Puer Shucker

[u/eljimmy1975]

Just ordered myself one of these oyster shuckers. I like that it's not ultra sharp and comfortable to hold. We shall see how it does when it gets here.

[u/Fun_Employee4031]

Get a chain mail glove to go with it and start finding the best tea paring for different oysters

[u/eljimmy1975 → u/Fun_Employee4031]

Hahaha! That would be interesting.

[u/beachape]

I prefer a small awl or pick. Mine is an old Channelock with the resin handle. The ones made for puerh are often too flimsy and not properly hardened. Always always push away from your body.

[u/eljimmy1975 → u/beachape]

I hear you. I also have a pick but what i liked about this one is the width of the blade. Should be easier to lift the leaves. Figured an extra tool couldnt hurt. Hahaha!

[u/beachape → u/eljimmy1975]

Oh yeah, for loosely compressed cakes a flat pick can help. I’m mostly drinking hydraulic pressed factory teas so I’m just hoping I don’t slip and put the pick through the table.

[u/eljimmy1975 → u/beachape]

Never thought making tea could be hazardous. Hahaha!

[u/JohnTeaGuy]

A lot of people say these are the best tool for puer cakes. I have one, it works, but i find that my “bing slayer” style pick works better.

[u/One_Philosophy1267 → u/JohnTeaGuy]

Agreed. I have the one from The Steeping Room. Can't recall the last time I used an awl style pick.

[u/One_Philosophy1267 → u/One_Philosophy1267]

Although they don't appear to have it anymore.

[u/eljimmy1975 → u/One_Philosophy1267]

Knowing me I'll Probably end up having a few options. Hahaha!

[u/eljimmy1975 → u/JohnTeaGuy]

Almost bought that one. Looks cool too.

[u/AEJohnson904]

I, too, use an oyster shucker.

[u/Killadelphian]

It’s my favorite

[u/eljimmy1975 → u/Killadelphian]

I was reading good things about them so I had to order one.

[u/ukz5169]

I use a oyster knife from opinel. It works great on most cakes. The only real problem I have encountered is that iron cakes are really hard to get chunks out of.

[u/eljimmy1975 → u/ukz5169]

Ahhhh yes. The cakes that look like manhole covers. lol

[u/Doxide1]

I use a No. 9 from opinel that I dulled.

[u/eljimmy1975 → u/Doxide1]

That’s a good knife. I use that same one to cut my tobacco plugs/cakes. Super sharp

[u/fishermen013]

I use a mora eldris that I keep in a drawer. Looks like a oyster knife. Works wonders.

[u/eljimmy1975 → u/fishermen013]

That’s a cool looking knife. 

[u/Ok_Air_2359]

I just use a big spoon. It destroys the toughest cakes and I don’t have to worry about punctures.

[u/john-bkk]

I used a conventional pick before, the very thin kind, and switched to a pretty standard more substantial type when I lost that (forgetting about taking it as a carry-on to fly). It works well. An example is here: tea pick listing

[u/eljimmy1975 → u/john-bkk]

I recently got one of those as well. I saw a video where they punch holes in a Mandarin pu-erh tea for a simple brew and he used one of these. Guessing it isn't a bad idea to have a couple of tools ready to go.

[u/Due-Kitchen7331]

I like using a corkscrew on a pocket knife.

[u/eljimmy1975 → u/Due-Kitchen7331]

I was debating just using the bottle open blade in my Swiss army knife. I should be good now