# Paring knife recommendations **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 2, 2017, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paring-knife-recommendations/781154 "2017-03-02T00:48:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![peedin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peedin/32/14095_2.png) [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2017, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paring-knife-recommendations/781154/1 "2017-03-02T00:48:15Z")
My paring knife has disappeared. I need to replace it. What’s a good brand? I’m not chap, but don’t want to pay more than $25. Can I get something balanced and sharp for that price? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2017, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paring-knife-recommendations/781154/2 "2017-03-02T01:06:48Z")
[This one](https://smile.amazon.com/HENCKELS-INTERNATIONAL-Classic-4-inch-Paring/dp/B00004RFMO) is $33, so it’s a little more than your limit, but it’s similar (or the same – I’d have to look) as mine. I like Henckels knives. After several years of use, a rivet popped off of my favourite one, a 6-inch chef’s knife. I tried to exchange it at Bed Bath & Beyond, but they no longer carried it. I sent it to Henckels’s U.S. warranty center, and they sent me a brand new one. A [search on Amazon](https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=henckels+paring+knife) turns up several options that are more expensive or less expensive than the one in the first link. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2017, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paring-knife-recommendations/781154/3 "2017-03-02T01:30:49Z")
Henckels. Grab a Zwilling paring knife and go to town. Should set you back about $38. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2017, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paring-knife-recommendations/781154/4 "2017-03-02T02:23:27Z")
The Sweethome has yet to let me down on recommendations. Even less than what you’re willing to pay: [http://thesweethome.com/reviews/best-paring-knife/](http://thesweethome.com/reviews/best-paring-knife/) ---
**Author:** ![zombywoof](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/9e8a1a/32.png) [@zombywoof](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zombywoof)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2017, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paring-knife-recommendations/781154/5 "2017-03-02T02:27:50Z")
For a paring knife, I don’t like the thick-bladed, heavy forged ones like the traditional Wusthof/Henckels design, which I might like in a full sized Chef’s knife - I much prefer the performance of the cheap stamped Victorinox with its VERY THIN blade. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2017, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paring-knife-recommendations/781154/6 "2017-03-02T03:14:13Z")
> [@zombywoof](#): > > For a paring knife, I don’t like the thick-bladed, heavy forged ones like the traditional Wusthof/Henckels design, which I might like in a full sized Chef’s knife - I much prefer the performance of the cheap stamped Victorinox with its VERY THIN blade. This is what I use, and it is the recommended paring knife by Cook’s Illustrated. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2017, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paring-knife-recommendations/781154/7 "2017-03-02T03:29:33Z")
> [@D\_Odds](#): > > This is what I use, and it is the recommended paring knife by Cook’s Illustrated. And the Sweethome. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2017, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paring-knife-recommendations/781154/8 "2017-03-02T04:19:00Z")
> [@zombywoof](#): > > For a paring knife, I don’t like the thick-bladed, heavy forged ones like the traditional Wusthof/Henckels design, which I might like in a full sized Chef’s knife - I much prefer the performance of the cheap stamped Victorinox with its VERY THIN blade. I agree. I have Henckels knives and they are fine (I just used a 15 year old one 10 minutes ago) but my heart belongs to Victorinox. They simply make some kick-ass knives at very reasonable prices. My 8" Victorinox chef’s knife is the only one for me and it cost about $30. Their paring knives are almost too cheap to be believable but they are the real deal. They run about $4 - $5 a piece and are extremely good, restaurant quality. As a general tip, don’t buy knives from a home goods or boutique stores because you get less for more. Restaurant supply stores sell professional grade chef’s knives for very good prices. > **[Victorinox Paring Knives](https://www.webstaurantstore.com/2859/paring-knives.html?vendor=Victorinox&gclid=CIzL2ov6ttICFduNswodSEgERg)** > > These Victorinox paring knives will help your cooks and kitchen staff perform intricate cutting tasks safely and efficiently. Paring knives are a vital piece to your cutlery collection, giving you a precise cut every time, when used correctly. Whethe ---
