Petty Knife or Utility Knife, How to Select the Best Petty Knife

Petite knives are small Western-style knives that are used by both professional chefs and home chefs.

Petty knives are suitable for cutting fruits, but if they are not used for big foodstuff, Petty knives are also said to be versatile knives that can cut meat, fish, and even vegetables.

Petty knives are available in a variety of lengths and materials from many knife brands, and it can be difficult to choose one that suits you.

In this article, we will introduce the features of Petty knives, points on how to choose one, and recommended Petty knives.

Uses and Features of Petty Knives

You may think that a Petty knife is a knife only for fruits, but it is a versatile knife that can cut meat, fish, and even vegetables as long as they are not large.

The shape is similar to that of a Gyuto, but the length is shorter. While Gyuto knives are generally 18cm to 30cm long, Petty knives are generally 8cm to 15cm long.

Because of its small size, the Petty knife can easily be used for small tasks such as peeling fruit, cutting small pieces of meat and fish, and cutting decorative pieces.

However, for simple cooking, you can buy a slightly larger petite knife and use it as your main knife.

How to Select the best Petty knife for you

When choosing a Petty knife, the right one for you will depend on your purpose of use, ease of maintenance, and other factors.

The following is an explanation of how to choose a Petty knife in terms of length, material, handle, and whether it has a single or double blade.

Select a Length

Petty knives are generally small knives and are generally 8cm to 15cm in length. Smaller knives are lighter and more suitable for fine work.

We recommend a 12cm or smaller Petty knife. Basically, it is used as an auxiliary knife, separate from the main one, for fine work.

15cm Petty knives are recommended for those who use it as their main all-purpose knife.

As long as the food is not large, it can be used as an all-purpose knife as it can easily cut both meat, fish, and vegetables.

It is recommended for women with small hands and those who have a small cooking area.

Select a Material

Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is the material we recommend.

Although it is not as sharp as steel, it is rust-resistant and easy to clean.

It is also highly durable and maintains its sharpness, but it can be restored by sharpening it with a whetstone once every few months.

Steel
If you are particular about sharpness, steel is the best choice.

However, it should be cleaned after use, dried, and handled so as not to rust.

It is also important to sharpen it with a whetstone periodically to maintain its sharpness.

Ceramic
Ceramic is lighter than other materials and does not rust.

It is an easy material for women to handle, and many colorful materials are available to add glamour to the dining table.

However, it is prone to chipping, so it is necessary to avoid using it with hard objects. Also, when sharpening, it is necessary to use a special sharpener instead of a whetstone.

Damascus
Damascus is a material that has both the sharpness of steel and the rust resistance of stainless steel.

The unique striped pattern is cool and popular among those who want to emphasize design. However, the cost is higher.

Select a Handle

Stainless Steel
This is recommended for those who want to use it easily because it is rust-resistant.

The stainless steel handle, which is integrated with the blade, is especially hygienic because there is no need to worry about dirt getting between the blade and handle.

Wood
The characteristic of wood is that it does not slip easily even when wet, and the more you use it, the more it becomes familiar to your hand.

That said, the handle may deteriorate if left wet, so care must be taken after use.

However, after many years of use, deterioration is inevitable. By replacing the handle, even wooden handles can be used for a long time.

Single-edged or Double-edged

Many Petty knives are double-edged, a characteristic of Western kitchen knives.

The advantage of a double-edged knife is that it has blades on both sides, making it ideal for cutting food in a straight line.

Another advantage is that it can be used by either right-handed or left-handed people.

On the other hand, there are also single-edged petite knives.

It has only one blade and the other is flat, making it more suitable for cutting fish or peeling fruit. However, if you are left-handed, you will need to choose a special single-edged knife.

The Best 5 Recommended Petty Knife

We recommend best 5 Petty knives based on Amazon.com sales.

