Paring knives are one of the best kitchen tools you can have. This type of knife is compact and versatile, making it easy to find a storage space. There are many different paring knives available, both alone and as part of a knife set. When looking for the right one, you need to consider the size blade you want and the material you prefer. To help you start your search, consider these top 6 best paring knives.
Table of Content:
- Comparison chart of best paring knives.
- Detailed review of best paring knives
- Factors to consider when buying the best paring knives.
- What is a paring knife – A detailed video.
- How to correctly use a paring knife.
Comparison table of best paring knives:
| Image | Name | Blade length | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | J.A. HENCKELS INTERNATIONAL Kitchen Elements 3-pc Paring Knife Set, | 3.5 inch | $$$ | 4.9 |
 | Wusthof Classic 3-1/2-Inch Paring Knife | 3.5 inch | $$$ | 4.8 |
 | OXO Good Grips Professional | 3.5 inch | $$ | 4.7 |
 | Zyliss Paring Knife with Sheath Cover | 3.5 | $$ | 4.7 |
 | DALSTRONG Paring Knife | 3.5 | $$$ | 4.8 |
 | Wusthof Gourmet 3-Piece Paring Knife Set | 3 inch | $$$$ | 4.9 |
Detailed review of best paring knives:
#6 – Pure Komachi 2 Series Paring Knife
This paring knife is 3 ½ inches long and is perfect for doing fine detail work or creating garnishes. It is also ideal for small jobs like trimming fat and cutting limes. The blade is made from high-carbon stainless-steel to allow it to retain a razor-sharp edge and make it easier to sharpen. The color found on the knife is FDA-approved resin which was bonded to the blade. This coating is also non-stick to resist corrosion, make it easier to clean, and let you easily cut. The handle is ergonomic and lightweight to reduce fatigue.
#5 – Zyliss 3.5-Inch Paring Knife, Green
This is another paring knife, but the blade is slightly smaller at only 3.25 inches. This is among the top 6 best paring knives thanks to its sharp steel blade and excellent ergonomic design. Together, these features allow you to cut for a long time without your hands cramping. It also comes with a blade cover for convenient storage.
#4 – Ceramic Paring Knife – Best & Sharpest 4-Inch Black Professional Kitchen Knife – Latest & Hardest Blade That Doesn’t Need Sharpening For Years – Comes With Stylish Case/Sheath To Protect Your Investment
The title of this great paring knife gives you a good idea of its features. The 4-inch blade is the perfect length to pare various items and it comes with a sheath to help with storage. As the second hardest material in the world, you can trust the ceramic blade to get the job done. It will also stay sharp without needing to sharpen it for a large number of years.
#3 – Forschner 3.25” Paring Knife
This is yet another of the top 6 best paring knives that features a high-carbon stainless steel blade, allowing you to easily sharpen it whenever necessary and hold a point much longer. The handle has been ergonomically designed to keep your hand comfortable when cutting items and the entire knife is durable enough to withstand daily use for years without any negative effects. Because the handle is made of polypropylene, the knife is also dishwasher safe.
#2 – Wusthof Classic 3-½-Inch Paring Knife
This knife takes advantage of the versatility associated with a 3 ½ inch blade to perfectly peel vegetables or cut smaller items. The blade is made from forged high-carbon stainless steel and has been hand-honed to achieve razor-like sharpness. The composition is traditional with a triple-riveted handle that improves permanence and strength. You can put the knife in the dishwasher and it has a lifetime guarantee.
#1 – Victorinox Swiss Classic 4-Inch Paring Knife, Spear Tip
As a Victorinox product, this option for the top 6 best paring knives features a Fibrox handle that is slip-resistant for added grip and safety. The knife was made by master cutlers in Switzerland and is dishwasher safe. It is also a favorite among professionals.
Any of these top 6 best paring knives would be a good option. Remember to consider your budget, but keep in mind that the more expensive options tend to come with lifetime guarantees so you will never have to buy a paring knife again. Take a closer look at these choices and you should be able to easily find the right paring knife to meet your needs.
Features To Look For When Buying The Best Paring Knife
A paring knife is one of the most useful tools to have in your kitchen. These knives typically have a small blade that is between 2 ½ and 4 inches and a plain edge, the perfect combination for a versatile tool that can be used for nearly anything. Most people use a paring knife to peel their fruits and vegetables, but you can also use it for anything else that requires precision, whether that is making a decorative garnish or deveining shrimp. Any chef will tell you that the two most important considerations for a paring knife are how it cuts and how it feels. In addition to these, here are some of the most important features.
Material of Paring Knife
You will want to start by considering the various materials that are used for paring knives. Carbon steel is cheap and maintains its shape, but may make some foods taste metallic and may rust. Ceramics keep a very sharp edge, but can be easily chipped. High-carbon stainless steel paring knives are strong, stain-resistant, and maintain sharpness. Laminated blades are among the best options. Stainless steel ones can be hard to sharpen, too flexible, and lose their sharpness. Titanium blades are weak and harder to sharpen.
Easy Cutting
As mentioned, one of the most important considerations for your paring knife is how well it can cut. Since paring knives are designed for precision, you want a nice, sharp edge that can easily glide through the materials you plan on slicing. To see how easy it is to cut with a particular knife, read reviews or even look for a review video that shows it in action.
Sharpness Retention
The ability of a paring knife to retain its sharpness is also crucial. You want to minimize time spent sharpening the knife, but should also ensure that the knife can be sharpened if necessary. As mentioned earlier, the best paring knife materials to retain sharpness are ceramic and high-carbon stainless steel.
Food Reactions
As with any other tool used in the kitchen, you should always select a paring knife that doesn’t react with the food you are cooking. Carbon steel may lead to a metallic taste on some items and other cheap materials may lead to rusting or other reactions with food.
Comfortable Handle
Make sure that the paring knife you choose to buy has a comfortable handle. You want to be able to get a firm grip and use the knife for an extended period of time. Knives made from either wood or molded plastic can be comfortable. Read reviews to see how people feel about the ergonomics. Also, check whether the handle is easy to grip as you don’t want it to slip out of your hands if they are wet.
Blade Size
As mentioned earlier, a paring knife may have a blade that is anywhere from 2 ½ to 4 inches long. Most chefs agree that the ideal size is 3 ½ inches for the blade as this length strikes the perfect balance between being too long and too short.
Warranty
As with any other kitchen knife, you should also consider the warranty that comes with the paring knife. Many high-quality products will have a lifetime guarantee and while these are more expensive up front, they save you money since you will never have to buy another paring knife. A good warranty also shows that the manufacturer is confident in their product and it should last.
Also check out our list of best cheese knives here and kitchen knife set reviews here.
What is a paring knife?
Here is a detailed video to get more knowledge and information about what a paring knife is:
How to Correctly Use a Paring Knife:
Also read my list of best knife block sets here.
