Your Perfect Petty Size

I know its subjective but a petty is a knife I would like to add at some point. For those that have and love to use them what is your preferred size, and what is your typical use for it in your kitchen (will help explain size choices).

Please petty this new guy for a while

 

I use a 150 for all the small work on my board, stuff where a gyuto or a nakiri would be overkill like mushrooms, shallots, small protiens etc. What I like about my Masakage Shimo petty is the feedback I get from the tip.

 

I am really enjoying a 135mm funayuki for small stuff, but a 150 might be more versatile overall.

 

Got a few 150s; great for the smaller stuff erikz mentioned, plus supreming citrus. Got a 180 as well that is a very usable size.

 

I like a 120, mostly for in-hand use. for other tasks I'm typically reaching for a 210 suji or smaller gyuto.

 

There is talk about Petty and Gyuto sizes and they seem to overlap in these discussions (although i thought Gyuto begins at about 200 mm). What's the difference between a 180 mm Petty / Gyuto?

 

in generally speaking, 180mm gyuto have slightly wider heel for more knuckles clearance than 180mm petty

 

from what I saw,... knuckle clearance, I just figured a gyuto would have a taller blade to be more geared for board cutting and a petty for in hand, although both could do either their strengths would be leaning more to one side over other. But since im so new at this I wouldn't take my word for anything lmao

 

Shape. Petty are generally shaped with a suji profile.

 

150 i almost never used, got a 165 and it sees plenty use now, so thinking 180 would be even better, 210 however is too long.

 

Ah ok, i see. The use as cutter on a board and knuckle clearance are a factor. As for shape, when i line up my western Petty and one of my western Gyuto in my line of sight with the Petty in front, so that the sizes match, the Petty looks similar to the Gyuto. The Sujihiki is much different (much longer when at the same height. But i see how one could compare a Petty with a Sujihiki when we think of the Petty as a very short Sujihiki with less height.

 

Most makers actually call them sujis.

 

I have a handful ranging from 135-150ish. I like them all, depending on what I'm doing.

You really need more than one!

 

I like 150 and 100.

 

You can't use your french knfie to do everything!?

Eh, I use my birds beak paring knife more than any other short knife.

Actual pettys, I only have a 150. It is of usable size when I remember I have it. I'm curious to how I will like a 180.