Pick a perfect parer

I used to be a firm believer that everything worth slicing could be cut by a chef's knife.

No longer. I am beginning to see how small and detailed tasks are so much more easily accomplished with a good paring knife.

That said, I don't have one.

I was wondering what other people thought of this implement. Useful? Indispensible? Just taking up block space?

Is it worth getting a name brand knife for this most diminutive tool? What do you use? What do you like?

I only use one Chef's knife but I have many paring knifes. Some are quality, some are crap, all are sharp and work when I need them. I use them mostly to peal apples or cut vegetables lazily.

If you watch Pepin, you will see he uses a paring knife as much, if not more, than his Chef's knife.

-ramon

I'm mostly fond of my 4" Henckel's 4 star paring knife (same brand as my chef's knife).

Some jobs are too small or too detailed for a chef's knife. I sometimes use both knives on the same item (large hunks of meat in particular) for the same job.

While small, garlic chops great with a chefs knife. But please don't make me julienne a pepper without my nice sharp paring knife.

I also have a 3" knife that I don't like so well, but my husband likes more than me. So I can't say 4 inches is right, just right for me.

Go to a knife store and play with some lengths, then maybe try that in the brand you like (as is your chef's knife).

Nancy

I have a four inch global and use it all the time. And if space is a concern, lose the block and get a wall mounted knife magnet. It saves counter space and is good for you knives and really convenient for switching tools mid stream. I have two from Ikea and they work just fine. I think most of the knife companies make them as well if (as my dad would say) you hate money.

Kristen