F. Dick Premier Plus 6-inch Utility Knife

Work that is too large for a paring knife, such as cutting a big grapefruit, trimming a cantaloupe or slicing pork and chicken, suits this 6-inch Premier Plus utility knife. Its narrow blade suits both produce and meat.

Having a second knife for these jobs spreads the wear across blades, so a chef’s knife used for everything does not go dull as quickly. The steel hones back easily when the edge rolls to one side, and it sharpens well on stones when it needs more than honing.

At 6 inches, it also slices sandwiches and cured meats neatly. The narrow blade turns easily inside a melon or a citrus fruit to free the flesh from the rind. That makes it a useful second knife beside a chef’s knife.

A granton edge version keeps starchy vegetables from sticking. For a little more reach, the Premier Plus 7-inch utility knife handles melons and small fish, and the 6-inch chef’s knife has a taller blade for chopping.