Still searching for the best paring knives out there?
Because you can’t peel apples and oranges with your current
Then it’s time to take a look at my favorite list below.
These knives are sharp, easy to handle, and long-lasting.
See my comparison table below, then read the product reviews for more info.
And I’m sure you will soon find your next high-quality
Best Paring Knives (Tested & Updated List)
* Featured Product *
See also:
- Types of kitchen knives & their uses
- What is a paring knife used for?
- Main characteristics of a paring knife you should know
- Best santoku knives
- Best Japanese chef knives
- Best boning knives for deer
Why Paring Knives are Necessary?
Paring knives are arguably some of the must-have blades in any kitchen.
This is because the knives have lots of uses in the kitchen.
For starters, they are ideal for chopping vegetables and peeling fruits.
The blades are easily controllable due to their small size and lightweight nature.
As such, they allow peeling even small fruits with utmost precision.
The knives are also necessary for undertaking other kitchen tasks such as dicing up ingredients like garlic, removing fruit seeds, and deveining shrimps.
Other uses of these knives are de-casing sausages, coring tomatoes, scoring meat, and hulling strawberries.
We give these knives a quick twirl and review, and then we pass them on to a few lucky home chefs!
How to Buy the Best Paring Knives for Your Kitchen
Paring knives are typically smaller versions of chef knives.
The blade is often plain edged with the tip being sharp and pointy.
Choosing the right one will make peeling fruits and perform other utility kitchen tasks a lot easier.
But if you choose the wrong one, guess what?
Your hand will fatigue faster than a blink of an eye!
OK, I exaggerated a bit, but you get the idea.
So, here is the needed information to buy the optimal blade for your own use.
Choose the perfect size
The ideal size should be between 3 and 4 inches.
However, you can choose a larger
A 3.5-inch model is a good choice because of its versatility.
A 4+ inch blade may cut better but will most likely feel intimidating to beginners.
And the best thing about medium-sized blades?
It is that they offer great agility and precision when cutting through things like watermelons and pumpkins.
If you will be using it mostly with large food items, then choose the larger models.
Pick the right handle
Modern paring knives come with hard plastic and wooden handles.
Plastic handles are better than wooden ones as they are both long-lasting and hygienic.
Wooden handles, on the other hand, need to be taken good care of and maintained in pristine conditions for them to last long.
And that alone is a big problem especially when your kitchen is moist.
However, for everyday use, plastic handles are perfectly fine.
Because they are bound to last for long without becoming faulty.
And at the same time, they ensure that the blade remains efficient throughout its lifespan.
Pay attention to the type of blade
What you pay is what you get.
And that common sense is also true with paring knives.
Most of the modern models are made from stainless steel while there are others made from poor quality steel alloys.
Top-quality stainless steel is the best material to settle for.
The reason is that it’s not only durable but also quite convenient to use in terms of sharpness and flexibility.
High-quality stainless steel does not rust or corrode even when the blade is used in moist conditions.
Other poor-quality steel is not durable.
And what’s worse is that it rust and corrode easily and is usually susceptible to breaking.
Especially when cutting through extremely hard food items.
Price vs. quality
Price and quality are directly related.
If you settle for a cheap blade, then there are high chances that the quality of it will also be poor.
Therefore, when shopping for this type of cutlery, it is necessary that you have a budget for the better options out there.
The best knives to settle for are the ones that are affordably priced and have premium qualities and features (like the ones on my list above).
So I highly recommend you pick one from the list above.
Ease of handling and use
Your chosen paring
And it should come with a handle that doesn’t fatigue your hand over a short period of time.
This is why you need to assess the size of the handle to ensure that it is neither too small nor too large to grip.
That way, you will have a fun time cutting and cooking.
And finally, the handle should also be long enough to ensure that it can be fully held without exposing your fingers to potential cutting risk by the blade when using.
Don’t cut yourself!
Related:
- Kamikoto knife review
- Sabatier knives review
- Schmidt brothers knife review
- Paring knife storage tips
- Are paring knives dishwasher-safe?
- Steak knife vs paring knife
- Paring knife vs utility knife
Reviews of the 10 Best Paring Knives for Your Money
Dalstrong Shogun Series Paring Knife – Best Overall
This
And the result it gives you is a stunningly beautiful and efficient
Even if you’re a professional chef, this one will be a very good choice.
The blade is hand-polished to a sharp 8 to 12-degree edge that narrows to a point for efficient paring.
Made from high-quality Japanese steel, it is super strong for heavy-duty work and durability.
The bolster is tapered to ensure finger safety and for handling comfort.
The Dalstrong cleans easily and is specially made to work its way through foods without sticking.
It will peel your fruits, mince your vegetables, and slice your herbs with unrivaled precision.
Try it out, and I’m sure you will love it.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 9/10
- Handling: 8/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8/10
Pros:
- Razor-sharp blade
- Great durability
- Comfortable handle
- Exceptional design
Cons:
- A bit pricey
Dalstrong Gladiator Series German HC Steel Edge – Best for Beginners
Another great contender, and it’s a stainless one.
