3.5" Paring Knife (ACUTO440) - Blue
3.5" Blue ACUTO440 Paring Knife
Our smallest prep knife for peeling, trimming, and precision cuts. Perfect for handheld tasks like hulling strawberries or slicing a peach.
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Lifetime Warranty Against Defects
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Features
Rust-Proof
ACUTO440 Steel
All Chop Styles
Use & Care
Specifications
Warranty
All Misen products come with a lifetime warranty against defects. Misen will replace any defective products. Learn more about our warranty policy here and what's covered.
Pair it with
Basically a Navy Seal
Works Harder, Stays Sharper
Questions?
What are Misen’s ACUTO440 Knives made of?
What’s the difference between Misen’s ACUTO440 Knives and classic knives?
How are Misen’s ACUTO440 Knives different from other high-carbon knives?
What do you mean by rust-proof?
Can I put Misen’s ACUTO440 Knives in the dishwasher?
How often should I sharpen my knives?
My blade has discoloration and/or staining. What is this?
Customer Reviews
3.5" Blue ACUTO440 Paring Knife
The 3.5" Paring Knife (ACUTO440) is Misen’s smallest prep knife for peeling, trimming, and precision cuts, especially when you want control in the air rather than on the board (think hulling strawberries or slicing a peach). Both color options share the same compact blade and ACUTO440 steel, so your decision mostly comes down to the look you want in your kitchen.
In day-to-day cooking, a paring knife earns its keep when a larger knife feels oversized. This 3.5" blade is built for handheld prep like peeling fruit, trimming small veg, and making careful, precise cuts where fingertip control matters. Because it is lightweight, it is easy to steer through quick detail work without over-committing your wrist, and it is a natural companion to a larger knife rather than a replacement.
The ACUTO440 steel is designed for exceptional sharpness, edge retention, and corrosion resistance. Misen also calls out lab-tested rust resistance that held up through extended water submersion and repeated dishwasher cycles. That said, the recommended routine is still simple and conservative: hand wash, dry immediately after use, and plan to sharpen every 4 to 6 months to keep the edge performing the way it should. If you want the brand’s guidance in one place, the ACUTO knives care page expands on best practices.
Comfort is part of precision. This knife has an ergonomic rounded spine and bolster that supports a comfortable pinch grip, which can help when you are doing repetitive tasks like trimming and peeling. The edge is listed as a 50/50 symmetrical grind, a familiar feel for many home cooks. If you are building out your lineup beyond a paring knife, browsing Single Knives makes it easier to choose the specific blade types you will actually reach for.
Choosing between Blue and Black is primarily an aesthetic call, since the blade steel and use case are the same. If you want a coordinated set, you can also compare shapes and sizes across the broader kitchen knives assortment. Whichever color you pick, remember the note in the care instructions: high-carbon knives can show cosmetic discoloration after exposure to acidic foods or salt, and that is different from rust (which Misen describes as extremely rare for this steel).
Frequently Asked Questions About ACUTO440 Paring Knives
What kitchen tasks is this 3.5" paring knife best for?
It is designed for peeling, trimming, and precision cuts, especially handheld tasks where a larger knife can feel clumsy. The product description specifically calls out hulling strawberries and slicing a peach as great examples of the kind of detailed prep this knife is meant to handle.
What is ACUTO440 steel, and why does it matter?
The blade uses AICHI ACUTO440 Japanese steel, chosen for exceptional sharpness, edge retention, and corrosion resistance. Misen also notes lab-tested rust resistance, including performance after long water exposure and repeated dishwasher cycles, which speaks to durability in real kitchens.
How should I wash and maintain the edge?
Misen recommends hand washing and drying immediately after use. For keeping it sharp over time, the guidance is to sharpen every 4 to 6 months. Following those basics helps preserve the knife’s edge retention and supports consistent precision during small prep work.
Is discoloration the same as rust on this knife?
No. The care notes explain that high-carbon knives may show discoloration after exposure to acidic foods or salt, and that this is purely cosmetic. Rust is described as extremely rare for this steel, which is also positioned as corrosion resistant.