Q&A for How to Use a Paring Knife

A knife can be sharpened in various ways; there is no one best way, it depends on what you're most comfortable with. Some ways to sharpen a knife include a whetstone or a honing rod. More details for sharpening a knife can be found here: How to Sharpen a Knife .

The butt of the knife is the downward-curving tip of the knife's handle. Its purpose is to provide a cushioning effect for your hand when cutting food.

You can use a paring knife to chop smaller vegetables and herbs, but a paring knife would most likely be too small for bigger vegetables.

It's mostly used for peeling, scraping and cutting up fruit. It can also be used for cutting up smaller ingredients, such as ginger, mini cucumbers and garlic cloves.