Limited Edition Collector Blades
What Is a Bird's Beak Paring Knife? (Tourné Knife Guide)
What is a bird's beak paring knife? It's a small paring knife with a short, downward-curving blade shaped like a bird's beak. The curve lets you peel and shape round foods in your hand, trim strawberries, core tomatoes and carve the classic seven-sided tourné cut, which is why it's also called a tourné knife. Our pick is the Dalstrong Gladiator Series 3-Piece Paring Knife Set ($89). It includes a 2.75" bird's beak, a 3.75" sheep's foot and a 3.5" serrated paring knife, in German X50CrMoV15 steel at 54–56 HRC with a 16–18° edge.
Three paring shapes compared
| Shape | Blade | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Bird's beak | Curved down like a hook | Peeling round fruit, tourné cuts, coring, garnishes |
| Sheep's foot | Straight edge, rounded spine | Precise board cuts, slicing small items, safer tip |
| Serrated | Toothed edge | Tomatoes, citrus, soft-skinned fruit |
What to use a bird's beak for
- Peeling apples, pears and potatoes in a continuous spiral.
- Coring strawberries and tomatoes by twisting the curve around the stem.
- Removing blemishes and eyes from potatoes.
- Segmenting citrus and trimming pith.
- Garnishes like radish flowers and citrus twists.
- Tourné vegetables, the football-shaped cut used in classic French cooking.
How to hold it
A bird's beak is used mostly in the air rather than on the board. Hold the food in your guide hand and the knife in your dominant hand with the edge facing you. Rest your thumb on the food below the cut and draw the blade toward your thumb in short, controlled strokes, rotating the food as you go. Keep the thumb below the edge line. If that feels uneasy, cut on the board with the sheep's foot instead.
How to make a tourné cut
- Cut a potato or carrot into 2" lengths.
- Square the ends.
- Holding it upright, carve curved strokes from top to bottom.
- Rotate and repeat for seven even sides.
- Aim for a barrel shape, wider in the middle.
It takes practice, but the result cooks evenly and looks polished on the plate.
Sharpening a curved blade
The curve makes flat stones tricky. Use a honing rod and sharpen in short sections, rolling the blade so the curve stays in contact. Our sharpening angle chart covers angles. For more paring uses, see 14 paring knife uses.
Keep your edge sharp
Clean cuts depend on a sharp edge. Cut on a wood or composite board, hand-wash and dry your knife right after use, and give it a few light strokes on a ceramic honing rod before each session. A sharp knife needs less force, which makes it safer and more precise.
Our top pick
3-Piece Paring Knife Set, Gladiator Series, NSF Certified ($89). Bird's beak, sheep's foot and serrated paring knives. German X50CrMoV15, 54–56 HRC.
Do you need all three paring shapes?
You can get by with one paring knife, but each shape makes certain jobs easier. Cooks who bake fruit pies, make garnishes or prep a lot of potatoes get the most out of a bird's beak. The sheep's foot is the safest everyday board knife for small tasks, and the serrated version saves your straight edges from tomato and citrus skins. A set lets you pick the right tool each time instead of forcing one blade to do everything, and it costs less than buying the three separately at most price points.
FAQ
What is a bird's beak knife used for?
Peeling and shaping round foods. The Dalstrong Gladiator Series 3-Piece Paring Knife Set ($89) includes a 2.75" bird's beak for peeling, coring and tourné cuts.
Why is it called a tourné knife?
It's used for the tourné cut, a classic seven-sided vegetable shape.
Is a bird's beak knife good for beginners?
Yes, for peeling and coring, with practice.
What is a sheep's foot paring knife?
A paring knife with a straight edge and rounded spine for precise board work.
Can you sharpen a bird's beak knife?
Yes, in short sections, following the curve.
