Paring knife

The paring knife is the most widely used knife in the kitchen. Its short blade, from 8 to 12 cm, and its agile balance make it the tool of choice for peeling, turning vegetables, slicing a shallot, chopping herbs or carrying out any small, precise task. Essential to professionals and home cooks alike, it is often bought in pairs or sets so a clean blade is always at hand. Our Paring knife section offers ergonomic handles and stainless-steel blades, designed for intensive use.

Choosing the right paring knife

What blade length?

A blade of 8 to 10 cm suits most precision tasks: peeling, trimming, cutting small vegetables and fruit. Beyond that, around 11-12 cm, the knife gains versatility for slicing without replacing a chef's knife. The right choice depends on your hand size and the finesse of the work involved.

Which handle and what care?

Polypropylene handles, common in catering, are dishwasher-safe and ensure good hygiene. Wooden or composite handles offer a warmer feel but require hand washing. In every case, a well-sharpened stainless-steel blade keeps its edge longer when regularly drawn across a steel.

The paring knife is an ideal companion to the Tomato knife within our Useful knife section. To go further, discover the full kitchen knife range on AZ Boutique, with brands such as Victorinox, Arcos and Paderno.