Midsize Kitchen Knives Offer Alternative to Large Chef’s Knives
8 reported
A Wired article reports that midsize kitchen knives, often called petty, prep, or utility knives, can be highly functional alternatives to larger chef’s knives, especially for people with smaller hands or those seeking a more maneuverable blade. The author tested multiple knives over weeks, using them as daily drivers while preparing recipes from various cookbooks. Standout performers included the Messermeister Kawashima utility knife and a Sakai Takayuki kiritsuke from Seisuke Knife, which excelled at tasks like slicing carrots, quartering onions, and carving rotisserie chicken. Other knives, such as the Wusthöf 5-inch chef’s knife, struggled with wedging and poor rocking motion. The article notes that knife performance depends on factors like steel hardness, blade geometry, and sharpening, and that personal physiology and hand size influence which knife works best.
What’s reported
The author tested midsize knives from Messermeister, Cangshan, Tarrerias-Bonjean, Zwilling, Wusthöf, and Seisuke Knife.
The Messermeister Kawashima six-inch utility knife outperformed others in precision, comfort, and capability, handling tasks from garlic to chicken carving.
The Sakai Takayuki 160-millimeter kiritsuke from Seisuke was described as a “winner” with excellent edge and maneuverability.
The Wusthöf 5-inch chef’s knife struggled with wedging, poor rocking motion, and left meat on chicken carcasses.
The Zwilling Pro 5.5 Inch Prep Knife performed admirably due to an angled bolster.
The Messermeister Oliva Elite was noted as a good workhorse for mincing and slicing.
The Kawashima is made of harder Japanese steel, while the Oliva uses softer German steel.
The Zwilling and Wusthöf are both priced around $120, with the Zwilling suggested as the “budget” model for most people.
Key figures
Ron Tsu (author of cookbook Down South + East)
Hugh Amano (co-author of Down South + East)
Tamar Adler (author of The Everlasting Meal Cookbook)
Gus Constantellis (author of My Greek Mom’s Recipes)
Ham El-Waylly (author of Hello, Home Cooking)
Chris Young (mentioned in context of a video about rotisserie chicken stock)
Bob Tate (bladesmith who sharpens knives)
Seisuke Knife (knife shop in Portland, Oregon)
Messermeister (knife brand)
Cangshan (knife brand)
Tarrerias-Bonjean (knife brand)
Zwilling (knife brand)
Wusthöf (knife brand)
Sakai Takayuki (knife maker)
Sources: Wired
