This Editor-Favorite Paring Knife is just $11 on Amazon

Despite moving multiple times and working out of tiny New York City apartment kitchens, I've been using the same Henckels paring knife for years. While its reputation has certainly faded at this point and it's gone from razor sharp to painfully dull, it remains my culinary workhorse and the knife I reach for next to my trusty chef's knife.

When I first received my Henckels 4-inch paring knife it was a gift, and at first I thought I'd never get a use for it. After all, what tiny knife do I need that's barely useful for cutting through coarse vegetables or slicing chunks of meat? But as I've developed my cooking skills, I've found this $11 knife to be an essential part of my culinary repertoire.

The tasks I use my paring knife for are far less glamorous, but just as important to the cooking process. I use it to peel delicate fruits, slice through chunks of cheese, and poke air holes in sourdough bread. Essentially, this delicate knife is designed for controlled, fine slicing that's not possible with larger, heavier tools.

Henckels 4 inch paring knife

Now, coming to the specs, this paring knife is made from high-quality stainless steel and has a precision engraved blade, making it an extremely strong and durable knife. The blade has a satin finish and is full tang, making it easy to manipulate. It's also comfortable to hold, thanks to the handle designed with finger grooves. While this knife is technically dishwasher safe, I've found that washing it by hand (just scrub with soap and water) helps the blade and handle last much longer.

I'm sure I'm not the only one obsessed with this knife: other Amazon shoppers also call it “insanely sharp” and “super sharp” right out of the box. One reviewer even wrote, “This is my new favorite knife.”

Long before I got this paring knife, I was using long, cumbersome utility knives for delicate and delicate tasks that just didn't work. As the cliché saying goes, you need the right tool for the job, and this Henckels paring knife is just that. Get yourself a paring knife (or two!) on Amazon and it will dramatically change the way you cook.

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At the time of publication, the price was $11.