Razor-Shell

Family Solenidae

• Portuguese: Faca, Longueirào
• Spanish: Navaja
• French: Couteau courbe
• Dutch: Scheermes
• German: Scheidenmuschel
• Swedish: Knivmussla
• Norwegian: Knivskjell
• Danish: Knivmusling
• Other: Spoot (Orkney)

REMARKS The largest specimens may be over 12 cm long. The shells take their name from the shape of the old-fashioned cut-throat razor. They are very brittle and gape permanently open at both ends, which makes it impossible to market razor clams alive in their shells, as can be done with most other edible bivalves.