Utility knives have a short, sharp and folding blade with a length between 4-6 inches that make it easier to cut through thicker objects without having to apply excessive pressure on the object being cut or pressing down too hard on the blade itself which can lead to injuries if mishandled.
Designed to be lightweight and easy to carry and use, utility knives are commonly used in factories, warehouses, construction projects, and other situations where a tool is routinely needed to mark cut lines, trim plastic or wood materials, or to cut tape, cord, strapping, cardboard, or other packaging material.
Since chef knives have a bigger, broader blade, they're able to chop and slice larger quantities faster. Also due to its bigger size, it features much less precision. A utility knife, on the other hand, has a much smaller (and often serrated) blade that's designed to get the job—any job—done.
noun. : a knife designed for general use. a chef's utility knife. specifically : a cutting tool having a sharp replaceable blade that can be retracted into a usually metal handle.
It is designed for light-duty activities such as cutting cardboard to medium-duty activities such as cutting drywall, carpet, and other materials. To ensure you can complete your project safely and accurately, it's important to understand what a utility knife is and what materials it is used for.
High-Carbon Steel: This material retains a sharp edge longer due to its hardness. High-carbon steel blades are standard in professional-grade utility knives.
A pairing knife's larger cousin, the utility knife is bigger than a paring knife but smaller than the che'fs knife. This in-between size is very similar in length to a steak knife with a shape more like the chef's knife.
Utility knife:
These knives are smaller than chef's knives but larger than a paring knife, making them good for miscellaneous tasks. While they're not specialized for meat, they can come in handy for cutting smaller pieces of cooked meat or tackling other tasks like slicing fruit or sandwich meats.
A utility knife is more suitable if you require a knife that can handle various cutting jobs. Size: Think about the size of the ingredients you usually work with. If you often work with small fruits and vegetables, a paring knife's compact size will be beneficial.
The sharp teeth slice through baguettes and bagels—as well as tender fruits and vegetables like tomatoes, peaches and summer squash—without crushing them. A serrated utility knife will also be your go-to for slicing salami and thick-skinned citrus like oranges and grapefruit.
There are three primary knives that every home cook should have in their kitchen: a chef's knife, a serrated knife (also called a bread knife), and a paring knife.
Box cutter, utility knife, sometimes a “Stanley knife” or, rarely, an “X-ACTO knife” (both examples of a genericized trademark) although an “X-ACTO knife” can also refer to another kind of craft knife that resembles a scalpel and this is probably the more common usage.
The Santoku knife is particularly useful for cutting and chopping vegetables, fruit and meat, and can also be used to slice fish. Its Japanese name refers to its "three virtues" or main uses: cutting, slicing and chopping.
Utility Knives are best suited for: Cutting mid-sized fruits and veggies – carrots, zucchini, avocado, peppers, mushrooms. Dicing potatoes, celery, onions, carrots.
Paring knives are great options when coring or peeling fruits like apples and citrus. They also help to remove the peel on garlic and onions, trimming the long roots on radishes or cleaning radish stems. Use the tip of the knife to remove the outer layer on mushrooms and asparagus stems.
A utility knife is generally six inches long and works well for slicing fruit, tender pieces of meat, or sandwiches. As the “knife of all trades,” it's a handy go-to for the everyday chef.
Fresh fruits and veggies can add a pop of color, flavor and nutrients to just about any meal, and the utility kitchen knife is the perfect tool for the job! Use this handy knife to slice and dice toppings for salads and sides, burrito and poke bowls, pizzas and flatbreads, tarts and more!
As its name implies, the tomato knife is a kitchen tool specifically designed to easily cut and slice tomatoes. It is characterized by its serrated blade design and ergonomic handle.
Efficiency: With a utility knife, you can quickly and easily cut through a wide range of materials, saving time and effort compared to using scissors or other cutting tools. Portability: Utility knives are compact and lightweight, making them easy to carry with you wherever you go.
Smart Retract: A Class of its Own
In these tools, the blade pulls back into the housing as soon as it loses contact with the cutting material—even when the user's thumb is still on the slider. The Slice® 10558 Smart-Retracting Utility Knife is our safest knife yet and, we believe, the safest knife on the market.