Shucking Oysters
Shucking Oysters at Twenty-five Cents a Gallon, Rock Point, Maryland. (1936)
LIbrary of Congress, Farm Security Administration - Office of War Information Photograph Collection
Oyster Shucker At Rock Point Oyster House (1941)
LIbrary of Congress, Farm Security Administration - Office of War Information Photograph Collection
The knife pictured, in the collection at the National Museum of American History, was used in Crisfield, Maryland, in the early 20th century. This initials “JS” are stamped on the knife, indicating it was most likely made by John Stephens or Jack Swift, two Crisfield blacksmiths who made tools for the water business. You can see the difference between this knife and the more modern style. Because every oyster shell is different, this process is best handled by a person rather than a machine.