The Petty Knife: The Quiet Little Knife That Changes Everything
If you enjoy cooking but don’t necessarily want to feel like you’re “on the line” in a restaurant, there’s one small knife that can make everyday cooking feel calmer, easier, and more controlled: the petty knife.
It’s the knife most home cooks have never heard of—and the one they end up reaching for every single day once they own it.
What Is a Petty Knife?
A petty knife is a small, slim utility knife, typically in the 4.5"–6" range (120–150 mm). Think of it as a smaller, more graceful chef’s knife.
It’s made for the kinds of tasks you actually do most nights:
- Halving strawberries or grapes without crushing them
- Minced garlic and shallots that cook evenly
- Trimming chicken or steak without wrestling a huge blade
- Slicing lemons and limes for drinks or roasting
- Quick snacks and cheese boards right on the counter
Where a full-size chef knife can sometimes feel big or awkward, the petty feels light, precise, and easy to control.
Why It Matters for Everyday Cooking
Most home kitchens have two extremes:
- A large chef knife that comes out for “serious cooking”
- A small paring knife that gets used for everything else—often on the cutting board, where it struggles
The petty knife fills the space between those two. It’s ideal when:
- You’re cooking for one or two people and don’t need a big blade
- You want more control than a chef knife gives you
- You’re doing lots of “little things” for dinner or for guests—herbs, garnishes, small vegetables
The result is simple: less effort, less strain, and better-looking food with very little learning curve.
How a Petty Knife Fits Into Your Kitchen
If you like well-made things that earn their place in your home, a petty knife is an easy yes. It’s a beautiful complement to the knives you already own, not another gadget to hide in a drawer.
A thoughtful everyday set might look like this:
- Chef Knife or Santoku – bigger prep, big batches
- Petty Knife – nightly cooking, small prep, all the “quick” tasks
- Paring Knife – in-hand work and little details
- Bread Knife – loaves, crusts, tomatoes, and cakes
For many of our customers, once the petty arrives, it becomes the knife that lives on the board, not in the block.
What to Look For in a Great Petty Knife
When you’re choosing a petty, a few details make a big difference: