoppers who prefer other flatware options, pop over to Sur La Table!
RUNNER UP
We love the Nantucket forks, because they are perfect for many uses, and they are sturdy and wide. The quality of the forks is incredible, and they are long and pointed.
This allows you to expertly pick out oysters with real precision. These are some of the unique looking oyster forks on our list, but oyster forks can be pointed, or they can be more rounded like regular dining forks.
These forks are made from 18/10 stainless steel, and they are great to use for anything from opening oysters, picking out lobster meat, or picking up cherries for cocktails.
These forks are dynamic and contemporary in appearance, and they are light and pointed, too.
As you can see, the size of these forks is great, and they are carefully weighted to ensure they are balanced and comfortable in your hands.
Additionally, the sharp ends of these forks ensure that you can take the oyster out of the shell with the sharp end, and put it directly into your mouth.
The measurements of these forks is 6.2 inches long, by 0.5 inches wide, and you receive two in this whole pack. This means that you get two forks for around $3 each.
These forks are two tinned all purpose forks, and they are easy to clean, too. You can pop them in the dishwasher, or you can handwash them, too.
Overall, these sharp little forks were amazing for the price, and we found them to be really precise and small.
They were flimsier than others on our list, but for the price, it's difficult to complain!
Pros
- Striking look
- Prevents mess
- Dainty and easy to use
Cons
- Flimsy
For shoppers who prefer other flatware options, look over the The Seasoned Gourmet!
RUNNER UP
These are the last oyster forks on our list, but they should not be ignored.
These oyster forks are made by HIC, also known as Harold Import Company, and this company is one of the best cookware and cutlery brands in the US.
For this reason, we thought these forks lived up to their brand name, and they were amazing quality.
As a brand, HIC is the largest kitchen vendor, and they provide some of the best quality cooking tools, and these will last you many years. HIC sell wholesale cookware, too.
These forks are made for serving and eating oysters, as well as clams, mussels and other shelled seafood. These forks are made in Japan, and they are made from the highest quality 18/8 stainless steel.
This means that this stainless steel has more nickel present, which is great for sturdiness. The oyster forks are bright and sturdy, with a real solid look to them.
These oyster forks are attractive, and we loved the three prong look that they had. The tips of these forks were splayed a lot more than some other forks.
This makes them ideal for picking up oysters as well as smaller seafood such as mussels and scallops. The prongs are also extra wide, so you have more control and room to separate the oysters from their hard shells.
These oyster forks weigh eight ounces, and they are 5.5 inches long, and 0.75 inches wide. With this set, you get four of these oyster forks. This is ideal for the price, as you can tell that they are sturdy and reliable for the price.
Overall, we found these forks to be great quality, and comfortable to hold. We loved the extra control that you gain with these forks, as you can hold them and insert the wide prongs into the oyster to pick it up.
Pros
- Perfect for a range of seafood
- Attractive and great quality
- Three wide prongs
Cons
- The shape is difficult to get used to
For shoppers who prefer other flatware , review the options at The Seasoned Gourmet!
Buyer's Guide
We've put together an extensive buyer's guide below, where we cover everything about buying oyster forks, including what types of forks to buy, how to choose your perfect oyster fork and why you need to invest in good quality forks.
Fork Types
Oyster forks do not tend to come in different forms, but they are typically based on what kind of prongs they have. A lot of oyster forks have three prongs, but some have two.
This depends on what you want to use your oyster forks for. It is rare for people to eat oysters more than once a week, so it is even better if your oyster forks can have more than one use.
Oyster forks with two prongs are usually a lot sharper, and they are ideal for pulling away mussels, clams, scallops, and oysters away from their shells. You can then eat it straight away.
They are sharp, so you can get behind the oyster and pull it away, but also stab the oyster to pick it up.
Three-pronged oyster forks are just as effective at this, but they tend to have better support as they are thicker at the end.
Additionally, you should think about how long you want your handle to be. It is no use having a short handle that you can't hold, so you should be looking at handles at least four or five inches long.
This will ensure that you can get a good hold on your fork, and you will not drop it or damage it. A good quality fork will be easy to pick up, and it should be super comfortable to hold.
You can choose from standard oyster forks with a straight handle and rounded end, a long handled oyster fork with a long handle, or a short handled oyster fork with a rounded end.
All of these types have their own benefits, and it is completely up to you whether you want a long or a shorter one.
Price
With many things, you get what you pay for. Always look for good quality oyster forks that are made from 18/0 - 18/8 stainless steel, as it will be guaranteed that these are excellent quality forks.
Oyster forks are not the most expensive type of cutlery, as they are small and are made for singular uses.
However, this is not to say that you should spend a tiny amount on forks. You should also think about if you need to spend a huge amount based on how often you will be using these forks.
Oyster forks are typically sold in multipacks, so you can get more forks for a greater value.
Material
Oyster forks are almost always made from stainless steel, and the stainless steel should have a small amount, or no nickel in it.
This means that you have a stronger, more reliable fork. They should not be made of any other metal unless they are really expensive, otherwise they may rust and stain.
Design
When choosing an oyster fork, you should think about the kind of appearance and design you like. If you like a heavy and sturdy fork, look for forks that are flatter and heavier.
You may like thinner, daintier forks that are pretty. If this is the case, look at smaller, thinner forks. It all depends on how often you are using them, and how you'd like them to look.
Final Thoughts
If you are partial to an oyster, you should consider investing in oyster forks. Oyster forks are not expensive, so you can buy good quality oyster forks for a lesser price.
Oyster forks are great for pulling away shellfish from their shells, and they are ideal for getting into those hard to reach places.
