Re: opening oysters with stone tools?

From: Rich Travsky (_at_hotmMOVEail.com)
Date: 02/21/05 

Date: Sun, 20 Feb 2005 23:42:28 -0700

Su Solomon wrote:
>
> 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 : )

Actually, that might not be that big an issue; the shards can be picked
out. Marc, tho, thinks we sucked them out (really). Perhaps I should
set apart one of the bits from above:

 If necessary, use a paring knife to cut the muscle
 holding the oyster.

LOL. How is sucking going to accomplish that? Marc has NO idea what
he's talking about.
 
> 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: An Oyster New Year
    ... get stuck doing all the opening and of course this year was a "usual" year ... Now I'm using a French oyster knife that I got at Williams-Sonoma. ...
    (rec.food.cooking)
  • Re: opening oysters with stone tools?
    ... > They make and market oyster shucking tools ... > the knife is pointed, ... > Wear a heavy glove to protect your hand when opening oysters. ... > Firmly and forcefully insert the oyster-shucking tool between the shells, ...
    (sci.anthropology.paleo)
  • Re: opening oysters with stone tools?
    ... >> Oyster shucking knife. ... >> the knife is pointed, ... Twist sharply to lever the shells, ... First you'd have to make a stone tool thin ...
    (sci.anthropology.paleo)
  • Re: opening oysters with stone tools?
    ... They make and market oyster shucking tools ... Wear a heavy glove to protect your hand when opening oysters. ... Firmly and forcefully insert the oyster-shucking tool between the shells, ... Trying to duplicate this with a stone tool ...
    (sci.anthropology.paleo)