What size is a utility knife?

Author: Julia Osinski  |  Last update: Wednesday, October 15, 2025

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.

What knife is used as a utility knife?

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.

What is a 6 inch utility knife used for?

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.

What is the size of a standard knife?

Blade Length

It is vital to its performance and ease of use. Chef's knives range from 6 to 12 inches in length. The most popular length of a chef knife is 6-8'' (15-20 cm) long, which is perfect for 99% of your knife duties and is easier to maneuver and control.

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.

Equipment Expert's Guide to Petty and Utility Knives

Can you carry a 5 inch knife?

California. In California, it is legal to carry knives of any blade size openly, and most knives, except for illegal types like switchblades over 2 inches, allow for concealment.

What is a 5 blade used for?

#5 or #7 are skip tooth blades designed for cutting fur quickly with little combing out first. #5F and #7F are finer tooth blades to be used to smooth out the rougher cut left by the first blades mentioned.

What is the size of a utility knife?

A kitchen utility knife – not to be confused with a pocket utility box cutter – is a medium-sized knife with a blade that ranges from 4.5-inch to 6-inch. These knives are used for tasks that would tax paring knives but are too delicate for chef's knives.

What is the most commonly used knife?

Chefs Knife

The chef's knife is the most versatile and essential knife in any kitchen. This all-purpose knife can handle a variety of tasks, from chopping and dicing vegetables to slicing meats and fish.

Is it legal to have a 4 inch knife?

According to Penal Code 171b, certain knives are illegal to have in your possession when you are in a state or local public building. These illegal knives are: Switchblades. A fixed blade knife with a blade longer than 4”

What is a 7 inch knife used for?

This 7" Santoku knife is perfect for precision cutting, making it ideal for deboning fish and slicing and dicing meat and vegetables. This versatile Japanese style knife is shorter than a Chef's Knife, and offers easy maneuverability and handling.

What is a petty utility knife?

The petty knife is a small utility knife that can be used for many small precise or delicate tasks in the kitchen. Second only to a chef's knife or gyuto for usefulness as an all purpose knife, petty knives are loved by professional chefs and home cooks alike.

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

That what defines a utility knife is the size. In terms of size it falls in between a chef's knife and a paring knife. 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.

What is a 6 utility knife used for?

A sharp utility knife can be used for most cutting and slicing tasks in a pinch. If you're a home chef who only has space for one new knife, a utility knife is a great choice because it can do many of the jobs of other types of kitchen knives.

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 the difference between a paring knife and a utility knife?

A utility knife's blade is longer than a paring knife and narrower than a chef knife to provide precision for cutting jobs where a chef knife may be too bulky to use and a paring knife too small. They can feature a serrated or straight edge to handle a wide variety of tasks.

What are the top 3 knives to own?

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 do you use a utility knife for?

Some of the best uses for a utility kitchen knife involve prepping fresh fruits and veggies. This handy knife is perfect for cutting produce with soft-to-medium firm skins or rinds like tomatoes, potatoes, apples, citrus fruits, cucumbers, zucchini and more.

What is the sharpest knife in the world?

Frequently Asked Questions. What is the sharpest knife material? Knives with an Obsidian blade are considered the sharpest in the world, but this material is not fit for making kitchen knives as they're extremely coarse and brittle.

How do I identify a utility knife?

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.

What is a chefs utility knife?

A kitchen utility knife is a multi-purpose knife that is used for slicing, chopping, carving, and paring. It is also known as a "Jack of all trades" as it can handle a variety of kitchen tasks, making it an essential tool for any kitchen.

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.

What is a 10 blade used for?

The number ten blade is used to make longer skin incisions for laparotomy, or for shorter cuts where a wide blade is ideal (i.e., hysterotomy). This is probably what you're most familiar with in OB/GYN applications. You may also encounter a number 22 blade, which is essentially a larger version of the #10.

What is a 5 inch knife used for?

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. The sharp teeth slice through baguettes and bagels—as well as tender fruits and vegetables like tomatoes, peaches and summer squash—without crushing them.

Are 5 or 3 blades better?

When it comes to design and aesthetic look, the 3 bladed ceiling fan is more pleasing than the 5 bladed. However, the 5 blades can generate more wind because the blade to blades distance is nearer, thus the wind it produces is more consistent.

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