F. Dick Eurasia 4.5-inch Paring Knife

This 4.5-inch Eurasia paring knife takes on jobs a smaller parer is not suited for, such as cutting avocados, slicing grapefruit and navel oranges, and even cantaloupe. It also handles small fruit and vegetables off the board.

What sets the Eurasia line apart is a partial bolster like a Japanese knife. It gives the cook more finger room for a better grip, and it makes the knife easier to pass on a honing rod or a stone, because nothing blocks the heel of the edge.

The slightly longer blade reaches across a whole lemon or lime in one stroke, so slices come out even. It also trims chicken and slices small sausages on the board. For a cook who wants one small knife for both board and hand work, this length is a sensible middle ground.

For in-hand peeling, the shorter Eurasia 3.5-inch paring knife is quicker. Larger produce suits the Eurasia 7-inch gyuto, and the comparison table below lists the full Eurasia range.