Utility Knives

Paring knives are considered true all-rounders and are therefore an essential part of every kitchen. The practical cutting tools are particularly suitable for peeling fruit and vegetables, which is why they are sometimes also referred to as peeling knives or fruit and vegetable knives.

With the right knife, cutting carrots, apples, and more is almost effortless. You can find a wide selection of paring knives in the online shop of Meister Messer. In the following guide, we will also inform you about what makes such a knife special and what to look out for when making a purchase.

What is a chef's knife?

A paring knife is a relatively short and handy kitchen knife with a sturdy tip. The blade length is usually between seven and eleven centimeters. As a rule, the shorter the blade, the more delicate you can chop food with the knife.

Paring knives are offered in various designs. There are models with a pointed or curved blade, as well as knives equipped with a curved spine and a straight edge. However, the blade of the knife is always quite narrow. Due to their shape, paring knives are an ideal kitchen tool for cutting or slicing fruits and vegetables.

The smooth cut is also considered typical for peeling knives. As a result, the food is cut smoothly here and not frayed or torn. However, there are also models with a serrated edge - for example, tomato knives.

The Tourne Knife: A special subcategory of the Paring Knife

A so-called tourne knife has a blade in the shape of a bird's beak. Thanks to this, the type of knife is particularly well suited for peeling a variety of fruits and vegetables. Due to the special blade shape, it is much easier to cut directly along the peel and remove the core – for example, from apples.

With a tourne knife, not only can numerous kitchen tasks be done much faster. You can also use the cutting tool for the artistic garnishing of fruits and vegetables, to create table decorations.

What can a paring knife be used for?

The compact knives are not without reason considered true all-round talents. With a paring knife, you can, among other things:

• Clean and cut fruits and vegetables
• Peel potatoes
• Remove cores from apples and pears
• Process small pieces of meat
• Portioning and garnishing food

Paring knives not only look good in the kitchen. They also prove to be extremely practical on outings. You can use such a knife, for example, as picnic cutlery or when you go mushroom picking.

Who needs a paring knife?

A paring knife is essential for both professional and hobby chefs. After all, the cutting tools can be used not only as vegetable or peeling knives, but for almost all preparation work in the kitchen.

Models with a smooth blade are perfect for clean cuts, for example, cutting onions or cucumbers. With serrated edge paring knives, you can also work with softer vegetables and fruits - such as tomatoes or apricots - as well as foods with a firm crust.

Buying a chef's knife: These criteria you should consider

First, you have to ask yourself whether you are looking for a single knife or a knife set. Such a set usually consists of two to three differently sized chef's knives. However, Meister Messer also offers more comprehensive knife sets that include all the cutting tools you need for cooking.

Which option is best for you depends mainly on how often you cook or prepare meals and how well-equipped your kitchen already is. A knife set offers two main advantages: On the one hand, the acquisition costs are lower than if you were to buy the knives included in the set individually. On the other hand, knife sets score with a uniform look.

To find the optimal carving knife, it is important to consider various variables. Below we present the purchasing criteria that are addressed in almost every carving knife test.

Blade shape

The tasks that the kitchen knife is suitable for depend mainly on the blade shape. If you mainly want to peel and cut fruit or vegetables, a knife with a curved blade is most suitable. A peeling knife handles even curved surfaces easily.

Models with a straight bottom, on the other hand, can almost be described as utility knives. The very versatile paring knives are ideal for cutting and dicing food, and are also characterized by easy handling. Ultimately, the choice of blade shape is, of course, also a matter of personal preference.

Blade material

The blade material is one of the most important criteria when buying a knife. In order for you to work optimally with the cutting tool, the blade must be sharp enough. However, the material used not only has a decisive influence on the sharpness, but also determines the edge retention (resistance to wear) of the cutting edge.

In general, chef's knives stay sharp for longer the higher their Rockwell hardness scale (HRC) rating. Good kitchen knives usually range from 55 to 58 HRC. Additionally, the knife's corrosion and rust resistance depend on the blade material.

