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Giada De Laurentiis gifts this compact $14 paring knife to everyone she loves
The star chef says this ergonomic tool from Victorinox is her go-to present for family and friends.
I interviewed hundreds of chefs as an editor at Food Network Magazine, and I was always surprised at how many of them told me they used only a few tools at home for cooking despite a kitchen full of pots, pans and utensils. Often, they considered just two types of knives an essential: a good chef's knife and a paring knife. It turns out that Giada De Laurentiis agrees: The star chef says that the knives she uses most are paring knives (she calls them "baby knives"). And her go-to costs only $14 on Amazon.
Victorinox has been making knives — including the original Swiss Army Knife — since 1884! So you can trust they know what they're doing.
In a recent video for her lifestyle site, Giadzy, the cooking pro took viewers on a tour of her home kitchen, sharing the items she uses everyday. Even though she has an entire drawerful of knives, she said her go-tos are serrated paring knives. They're so useful, she said, "I've given these as gifts to everybody in my family. And my friends too." (Wouldn't they make an, ahem, sharp present for your favorite home cook?)
Though she didn't specify the brand in the video, the knives' distinctive red handles and serrated blades identify them as Victorinox Swiss Classic paring knives. Yes, they're small — the blade only measures 3.25 inches long — but they're mighty, with a pointed tip and serrated blade that make slicing and dicing small items like garlic easy.
Paring knives are also a huge help for peeling and coring tomatoes, apples and more. Sometimes it's tiring or awkward to use a big chef's knife, and the ergonomic handle on these little multitaskers will be easy on your hands. Though we always recommend you hand-wash knives to prolong their lifespan, these are dishwasher-safe.
This paring knife has lots more fans out there — it has earned a five-star rating from more than 1,300 Amazon shoppers.
"This is an outstanding well-priced kitchen tool that holds up well after washing and using weekly," raved one fan.
You can even take them on the go, as this shopper noted: "I love this little knife for my travel kit. For example, I carry it in my backpack because it's perfect for cutting hard meats, hard cheeses and baguettes on picnics, or for snacks during a hiking break. It's also great for the hotel room when having dinner of wine and a self-made charcuterie board."
And you can use them in more than just the kitchen, of course. "This knife is actually sold as a landscaper's knife at some nurseries and we have used it as such for many years. Great inexpensive do-everything knife!" said another reviewer.
A final happy customer said, "Really like these knives (bought four of them!). They are very sharp and work very well for kitchen jobs that benefit from the sawtooth edge. They are very light, have a no slip-handle (and the red handle makes them easy to pick out in the kitchen clutter) and are easy to clean." But keep in mind this warning: "The blade is quite flexible, so not suitable for jobs where you want a stiff blade. But most tasks they are very handy and just right for the job."
Want a little more variety? This set is truly a cut above: It features the small serrated paring knife, a paring knife with a straight edge and a larger serrated paring knife.
De Laurentiis has also gone on record saying her favorite chef's knife is a Japanese santoku knife, which has a shorter, thinner blade than a traditional chef's knife.
This already-affordable santoku knife often goes on sale, but it's more than just a bargain. More than 3,800 Amazon customers have given it a five-star rating.
"The sharpness is unparalleled, as is its ease of use! It cuts through any vegetable like butter," said this fan. "I initially bought this as a Mother's Day present. Now I want it for myself! Aside from the caution required, especially when you clean it, you simply can't find a better cooking knife for the value of the price."
If you have Amazon Prime, you'll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
