Paring knives buying guide
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING PARING KNIVES
The paring knife is small and delicate for peeling, zesting, pitting and paring.
The smaller size allows full control and a narrow short blade lets the knife work easily on curves and odd shaped fruits and vegetables. The pointed tip of a paring knife is also designed to remove pips and pits without losing too much of the flesh.
PARING KNIFE CHARACTERISTICS
LOOKS LIKE:
- Short narrow blade and handle
- Pointed tip
USE FOR:
- Preparing smaller fruit and vegetables for eating and cooking.
- Delicate tasks such as peeling garlic, hulling strawberries, sectioning citrus fruit or deveining shrimps.
HOW TO USE
Using edge:
- Use in the hand rather than with a board. Hold knife in one hand and food in the other.
- Use the sharp edge to make incision and slide knife over fruit or vegetable, using as much pressure as necessary to remove skin only.
Using Point:
- Hold item in hand or on board and knife comfortably resting in palm.
- Pierce with point and bring down to make incision applying pressure as necessary.
HANDLE MATERIALS
Our paring knives have handles made from Wood, Polypropylene, Steel and Plastic.
Wood:
- Wood is attractive and has a natural, warm feel to it.
- Hardwoods such as Rosewood and Olive wood are generally used for durability.
- Wooden handles are sealed and riveted.
- Do not immerse your wooden handles in water as they can expand and crack.
Polypropylene:
- Polypropylene is a very hard, manufactured material that is impervious to water and very durable.
- Polypropylene handles are riveted together.
Steel:
Asian knives use one piece of steel to create the knife and handle.
- The steel is generally textured for a secure grip.
- The full steel construction creates very strong leverage.
Plastic:
- Plastic handles are generally glued together and provide a lightweight handle for smaller cutting tasks such as preparing vegetables.
- Plastic handles provide a more economic knife and are excellent for taking out of the kitchen when camping or on picnics.