The blade of kitchen helpers can be made of either classic knife steel, stainless steel, or Damascus steel. In addition, there are also ceramic paring knives. While carbon steel with a high carbon content can be sharpened very sharp, stainless steel is very rust-resistant. Blades made of Damascus steel are equally sharp and durable. Paring knives with ceramic blades also wear down very slowly.

Handle material

The handle of a chef's knife is usually made of either wood or plastic. Chef's knives with a wooden handle have a noble appearance and a particularly pleasant feel. The advantage of knives with a plastic handle, on the other hand, is that the handle is easier to clean here. Ultimately, however, individual taste is decisive.

How should a chef's knife be cleaned?

To keep your chef's knife sharp and cutting well for as long as possible, it is best to clean it by hand. This is especially true for high-quality kitchen knives. The best way to clean the knife is to rinse it with lukewarm water and a gentle detergent immediately after use. Use a dishcloth to remove any dirt stuck to the blade. The knife should then be dried immediately.

Try to avoid cleaning the cutting tool in the dishwasher if possible. The heat and substances contained in the detergent or dishwasher tabs - such as salts and alkalis - attack the knife blade, causing it to wear out more quickly. Damage may not be immediately visible, but in the long run, the knife will become dull.

Sharpening a chef's knife: This is how it works

Even good kitchen knives lose their sharpness at some point, because working with the cutting tool gradually wears away some material from the edge. As a result, the sharpness diminishes little by little - even with knives with very hard blades.

If you want to sharpen a chef's knife, there are various options available to you. Classic and electronic knife sharpeners are easy to use. A honing steel allows you to realign the blade of the knife, thus maintaining the sharpness of the blade for longer. Using a sharpening stone requires some skill, but when used correctly, it leads to very good results. Of course, you can also hire a professional sharpening service. However, this is only worthwhile for very high-quality knives.

Order top-quality kitchen knives online

If you are looking for a paring knife, Meister Messer is the optimal contact. Our range includes both affordable models for beginners and occasional cooks as well as very high-quality premium knives, such as paring knives with a Damascus blade and a handle made of noble wood.

Regardless of whether you want to prepare a salad or peel an apple: A paring knife provides you with the perfect support for a variety of kitchen tasks. For this reason, these handy cutting tools should not be missing in any household - Therefore, order now at Meister Messer and expand your personal kitchen equipment with a versatile knife!

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions about "Rüstmesser"

How much does a good chef's knife cost?

Good paring knives are available starting at 20 up to 50 CHF. The cost of the knife depends mainly on the production effort and the materials used for the blade and handle. Prices for particularly high-quality models range between 100 and 200 Swiss Francs. This category includes, for example, paring knives with Damascus blade.

What does a chef's knife look like?

A paring knife is a compact kitchen knife with a blade up to eleven centimeters long, which is quite narrow and usually has a smooth edge. Models with a straight blade can be used in a variety of ways. Versions with a curved blade are particularly suitable for peeling and cutting fruits and vegetables.

How should chef's knives be stored best?

If you want to store your chef's knife and other high-quality kitchen knives properly, you can choose between various options. Knife blocks are still considered classics. Magnetic strips are also very popular, as they also serve as a stylish design element in the kitchen. In addition, protective covers and special knife drawers are also available in stores.

Storing the paring knife together with cutlery loosely in a drawer is not recommended. When opening and closing, other cutlery pieces may hit against the blade, causing damage in the long run.

Which manufacturers are among the most popular brands of kitchen knives?

Even though tastes can vary, there are some knife manufacturers that are considered top brands. These include, for example, Böker and Samura, but also Fudo. If you are interested in a very affordable chef's knife, you should take a look at the models from Cold Steel and Odenwolf.

What base should be used for cutting?

Optimal are cutting boards made of wood or bamboo or high-quality plastic. The aforementioned materials protect the blade, ensuring that chef's knives and other kitchen knives stay sharp longer. Hard cutting surfaces like ceramic or marble will eventually cause the knife to lose its sharpness.