Although paring knives are not the most essential tool in the kitchen…
…they are the best for making precise…
…small cuts or peeling fruits and vegetables.
In addition to deveining shrimp, they’re great to keep on hand for your home bar…
…as you can cut wedges of citrus peel for cocktails.
With their short blades, paring knives are easy to carry…
…whether you want to use one for cutting fruit at lunchtime…
…or take one on a picnic.
They’re usually inexpensive…
…so you don’t have to worry about them not being as versatile as other kitchen knives.
There are plenty of options on store shelves today…
…so we researched top brands to help you choose the right paring knife.
But before that, let’s hear Emma’s story first…
Paring knives make garnishing very easy and convenient.
I love using them.
Once, before I knew about paring knives,
I tried to garnish with other knives and failed,
because their size was too large.
Now that I have plenty of paring knives in my kitchen, I’m so happy.
Now, let’s get started…
Our Top Picks for Paring Knives
| Image | Title | Price | Prime | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 14" Brisket Slicer, Hollow Edge | Prime | Buy Now | |
 | ZYLISS Paring Knife with Sheath Cover, 3.5-Inch Stainless Steel Blade, Green | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 | Kyocera Advanced Ceramic Revolution Series 3-inch Paring Knife, Black Handle, White Blade | Prime | Buy Now | |
 | Tojiro DP 3.5-inch Paring Knife | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 | Wüsthof Gourmet Paring Knife Set, 3-Piece, black (1125060310) | PrimeEligible | Buy Now |
Let’s go through them one by one…
Wusthof Classic Ikon Paring Knife
- The Peeling knife is one of the most widely used tools in the kitchen
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Germany-made, this knife delivers cutting performance…
…no matter what grip you’re using.
Whatever you’re peeling for a snack or slicing for a garnish…
…you’ll feel confident with it in your hand.
The handle is made of a synthetic material that is easy to hold…
…even when wet, and is designed for use in the kitchen.
The three rivets and full tang give the knife great balance…
…and the sharp 3.5-inch blade cuts through fruits and vegetables easily.
If necessary, the blade can be sharpened…
…along its entire length thanks to the bolster.
The knife should be washed by hand, as with all fine knives.
Pros:
- Ergonomic non-slip handle
- A blade with a full tang
- High-carbon stainless steel blade
Cons:
- More expensive option
- Doesn’t come with a blade cover
Zyliss 3.5-Inch Paring Knife with Sheath Cover
- Paring knife perfectly controls cutting, slicing and peeling of fruits and vegetables
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
With its own sheath, this budget paring knife is perfect…
…for throwing in the picnic basket, storing in the tackle box…
…with fishing gear, or carrying to work with your lunch.
It is a fine knife for the price, but it is inexpensive enough that if you lose it, you can replace it without too much hassle.
While you won’t spend much on this knife, it still has features you’ll appreciate.
Carbon steel blades with 3.5-inch lengths hold their edges well…
…and can be easily re-sharpened when needed.
You can hold on to the handle even if you’re peeling under running water…
…because it has soft rubber inserts.
Furthermore, it provides a comfortable grip.
Anywhere you store the knife, the sheath protects it from bumps and nicks…
…and it protects your hands from accidental jabs…
…when you reach into the drawer.
Although this knife is dishwasher safe, hand washing is recommended.
Pros:
- Protective blade sheath included
- Non-slip rubber handle that is comfortable to hold
- Blade made of high-carbon stainless steel
Cons:
- Knife collection may not match green handle
- In a dishwasher, rubber may become brittle
Keep reading…
Kyocera Advanced Ceramic Revolution Series Paring Knife
- A great first-time introduction to using a Kyocera ceramic knife in the kitchen, especially for the beginning home cook
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
With its long history of manufacturing ceramic products…
…Kyocera is one of the most prominent brands…
…when it comes to ceramic knives.
Kyocera’s paring knife is very affordable and extremely sharp.
Instead of a typical point tip, this blade has a rounded tip…
…that is less likely to break.
It has a molded black handle…
…(although similar knives from this company are also available…
…in other colors) that is comfortable to hold.
In Japan, the blade is made from an extremely hard zirconia material…
…that keeps the knife sharp for a long time.
Ceramic blades cannot be damaged by acids, oils, or salts…
…and will not corrode, rust, or stain.
For sharpening, the knife can be sent to Kyocera…
…or sharpened with a tool specifically designed for ceramic blades.
Ceramic blades are hard, but are not as durable as steel…
…and should not be used with frozen foods or for prying around bones.
Hand wash this knife.
Pros:
- Ceramic blades stay sharper for longer
- Rounded tip
- Ideal for smaller hands
Cons:
- Brittle blade not for heavy duty chopping
Go on…
Tojiro DP Paring Knife
- 3-ply clad blade construction with a core of VG-10, encased between two layers of highly rigid rust resistant stainless steel
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
This paring knife is a good example of why Japanese knives…
…are known for their sharpness and precision.
The blade has three layers of metal…
…with stainless steel on the outside to prevent rust and corrosion.
Despite the different angle and shape of the 3.5-inch blade…
…(called a sheepsfoot-style blade)…
…users found that it was easy to use and comfortable to use when slicing.
