The cheapest knife in the drawer and the one used most often · review
The cheapest paring knife here, in high-carbon Japanese steel, for trimming beans and small jobs.
A 3-inch paring knife in high-carbon Japanese steel with a polypropylene handle, from Mercer’s value line. The listing names small jobs: garnishes, deveining shrimp, trimming beans and slicing mangos.
This is the cheapest paring knife on the shelf, and a sensible second knife next to the Victorinox Swiss Classic. Neither publishes a hardness, which is normal at this price.
| Blade length | 3 in (8 cm) |
|---|---|
| Steel | High-carbon Japanese steel |
| Handle | Polypropylene, with textured finger points |
| Care | Hand wash; dry completely |
| Use | Garnishes, deveining shrimp, trimming beans, slicing mangos |
| Amazon reference | B005P0OJQQ |
Mercer tells you to wash by hand and dry completely. Do that and it should be fine. Do not leave it in the sink.
Both are fine at this price. The Victorinox is slightly longer and adds a Swiss origin and a lifetime warranty line for about $3 more.
7.5/ 10
At about $9, it is hard to go wrong.
A spare paring knife or a first kit.
Specifications: the manufacturer sheet for cookware and kitchen knives and the matching Amazon product page. Prices and availability: Keepa. Every figure on this page names its source.
3.25 in (8 cm) · straight edge · spear point · stainless · plastic handle · made in Switzerland
A 3.25-inch Swiss paring knife with a tapered, laser-tested edge for about $12.
Best for: Everyday peeling and trimming.
≈ $12
3.5 in (9 cm) blade · ice-hardened to -184°F (-120°C) stated · German stainless · finger guard
A 3.5 in (9 cm) paring knife with the same Ice Force treatment as its santoku sibling, made in German stainless, with a finger guard.
Best for: Someone who wants one good small knife rather than a multipack.
≈ $25
Set of 3 · stainless · colored handles · ground sharp · small kitchen knives
Three small stainless knives with colored handles at the price of a coffee — the category where a multipack is genuinely better than one expensive blade.
Best for: The knife that is always missing when you want it.
≈ $17
Prices quoted in these summaries are dated readings. The live price is shown next to each product.
