Love them!! I bought a bunch a couple of years ago for Christmas gifts 👍

 

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Edge of a 5 gallon bucket works perfect for me. Shell and guts get put in the bucket so it is multi function.

 

Gimmick. Any edge will work and you keep the $25.

 

It's not really a "gimmick" as it actually works. A sharper edge does a much better job than a dull edge, for example a bucket, etc. They work, and work well. Not everyone wants to spend $25 dollars on a crab cracker, but as a dedicated crab cracker mounted or not someplace, it works really well. YMMV

 

It definitely works, but there's lots of ways to crack a crab, and most don't need a specialized tool that isn't good for anything else. I think about 90-99% of the time I use a hatchet or a shovel, but any somehwhat sharp sturdy edge (like the edge of a bucket) will get er done.

It's kind of one of my rules that any tool that only has one purpose better be the only way to get the job done or I won't be buying one. But if you got the space and money for a dedicated crab cracker, it definitely does the job well.

 

I have one and use it. Works great and the ruler scale on it is more accurate than those plastic junk rulers. I've used that too.

 

This is not a tool that serves any benefit for me.

I don't use any tools, just hold the left legs down and rip the shell off from the left side (crab facing away). Break in half, shake the guts and peel the gills. I've had buddies try to beat me through a limit of crab with this thing, ain't happening. I also can't beat them the other way around if I'm using it. Adding steps rarely reduces time, this is no exception.

 

I too thought that these were a gimmick. We always just used a sharp edge.....You can usually get a nice spot at the fish cleaning station in Newport carrying a machete and a bucket........
Seriously, they are a handy tool. My wife splits 'em then I back & gut 'em. We can make quick work of a couple limits.
Thumbs up from us!!!

 

I have two. Reason i love them? It speeds up my guests who aren't as proficient at cracking crab, means less work for me overall.

 

I have 2 also. For your exact reason - easy for me and rookie guests to use. Expensive … sure. Worth it to me … Yes.

 

I have one, it works fine. I also use a breaking knife that I just hit (lightly) with a rubber mallet. Its faster, but guests use the crackin crab.

 

Made a few out of plastic. Cost about 50 Cent to make. I just put them in the crab gearbox.

 

Great little tool.
After using one for a few years, I decided I could turn a pvc 1x4 board and a strip of aluminum into several.
Fun easy project to fill some time on a rainy afternoon.
Nice little gifts for crabbing friends.

 

I've always managed to find an edge on fish cleaning tables, in a pinch I use my boat trailer. I own a crack n crab but I didn't pay for it so I don't feel guilty that it lives in my truck box and never sees the light of day. I love stainless guages, bit if they don't float- they don't boat.

 

For a couple hundred more you can get a fish fighter table. It comes with two crab splitters on each side. Works really well.

 

I imagine that makes one heck of a mess in your boat.

 

If you like the crab cracker, you should try my 9000 series crab tongs. Keeps your hands safe when reaching into those pots. Just send me three payments of 39.99 and they’re yours.

 

I’m curious if you guys are cracking your crabs and cleaning them prior to cooking? I typically cook my crabs alive, and have no issues opening them up with my thumb nail. Maybe it’s tougher to do when they are alive?

 

Kill'em, clean'em and throw the knuckles in the steamer.

 

I MAY have used the metal sign, at the end of the Netarts dock, to split a bunch of crab. (No, I didn’t damage it and yes, I cleaned it off.)

 

Lol I bought one of those crab crackers. After a weekend of crabbin cracking over a 5 gallon bucket. Thought it was a great idea. I haven’t went grabbing sence but I have a 5 gallon bucket and a crab cracker. 🤪🤪🤪

 

We bought our old farm house in Mulino in 1990, but I didn’t do any stone work until about 96’. I’m unfamiliar with Mullet rock, but we did harvest natural river rock from the Molalla river for our wood stove fireplace and hearth, and the veneer for the new kitchen addition I did in 2001. I set every stone myself…..

The cracked tile mural I did of Mt Hood I built in my shop from white sugar marble, and granite. That was rather interesting mounting it on the wall before doing the stone work around it. I’ll bet it weighed 300#..
So it’s true…. We do live in a stone house somewhat…..

Getting back to cooking crab….. I’ve always cooked my crab whole, and never had any issues with it not being very tasty, and all the dock side facilities cook theirs whole too. But I might have to give steaming these babies after being cleaned sometime.

 

wait for the big quake....

 

You are such a kind individual Neutron.... All of your contributions to this site are so uplifting and thoughtful.

 

I think you might have some Appalachian blood in you.. Nice work.

 

Great tool. Some folks like to have the correct tools for a job, some get by with a screwdriver and a crescent wrench. One of these options will leave you with rounded bolts and pry marks. This is an analogy by the way. Worth the $25 IMO.

 

Sometimes i wonder if people crap on products like this cause they didn't think of them/market it...

Is it worth $25 of materials? absolutely not. Its an HDPE Cutting board with a stainless crab gauge... sub out gauge for a piece of stainless, and you could buy the martials you need for 10 of them (or more) for $25... but the idea behind it is great, and they work wonderful. Good for them for making a product that works, and was able to market it.

I got mine both as gifts... its something that is easy to get a crabber/fisherman in your life if you don't know much about their hobby. I appreciate mine, and appreciate my parents cared enough to find something to support my obsession.

 

We always used the side of a lowered tailgate.

 

🤢

 

I keep one in my boat and most times clean crab on the back transom when moored. Works great. Sure there are other ways but with the base peice sitting steady on the transom it keeps alot of mess off the floor of the boat from beating the crabs on a bucket like I used to do. It's also nice to have a spare measure if we should need it.

Lots of ways to skin a crab but this works pretty slick and most the time your not tearing off the occasional pincher and leg doing it with the crab cracker.

 

I just steamed 24 yesterday and add salt, bay leaves and bays seasoning to the water. I let it froth inside to almost boiling over so as to transfer some flavor. Takes about 20-25 minutes.