The name Petty comes from the French “petit” meaning small. Petty has become a term used to refer to a variety of utility knifes on the smaller side. Traditionally taking influence from the larger French style chef knives. The very classic slender versions work well for hand-held cutting. Some modern versions feature slightly ‘offset’ blades allowing for more knuckle clearance when being used on a chopping board. The cutting edge is generally a long sweeping curve, closer in profile to western knives or a miniature Gyuto. Petty blades usually measure somewhere between 4.5 and 6 inches.