# Best Japanese petty and utility knives Source: https://edgeandhaft.com/best/best-japanese-petty-knives Publisher: Edge & Haft. Picks are chosen from what each Amazon listing states, not from hands-on tests. Method: https://edgeandhaft.com/how-we-pick A petty knife is the small second knife that sits next to a gyuto. It handles shallots, herbs, garlic, citrus and in-hand peeling where an 8 or 9 inch blade is clumsy. Most fall between 5 and 6 inches. The choices that matter are steel, hardness and handle style. Stainless blades like Misono UX10 or Masamoto VG are easy to live with. Carbon cores like Yoshihiro Blue #2 take a keener edge but must be dried right away. Powder steels like SG2 run very hard and hold an edge a long time. Handle style matters too: a Western handle feels like a German knife, while a Japanese wa handle is lighter and shifts the balance forward. This guide compares seven listings at $150 and up and writes "Not stated" wherever a listing leaves out a spec. ## Picks ### 1. MIYABI Mizu SG2 5" Utility Knife Steel: SG2 micro-carbide powder stainless; Hardness (HRC): 63; Blade length: 5 in; Edge angle: 12 degrees; Handle: Micarta D-shape A 5 inch SG2 utility knife at 63 HRC with a 12 degree double-bevel edge and a hammered finish. The pick for cooks who want stainless with very high hardness. What the listing offers: - SG2 powder steel ice-hardened to 63 HRC, the listing states, for strong edge retention. - Honbazuke sharpening to a 12 degree double bevel edge, per the listing. - Micarta D-shape handle with bolster, and the listing states a limited lifetime warranty. Limits to know: - At 5 inches it is the shortest knife here, so it is less useful for larger produce. - Very hard steel can chip if used on bone or frozen food; the listing does not cover this. ### 2. Misono UX10 Petty Knife No. 733/15cm Steel: High purity stainless steel; Hardness (HRC): Not stated; Blade length: 5.9 in (15 cm); Edge angle: Not stated; Handle: Black reinforced wood A classic Western-handled Japanese petty with a 15 cm stainless blade only 1.8 mm thick at the spine and an 80 g weight. The easiest all-round petty to own. What the listing offers: - The listing states a 0.07 inch (1.8 mm) spine, which keeps the blade thin for fine work on shallots and herbs. - Light at 80 g with a 5.9 inch blade and 10.2 inch overall length, per the listing. - High purity stainless steel and a reinforced wood handle, made in Japan. Limits to know: - The listing does not state hardness or edge angle, so you cannot compare edge retention on paper. - No saya or blade guard is mentioned in the listing. ### 3. Yoshihiro Kurouchi Stainless Clad High Performance SLD Japanese Petty-Kiritsuke Knife (6" (150mm) & Saya Cover) Steel: High Performance SLD, stainless clad; Hardness (HRC): 63-64; Blade length: 6 in (150 mm); Edge angle: Not stated (double edged); Handle: Octagonal ebony A 6 inch petty-kiritsuke in semi-stainless SLD steel at 63-64 HRC, sold with a saya cover. Suits cooks who want carbon-like hardness with less rust worry. What the listing offers: - The listing states SLD steel at 63-64 HRC, described as highly wear resistant. - Stainless clad, Kurouchi Nashiji finish with an octagonal ebony handle. - Includes a saya cover in this listing, unlike the Blue #2 variant above. Limits to know: - The listing still calls for hand washing, drying and whetstone-only sharpening. - Wa handle and kiritsuke tip shape may feel unfamiliar to cooks used to Western knives. ### 4. MASAMOTO VG Japanese Petty Knife 6" (150mm) Professional Kitchen Small Utility Knife, Ultra Sharp Japanese Stainless Steel Blade, Duracon Handle, Made in JAPAN Steel: Hyper Molybdenum Vanadium stainless; Hardness (HRC): 58-59; Blade length: 5.9 in (150 mm); Edge angle: Not stated (double bevel); Handle: Duracon POM A low-maintenance stainless petty from Masamoto at 58-59 HRC with a sealed bolster and a resin handle. Best for cooks who want a durable, worry-free second knife. What the listing offers: - The listing states the bolster covers the handle to keep water out, aimed at long service life. - Hyper Molybdenum Vanadium stainless at 58-59 HRC is stated to be rust-resistant and easy to maintain. - Made in Tokyo, with official English instructions included, per the listing. Limits to know: - The listing says the edge is sharpened for right-handed use, so left-handed cooks may want a regrind. - 58-59 HRC is softer than the SG2 and Blue #2 options here. ### 5. Yoshihiro Kurouchi Black-Forged High Carbon Blue Steel Stainless Clad Petty-Kiritsuke Utility Knife Ebony Handle (6"(150mm) & No Saya) Steel: Blue Steel #2 core; Hardness (HRC): 62-63; Blade length: 6 in (150 mm); Cladding: Kurouchi stainless clad; Handle: Octagonal ebony wa A 150 mm petty-kiritsuke in Blue #2, sized between a paring knife and a chef's knife. The easiest way to add a small carbon knife to a kit. What the listing offers: - Blue Steel #2 core at 62-63 HRC, per the listing, in a small and nimble shape. - Stainless cladding limits rust risk to the core edge. - Lowest listed price of the Yoshihiro carbon picks in this guide. Limits to know: - Too short to serve as a main knife for large produce or roasts. - No saya is included in this variant; the listing says the cover is optional. ### 6. Shun Premier 6" Ultimate Utility Knife Steel: VG-MAX core, 68-layer Damascus cladding; Hardness (HRC): Not stated; Blade length: 6 in; Edge angle: 16 degrees; Handle: Contoured Pakkawood Shun's 6 inch utility knife in VG-MAX with a hammered finish, built for thin-skinned produce, sandwiches and spreading. A fit for Shun owners filling out a kit. What the listing offers: - VG-MAX steel with 68 layers of Damascus cladding and a 16 degree edge, per the listing. - Hammered tsuchime finish is stated to reduce drag and food sticking. - The listing states free sharpening and honing support. Limits to know: - The listing pitches it for spreading mayo and slicing bread, so it is less of a pure petty profile. - Hardness is not stated on the listing, unlike most picks here. ### 7. Global SAI-M02, SAI 6 inch Utility Knife, Stainless Steel Steel: Cromova 18 stainless; Hardness (HRC): 56-58; Blade length: 6 in; Edge angle: Not stated; Handle: Not stated (seamless build) Global's SAI 6 inch utility knife in Cromova 18 stainless at 56-58 HRC with a seamless build. For cooks who prize easy cleaning and rust resistance. What the listing offers: - Seamless construction with smooth contours, which the listing says removes food and dirt traps. - Cromova 18 stainless is stated to resist rust, stains and corrosion. - Described as lightweight and balanced for slicing, mincing and prep work. Limits to know: - 56-58 HRC is the softest range in this guide, so it will need honing more often. - The listing does not state edge angle or handle material. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.