Suncraft Mini Nakiri with Saya

This shrunken down nakiri is a great stand-in for paring knives in the kitchen and on the go. It features the same traits we love about regular-sized nakiris (and wish run-of-the-mill paring knives had): A straight blade for accuracy and precision control, a squared-off tip for safety and enough height for knuckle clearance. Its craftsmanship is no surprise—Japanese company Suncraft’s in-house artisans have over 70 years of experience forging blades in Seki City, a famous knife-making area of the country. Designed with a strong stainless steel blade and sturdy handle, the Mini Nakiri won’t snap or bend, unlike many flimsy paring knives. It’s great for smaller jobs, such as slicing peppers, cucumbers, small tomatoes and fingerling potatoes or cutting fruits and cheese for charcuterie boards.

The Mini Nakiri comes with a magnetized saya (guard) that simply slides on or off with a pop of the thumb; it protects the blade—and your fingertips—in a crowded drawer or knife roll. Keep it in your kitchen rotation or bring it to picnics, camping trips, parties, barbecues and other places you’d need a compact, sharp blade. The Mini Nakiri and Mini Santoku are also available as a set.