Paring Knives

[Slartibartfast]

I am looking at adding some paring knives at the request of my wife.

Doing a little searching...it is confusing.

1) Should I get one of each type of paring knife?

2) Is it like straight razors, english and german steel is good?

3) Would you go with new knives or try to find some nice vintage steel?

Danke.

[Stubear]

If I was going to get some really nice kitchen knives, I'd go for Kin Knives. I've used a few of their knives at the Taste Festival in London and they really are excellent.

Very well made and superbly crafted, plus they take a killer edge..! They were honing them at the festival up to 8k grit and you could slice atoms with them. They easily shaved arm hair, plus they looked great.

[NOVA]

Hi

umm while i was a chef i used various brands and types

German is good, french is good

i used victorinox a lot, i am not usually a fan of their other knives but their paring knives were excellent

typically i would use the one with the 3 inch blade the most the longer ones were handy and the sickle blade was used on occasion

FDICK is another good brand with comfortable handles as is Sabiter

when you buy them buy a few they arent expensive but even at home i use them more than any other knife

global knives are a decent brand, over priced but u just dont find their paring knife handles comfy

i hope this helps

Nick

[MickR]

Hard questions to answer, as like a razor, it all comes down to personal choice. I would in reality, just get one paring knife with a 10cm blade in a shape best described here, as a smile. Brand would be a personal choice. I prefer a sheffield made blade myself. Actually, I would more than likely just make my own using RWL 34 S/Steel and some nice Australian Western Myall timber. Again it's personal choice.


Mick

[ben.mid]

There are lots to choose from. I have experience of Global, Wusthof (Culinar) & Henckels (Four Star) & Sabatier. (Not sure which)

Globals are great value, & hold an edge like a far pricier blade.
I love the German steels too.

Not much point buying lots of versions of essentially the same knife though if it's just for domestic use. Just pick one in your price range.

[Del1r1um]

I have been very impressed with the Messermeister brand. I bought some for my Mother, and she loved them so much that she bought my sister a set as well.

Here is a look
3.5 Inch Sheep's Foot Paring Knife (E/3681-3.1/2) - Meridian Elite-forged :: Messermeister Products

Their knives are great slicers, take killer edges, and come in under the wusthoffs or henckels.

I'm a fan of Global too, they take good edges and get the job done for sure.

Now I'll add one more bit (and quickly run for cover), but both my Mother and my sister-in-law have kitchen aid paring knives (here come the hail-stones). And even though I would be the first to say that they are without question a lower quality knife, I sharpened them to very nice edges that easily shaved arm hair. Well enough to deal with a potato or two.

[commiecat]

We have the Wüstof knives and they're excellent. My wife has a santoku, paring and bread knife of theirs. A good friend of mine is a chef and sharpens them when needed.

You could also shoot a PM to DwarvenChef if he doesn't chime in on this thread.

[Slartibartfast]

I ordered a set of victorinox paring knives to try out(1 serrated, 1 non serrated, 1 birds beak).

All the other knves in the house are Wusthof, Shun, and a big arse chinese clever.

[nightbreed]

If I was going to get some really nice kitchen knives, I'd go for Kin Knives. I've used a few of their knives at the Taste Festival in London and they really are excellent.

Very well made and superbly crafted, plus they take a killer edge..! They were honing them at the festival up to 8k grit and you could slice atoms with them. They easily shaved arm hair, plus they looked great.

Oh, nice looking knives, will take a closer look

[Bayamontate]

I have used Henckels in the past and they have been excellent. We now use the Kyocera FK-75-BK in 3". Great knife, it doesn't brown anything you're cutting and holds an edge very well.