Limited Edition Collector Blades
Feast of the Seven Fishes: The Knives You Need
What knives do you need for the Feast of the Seven Fishes? A flexible fillet knife for whole fish and skinning, an oyster knife for clams and oysters, a long slicer for crudo and cured fish, kitchen shears for shrimp and crab, and a fish spatula for turning delicate fillets. Our first pick is the Fillet Knife 6", Shogun Series, ELITE ($139), a flexible 6" fillet knife in Japanese AUS-10V core, 62+ HRC, 8–12° edge, 66-layer Damascus or hammered finish. It handles the most demanding prep of the night: filleting and skinning fish cleanly.
The Feast of the Seven Fishes is an Italian-American Christmas Eve tradition built around several seafood dishes. Common choices include baccalà, clams, shrimp, calamari, smelts and whole fish, though every family has its own menu. That's a lot of different prep, and each job goes faster with the right tool.
Match the tool to the dish
| Dish | Prep | Tool |
|---|---|---|
| Whole branzino or snapper | Scale, fillet, skin | Fillet knife |
| Raw clams, oysters | Shucking | Oyster knife |
| Crudo, smoked or cured fish | Thin slicing | Long slicer |
| Shrimp, crab | Shell, devein, crack | Kitchen shears |
| Calamari | Clean, cut rings | Chef's knife |
| Pan-fried fillets | Turning | Fish spatula |
A prep-day plan
The day before: Soak baccalà if it's on your menu (it needs repeated changes of water over a day or more), clean the squid, and devein the shrimp. See how to clean squid.
The morning of: Scale and fillet whole fish; our guide on how to scale and gut a fish walks through it. Keep everything cold.
Right before dinner: Shuck clams and oysters and slice any raw or cured fish. These don't hold well.
Keep your knives in shape
- Fish scales and shells dull edges; hone before you start.
- Wash and dry knives by hand between jobs so salt and acid don't sit on the blade.
- Use a separate board for raw seafood.
Gifting for the host
If you're a guest at someone's Feast of the Seven Fishes, a seafood knife makes a thoughtful host gift. A fillet knife or an oyster knife is something they'll use every year, and it fits the theme of the night. Pair it with a good bottle of olive oil or a lemon-and-herb basket for a complete gift. For more ideas, see our Christmas gifts for home cooks and knife gifts under $100.
Safety tips
- Work on a heavy board with a damp towel underneath so it can't slide.
- Keep your guiding hand flat and well behind the edge.
- Use long strokes rather than pressing down hard.
- Hone the edge before you start; a sharp knife needs less force and slips less.
Our picks
Fillet Knife 6", Shogun Series, ELITE ($139). Spec sheet: Japanese AUS-10V core, 62+ HRC, 8–12° edge, 66-layer Damascus or hammered finish. Flexible for filleting and skinning.
Professional Shellfish & Oyster Shucking Knife 3", Gladiator Series, NSF Certified ($49). A short, sturdy blade for prying open oysters and clams.
Slicing & Carving Knife 12", Shogun Series, ELITE ($199). Spec sheet: Japanese AUS-10V core, 62+ HRC, 8–12° edge, 66-layer Damascus or hammered finish. Long and thin for crudo and cured fish.
Professional Kitchen Scissors, 420J2 Stainless Steel ($79). For shrimp shells, crab and trimming fins.
Professional Slotted Fish Spatula 7.5" ($69). Thin and flexible for turning delicate fillets.
FAQ
What's the most important knife for the Feast of the Seven Fishes?
A flexible fillet knife. The Dalstrong Shogun Series 6" Fillet Knife ($139) bends along the backbone and skins fillets cleanly.
What is the Feast of the Seven Fishes?
An Italian-American Christmas Eve tradition centered on several seafood dishes.
Do I need an oyster knife?
Yes, if you're serving raw clams or oysters. A kitchen knife can snap or slip.
How do you slice fish for crudo?
Use a long, thin slicer and cut each slice in one stroke.
What can I prep ahead?
Soak baccalà, clean squid and devein shrimp the day before.
