Top Product: Victorinox Paring Knife (3 1/4") | Amazon | $8
There are a lot of essential things to have in any kitchen, but sometimes you forget the most basic ones. A good paring knife is one of those things that it’s easy to forget, but there’s really nothing better than having one you can rely on.
A paring knife is an intensely versatile tool that’ll help you peel things without issue, cut and chop things as small as you’d like, or just generally get at those tasks that require a bit more precision. Plus, you can actually get some of the best paring knives for pretty cheap, as long as you know where to look.
So, we scoured the internet to find the best paring knives from around the web. Then we cut out all of the ones we didn’t think were genuinely good enough, and put the rest of them here for you.
Best Paring Knife From America’s Test Kitchen: Victorinox Paring Knife (3 1/4")
If you’re looking for the best budget paring knife, then the Victorinox knife might be what you’re looking for. It’s designed for tasks that require almost surgical precision, and has a blade that is obscenely thin because of that. It means you’ll be able to slice and dice your fruit and veg as you need with no issue. The handle is made ergonomically and textured to help avoid slips too. plus, you can actually switch between having a larger handle or go for a serrated blade if you’d rather. It’s actually one of the knives recommended by America’s Test Kitchen too.
“This Victorinox knife is simply fantastic. It is sharp as a scalpel (be careful!) and holds its edge for a long time. Perfect for paring and slicing fruit and vegetables, etc. I purchased a whole set of Victorinox knives after doing careful research, and they are the best I’ve ever had. And they don’t cost an arm and a leg like the Global or other big professional brands I used to covet.” - Kolekatkrush, Amazon Contributor
Best Wüsthof Paring Knife: Wüsthof 3” Serrated Paring Knife
Made with a high carbon stainless steel blade, the Wüsthof 3” Serrated Paring Knife is a great knife for chopping vegetables. Designed to resist fading, discoloration, heat, and impact, this knife is crafted with excellent, durable quality.
“This really sharp knife is perfect for cutting ginger, tomatoes, lemons, and also all things acidic since it’s not reactive and hasn’t stained from foods. I have a carbon steel knife I also love but it reacts to acid. I have to be super careful not to get raw meat or fish residue on the handle since its handle shouldn’t get wet when washing. This new knife doesn’t need pampering. It’s a creative cook’s dream.” - M. Halpin, Amazon Reviewer
Best Paring Knife for the Money: Cuisinart® Classic Triple Rivet 3.5-Inch
Cuisinart® Classic Triple Riveted 3 1/2-Inch Parer is a super dependable and practical knife for everyday use. It features a high carbon stainless steel blade and an ergonomic handle for speed and accuracy. This product also comes limited lifetime manufacturer’s warranty, so you are sure to get your money’s worth!
“This is a great paring knife. Holds blade sharpness and easy to sharpen when needed. Excellent quality construction with three rivet handle. Have had couple of these knives for several years and still good... no rust or blade degradation” - RobertHH, Bed, Bath & Beyond Reviewer
Best Ceramic Paring Knife: Farberware Knife Small, Black
At a fantastic price of $7, the Farberware Ceramic Knife offers precision and ease with each slice. It’s super easy to clean and is even dishwasher safe though hand washing is recommended.
“I’ve had many knives over the years and I can tell you, for the price, this thing is great. The handle feels nice in the hand, the blade is sharp, and the cover is a nice bonus to help keep it protected.” - Summer D, Amazon Reviewer
Best High-End Paring Knife: Zwilling® J.A. Henckels “S” 4-Inch Paring Knife
Looking for a high-quality knife to deliver superior performance in the kitchen? The Zwilling J.A. Henckels Pro “S” paring knife has an ice-hardened blade that has been hand-honed to be extremely durable. It’s been manufactured from Zwilling’s special formula of high-carbon without any stainless steel. Its triple-riveted polymer handle creates a comfortable grip for easy handling.
“This is my favorite of any paring knife out there. Why? because it feels excellent in the hand, very sharp, elegant looking, tad longer than most paring knifes. Can’t say enough good about it. We use these 2 we have daily.” - Yvon, Bed, Bath & Beyond Reviewer
Best Global Paring Knife: Global 3" Paring Knife
This lightweight, balanced Global 3" Paring Knife has a blade made of high-tech molybdenum/vanadium. It works best for vegetables and fruit.
“Awesome knife, good hand control, feel, and great steel. Can’t say more.” - John Tanner, Amazon Reviewer
Best Paring Knife for Peeling Potatoes: TUO Bird-Beak Paring Knife
The TUO Bird-Beak Paring Knife is made from premium, high-quality German steel. It’s made with high-tech vacuum heat and nitrogen cool treatments. This knife has good corrosion resistance and edge protection performance. It’s hand-polished by a blacksmith with each side measuring 18 degrees.
“Normally you can say that you want durable, sharp, and cheap but you only get to pick two. Well at about $20 this knife hits all three out of the park! I have used it daily for over a month to cut fruit or chop veggies for a salad and it is still going strong. As an added bonus, I love the flair of the wood handle. It’s so much better than most other knives in this price range with black plastic handles. Overall this knife is excellent for daily driver light kitchen duty.” - Nick E., Amazon Reviewer
This story was originally published by Ignacia Fulcher on 09/28/2020 and updated with new information by Jason Coles on 02/11/2022.