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Mercer Culinary M20003 Genesis Paring Knife 3.5 Inch
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Mercer Culinary

Mercer Culinary M20003 Genesis Paring Knife 3.5 Inch

  • BladeLength: 3.5 inches
  • Size: 3.5 inches
  • Blade Edge: Plain
  • Blade Material Type: High Carbon Steel

Last refreshed Sep 7, 2026 · Based on the Amazon listing and published specifications, not hands-on testing.

Our verdict

For detail work like seeding, deveining and trimming, this forged 3.5-inch paring knife is the tool, not a stand-in for a full-size chef's knife.

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ASIN: B000IBVD0WModel: M20003Category: Paring Knives

Styles Available

Tourne Knife 3-inchParing Knife 3.5-inchUtility Knife 5-inchSerrated Steak Knife 5-inchNon-Serrated Steak Knife 5-inchBoning Knife 6-inchChef's Knife 6-inchCarving Fork 6-inchFlexible Boning Knife 6-inchShort Bolster Chef's Knife 6-inchSantoku Knife 7-inchNakiri Vegetable Knife 7-inchFillet Knife 7-inchGranton Edge Nakiri Vegatable Knife 7-inchStraight Fork 7-inchBread Knife 8-inchCarving Knife 8-inchChef's Knife 8-inchShort Bolster Chef's Knife 8-inchGraton Edge Chef's Knife 8-inchChef's Knife 9-inchShort Bolster Chef's Knife 9-inchChef's Knife 10-inchCarving Knife 10-inchGraton Edge Carving Knife 10-inchShort Bolster Chef's Knife 10-inch

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Overview

This is a single 3.5-inch paring knife from Mercer's Genesis line, forged from high-carbon German steel with a taper-ground edge. It is built for close, precise work rather than general chopping.

The taper-ground edge is the detail that matters here: it is ground thinner toward the tip so the blade handles fine cuts like seeding a jalapeno or deveining shrimp without the bulk of a chef's knife getting in the way. The forged handle keeps grip secure even when hands are wet, which matters for a knife used near produce and seafood.

  • 3.5-inch paring blade, precision-forged
  • High-carbon German steel construction
  • Taper-ground edge for fine cutting
  • Ergonomic forged handle, wet-grip rated

Who it's for

Cooks who already have a chef's knife and are missing the small blade for garnishes, trimming and detail work will get the most from this. It is not a substitute for a larger knife on bigger cuts.

Pros and cons

Pros
  • Taper-ground edge suited to detail cutting
  • Non-slip handle grips even when wet
  • High-carbon steel holds an edge well
Cons
  • Hand wash only, not dishwasher safe
  • Single small blade, not a general-purpose knife

Performance notes

High-carbon steel holds an edge longer than standard stainless but needs the same hand-wash care to avoid corrosion. The taper-ground edge is what lets the blade stay thin and controllable through small, repetitive cuts, and Mercer builds the handle in one forged piece so there is no separate bolster to work loose over time.

Specifications

BrandMercer Culinary
ModelM20003
Dimensions & fit
BladeLength3.5 inches
Size3.5 inches
Item Weight0.2 poundshigher than 59% of 57 paring knives
Item Length3.5 incheslower than 82% of 90 paring knives
Construction & materials
Blade Material TypeHigh Carbon Steel
Material TypeStainless Steel And Manmade
Construction TypeForged
Handle MaterialSantoprene
ColorBlack
Blade ColorSilver
Included components
Unit Count1
Warranty & support
Manufacturer Warranty DescriptionLimited Lifetime
Other details
Blade EdgePlain
Number of Items1
Item Type NameGenesis

Closest rivals on specs

Farberware Edgekeeper Paring Knife 3.5 Inch
Farberware Edgekeeper Triple Riveted Paring Knife 3.5 in
Huusk Japanese Steel Paring Knife 3.5 Inch
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Frequently asked questions

What is the Mercer Culinary Genesis paring knife best used for?

Small, precise cuts such as seeding jalapenos, deveining shrimp, trimming beans and cutting garnishes.

Is the Mercer Genesis paring knife dishwasher safe?

No, Mercer recommends hand washing with warm water and mild soap, then drying immediately.

What steel is the blade made from?

High-carbon German steel, precision-forged with a taper-ground edge.