What is a utility knife used for?

Author: Brayan Adams Sr.  |  Last update: Thursday, October 16, 2025

A utility knife is any type of knife used for general manual work purposes. Such knives were originally fixed-blade knives with durable cutting edges suitable for rough work such as cutting cordage, cutting/scraping hides, butchering animals, cleaning fish scales, reshaping timber, and other tasks.

What's the difference between a utility knife and a chef's knife?

Today, we'll be discussing the difference between two common knives: the utility knife and the chef knife. In short, the chef knife is larger, broader, and built with a slight curve that allows its user to perform a “rocking” motion and make quick work of many medium- to large-sized ingredients.

Why do I need a utility knife?

A utility knife is handy for a variety of cuts. This truly is a utilitarian knife – it does multi-duty. If you want the heft of a chef's knife with a bit of the precision of a paring knife, the utility knife is the tool to call on. The blade is longer than a paring knife and narrower than a chef's knife.

What is the difference between a razor knife and a utility knife?

Razor blades are sharper than utility blades because they have a thinner, straight edge. While they are sharper, they are much more fragile and thus less suited to various utility tasks , like cutting open boxes, kitchen tasks, slicing cables/wires, and so forth.

Is a utility knife good for cutting meat?

Yes, a utility knife can cut meat, but it may not be the best tool for the job. Utility knives are designed for general cutting tasks and may not have the sharpness or specific design features of a dedicated meat knife, such as a chef's knife or a carving knife.

The 5 Knives You Need In Your Kitchen (And How To Use Them) | Epicurious 101

What foods can you cut with a utility knife?

Uses for a Utility Knife
  • Cutting Sandwiches. So what is a utility knife used for in the kitchen? ...
  • Slicing Cheese. Do you have a go-to cheese knife? ...
  • Chopping Fruits and Vegetables. What else do you use a utility knife for? ...
  • Cutting and Peeling Citrus. ...
  • Preparing Meat. ...
  • Dicing and Mincing Alliums. ...
  • Chopping Nuts.

What is a utility knife best for?

Not only are utility knives undeniably the best tools for achieving that Michelin-level label aesthetic (the only thing worse than tearing your labels might be getting caught using your expertly sharpened sujihiki to slice tape against a stainless steel table), they're also perfect for many other kitchen tasks, from ...

What is the advantage of a utility knife?

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.

What do you cut with a utility knife?

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.

Who uses a utility knife?

Large fixed-blade utility knives are most often employed in an outdoors context, such as fishing, camping, or hunting.

What are the risks of using utility knives?

Many accidents involving utility knives occur for the following reasons:
  • Drawing the knife towards you instead of away from your body.
  • Working with a dull blade. ...
  • Trying to cut more than the knife can handle.
  • Improperly storing the knife with the blade extended.
  • Failing to wear personal protective equipment.

Where to use a utility knife?

Their versatility makes them indispensable. You can use a utility knife for opening cardboard boxes or cutting them into small pieces for recycling. You can cut drywall, carpet, shingles, packaging, packing tape, and plastic strapping.

Should I get a paring knife or a utility knife?

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.

What is the main job of a utility knife?

Opening boxes, cutting cords, plastic straps, and packaging are all a part of the job. Having a knife that's easy to deploy makes those tasks more manageable. The Gerber Exchange-A-Blade is our standard utility knife.

What is the best knife for self-defense?

Best Self Defense Knives Breakdown
  • Best Value Knife. Kershaw Emerson CQC-7K. Amazon: $43.
  • Best Fixed Blade. Giantmouse GMF1. Giantmouse: $135.
  • Best Tactical Knife. CRKT Provoke. Amazon: $175.
  • Best Auto Knife. Benchmade Claymore. Benchmade: $260.
  • Best Overall Knife. Spyderco Para Military 2. Amazon: $200.

What knives should every kitchen have?

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.

What foods do you use a utility knife for?

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!

What is the best carving knife?

The best carving knife is the Wusthof Classic Carving Knife, featuring a super-sharp blade with a pointed tip that deftly navigates around bones and cartilage. The best slicing knife is the Victorinox Fibrox Pro, which is sharp enough to get razor-thin slices from even the most tender cuts of meat.

Can you cut meat with a utility knife?

Can you also use a utility knife to cut meat or fish? Yes, you can! We do have to admit: a kitchen knife that was specifically designed for one specific purpose is often a little better. So consider using a carving knife when cutting meat and a filleting knife when cutting fish.

Why are utility knives so sharp?

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.

What is a Santoku knife used for?

The Santoku knife is an all purpose Japanese knife, adept at slicing, dicing, and mincing. The name santoku means 'three virtues' for the knife's ability to cut fish, meat and vegetables equally well.

What is a kitchen utility knife used for?

Utility knives are well-suited to tasks like dicing raw tomatoes and other vegetables, thinly slicing meat, and even for filleting and breaking down whole chickens (though we don't recommend using them for hacking through bones, nor for cutting hard vegetables like winter squash).

What is a 5 inch utility knife used for?

The superb craftsmanship of this 5" kitchen knife provides you with the perfect shape for chopping, dicing, slicing, dicing meats, vegetables, and a variety of everyday cooking activities.

What is a paring knife for?

A paring knife is named for the action it does best, to pare or strip away an outer material such as peel. Paring knives are usually 3-4”, and are essentially a short blade with a sharp tip that has a razor-sharp edge for doing small precise kitchen tasks.

What angle should a utility knife be?

Most blades manufactured in North America are approximately 20 degrees, providing a good balance between durability and sharpness. This range contains the best angle for knife sharpening when you're looking for a general-use blade.

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