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.
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 knives are often sturdier than pocket knives and are not intended for tasks requiring sharp points and edges, such as opening letters and packages. Electricians and other craftsmen who frequently need to cut wire or tough materials utilize utility knives.
Utility knives are used to cut and trim a variety of building materials including: drywall, felt paper, wallpaper, rope & twine, plastic sheet material, fiberglass insulation and more. They can be divided into 3 general categories, Retractable Blade, Fixed Blade and Snap-off Blade.
Kitchen utility knives are mid-sized, multipurpose knives. These knives can be either straight-edged or serrated. They're generally between 4.5 and 6 inches long and much thinner than a chef's knife. Because they're so multifunctional, they're the perfect go-to knife in any kitchen.
One of the most popular types of workplace utility knife is the retractable or folding utility knife (also known as a Stanley knife, box cutter, or by various other names). These types of utility knives are designed as multi-purpose cutting tools for use in a variety of trades and crafts.
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.
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.
Historically, the blades on utility knives were narrow and relatively long; those on petty knives were and remain more triangular in shape. Today, however, distinctions between the two types of knives have become somewhat blurred, at least if the models we tested are any indication.
The average blade length of a paring knife is namely between 7 and 11 cm. And that of a chef's knife between 17 and 18 cm. With exceptions of 20 cm and sometimes even 30 cm long. With an average blade length of between 13 and 15 cm a utility knife falls nicely in between.
Chef's knives range in size from 15cm to 30cm (6” to 12”), with 20cm (8”) being the most common size. Utility knife: A versatile knife for everyday tasks, though not quite as versatile as the chef's knife given its shorter length. Can be used for slicing meats or chopping smaller vegetables.
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.
Every home cook will utilize a utility knife. The blade is generally 5 to 6 inches, which is shorter than the average bread knife, but the serrated utility knife is still a great choice for small loaves.
Yet despite all the talk about knives that goes on in both home and professional kitchens — and despite all the knives out there that are truly great to have — there are just three knives every kitchen ultimately needs: a chef's knife, a paring knife, and a bread knife.
A petty knife is a multi-purpose double-bevel knife that is smaller in size than other Japanese knives, so it also allows for in-hand work such as coring and peeling, as well as other smaller tasks for which larger knives are deemed unwieldy.
If you've ever read a Henckels knife review, you know the Henckels reputation is the epitome of world-class. From paring knives and shears to full chef's blocks, Henckels knives can be found in kitchens around the world. You might even have a few treasured pieces in your own cutlery collection.
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.
An X-ACTO knife is also known as an exacto, utitily or craft knife. This tool used by crafters and quilters for precision cutting making it the perfect tool when cutting plastic or heavy paper for templates. The blades and respective handles come in all sizes and configurations with a very sharp point.
Bottom Line: Which one? The utility has a narrower blade, better suited to tasks that involve curved cuts with the knife above the cutting board. butchering a chicken or peeling fruits like one would with a paring knife.
Petty knives (which are also called utility knives, not to be confused with utility box cutters; I'll get more into the nomenclature of petty versus utility later in this review) are smaller than a chef's knife (which usually have 8-inch blades) but larger than a paring knife (which have 2.5- to 4-inch blades); They ...
Serrated knives are excellent for making long, straight knife cuts through larger items, but they aren't ideal for slicing small foods, peeling fruits or mincing ingredients. For finer tasks like these, it's best to reach for a chef's knife or paring knife with a smooth, straight blade.