TL;DR: A utility knife, sometimes called a petty knife or prep knife, is a medium-sized kitchen knife used for tasks that are too small for a chef's knife but too big for a paring knife. When picking out a utility knife, consider what length blade you want, if you want a Japanese or Western-style knife, and what the blade is made out of.

I’ve long been interested in kitchen knives, and I’ve been building my collection ever since I got my own kitchen. One of my favorite knives is a prep knife I received for my birthday several years ago. I have small hands, making a shorter blade easier for me to handle, and I do a lot of prep work like chopping garlic, cutting up small portions of meat, and dicing herbs, all of which a prep or utility knife is perfect for.

While it’s wonderful that there are so many good options out there for knives, it can be difficult to know which one will suit you best. That’s where Curated Kitchen Experts come in! Every one of our Experts are familiar with different brands, knife types, and cutting styles, meaning that they can make informed suggestions. Best of all, chatting with an Expert is free!

What is a Utility Knife?

A kitchen utility knife – not to be confused with a pocket utility box cutter – is a medium-sized knife with a blade that ranges from 4.5-inch to 6-inch. These knives are used for tasks that would tax paring knives but are too delicate for chef's knives. Most utility knives look like elongated paring knives (paring knives' blades range between three and four inches) with a thin, pointed blade.

That's not the only version of a utility knife, though. They can be referred to as a petty knife or prep knife and have either a straight or triangular-shaped blade. The term "petty" comes from the Japanese version of a Western utility knife, though most manufacturers use the terms interchangeably.

Prep knives typically have a deeper blade, looking more like a mini chef’s knife. These aren’t hard and fast rules, though, with some manufacturers even using a combination of the names to label their knives.

What to Consider when Buying a Utility Knife

Utility knives are highly useful in the kitchen, as their nimbleness makes them excellent for dicing herbs, slicing up vegetables, and even cutting up a whole chicken. As these are such versatile knives, it’s important to pick out one that’ll suit your kitchen and knife skills.

Japanese style or Western Style?

Kitchen knives are segregated into two main types: Japanese-style knives and Western-style knives (sometimes referred to as German-style). Neither style is inherently superior, but their designs make them better at certain tasks.

• Western-style: Western-style knives are focused on durability. As a rule, Western manufacturers use a softer steel and a thicker blade, meaning that the knives can handle more difficult tasks and are very unlikely to chip. Western utility knives most often look like long paring knives. They have a pointed tip and a narrow blade, making them highly nimble. Prep knives are the exception, as they often look like a small chef's knife.
• Japanese-style: Japanese-style knives prioritize sharpness. For this purpose, they have hard steel blades that are hammered thin. The hardness of the steel allows it to hold an edge extremely well, but it has less give. These knives can chip if handled roughly or if used to cut something too hard, like bones, squash, or frozen foods. Japanese utility knives usually have a triangular shape, with the blade tapering to a point. It’s not as dramatic as a chef’s knife, meaning that these blades aren’t really great for a rocking chop – though it depends on the knife.

What Length Should the Blade Be?

There are several choices in terms of blade length. Which one is best will depend on factors like your hand size and what you usually prep in your kitchen.

• 4.5-inch: If you need a little extra blade length than a paring knife can offer, a 4.5-inch knife is the way to go. These knives are lightweight, easy to handle, and are perfect for a utility knife used for slicing up smaller fruits or veggies.
• 5-inch: This is a common size, as 5-inch is right in the middle lengthwise. It gives you a few more inches of the blade than a paring knife, making it better for larger tasks, but it is much more maneuverable than even a 6-inch chef's knife.
• 5.5-inch: Prep knives are often 5.5-inch, making this another common utility knife size. The extra half-inch allows for more leverage when cutting so that it can handle harder vegetables or larger pieces of meat. It's still short enough to give you good control over the knife (the shorter it is, the more precise you can be with it.)
• 6-inch: A blade this length is on the longer end for a utility knife (though there are 6.5-inch ones, too; they're just more unusual). While these knives are the same length as a smaller chef's knife, they have a narrower blade, making them lighter and easier to handle.

Forged or Stamped?

There are two primary manufacturing techniques for making kitchen knives. While in most cases, I’d recommend a forged knife, there are some benefits to stamping.

• Forging: A forged knife is shaped out of one piece of metal while it’s heated. It’s a highly refined version of how blacksmiths traditionally made blades. Heating and shaping the blade gives the manufacturer more control over the steel, allowing for it to have a superior grain, making it stronger and better able to hold an edge. The downside of this is that the knife is heavier and costlier.
• Stamped: A stamped knife is cut out of a piece of steel with a die. This process is quick and inexpensive, making these knives affordable and incredibly light. The downsides are that they don’t hold an edge as well, and they have limited longevity.

Types of Utility Knives

While there are different lengths you can get for a utility knife, another important distinction is the type of blade. Utility knives are widely available with a serrated edge, which offers certain advantages.

Straight Edge

More utility knives than not are going to have a straight edge, with almost all prep knives being straight-edged.

Benefits:

• It is more versatile, as a straight-edge blade can be used for the vast majority of prep work.
• Straight-edged knives are more precise and will leave a cleaner cut when doing work like peeling fruit or veggies or slicing.

Be Aware:

• It needs to be sharpened more often than a serrated blade.
• It can struggle with slippery surfaces like lemon rinds.

Serrated

A serrated knife is a must-have in anyone’s knife collection as it’s the only reasonable way to cut bread. These blades have teeth along the edge, allowing them to grip what they’re cutting and prevent slipping.

Benefits:

• Allows you to cut bread and baked goods without tearing them.
• Excellent for slippery foods like tomatoes and citrus, as the teeth will bite in and prevent slipping or tearing.

Be Aware:

• Difficult to sharpen at home, as it requires a special honing rod and sharpening each serration.
• There are fewer options to choose from.

Features to Look for

When picking out a good knife, there are certain features that you should keep an eye out for.

Full Tang

The tang is the part of the knife that’s inside the handle. Forged knives will usually have a full tang, though some will only have a partial tang. The difference between those two is how far the tang extends down the handle: a full tang goes all the way to the end.

Why does a full tang matter? There are a few benefits to a knife with a full tang. The first is durability. It’s the tang that takes the strain when the knife is used, which means that the longer the tang is, the more the strain is distributed. The second is balance. A well-balanced knife’s center of gravity will be where the handle and blade meet. A full tang makes it easier to get that balance right.

That being said, partial tang knives do have the benefits of being lighter and less expensive.

Sheath

This is by no means a necessity, but a sheath gives you more options in terms of blade storage. A sheath that’s designed specifically for that knife will fit it properly, too, preventing it from scratching or dulling the blade.

How to Pick the Best Utility Knife for You

Utility knives are a common type of kitchen knife, meaning that there are a lot of options out there. In order to help give you a jump-start on that process, I’m going to describe three different people and what I’d recommend to each of them.

Millie: New Cook Looking for a Good Knife

Millie has only recently started cooking with regularity and is looking to get some better tools. She has a friend who recommended that she get a utility knife so that she doesn't have to use her chef's knife for everything. She's gotten some recommendations of what to look for in a knife but doesn't have a lot of extra income, so she doesn't want anything too pricey.

Features to look for:

• A straight-edged utility knife for versatility.
• Basic knives with synthetic handles and standard steel blades to save money.

Recommended Products: WÜSTHOF Gourmet Utility Knife, Cangshan TC Series Utility Knife and Wood Sheath Set

Sandra: Knife Collector Looking for a Gorgeous Knife

Sandra has slowly been building out and upgrading her knife collection. She's looking for a high-end, high-quality utility or prep knife that's also beautiful. She appreciates the aesthetics of a premium knife and wants one that she can display and be proud of.

Features to look for:

• Damascus steel for a beautiful knife blade.
• Premium brands for a good warranty and an assurance of quality.

Recommended Products: Kramer By Zwilling Euroline Damascus Collection Prep Knife, Miyabi Birchwood SG2 Utility Knife

Jason: Practical Cook Looking to Upgrade His Equipment

Jason has been upgrading his knives from the mediocre set he'd bought once he graduated college. He's gotten his most used knives but is looking for a serrated utility knife to replace the one he had. He cuts up a lot of tomatoes, rolls, and citrus and uses that knife for it, even though the synthetic handle irritates him. He doesn't mind spending some money so long as it's a well-made knife.

Features to look for:

• A full tang for durability and balance.
• Wooden handles for comfort and a sure grip.

Recommended Products: Cangshan Haku Series Serrated Utility, Cangshan OLIV Series Serrated Utility Knife

Find the Right Utility Knife for You

Utility knives aren’t the first thing most people think of for a must-have knife, but they’re highly versatile. If you’re unsure where to start looking, reach out to a Curated Kitchen Expert for free! All of our Experts are well-versed in knives and will be able to answer questions and make recommendations.