Raw oysters at home

[chorosch]

I noticed the other day that the seafood vendor at the farmer's market on Cortelyou Road had fresh oysters for only $6 / dozen. Are these safe to just open and eat? Looking for advice on the proper tool to open them, and if any cleaning is necessary.

Anybody have experience with oysters from NYC markets?

[JonL]

If the vendor's other stuff seemed ok and i was confident that he was a regular there then yes, I'd be comfortable eating the oysters.
A cooking supply shop will have an oyster knife---this is a short-bladed stiff little pointed knife that is strong enough to plunge and stiff enough to twist/lpry. And you will want a protective glove. You can really do yourself some harm even if you are careful. I urge you to do some research on technique---I bet there are youtube tutorials.
I just took a look at Amazon and see an Oxo oyster knife that should do the trick. Unfortunately the coolest gloves are chain mail and I never knew they 140 freakin bucks. But I see some other reasonably priced options.
Good luck.

[Puppimus]

If you can't get a special metal glove, at least wear some strong leather work gloves and rest the oyster in a dish towel folded several times over in your hand when shucking. My idiot friend didn't use any protection and stabbed himself in the hand while shucking oysters, resulting in spurting blood, a blackout, a trip to the ER, and a permanently screwed up hand.

[EricMM]

I use oven mitts to hold the oysters.

[BMartin]

I heat them up in a frying pan with no oil or water so they just crack open but are still raw inside. Works with clams also.