R. Murphy 3-inch Carbon Steel Produce Knife, Black Handle

Produce departments and farm crews use a short knife to trim and split fruit and vegetables on the job, and the R. Murphy 3-inch carbon steel produce knife is a compact tool for that work. Its 3-inch carbon blade ends in a squared-off point, and a bent guard sits between the blade and the black handle.

The square point lets you trim away bruises and blemishes on the display without stabbing into the next piece of fruit, and the short, straight edge splits a melon or an avocado to show customers its ripeness. In the field, it cuts lettuce heads and herb stems. Carbon steel takes a keen edge and is quick to touch up on a steel or stone, which matters on a knife used all day.

The 3-inch orange-handled produce knife is the same size in high-carbon stainless steel, with a handle you can spot in a bin or a field. For longer cuts, the 4-inch green-handled produce knife adds an inch of blade.