The paring knife is arguably second only to the chef’s knife in the collection of essential knives in the kitchen. It is no doubt the latter is the workhouse on which you can count for several cutting tasks, but the maneuverability and precision of the best paring knife cannot go unnoticeable.

Some chefs will advise you not to spend a lot on your paring knife since most are expensive to replace. While this may be true, you also don’t want to spend time shopping for an item you could well buy once and close that chapter. Besides, our reviews of best paring knives should make your search a lot easier. But first, the main types of paring knives.

Types of Paring Knives

Bird’s beak paring knife

The first type of paring knives is the bird’s beak. From the name, you can tell the shape of the blade – concaved with a super sharp tip. It is best used for coring and peeling fruits, chopping vegetables, and when trimming or decorating delicate work. The blade can, however, be challenging to sharpen when the blade losses the edges.

Pictured: Wusthof Classic Peeling knife

Spearpoint paring knife

This is the typical paring knife. It has a short blade with a slightly curved spine. The shape makes it easy to use with or without a chopping board. This paring knife is best for slicing, peeling, and coring fruits and vegetables.

Pictured: Global GSF15 Peeling knife spearpoint blade

Sheep’s foot paring knife

The outstanding feature of this paring knife is a smooth and straight blade with a rounded tip. This means only the tip will touch the chopping board during use. As such, this type of paring knife is ideal for chopping fruits and vegetables into thin strips as well as cutting cheese. It may not be as sharp as the other types of paring knives.

Pictured: Global GNFS-01 paring knife

Japanese paring knife

The ability to retain their sharp edges make these paring knives favorites for many cooks. Just like the Japanese kitchen knives, these paring knives come with beautiful designs and sturdy blades. It is best used for decorative works as well as intricate chopping and cutting.

Pictured: Kasumi Titanium Paring knife

Reviews: Best Paring Knives

Farberware Paring Knife with EdgeKeeper

The first paring knife on our list is one ideal for new cooks. It is designed to ease its use while ensuring its functionality. The EdgeKeeper technology used in this Farberware knife is meant to ensure the edge of the blade is always sharp. Included with the knife is a sheath that will sharpen your knife every time you insert or remove the knife from the sheath.

Better yet, the sheath makes the storing of the knife safe and secure. The blade is made from high-carbon stainless steel that will resist corrosion and ensure the sturdiness of the blade. You get the option to choose from different blade sizes, and washing with soap and water is advisable for durability.

Wusthof Gourmet Paring Knife Set (3 pieces)

If you would rather have a set of paring knives for different tasks in your kitchen, then the Wusthof 3-piece paring knife set would be your best pick. The manufacturer is known to make some of the best German knives in the market, and their paring knives are no exceptions.

The set includes a spearpoint paring knife with a 3″ blade, a sheepsfoot paring knife with a 3″ blade, and a bird’s beak paring knife with a blade measuring 2.25 inches. All these knives have a full-tang construction with double-riveted handles for safety and perfect grip.

Tojiro Paring Knife

Japanese knives are known for precise cuts and sharp edges, and we couldn’t expect anything less in their paring knives. The blade is made from three layers of sturdy metal with the outer, later reinforced to withstand corrosion and discoloration. The edges will retain their sharpness for long, and sharpening should not be a problem.

The handles are comfortable to give you control over the use of the blade, and three rivets are used to ensure its durability. Most users found the knife easy to use, and its precision could not go unmentioned. You will receive your knife in a box in which you can store the blade for safety.

Kyocera Paring Knife

It is not easy to search for ceramic knives without coming across a Kyocera product. The manufacturer has done well to find a niche in the market, and its paring knife contributes to its success. The construction of this knife includes a rounded tip that will not break as easily as most in the market. The blade is sharp and will remain sharp for a long time thanks to the blade material.

The handle is shaped to fit in hand and provides a comfortable grip for ease of use. While the blade can resist corrosion and rust and withstand virtually all conditions, they can be brittle and break when used on hard foods. So, wash the knife by hand and use only the sharpening tools designed for durability for ceramic knives.

Wusthof Classic Ikon Paring Knife

Made by the renowned German manufacturer, Wusthof, this paring knife offers both functionality and comfortable handling. The contouring handle is made from a synthetic material that will enhance grip even with wet hands and has three rivets for durability and sturdiness. With a full tang, the knife has a well-balanced weight between the blade and the handle for more efficient use.

The blade measures 3.5 inches and is made from high-carbon stainless steel to withstand corrosion and rust. You will probably not need to worry about sharpening the knife thanks to its edge retention capabilities. However, KnifePlanet’s sharpening stone can make sharpening easier for you. Remember to wash the knife by hand using soap and water.

ZYLISS Paring Knife

The last paring knife on our list is for those on a tight budget. The best part is that its functionality matches some of the best paring knives. The knife comes with a sheath for safe storage and ease of carrying. The blade is 3.5 inches long and is made from high carbon not only to resist corrosion but also retain its sharp edges for a relatively long period.

The rubber handle on the knife makes it easy to handle under different situations, including when your hands are wet. With the sheath, you will be protecting your knife from nicks and accidental stubbing.

Conclusion

Since you use your paring knife almost as often as you use the chef’s knife, you cannot compromise on its efficiency. Check out our list of reviews of the best paring knives to help you land the best based on categories.