The Petty 140mm is a compact, nimble knife that sits between a paring and utility knife in size — a true everyday essential. Perfect for precision work, trimming herbs, peeling fruit, or finely slicing garlic, yet capable of handling larger veg when needed. After your chef’s knife, it’s the most useful knife in the kitchen.
(Handle colour: a deep, rich purple — more vibrant than it appears in photos.)
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Petty – Compact Precision
The petty knife is the Japanese equivalent of a paring or utility knife. Small, nimble, and extremely versatile, it’s perfect for tasks that require precision — from peeling fruit and trimming herbs to preparing garnishes and working with smaller cuts of meat. A petty makes the ideal partner to a larger gyuto or santoku.
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Nashiji – “Pear-Skin” Texture
Nashiji means “pear skin” in Japanese, referring to the mottled, slightly rough surface left on the blade. This finish reduces food sticking while creating a beautiful, organic texture.
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San Mai – Three-Layer Construction
San mai means “three layers.” It describes the traditional Japanese method of sandwiching a hard steel core between two softer layers of protective cladding. The hard core provides razor-sharp cutting performance, while the outer layers add toughness and make the knife easier to maintain.
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Ginsan – Stainless with a Carbon-Steel Feel
Fine-grained stainless steel offering carbon-steel sharpness with easy maintenance. Ginsan takes a keen edge, holds it well, and resists corrosion — a perfect balance of precision and practicality.
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Steel Care
• Always hand wash immediately after use — never in the dishwasher.
• Dry completely with a towel to prevent rust or discolouration.
• Use wooden or soft plastic cutting boards to preserve the edge.
• Store safely — in a knife block, magnetic rack, or saya cover.
• Sharpen regularly using whetstones for best long-term performance.
• Carbon steels will form a patina over time — this is normal and protective.
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Specifications
Blade shape – Petty
Blade construction – San Mai
Steel – Ginsan Stainless
Total length – 245 mm
Blade length – 140 mm
Blade height at heel – 29 mm
Weight – 85 g
Blade finish – Nashiji
Edge grind – 50/50
Thickness behind edge – 0.20 mm
Spine thickness at heel – 2.00 mm
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Age Restriction
Knives are only available to persons over 18 years of age. Due to the nature of our business, all customers will be asked to verify their age at checkout and upon delivery.
We ship Tuesday to Saturday using Royal Mail Tracked 24.
All knives ship via an age verified service in accordance with The Offensive Weapons Act 2019, which will mean the postie will need you to be in to receive the delivery & to check your ID if you look under 25.
The law also requires us to carry out a soft age check of the purchaser after checkout, this is done by an automated system that usually doesn't require your input, although we will need to contact you for proof of age if you fail, which can sometimes happen if you use a work address.
of Community Cutlery as a home for enthusiasts, for people who love the ritual of food preparation and who have realised the charm in doing it with quality tools, with items that are as pleasing on the eye as they are practical in the hand.
