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    Home

    Everything You Need To Know About Razor Clams

    Last Updated: Mar 7, 2023 by Suzy Sakamoto · This post may contain affiliate links · 3 Comments

    What do razor clams taste like? Anatomy of a razor clam? How to get razor clams? Where do they live? We will be answering all your razor clam questions!

    Table of Contents

    • What Is A Pacific Razor Clam?
    • How Big Are Pacific Razor Clams?
    • What Do Razor Clams Taste Like?
    • How Big are Razor Clams?
    • What Are Parts Of A Razor Clam?
    • Where Do You Find Razor Clams?
    • How Do You Find Razor Clams?
    • Where Do Razor Clams Live?
    • Where To Buy Razor Clams?
    • What Direction Do Razor Clams Dig?
    • What is Razor Clamming?
    • How To Go Clamming
    • When Is Razor Clam Season?
    • When Is The Best Time To Go Clamming?
    • RAZOR CLAM RECIPES

    What Is A Pacific Razor Clam?

     The Pacific Razor Clam (Siliqua patula) is a large marine bivalve mollusk. Though it does have a close family member that is classified as a Razor Clam as well, this Pacific Razor clam is much bigger in size and provides much more "meat" than its brother from another coast, the Atlantic Razor Clam. 

    How Big Are Pacific Razor Clams?

    Pacific razor clams can be anywhere from an inch to 8+ inches. The larger clams are typically most found in Alaska.  In Washington and Oregon state, the typical size of a razor clam sits around 3 to 6 inches. In Alaska, it's not uncommon to find them over 7 inches. This is mainly due to colder weather conditions and less harvesting throughout the winter, allowing them to grow bigger in size. 

    What Do Razor Clams Taste Like?

    Razor clams are mild in taste compared to other shellfish. I believe that's largely due to the fact that you don't eat their guts, which tends to hold the majority of the flavor.

    They have 2 main parts that have distinctly different in texture. Theirs necks are very tough, and their diggers are soft, making them more desirable. However, there are a few recipes that mask their texture, if you're going for their flavor. Like this Clam Dip, where all the ingredients are tossed in a food processor. As well as, this Razor Clam Jalapeno Poppers recipe. It's absolutely delish!

    We have other fun razor clam recipes to choose from!

    How Big are Razor Clams?

    We've dug razor clams of all sizes. The smallest one was about an inch from top to bottom of the shell, the medium razor clam's shell was almost 4 inches, and the biggest one was sitting in a 6 inch shell! 

    What Are Parts Of A Razor Clam?

    I recently heard someone say that the neck and zipper part of the razor clam looks like cowboy pants, and I will never be able to unsee that!

    The anatomy of a razor clam is fairly straightforward. I created the diagram above to thoroughly explain each part of a razor clam. The neck of a razor clam is the toughest part and the digger is the softest, making the digger most desirable.

    Besides the digger, my favorite part of a razor clam is the muscle, because it's  so soft and reminds me of a scallop. There are two muscles per clam and they are often thrown out due to improper cleaning. However, if you follow our cleaning a razor clam guide and you clean your clams correctly, you will be able to save these delicious pieces. Thank us later!

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    Where Do You Find Razor Clams?

    Pacific razor clams are along the Pacific coast, from Alaska down to California. In order to harvest razor clams, you will need a digging tool such as a clam gun or clam shovel, along with a low tide. Depending on what state you are in, you will need to purchase a shellfish license and watch for approved clam tides.

    For more information, be sure to head to our Activities page, and go through our articles on everything you need to know before you go razor clamming on the Pacific coast. We have the best guides out there!

    How Do You Find Razor Clams?

    This depends on whether you're looking to dig them yourself, or buy them. I'll answer both.

    Where Do Razor Clams Live?

    Pacific Razor clams live in sandy beaches throughout the Pacific coast, from Alaska down to California. They are discreet and typically hiding a foot or more below the sand.

    If you are looking to dig your own razor clams but not sure where to go, then check out our Razor Clamming Guide, that will provide details from how to read a tide, which license to get, what gear you will need, and how to clean razor clam after you've harvested them.

    Where To Buy Razor Clams?