**Author:** ![trapezoidal\_jellyfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6f9a4e/32.png) [@trapezoidal\_jellyfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/trapezoidal_jellyfish)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2017, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paring-knife-recommendations/781154/9 "2017-03-02T05:59:26Z")
> [@zombywoof](#): > > For a paring knife, I don’t like the thick-bladed, heavy forged ones like the traditional Wusthof/Henckels design, which I might like in a full sized Chef’s knife - I much prefer the performance of the cheap stamped Victorinox with its VERY THIN blade. Anther vote for Victorinox! I also really like [these](http://www.dexter1818.com/shop/sani-safe/paring-knives/s104-pcp.html). I grew up with them and own one now as an adult. The blade is very thin, like the Victorinox, but the handle is a little more substantial. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2017, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paring-knife-recommendations/781154/10 "2017-03-02T06:43:10Z")
I’ve had a couple of the top brands. The only one I use with regularity (WRT paring) is the Henckels. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2017, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paring-knife-recommendations/781154/11 "2017-03-02T15:12:21Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > I agree. I have Henckels knives and they are fine (I just used a 15 year old one 10 minutes ago) but my heart belongs to Victorinox. They simply make some kick-ass knives at very reasonable prices. My 8" Victorinox chef’s knife is the only one for me and it cost about $30. Their paring knives are almost too cheap to be believable but they are the real deal. They run about $4 - $5 a piece and are extremely good, restaurant quality. > > As a general tip, don’t buy knives from a home goods or boutique stores because you get less for more. Restaurant supply stores sell professional grade chef’s knives for very good prices. > > [Victorinox Paring Knives | WebstaurantStore](http://www.webstaurantstore.com/2859/paring-knives.html?vendor=Victorinox&gclid=CIzL2ov6ttICFduNswodSEgERg) You are giving away my secret cooking supplies site! Seriously though, unless one is more worried about looks than utility, restaurant gear, whether bought online or at a local supply store, is almost always a better deal. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2017, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paring-knife-recommendations/781154/12 "2017-03-02T20:48:08Z")
Another vote for the Victorinox. We have both straight-edged as well as serrated. Great, inexpensive paring knives that stay sharp for a long time. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2017, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paring-knife-recommendations/781154/13 "2017-03-03T03:58:11Z")
Impressed by my first high-end knife, a Kershaw Shun Classic 8" Chef’s, I treated myself to the matching [Classic paring knife](http://www.kitchen-universe.com/Kershaw-Shun-Classic-Paring-Knife-4-in-p/dm0716.htm). I used it for about a week, found I don’t really care for it and put it into a drawer. The handle seems too heavy and the balance is poor. I don’t think I’ve even _seen_ the thing in five years. Instead, I use a handful of cheap little knives. I have an [OXO Good Grip](https://www.amazon.com/OXO-Grips-2-Piece-Peeler-Parer/dp/B00004OCJG/) which takes an edge really well. I like this one for mincing garlic after giving it a few swipes over the steel. Another is an all-stainless, closed hollow body labeled, of all things [Sharper Image](http://geb.ebay.com/m/ImportHubViewItem?itemid=172437095006). The blade isn’t all that great but it’s comfortable and sturdy. The construction lets me really press on it for things like cheese. This is the one that finds its way into my hand for most of my paring. If the thread will allow it, can I can give a not-quite-paring knife shoutout? I heartily recommend the tomato knife from [Messermeister](https://www.amazon.com/Messermeister-4-5-Inch-Serrated-Tomato-Matching/dp/B000Q9GJXM). Mine is now two years old and it’s still sharp as hell. The minimal sheath, lightweight construction and wicked blade means I toss this in my bag for general food use when away from home. You never know when you’ll need to cut a lime or a mango or a cochinita pibil torta or an unagi handroll or cheesesteak or… fill in the blank. ---
**Author:** ![PlumBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@PlumBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlumBob)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2017, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paring-knife-recommendations/781154/14 "2017-03-03T18:48:19Z")
Lamson has some interesting items. They used to have a bigger selection of lower priced wood handle knives. Here’s an interesting & cheap paring knife. > **[Lamson | Fine Cutlery, Kitchen Tools and BBQ Implements](https://lamsonproducts.com/index)** > > American Made Fine Kitchen Knives, Kitchen Tools & Accessories - since 1837. Shop Lamson Chef Knives, Paring & Utility Knives, Bread & Slicing Knives, Cleavers, Santoku's, Nakiri's, Mashers, Spatulas, Turners, BBQ Tools and more.