What Size Petty Knife Should You Buy?
Sep 27, 2026
Choose petty-knife length by where you plan to use it: in the hand, on the board, or both. Petty knives cover a surprisingly wide range of sizes.
80–100 mm: close, in-hand work
Very short petty knives feel similar to paring knives. They suit peeling, coring, trimming strawberries, removing small blemishes and work where the food is held in the hand.
120–135 mm: versatile small utility size
This range still feels compact but gives enough edge for shallots, garlic, citrus, herbs, small vegetables and detailed meat trimming on a cutting board.
150 mm: more board work
A 150 mm petty behaves more like a small utility or mini chef’s knife. It gives extra reach for small sandwiches, fruit, boneless protein and quick board prep while remaining much lighter than a gyuto.
Can a petty replace a paring knife?
A short petty often can. A longer 150 mm petty is more useful on the board but can feel awkward for very close peeling in the hand.
Can it replace a chef’s knife?
Only for small jobs. A petty lacks the height and reach of a santoku or gyuto for large vegetables and bulk prep.
Simple rule
Choose around 80–100 mm mainly for in-hand work, 120–135 mm for mixed use, and around 150 mm when board work matters most.
See the Petty & Paring Knife Guide and browse Petty & Paring Knives.
