This time we want to talk to you about paring knives. If you got here, it is because you are interested in one of these and probably do not know which one to buy. Do not worry, here we are going to talk about which are the best in the market to facilitate your search.
We invite you to continue reading since later we will tell you about the variables they have and what are the most important factors that you should pay attention to when making your purchase.
First things
- With the paring knife, very fine and high-precision work can be carried out, such as pastry decoration.
- The main, or most common, the function is to peel or core fruits and vegetables, thanks to its small and narrow blade, as well as its pointed and sharp tip.
- The mango is of the utmost importance. You must be able to hold it firmly to have better control over it since many times it will not be used with a chopping board, but close to your hand (to peel an apple, for example, the technique is to take it with one hand, and with another peel off the shell with the paring knife).
The best paring knives: our recommendations
Victorinox 6.7603 Blister Tip, 8 cm, Black
The Victorinox paring knife has a lifetime guarantee, like all its products. It retains its sharpness for a long time, which makes it possible to perform better and be more durable.
Its blade is short which allows it to cut with greater precision and accuracy.
“The Victorinox knife is fantastic. It’s as sharp as a scalpel (be careful!) and stays sharp for a long time. Perfect for peeling and cutting fruits and vegetables” – Amazon Customer
Zyliss – paring knife, stainless steel
This knife allows you to have control to slice, peel and cut food. It has an easy-to-sharpen blade. Its handle is very comfortable and ergonomic, which will prevent your hand from getting tired and you will have good precision when using it.
“This knife is still as sharp as when it was new (3 years ago). I have never sharpened it. You won’t regret it” – Amazon Customer
Mercer Culinary Millennia 3 inches
Made of stainless steel, the Mercer knife is designed in a way that prevents food from sticking to the knife, allowing you to cut faster.
Its ergonomic handle with an edge will protect and keep your fingers away from the sharp knife. It has a lifetime guarantee.
“It holds its edge for a long time and has just the right amount of flexibility to peel. Highly recommended” – Amazon Customer
Kuhn Rikon Color – 4 inches
The blade of this knife is made of carbon steel, it is very sharp and stays sharp for a long time. You feel comfortable when taking it. It is ideal both for delicately peeling apples and for cutting harder foods. It has a plastic sheath to protect your knife, and for safety so as not to have an accident when looking for it.
“This is an excellent knife that I use frequently. It’s still sharp and well-balanced. I haven’t had any problems with it. The price is excellent and its exceptional value.”- Amazon Customer
Buying Guide: What you need to know about a paring knife
In the kitchen, knives will always be our best allies. Whether to chop, fillet, slice, or even spread, they are always an instrument that is not too many. In the next section, we talk about one called: peeler.
What are paring knives and what advantages does it offer?
When you are looking for a knife for delicate work with high precision and accuracy, there is nothing better than a paring knife.
Considered by some chefs to be the second most important knife in a kitchen (after the chef’s knife) this knife is excellent for peeling fruits and vegetables. It has a short handle, and a narrow blade, which can range from 2 to 4 inches in length. In addition to peeling, this knife is ideal for deveining chili peppers, removing imperfections from a fruit or vegetable without wasting food, removing stems from strawberries, or using it for decorative pastry work.
Below, we list some of the advantages and disadvantages of this type of knife:
Advantage
⇒ Most paring knives are inexpensive.
⇒ You can do fine and very precise work with them, as well as chop more complex things.
⇒ Thanks to its small size, it is easy to maneuver.
Disadvantages
⊗ Due to its small size, it cannot cut as many foods quickly
⊗ Care must be taken since when using it to peel, the knife is very close to the hand and an accident can occur if it is not handled correctly.
Product variables – What should you pay attention to?
You will wonder how such a small and simple knife can have variants, but there are. What makes them different is the way they are shaped on your knife. Next, we detail each of them:
Next, we detail each of them:
| Straight or “spearhead” | Curve the “bird’s beak” |
|---|---|
| Although the bottom has a slight upward curve, the top is straight, hence the name. | Both the top and bottom are curved. |
| It is the most multipurpose of the paring knife types. | Its angle and hook shape was what gave it its name “bird’s beak”. |
| It is ideal for peeling fruits or vegetables (for example, peeling apples) | Useful for decorating fruits and vegetables (have you seen strawberries in the shape of roses? This knife makes them easier. |
| Its tip is very useful for removing the core of fruits or vegetables. | |
| Easy to handle and control |
Both versions mentioned above have their version with a serrated blade.
How much does a paring knife cost?
Of the specialized knives, the peeler is one of the cheapest. Sure, quality plays a factor, but it’s possible to get one for around $100. Similarly, there are peeling knives that exceed $250
Where to buy a paring knife?
These knives are sold in supermarkets such as Walmart, Soriana, or Chedraui. Likewise, department stores such as Palacio de Hierro and Liverpool offer various options. In online stores such as Amazon or Linio, you can find a wide variety of these types of knives, and you will be able to compare each of them quickly and easily.
Compare and rate the different models of paring knives
Although paring knives are among the simplest and cheapest, it is also important to analyze some of their most important characteristics, to make a better purchase decision.
The main factors you should consider when analyzing your options are:
- It states
- Mango
- Material
- Size
- Funda
Next, we explain each one in more detail:
It states
Of course, it must be of the sharpest and highest quality so that it has to be sharpened less frequently, however, to take advantage of this knife, pay attention to its tip, since it must be pointed and sharp as well. allows deveining shrimp, coring fruits, and making small precise cuts.
Mango
Although this characteristic is important for all knives, it takes on more importance in peelers, since it is often used without a cutting board, taking the fruit or vegetable with one hand, and handling the knife with the other to peel it, decorate it, etc., or discourage her.
Therefore, the handle should feel very comfortable and allow you to have complete control of the knife. A thick handle is ideal, as you’ll be able to grip it more firmly and it’s less likely to slip.
Material
There are knives with handles of different materials. However, be careful with some made of plastic as they can be more fragile and less stable.
Size
If you are looking for a paring knife, your blade cannot be more than 4 inches long. If so, you would no longer buy a paring knife, but a utility knife.
The utility knife, although it can also be used to peel fruit, is a bit more difficult to control or maneuver due to its size. Remember that what makes the paring knife easy to use is its small blade that can be easily moved.
Funda
Although this is not necessary, the sheath protects the knife, which will give your knife more life. In the same way, it serves as security so as not to have an injury when looking for the knife in the utensil drawer.
