Suncraft Senzo Professional 5.3-inch (135mm) Petty Knife

A petty is the Japanese term for a small utility knife, and this 5.3-inch Senzo Professional petty is the series’ in-between size. It handles jobs too large for a parer, such as segmenting citrus, trimming a pork tenderloin and slicing shallots on a small board. The blade is shaped to work well in the hand or on the board: slightly curved to allow rocking cuts, and flat enough for long, clean slices.

The narrow SG2 blade stays sharp through repeated small tasks, and at about 90g it is light and quick in the hand. Suncraft designed the series to hold up in commercial kitchens, with a bolster welded flush to the blade so water cannot enter the handle. It is easy to care for, needing no honing and only infrequent sharpening, and the steel is tough enough that it does not need to be babied to avoid chipping. It pairs well with any larger Japanese knife and makes a practical gift for a cook starting a collection.

Smaller Still

For peeling in the hand, see the Senzo Professional Paring Knife.