Why an oyster blade wants a strong tip, not a keen edge
An oyster knife should never be sharpened like a kitchen knife. Its job is to slip into the hinge and twist, and a keen edge would only chip on the shell or cut the hand holding the oyster. Upkeep is about the tip and smooth sides:
- Inspect the 5.5 cm blade at the end of each season: shell grit slowly rounds the point and can raise small burrs.
- Restore a blunted point on a medium stone, around 400 to 1000 grit, stroking from the bolster towards the tip on both faces.
- Pass a fine stone lightly along the edges only to remove burrs, leaving them blunt.
- Wash and dry the knife after each use so no salt water lingers where the inox bolster meets the acacia.