The knife comes in a box that can be used to store it.
It is advisable to wash your hands.
Pros:
- Extremely sharp
- Rust and corrosion resistant
- Full tang steel blade
Cons:
- Slight learning curve with blade shape
Wüsthof Gourmet Three-Piece Paring Knife Set
- WÜSTHOF GOURMET SERIES – 3 Piece Knife Set with triple riveted synthetic polypropylene handles that resist fading, discoloration, heat and impact. Precisely laser-cut stamped knives offer superb quality and value
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
You get a drop-point paring knife with a 3-inch blade…
…a sharp-point paring knife with a 3-inch blade…
…and a bird’s beak paring knife with a 2.25-inch blade for peeling fruit and vegetables.
All three knives feature full tangs, riveted composite handles…
…and stamped stainless steel blades.
Dishwashers are safe to use, but hand washing is recommended.
Pros:
- Nice variety for different projects
- Stainless steel blades with full tang
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons:
- No protective sheaths or storage case
- There is a slight learning curve with blade styles
This is important…
How to Choose the Right Paring Knife
Handles
If you find a knife uncomfortable to handle…
…the chances of you using it go way down…
…especially if you have weak hand strength to begin with.
See what types of handles are available.
Grippers can be more easily gripped onto ergonomically shaped handles.
Consider the material of the handle…
…and whether you want it to have a textured surface or a rubberized surface.
Knives with longer handles may be more practical for large hands…
…while knives with shorter handles…
…may be more comfortable for smaller hands.
Lastly, handles come in a variety of materials, finishes, and colors.
Choose one that appeals to you…
…one that you’ll enjoy picking up and using frequently.
Blades
The primary purpose of a paring knife is to slice up smaller ingredients.
As a result, you need a blade that is sharp enough…
…to easily cut through fruit and vegetable skins, cheeses…
…and even small portions of meat and fish.
Choose a knife that comes sharp and stays sharp.
If you can sharpen it along the way, all the better.
Also, a full-tang knife with a long handle will provide you…
…with a better-balanced knife that will likely last longer than other options.
Choosing a blade that is made of stainless steel…
…with a high carbon content will provide the most reliability.
Other options include ceramic blades, which are more brittle but last longer…
…and regular stainless steel blades…
…which are solid but not as strong as their high-carbon relatives.
“The sharper a knife is, the easier it will be to work with, it is recommended buying knives made from high carbon stainless steel as they hold a great edge.”
Perri O. Blumberg – Culinary Writer
A paring knife may also be shaped differently.
If you’re just getting started with your knife collection…
…the traditional European blade shape is a great place to start.
There are also “bird’s beak” style blades…
…in which the tip of the knife curves down towards what you’re cutting.
A knife of this style is ideal for making delicate and decorative cuts…
…especially when making pastry…
…but it is also suitable for slicing fruit and vegetables.
There’s also the “sheep’s foot” style…
…with a straight angled blade instead of a curved blade.
With this style, the blade only comes into contact…
…with the cutting board at its tip and creates long, smooth cuts.
We encourage you to experiment with different types of blades…
…and see which works best for your cooking needs…
…the more creative you get in the kitchen.
Price and Warranty
Knives of high quality almost always come with a manufacturer’s warranty…
…which can last from a few years to a lifetime.
In the case of a knife that costs more than $50…
…it’s worth checking the warranty to ensure the protection…
…and maintenance of your investment.
The manufacturer or vendor of more expensive knives…
…sometimes includes free or low-cost sharpening…
…which is an excellent addition if you aren’t comfortable sharpening knives yourself.
In light of that, low-cost/low-commitment knives can be a handy addition…
…to a drawer and can be used regularly to save time day-to-day.
Choose a low-maintenance knife that fits your needs…
…if you don’t have the budget or interest to maintain a more expensive knife.
Many of these knives are still made of high-carbon stainless steel…
…and offer a wide range of handles that are sometimes…
…even more comfortable than those offered by more expensive knives.
They also usually come with a manufacturer’s warranty of one to five years.
When you buy a new knife down the road…
…you won’t take a significant hit when they don’t.
Sum Up!
Paring knives are essential to every home cook, just like chefs’ knives.
Paring knives are ideal for smaller, more detailed tasks where a chef’s knife won’t do.
They’re great for peeling, slicing, and dicing.
No matter how casual you are about cooking at home, you need a paring knife.
Conclusion
Wusthof Classic Ikon Paring Knife cuts with precision…
…and ease whether you’re peeling an apple…
…for a snack or slicing a lemon for a garnish.
We recommend the Zyliss 3.5-Inch Paring Knife with Sheath Cover…
…as an impressive budget-friendly option that gets the job done.
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Hi there! I’m a food enthusiast and journalist, and I have a real passion for food that goes beyond the kitchen. I love my dream job and I’m lucky enough to be able to share my knowledge with readers of several large media outlets. My specialty is writing engaging food-related content, and I take pride in being able to connect with my audience. I’m known for my creativity in the kitchen, and I’m confident that I can be the perfect guide for anyone looking to take their culinary journey to the next level.
