Re: opening oysters with stone tools?

From: Su Solomon (sol_at_zemail.com)
Date: 02/21/05 

Date: Mon, 21 Feb 2005 17:39:06 +1100

Rich Travsky wrote:
>
> Rick Wagler wrote:
> >
> > "Marc Verhaegen" <fa204466@skynet.be> wrote in message
> > news:4217c33c$0$17087$ba620e4c@news.skynet.be...
> > > Has anybody ever tried to open oysters & other sehllfish with stone tools?
> > > What would be the best stone tool for removing oysters from the bottom or
> > > the trees & for opening them? material? Any ideas?
> > >
> > > Marc Verhaegen
> > >
> > > http://allserv.rug.ac.be/~mvaneech/Verhaegen.html
> > >
> > > http://www.onelist.com/community/AAT
> > >
> > > AAT = Homo diaspora
> > >
> > >
> > I,ve never opened an oyster in my life but
> > a thin blade that can cut the hinge should
> > do the trick, would it not? Or simply
> > pulverize the shell with a large rock. No
> > great feat of technology seems to be needed.
>
> They make and market oyster shucking tools
>
> http://www.chefknivestogo.com/oyshkn.html
> Oyster shucking knife. This is an essential tool for opening fresh
> oysters. Oyster knives are especially designed so that the tip of
> the knife is pointed, with one edge sharpened. Makes opening oysters
> almost easy!
>
> Or
>
> http://www.cookingvillage.com/cv/kw/tiptionary_results/0,1755,sLang%3Dus&sLet%3DO&iSCat%3D394,FF.html
> ...
> Wear a heavy glove to protect your hand when opening oysters. Or hold
> the oyster in a heavy kitchen towel folded in quarters.
>
> Tools for opening oysters: Prying the shells apart is difficult, so use
> a strong tool like a short, squat screwdriver or the pointed end of a
> can or bottle opener.
>
> Firmly and forcefully insert the oyster-shucking tool between the shells,
> right into the hinge segment. Twist sharply to lever the shells, popping
> the top one off.
>
> Use an oyster/clam knife to slide along the inside of the top of the shell
> to release the oyster. If necessary, use a paring knife to cut the muscle
> holding the oyster.
> ...
>
> These are steel tool oriented. Trying to duplicate this with a stone tool
> would be worthless. First you'd have to make a stone tool thin enough
> to attempt it and second it would have to be hard enough not to shatter
> with the twisting motion. Good luck.
>
> Which leaves us with bashing with a rock. ;)

Bruised knuckles, bleeding lips and more then likely, fatal intestinal
cuts facillitated by the sharp shards of the oyster shells ingested with
the mashed oyster : )

Or, do as most pre-metal tool cultures do/did, throw the oysters (and
the rocks/mangrove roots etc) they are attached to into a fire : )

Relevant Pages

  • Re: proof that most etymologies are only fairy-tales
    ... the great grandson of Omeyya ... A mixture of oyster ... shells would have a mottled appearance, like the coat of a tabby cat. ...
    (sci.lang)
  • Re: opening oysters with stone tools?
    ... oyster shells aren't like clam ... Yes, very well possible, but fire use is presumably more recent than oyster ... tools to open oysters? ...
    (sci.anthropology.paleo)
  • Re: opening oysters with stone tools?
    ... oyster shells aren't like clam ... I've never seen an oyster midden, but in New Orleans oyster shells ... Yes, very well possible, but fire use is presumably more recent than oyster ... to open oysters? ...
    (sci.anthropology.paleo)
  • Re: H.erectus cut meat with oyster shell
    ... Do you think the oyster went to the erectus? ... they had plenty of shells. ... Yes, Travsky, yes, my boy, oysters are always found in savannas, always. ... (Fanatics do everything to keep their Holy Savanna Religion...) ...
    (sci.anthropology.paleo)
  • Re: opening oysters with stone tools?
    ... >> They make and market oyster shucking tools ... >> Oyster shucking knife. ... >> the knife is pointed, ... >> Wear a heavy glove to protect your hand when opening oysters. ...
    (sci.anthropology.paleo)