Made from German steel with high levels of carbon for sturdiness, this
The tapered blade means more precision.
And the blade itself features a sharp edge honed to 18 degrees on both sides.
It is also stain and corrosion resistant which makes keeping it clean easily and ensures a long-lasting
The handle is ergonomic for a comfortable grip.
It’s made from African pakka wood and triple riveted for sturdiness and durability.
The wood that makes the handle is laminated to be water-resistant and for added strength.
This
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 8.5/10
- Handling: 8/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8/10
Pros:
- Premium materials
- Sharp cutting edge
- G-10 durability
- Minimal slicing resistance
Cons:
- Packaging is a bit too much
Other
- Best chef knives
- Best carving knives
- Best cleavers
- Best steak knives
- Best bread knives
- Best fillet knives
Zelite Infinity Alpha-Royal Series – Best for Versatility
You will love this
The blade is super strong, made from quality Japanese steel for a sturdy and durable
It’s short and sharp, with an edge made to retain sharpness for long enough.
This
The handle is full tang for strength and is ergonomically designed to a round shape that protects your hands from exhaustion and pressure.
It’s triple-riveted to make it stay in position for long.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 8/10
- Handling: 8/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8/10
Pros:
- Premium Japanese steel for maximum durability
- Classic design with triple rivet
- Can perform a lot of tasks
Cons:
- The edge is a bit fragile
Kaizef Professional – Best Lightweight
The features are what make it a good choice.
It scores high for longevity and sturdiness.
The blade is made of Japanese steel that has been strengthened by adding carbon.
It employs Japanese swords sharpening methods during manufacture to give it an ultra-sharp edge of 8 to 12-degree angle on either side.
It means your peeling and chopping will be effortless and precise.
The handle is ergonomic, smooth, and contoured for a comfortable and easy grip that can be sustained for long without exhaustion.
It’s also triple-riveted to ensure it doesn’t loosen after a short time of use.
The bolster is tapered to ensure it doesn’t slip from your grip for the safety of your fingers.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 8/10
- Handling: 8/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8/10
Pros:
- Sharp edge for easy slicing
- Full-tang durable construction
- Comfortable grip
Cons:
- A bit pricey
Other great collections:
Godmorn Classic Series – Best Ergonomic
The Godmorn comes with a variety of features to make paring work easy and efficient.
If you’re still searching for the best paring knives, you should definitely try this one out.
It comes with a high carbon German steel blade that makes it hard and resistant to wear.
The steel blade is also stain resistant ensuring it is easy to keep clean.
The handle is quality ABS material that doesn’t allow in water, making it easy to wash and wipe dry.
It is also ergonomically designed, round, and non-slip.
It means you won’t feel exhaustion in the hands with extended use.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 8/10
- Handling: 8/10
- Ease of maintenance: 7.5/10
Pros:
- Forged with premium German steel
- Stain resistance
- Comfortable handle
Cons:
- Might be a little short
J.A. Henckels International Classic – Best for Comfortability
This
The blade is hard enough to be resistant to wear and for strength when cutting through food.
It’s made from German steel which is known for rigidity.
It’s also stain-resistant for a hygienic and clean-looking
The handle is comfortable to the hands, being ergonomically made.
Triple riveting adds to the handle’s strength.
Overall, this
Its durability is guaranteed by the forged construction.
And you won’t be needing to sharpen it now and then because it retains a sharp edge for long.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 7.5/10
- Handling: 8/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8.5/10
Pros:
- Strong full-tang design
- Triple-riveted for extra durability
- Decent
knife length
Cons:
- A bit pricey
Other great chef
Mercer Culinary Renaissance – Most User-Friendly
The Mercer paring
The handle is designed to be comfortable to a user’s hands, ergonomic, and not likely to numb your hands when you use it for long.
It’s triple-riveted for extra strength and to ensure it serves you for long.
Full tang on the handles improves its balance.
And the blade is German steel, making it hard enough to resist corrosion and to maintain rigidity during use.
The edge of the blade is razor-sharp, with the fully forged construction ensuring it doesn’t go blunt quickly.
It saves you honing costs.
The bolster on this
In terms of performance and durability, the Mercer won’t let you down.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 8.5/10
- Handling: 8/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8.5/10
Pros:
- Easy to hone
- Strong construction
- Ergonomic handle
- Budget-friendly
Cons:
- Might need honing frequently to keep its sharpness
Zelite Infinity Executive-Plus Series – Great Design
This product from the Zelite Executive series is a paring
The blade is Japan-made steel with high carbon which makes it highly strong for your skinning and mincing needs.
It is also non-stick, corrosion-resistance, and doesn’t stain.
That means you can easily clean it after using it.
The handle is a humpback design for a comfortable grip, so your hand doesn’t tire out when using it for long periods of time.
The design also improves its efficiency, and you do not need to apply much force when working with it.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 8/10
- Handling: 8/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8/10
Pros:
- Great overall design
- Premium Japanese steel
- A comfortable grip that prevents hand fatigue
Cons:
- Might not be as sharp as other top choices at the same price tag
TUO Cutlery – Best for Control
The German high carbon steel makes this
It’s not prone to stain and is polished to a 12 to 15-degree edge, sharp enough to make it suitable for a chef’s paring tasks.
