Recommend a tiny knife for kitchen use

[Mabouya]

This may be weird and I might be nuts, but I find my teeny home-made knife to be super convenient for all sorts of stuff in the kitchen, much of it not necessarily food-prep related. I took an old Xacto blade (the classic shape, I think it's #11) put a paper-clip through the hole in the grip portion of the blade, then wrapped some duct tape around the paper-clip. (no, I haven't done time in prison and I don't keep one hidden in my mouth)

So the one I made is getting pretty dull, and since it might be nicer to use a "real" one instead of making another shiv, I figured I'd check out the options.

Basically I'm looking for something with a blade no longer than 1" that's easy to hold between your thumb and index finger. I don't care if it's a folder or has a fixed blade, as long as it's easy to use. Pretty and artistic is nice, but there's no need for it to be some fancy Damascus steel thing. (that's sort of a joke, I doubt anyone bothers to make tiny stuff using that process) Somewhere around here I have a few oil-stones, so if necessary I can sharpen it as required.

TIA

[funcrusher]

spyderco dog tag

[caleb]

This might have more handle than you're looking for, but I found it super useful when I worked in a shop: UK-1 Utility Knife | Park Tool

[EFHeath]

try these links:
<https://www.dictum.com/en/musical-instrument-making/special-tools-for-musical-instruments/violin-making-knives/730452/herdim-reed-knife-japanese-doublelayered-steel-bevel-right?ftr=_5__97_1_12_12>

<https://www.fine-tools.com/flexcut.html>

and here you get to make your own handle:
<http://www.pfeiltools.com/en/products/violin-makers-tools/violin-makers-knives.html>

violin knives at top, scroll down for scalpel blades and handles
<https://www.fine-tools.com/messer10.html>

and now for something COMPLETELY different(!):
<https://www.dictum.com/en/knives/obsidian/716247/obsidian-knife-by-suemori?ftr=_3__97_1_12_12>

[j44ke]

Sounds a bit like a Finnish knife called a Puuko. They have a variety of blade lengths, but some are quite stubby - though I think that might be from use and sharpening over time. Anyway, they are short bladed knives with a nice handle that makes them very stable in the hand. My grandfather always had a few - in the kitchen, tackle box, boat - that he got from one of his patients. A farmer who I guess might have been Finnish. My grandfather called them stubbies, but later I saw a similar knife and it was called a puuko by the person who made it, so I expect that's what they were. They look like this (though there seem to be a lot of variations):



A higo was my first thought though. That's the ubiquitous Japanese carpenter's knife, equivalent I guess to a utility knife in the US. They can be quite small. Very simple knife often with very high quality steel blade that can be very sharp.



You also might look for a pattern-maker's knife. These were basically a handle with a slot through the center and two retaining screws. You took a piece of metal bar stock, slipped it through the handle, and then ground and honed an edge for the given job. The bar stock is stiff, which is important for cutting patterns where you are following a line with the blade. I have one, again from my grandfather, that is now needing a sharpening. When sharp, it was a nice short blade and very strong, though it looked a bit too much like something out of a prison riot.

[j44ke]

In searching for photos of the pattern-maker's knife, I came across the Japanese kiridashi knife, which appears to be sort of a Japanese Xacto. They appear to come with or without handles.

[Eric Estlund]

I got one of these as a freebee- use it daily.

[bertiewhang]

I bought one like Eric has shown years ago but with a serrated blade. It's out of the drawer as much as it's in.

[Paul Jacobs]

In searching for photos of the pattern-maker's knife, I came across the Japanese kiridashi knife, which appears to be sort of a Japanese Xacto. They appear to come with or without handles.

The kiridashi knife is really a marking knife I think, for scribing lines when marking out woodwork. They work really well for this. I used to use one a lot until my son, who is a professional furniture maker saw it and convinced me that he would make better use of it. I must get another one day.

[Paul Jacobs]

There is the classic Opinel of course (in any of its many variations).

https://www.opinel.com/en/pocket-kni...ools/tradition

[11.4]

The Japanese patternmakers' knives are quite thick and won't necessarily slice well, but are superb for slicing chestnuts and that kind of ting. But go to woodcraft.com and check out their fine woodcarving knives. Woodcraft has stores in a number of cities as well, and while they aren't the most advanced retailer in this stuff out there, they have some beautiful hand-made blades. Google Japanese woodworking tools and you'll find a lot more online. Here's just one good source: Knives - JapanWoodworker.com.

[Mabouya]

Thanks guys - these are some good ideas.

[j44ke]

Nice site, Lane. Might need to spend some money there.

edit: Hah! This knife is very close to what my grandfather had, and it even has the appropriate name. Makes me think that these knives all started out with longer blades, but everyone had grandfathers like me who never threw away anything and kept honing and sharpening the blade down to a "stubby".

[zetroc]

I like the look of those kiridashi, they look like they'd be handy to have a few of.

[spopepro]

My first thought was a kiridashi. My second thought was an opinel mushroom knife. Glad the v-salon hive mind thinks the right things. :)

But what you probably really want is a Thai fruit carving knife. I've considered one for a long time for doing things like cutting strawberries into roses and such, but haven't pulled the trigger. Maybe soon.

[dashDustin]

I find uses for a tiny knife often. All over. Kinda wish there was a fixed blade knife version of a PockeTweez.

Edit - Instagram to the rescue

[davids]

This is a great little knife: Amazon.com: Victorinox 4-Inch Swiss Classic Paring Knife

[Mabouya]

I decided to go with the Opinel No.2. The blade is 1 3/8" long. Ordered that and few other things directly from them.

Opinel Classic Beech Wood | Opinel USA / NeverUnder, LLC

[choke]

edit: Hah! This knife is very close to what my grandfather had, and it even has the appropriate name. Makes me think that these knives all started out with longer blades, but everyone had grandfathers like me who never threw away anything and kept honing and sharpening the blade down to a "stubby".

And despite the Italian sounding name, Roselli knives are made in Finland.

[echelon_john]

These are cheap and awesome. Hold a great edge, sharpen well, zero maintenance, just as good at slitting a box open as slicing a tomato. Not fancy but I probably grab one at least as often as any of our 'nice' knives.

Amazon.com: Mundial SCRYG561-3 3-1/4-Inch Paring Knife Collection, Set of 3, Assorted: Kitchen & Dining