Global 5″ Chef’s Utility Knife

• Precisely cuts, slices, chops, or dices a variety of foods
• 5-inch blade constructed of ice-tempered and hardened stainless steel
• Resists rust, stains, and corrosion. CROMOVA stainless steel
• Hollow handle provides comfort and balance
• Hand washing is recommended

Yoshihiro VG-10 16 Layer Hammered Damascus Stainless Steel Petty Utility Knife (5.3” (135mm))

• Forged and hammered with 16 layers of steel in the Damascus tradition with a VG-10 Core, the VG-10 Hammered Damascus Series has been a perennial best seller, combining performance, beauty, and extraordinary value.
• Sometimes called a utility knife, the Petty is a smaller version of a chefs knife but is bigger than a Paring knife. The Petty fits in small places that require more dexterity than bigger chefs knives while handling bigger jobs than a Paring knife can take care of. The Petty will soon become the go-to knife in your kitchen.
• Proudly made in Japan. This knife is complimented with a premium Western Style Handle that extends to the full tang of the knife and ergonomically welds to the hand for seamless use. The hammered texture of the blade eliminates friction and keeps food from sticking to the blade. Every knife from Yoshihiro is handcrafted by master artisans creating a unique one-of-a-kind work of art.
• The difference will be felt right away when a hand-forged Japanese Petty knife of incomparable sharpness is used for smaller precision tasks such as peeling, trimming, and slicing small fruits and vegetables to handling bigger tasks as a small chefs knife. A razor sharp Petty knife can intricately carve and style vegetables and fruits for beautiful presentations and garnishes, performing just as well for bigger jobs such as preparing meals.
• Traditional Japanese knife making values a sharp edge, which requires attention and care. Sharpening and honing should be done with only water whetstones. Hand wash and dry only, and do so immediately if working with acidic ingredients. Do not use on objects such as bones, nutshells, and frozen foods.

Misono UX10 Petty

• HIGHEST GRADE STEEL:The blade is made out of high quality Swedish stain resistant steel that provides the user with the longest lasting edge retention within the Misono brand.
• BALANCED & DURABLE:A distinguishing feature of the UX10 knife is the riveted nickel silver bolster, which enhances construction durability as well as balances the weight of the blade and handle.
• NIMBLE & PRECISE:The petty is a smaller chef knife that makes it a convenient size for peeling and other delicate work.
• QUALITY ASSURANCE : The brand’s famously thin and sharp knives are hand finished and inspected to ensure the highest quality product.
• EXCEPTIONAL SHARPNESS : 70:30 Asymmetrical bevel. By concentrating the sharpening on the face of the blade at a steeper angle than on the back, a thin cutting edge is created that approaches the sharpness of a traditional Japanese single edged design.

Mac Knife Chef Series Paring/Utility Knife, 5-1/2-Inch

• 2mm Blade, rust-resistant, exceptionally sharp, made out of high carbon and keeps the edge for a long time
• Original Molybdenum steel has better edge-retention
• Pakka wood handle
• Hand wash is recommended Not dishwasher safe

Yoshihiro NSW 46 Layers Hammered Damascus Steel Japanese Petty Utility Knife 6 In Rosewood with Natural wood Saya Cover

• Grade : NSW Hammered Damascus / Knife Type: Petty/Petite (Utility Chef’s)Knife
• Steel Type: 46 Layers VG-10 Hammered Damascus Stainless Steel
• Blade: Double-Edged (50/50) / Blade Length: 6″ (150mm)
• Handle Material: Octagonal-Shaped Shitan Rosewood with Double Redwood Bolster
• Hardness Rockwell C scale: 60 / Saya Cover: Natural Magnolia Saya Included

Best 15 Japanese Chef Knives on Amazon

Summary

Petty knives are small Gyuto knives, and they are versatile knives that can easily be used for cutting fruits, as well as small ingredients, meat, fish, and vegetables.

You can buy a slightly larger Petty knife and use it as your main knife for simple cooking, or you can buy a slightly smaller Petty knife and use it as a sub-knife for detailed work, depending on your style.

Why don’t you find the best Petty knife for you and enjoy cooking more?