The blade is also corrosion resistant and won’t rusk, making keeping it always clean easy.
The handle is made of pakkawood, the African wood known for strength and water resistance.
It’s also ergonomically designed to be easy and comfortable for your hands.
So you can use it for extended times without a feeling of numbness in the hands.
Our scores:
- Sharpness: 8.5/10
- Handling: 9/10
- Ease of maintenance: 8/10
Pros:
- Very lightweight
- Premium German steel profile
- Comfortable pakkawood handle
Cons:
- Not suitable for some heavy duty tasks
Other great
- Best gyuto knives
- Best Japanese steak knives
- Best nakiri knives
- Best sushi knives
- Best utility knives
- Best deba knives
FAQ’s
It is undoubtedly true that paring knives are arguably some of the smallest blades in the kitchen.
However, this specialty
Owning this blade is ideal for any typical kitchen but for it to be reliably useful, you have to take good care of it.
And here are some great faqs on how to choose the best paring
What is a paring knife often used for?
Ideally, a paring
How to test paring knives?
Testing a paring
For starters, it is important to note that these knives are small in size thereby making them easily maneuverable.
Therefore, the first test you should do on these blades is to check the control of the blade.
You can do this by holding it in your hand and assessing how it feels from the grip to its weight.
The other test on a paring
Use the blade to slice through a piece of paper. Assess how easily it cuts through the paper and whether it makes a clean cut.
The sharpness of a paring
If its initial sharpness is not perfect, you can sharpen it using a stone sharper or any applicable sharpener.
The other test on these blades is the flexibility and security of the handle.
Always ensure that the blade of choice is flexible and hence can cut through different food materials with ease.
To check blade flexibility, slide it through cheddar cheese, peel fresh ginger, core apples, and section oranges.
While testing for blade flexibility through different food items, check the security and firmness of the handle.
Care and maintenance tips for paring knives?
Maintaining and caring for your paring
The first care tip about these blades is that you should always clean them after every use.
The ideal way to wash your
This is so that the blade does not become dull due to banging against other utensils.
After washing it, you should make sure that it is clean and dry.
Store it in wooden
You can also keep the blade on a magnetic strip and then store it inside a drawer.
Another way of caring for your paring
Do not use the blade to cut through hard food items or for complex tasks such as boning.
Additionally, ensure that you do not cut against hard surfaces like ceramic tops or glassware as this damages the blade’s edge.
Never place your
You may accidentally knock it thereby making it fall and damage its blade or cause injuries and cuts.
What about serrated paring knives?
Serrated knives feature scalloped tooth-like edges that are perfect for slicing through foods with soft interiors and hard exteriors like crusty bread.
Ideally, these blades use the same mechanism as a saw.
The serrations cut through surfaces easily, especially on tough foods.
The blades make neat cuts through hard food items that are otherwise hard to cut through using non-serrated paring blades.
On soft food items, the serrations in these blades trap food pieces and hence may end unwinding the food rather than cutting through it.
These blades require specialty sharpening equipment and hence may be hard to accomplish at home.
How long are paring knives?
Paring knives come in a compact size with the blade ranging 3”-4” (8-10 centimeters).
This provides for better control and precision in cutting.
Can a paring knife cut meat?
Due to its short and sharp blade, a paring
The
The blade can also be used with soft meats such as fish, chicken, and steak.
How do you peel with a paring knife ?
The secret to peeling with a paring
For instance, if you are peeling a potato, the blade should be held against the potato’s bottom and then draw the blade towards the potato’s top side.
The peel then slips off easily and exercise care so that you do not chop off too much of the potato’s white flesh.
How sharp should a paring knife be?
These knives should be as sharp as they can be.
This is so that the blade cuts or slices through food items easily.
Extreme sharpness reduces the effort with which you will use while slicing through hard foods.
What is the difference between a paring
A utility
However, there are distinctive differences between the blade and a paring
For starters, the blade in a utility
Additionally, a utility blade is designed for cutting in a rocking motion while paring blades cut/slice through food items
There is a lot more to know about these blades, their uses, and maintenance.
Always opt for a blade with superior build quality, one that is durable and reliable.
Conclusion
Our list is based on performance, functionality, price, and more to help you find the best fit for your cooking style.
If you’re a fan of innovation and new technology, we recommend the Dalstrong Shogun Series Paring
This blade is one of the best of its kind and would make a huge difference for many chefs.
But if you prefer knives that utilize traditional Western designs, then we recommend the Linoroso Classic Paring
And if you’re shopping on a budget, the Victorinox Spear Point Paring
In the updated list above, we made sure to only include the best paring knives on the market today, so you’ll easily find a model that suits your tastes and preferences.
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Ryan Leavitt
Hi my name is Ryan Leavitt a Marine Corps Veteran and currently an over the road trucker (Long Haul). I am no expert chef but am enjoying preparing my own meals on the road and testing all the different knives.
We give these knives a quick twirl and review, and then we pass them on to a few lucky home chefs!
