I just happened upon this video that covers a strategy for picking Blue Crabs by CalvertNews.info. I think every picking “expert” has their own approach to picking crabs and the key is to get someone to teach you theirs (if you don’t yet know how) and adapt it to your own preferences over time. There are no wrong ways to pick a crab – only faster ones and more thorough ones.

I, like the guy in the video, do not use a mallet when picking crabs since I give away the claws.  However, I do require one apparatus that, to me, is true-blue Chesapeake tradition – the crab knife.

Over the past 30 or years I’ve used Carvel Hall knives from Crisfield, though I am aware they are now out of business.  You can find some remake knives here.  These knives have an unbelievable balanced feel to them and are like precision surgical instruments.

Although I am unfamiliar with them, I’ve run into crab knives by Casson’s as well.

Regardless of the maker, crab knives aren’t cheap and you will pay $10-$12 for each knife so I plan to find a set on Ebay as the opportunity arises.  Used ones are generally as good as new ones since these knives were built to last.

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