    You can buy razor clams from most seafood markets close to the coast. One such market is Lytle's Seafood, in Hoquiam, WA.

    Another option is buying directly from tribes Quinault Indian Nation, that's most popular on the Washington coast.

    What Direction Do Razor Clams Dig?

    Razor clams can only dig vertically, slanted slightly towards the ocean. They can dig about a foot a minute, maybe even faster in soft sand. 

    What is Razor Clamming?

    Razor clamming is digging for razor clams along the Pacific coast using a shovel or a razor clam gun (tube). For Pacific razor clams, they are along the coast from Alaska down to California.

    razor clam gun and net full of razor clams for how to razor clam guide

    How To Go Clamming

    We love fresh seafood, especially if we know we can go harvest it ourselves with minimal tools. First, distinguish what type of clams you are after. If you are razor clamming, then you will need to wait for an approved tide by your state.

    The gear you need is as simple as a clam gun or clam shovel, a bucket or a net, and most importantly, check with your state to see if they require you to hold a Shellfish License. In Washington state a shellfish license is required to clam.

    Here's the complete guide on how to dig for for these mollusks:

    1. Razor Clam Tides
    2. Who needs a license?
    3. Razor Clam gear
    4. How to dig razor clams
    5. Post-clamming
    6. How to clean razor clams

    When Is Razor Clam Season?

    Approved razor clam tides are during the Fall, Winter and Spring seasons. Typically, October to May.

    When Is The Best Time To Go Clamming?

    The best time to go clamming is an hour or two prior to a low tide. We like to get to the beach an hour before low tide,  since we feel it's most efficient for us. That's when clams seem to be most active, making them easier to dig.

    RAZOR CLAM RECIPES

    • razor clam pizza
      Suzy's Garlic Razor Clam Pizza
    • Razor clam Jalapeno Poppers
      The Best Jalapeno Poppers with Razor Clams
    • razor clam ceviche recipe with cilantro lemon lime mint and tomatoes.
      The Best Razor Clam Ceviche Recipe
    • clam chowder in a bowl with bacon garnish
      Razor Clam Chowder
    • razor clam spaghetti with white sauce sauce angel hair pasta mushrooms red peppers parsley garnish
      Razor Clam Spaghetti with Wine Sauce
    • baked clam dip with crackers and cucumbers
      The Best Clam Dip (Baked or Cold)

    Be sure to follow us on social media. We have a lot of fun there!

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    5/5 - (1 vote)

    More Razor Clamming

    • Top Tips For Razor Clamming
    • razor clam on sand
      Cleaning Razor Clams - The Easiest Way (part 6 of 6)
    • Tides: 10 Things You Need to Learn About Tides (Part 1 of how to razor clam)
    • License: Razor Clam License Washington State Explained (Part 2)

    Reader Interactions

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    1. Shari

      July 18, 2022 at 7:41 am

      Great article for this beginner. Looking forward to reading more. Thanks!

      Reply
      • THE PERFECT TIDE

        August 20, 2022 at 4:31 pm

        Thank you Shari! We upload a new one every week.

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Suzy! Welcome to my Pacific Coast kitchen!

    Here you will find authentic Mediterranean recipes and a variety of fresh seafood recipes that are easy to achieve, feature fresh ingredients, and are packed with flavor! Growing up on the Mediterranean I cherish our current catch-and-cook lifestyle, and my seafood recipes are tested, perfected, and easy to re-create! Subscribe to get them via email, and in the meantime you can Shop My Kitchen!

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    seafood blogger in the pacific northwest

    Hi, I'm Suzy! Welcome to my Pacific Coast kitchen!

    Here you will find authentic Mediterranean recipes and a variety of fresh seafood recipes that are easy to achieve, feature fresh ingredients, and are packed with flavor! Growing up on the Mediterranean I cherish our current catch-and-cook lifestyle, and my seafood recipes are tested, perfected, and easy to re-create! Subscribe to get them via email, and in the meantime you can Shop My Kitchen!

    More About Me

    Popular

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    • fish fillet cooked in air fryer with roasted air fries carrots and parsnips
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    • Mediterranean Pickled Beet Salad
    • cooked crab in a pot crab legs crab sections and whole crab cooked
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