Petty/Pairing

Petty and Pairing are small Japanese knives chosen for precise work. A Petty knife is a smaller version of a Gyuto knife. Both types – **Petty and Pairing – are suitable for finely carving fruits and vegetables**. Their blades are great for processing small, delicate products. Since they are narrow, they are easier to control, which is extremely important when preparing sophisticated dishes. When precise cutting is a priority, no knife works better than a Petty or Pairing.
**What is the difference between a Petty knife and a Pairing knife?**
Some people use the names Petty and Pairing interchangeably, but it’s worth remembering that these knives aren’t identical. You could say that both types were developed for cutting small products, like vegetables and fruits. The main difference between these two types of blades is their length, or the length of the cutting edge. A Petty knife’s blade is larger than a Pairing knife’s blade, but at the same time smaller than that of a Guyto knife. Due to its similarity to the latter, many beginner chefs reach for a Petty knife before they start using Guyto knives.
What defines Petty and Pairing knives?
A Petty and Pairing knife is sometimes called a “small utility knife“. This is an adequate description, as the blades of such knives generally have a cutting edge length of 12 to 18 cm. They are also characterized by a narrow blade with an angle of 13-15 degrees, which translates into incredible cutting precision. Products of this type are distinguished by their lightweight construction and balance between the blade and the handle. Thanks to this, the knives fit perfectly in the hand, allowing for comfortable, non-tiring work and making precise cuts. The handle of Petty and Pairing knives can be made of wood, but also stainless steel. A typical feature of these blades, however, is their high hardness, usually above 58 HRC.
What is a Petty/Pairing knife used for?
Petty knives replace larger chef’s knives. They are therefore suitable for cutting and portioning slightly smaller products. It is most often said that the Petty knife is suitable for working with vegetables and fruits. However, you can also use it for working with mushrooms, small pieces of meat, or fish. Without a doubt, this type of knife is the best choice for processing vegetables and fruits. It has a pointed tip, which you can use to precisely carve out things like cores, seeds, or imperfections from these products. In any kitchen, a short utility knife is great for peeling vegetables without wasting their flesh, and also for cutting soft products even in your hands, without using a board. As a rule, such a knife is sharpened on both sides, so it handles cutting different textures very well – both hard and very soft, juicy, with a tough skin.
Why choose our Petty Pairing knives?
The knives presented in our store are products respected all over the world for their craftsmanship, high quality and durability, and also for their limited availability. We choose knives that are made using a traditional production process, hand-forged by Japanese artisans. We have personally gotten to know every product that comes to our store during our travels in the Land of the Rising Sun. So we know that it will serve you in your kitchen much longer than a mass-produced model. An additional advantage of the origin of our knives is the fact that they are made with exceptional precision, accuracy, and care. This translates into their durability and original design. In fact, every knife made by hand is unique, one of a kind.
Check out other types and kinds of Japanese knives:
Tojiro Knives Tsunehisa Knives  Yoshida Hamono Knives Zakuri Knives Gyuto Santoku Bunka Nakiri Boning Knife Bread Knife Slicing/Sashimi Knife Fish Filleting Knife Sushi Knives Shirogami #3 SK5  SG2 / R2  VG-1 VG-10 VG-5 ZDP-189