Collection: Kai Hocho

Kai Hocho Paring Knives in South Africa

Kai is a Japanese cutlery maker, and Hocho is its kitchen knife line. NeonSales stocks the paring knives from that range, in 11cm, in plain and serrated edges across six colours. Prices run from R45 to R55.

Plain or serrated?

A plain edge gives a cleaner cut and is easier to sharpen, which suits peeling, trimming and precise work on firm produce. A serrated edge grips and saws through skins without slipping, which makes it the better choice for tomatoes, citrus and anything with a tough exterior over soft flesh. Most kitchens benefit from having one of each rather than choosing between them.

Why the colours

Colour-coded handles are a food safety convention rather than decoration. Assigning a colour to raw meat, another to vegetables and another to cooked food reduces cross-contamination, which is why coloured handles are standard in commercial kitchens. At this price, buying several and colour-coding them is entirely practical at home too.

Common questions

What is a paring knife for? Small precise work in the hand rather than on a board. Peeling, coring, deveining, trimming and segmenting. It is the knife you reach for when a chef knife is too large.

Are these dishwasher safe? Check the individual listing. Handwashing extends the life of any kitchen knife regardless, since dishwasher detergent is hard on edges and handles.

Can serrated paring knives be sharpened? Not with a standard sharpener, which will flatten the serrations. A dedicated serrated sharpener is needed, and at this price replacement is usually the practical answer.

Related: Kitchen Knives · Blades and Knives · Knife Sharpeners