Petty knives are the Japanese version of a Western paring knife. Deriving its name from the French word ‘petit,’ it’s smaller than a chef’s knife, with a curved blade and pointed tip, making it suitable for a variety of small preparation tasks.
Japanese utility knives are very versatile. Chefs use them for slicing, dicing, mincing, trimming chicken, fish, herbs, vegetables, and small fruits. Their shape and size also make them ideal for more delicate tasks like carving artistic shapes in watermelons as well.
The better you care for your knife, the better and longer it’ll serve you. It is recommended to hand-wash your knife rather than place it in a dishwasher. Dry it immediately after use and store it away from moisture to help prevent rust and corrosion, especially for high-carbon knives. Regularly applying Tsubaki Camellia Oil will also help with this.
The difference between petty and paring knives is the size, with paring knives being smaller than petty knives. At Hasu-Seizo we carry paring knives that are 80mm (3.2”) while the petty knives start out at 120mm (4.7”).
When looking for a kitchen utility knife, generally the petty is a better option unless you specifically want to do smaller tasks.
We have a great variety of petty knives ranging from stainless steel to high carbon steel. The best Japanese utility knife for you depends on your planned use and how you take care of your knives. If you’d like more durable and easier to take care of, we would recommend our stainless steel petty knives. However, if you are looking for a razor sharp edge, our high carbon steel petty knives are the best choice. All of Hasu-Seizo’s knives are made out of the highest quality materials with natural woods and top of the line steels, all made in Japan.
The first step we recommend at Hasu-Seizo is to pick the right steel type for your circumstances. If you are looking for ease of use and something that will do the job without a lot of fuss, we would recommend a stainless steel variety. If you are looking for a razor sharp edge and don’t mind a little more care and maintenance, the high carbon is the right choice for you.
You may also notice the handles can be different, if you are used to a full tang Western style handle and that is what feels comfortable for you, by all means that’s the right choice. However, if you are looking for something with a little more forward weighting and has the length to fit a larger hand, check out the Japanese traditional handles.
If you have any questions about choosing the right Japanese petty knife online we are here to help. Please contact us with any questions, we would love to help!