Skip to main content
KitchenwareAuthority
Subscribe
restaurant
Double Bevel

Petty

A small utility knife for delicate tasks like peeling, trimming, and precision work. Essential as a companion to a larger chef's knife....

#utility #detail-work #small #precision
straighten

Blade Length

120mm - 180mm

target

Primary Use

Detail work, peeling, small cuts

public

Origin

Japan

lightbulb

Best For

Precise tasks, small produce, garnishes

recommend Editor's Picks: Best Petty

star 4.8/5

A beautiful petty knife with Shun's classic Damascus pattern. Perfect for detail work and small tasks.

$ Check Price →
star 4.7/5

A high-quality utility knife perfect for detail work. Misono's molybdenum steel offers great edge retention.

$ Check Price →

menu_book About the Petty

A small utility knife for delicate tasks like peeling, trimming, and precision work. Essential as a companion to a larger chef's knife.

compare_arrows Alternative Knives

Paring knife

Honesuki

Double/Single Bevel

verified Brands That Make Great Pettys

Global

Niigata, Japan

help Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Petty knife used for?

expand_more
A Petty is best for Precise tasks, small produce, garnishes. The typical blade length is 120mm - 180mm, and it originates from Japan.

What is the difference between a Petty and a Western chef's knife?

expand_more
The Petty is a traditional Japanese knife designed for Detail work, peeling, small cuts. Compared to Western chef's knives, Japanese knives like the Petty typically use harder steel, have a thinner blade geometry, and are ground to a sharper edge angle (12-15° vs 20°).

How much does a good Petty knife cost?

expand_more
A quality Petty typically ranges from $50 for entry-level options (like Tojiro) to $500+ for hand-forged artisan knives. For most home cooks, excellent options are available in the $100-250 range from brands like Shun, MAC, and Miyabi.

menu_book Related Buying Guides

Knives

Are Expensive Kitchen Knives Worth It? A Chef's Honest Take

We test cheap vs premium kitchen knives side by side. Here's when spending more makes sense and when it's just paying for a logo.

Knives

Best Bunka Knives Ranked: Top Picks from $60 to $400 (2026)

We tested 7 bunka knives from $60-$400. See which Japanese bunka knife wins for edge retention, balance, and real kitchen performance in 2026.

Knives

Best Chef Knives Under $200 for Serious Home Cooks (2026)

Our top chef knife picks between $100-200. Mid-range knives that perform like premium blades without the luxury price tag.

explore Explore Other Knife Types

Gyuto Santoku Nakiri Kiritsuke Bunka Yanagiba Deba Usuba Honesuki Sujihiki Takohiki Pankiri Garasuki Yo-Deba Funayuki Kama Usuba

We use cookies 🍪

We use cookies and affiliate tracking links to improve your experience and help support our independent reviews. By continuing, you agree to our Privacy Policy. California residents may opt out under CCPA.