Wa-Petty: Petty Knives with Japanese-style Handle

The functionality of a petty knife meets the aesthetic of traditional Japanese knives with the Wa-Petty. Both light and easy to use, these smaller knives complement chef's knives or santoku very well and make perfect gifts or additions to any knife collection. Get yours from Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide, a knife brand operating out of the heart of Osaka's kitchenware district for over 70 years!

What is a Wa-Petty Knife?

"Wa-Petty" refers to a Petty knife with a Japanese-style handle since "Wa" is a Japanese word that signifies "traditional Japanese style". They are ideal for detailed food preparation such as peeling, slicing and decorative work. The blade size can vary from 120mm to 150mm and is quite light in hand. If you mostly use it for peeling vegetables and fruits or working off the board, we recommend a 120mm petty. If you are more likely to cut fruits than peel them or work on the board, the 150mm size is easier to use.

How to Choose the Blade Materials - Carbon Steel vs Stainless Steel

The adventages of carbon steels (e.g. White Steel) are their sharpness and ease of resharpening. On the other hand, they are susceptible to moisture, and if not maintained properly, the blades will rust.

Stainless steels (e.g. Silver Steel#3, VG1, VG10, ZA18) are resistant to rust and easy to maintain. The sharpness of the blade is getting better year by year, but they are still more difficult to sharpen than carbon steels.

We recommend carbon steel to people who value sharpness and ease of sharpening while recommend stainless steel to people who value rust resistance and ease of maintenance.