SHADOW BOX
CulturePrince Edward Island
Date2024
Dimensions5.5 x 36.5 x 37 cm (2 3/16 x 14 3/8 x 14 9/16 in.)
Object numberHF.2024.27.1
DescriptionA black shadow box with glass front. The interior features six items pinned to the backing, one of which is a wooden handled oyster knife. The other items in the box include a “use and care manual” for the banjo oyster knife in the top left corner, “a guide for serving oysters” in the top right corner, a small rectangular piece of paper with “Banjo Oyster Knife Imaged & Created by Jason Woodside – 2004/06 Canadian Oyster Shucking Champion” at the center, and two pieces of paper with black and white images at the bottom. The piece at the bottom left reads “The first banjo knives were cast from resin – 2011” and “The first variant, “Legend” with UHMW handle and boasting a thumb ring.” printed on right piece. The door of the shadow box opens on the right side with hinges on the left and features small magnets on the interior side. The reverse has a brown panel stapled around the exterior edge with black hardware for handing at the top center. Narrative
Jason Woodside began shucking oysters in 1998 and immediately had great appreciation for the surrounding culture. As a two-time Canadian Shucking champion, and over 25 years of experience, Woodside began designing his own oyster knife in 2010 after many years of customizing his own knives.
Through trial and error, Woodside finally settled on the design of the Banjo Oyster Knife, with its flat, circular, hardwood handle, and off-center blade which is short yet pointed. The knife was designed to give users the best grip, control and torque for the “hinge/table” method of shucking oysters which allows ease of use for beginner shuckers.
Prince Edward Island
1902
1905
Associated/Object