Dexter-Russell Basics 4.5-inch All-Metal Scallop Knife

Sea scallops are larger and thicker than bay scallops, and shucking them goes faster with a longer blade that reaches across the whole shell. Dexter-Russell’s Basics P10884 is a 4.5-inch scallop knife that Dexter says can tackle even the largest sea scallops, opening the shell and freeing the meat without damaging it. The blunt, rounded tip keeps you from piercing the delicate scallop meat, and the sharp straight edge slices the adductor muscle cleanly from the shell.

It is made entirely of stainless steel, blade and handle in one piece, so there is no handle joint to loosen and nothing to absorb water or odors. That construction suits scallop boats and fish houses where the knife is rinsed in salt water all day. It is the most visited scallop knife on our site, and it suits the sea scallops landed in New Bedford and along the New England coast.

Choosing a Scallop Knife

For bay scallops and other small scallops, the shorter, stiff Sani-Safe 2-inch Scallop Knife (S124) gives closer control. Both are sharp enough to cut the adductor cleanly.