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Hygiplas
In Stock
Commercial Paring Knife | Red Handle | 8.5cm Blade | Hygiplas C542
£3.18
/ exc vat
£3.82/ inc vat
- Red Colour-Coded Handle
- High-Quality Stainless Steel Blade
- 52-57 Rockwell Hardness
- Extra-Sharp Edge
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Product Overview
Here’s a real kitchen workhorse you can count on. The Hygiplas red paring knife 8.5cm is a must-have for any professional kitchen that takes food safety seriously. It’s designed to be a durable, reliable tool for the intricate task of preparing raw meat, combining a razor-sharp edge with an unmistakably clear, colour-coded handle to keep your prep stations compliant and contamination-free.
This professional paring knife is built for chefs, butchers, and caterers who need precision and control without fuss. The compact 8.5cm stainless steel blade is perfect for trimming fat, deveining, and other detailed work where a larger knife would be clumsy. Paired with a comfortable, non-slip resin handle, it reduces fatigue during long shifts and ensures a secure grip, even in a fast-paced environment.
It’s not just a knife; it’s a vital part of your kitchen's safety system. The bright red handle instantly signals its designated use for raw meat, making it easy for your entire team to adhere to HACCP standards. Tough, easy to clean, and incredibly sharp, this knife is a smart, affordable investment in efficiency and hygiene.
Key Features and Benefits
- Red Colour-Coded Handle: Instantly identify it for raw meat, preventing cross-contamination.
- High-Quality Stainless Steel Blade: Offers excellent durability and resistance to rust and corrosion.
- 52-57 Rockwell Hardness: The blade holds its sharp edge for longer, reducing sharpening time.
- Extra-Sharp Edge: Makes precise cuts effortlessly, improving speed and presentation.
- Ergonomic Resin Handle: Ensures a comfortable and secure grip for better control.
- Lightweight Design (20g): Minimises hand fatigue during repetitive, detailed prep work.
- Compact 8.5cm Blade: Perfect size for intricate tasks like trimming and scoring.
- Dishwasher-Safe Handle: Allows for quick, easy, and hygienic cleaning after service.
Technical Specifications
- Brand: Hygiplas
- SKU: C542
- Blade Length: 85mm | 3"
- Overall Length: 180mm | 7"
- Weight: 20g
- Blade Material: Stainless Steel
- Rockwell Hardness Rating: 52-57°
- Handle Material: Resin
- Colour: Red (for raw meat)
Expert Review and Insights
In a busy kitchen, your knives are your most trusted companions. The best ones aren't always the most expensive, but the most reliable. This Hygiplas paring knife is a prime example of function over flair. It does its specific job exceptionally well, feels solid in the hand, and its colour-coding is a non-negotiable feature for any kitchen serious about food safety.
Sophie Brooks – Chef Tools Expert View Profile →
- Top Marks for Safety: The colour-coding is clear and effective for HACCP compliance.
- Specialist Tool: Its dedicated purpose means it’s not an all-rounder for general prep.
Case Study: Real Business, Real Results
'The Proper Pie Co.' in Wigan needed to upgrade their kitchen tools to meet stricter hygiene audit requirements and improve workflow. They replaced their mismatched knives with a full set of Hygiplas colour-coded equipment.
"The difference was immediate. The team can grab the right knife without a second thought, and the red handled paring knife for kitchen prep is fantastic for trimming steak for our pies. It’s sharp, comfortable, and our prep is visibly safer."
Robert Davies – Head Chef
The change helped them ace their next health inspection and reduced meat prep time by an estimated 15% due to the knife's efficiency.
Installation and Maintenance Guide
Setting It Up
- Upon delivery, give the knife a thorough wash with warm, soapy water.
- Designate a specific home for it, such as a red-coded section of a magnetic rack or knife block.
- Clearly communicate to all staff that this knife is strictly for raw meat preparation.
- Inspect the blade and handle to ensure it's in perfect condition before its first use.
Keeping It Going
- While the handle is dishwasher safe, hand-washing is recommended to protect and prolong the blade's sharp edge.
- Use a sharpening steel or appropriate knife sharpener regularly to hone the edge and maintain performance.
- Always store it safely to prevent damage to the blade and avoid accidents.
- Never use the knife for prying, twisting, or as a screwdriver – it’s for slicing and dicing only!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the red handle for?
A: The red handle signifies that this knife is designated for use with raw meat only, as part of a food safety colour-coding system to prevent cross-contamination.
Q: Is this knife dishwasher safe?
A: The resin handle is dishwasher safe for easy sanitation. However, we recommend hand-washing to best preserve the sharpness of the blade over time.
Q: What is the blade made from?
A: The blade is crafted from high-quality stainless steel, which is durable, resistant to corrosion, and holds a sharp edge well.
Q: How long is the blade?
A: The blade is 8.5cm (or 3 inches), which is an ideal length for detailed prep work like trimming and peeling.
Q: What does the Rockwell rating of 52-57 mean?
A: This is a measure of the blade's hardness. A rating in this range indicates a great balance between being hard enough to hold a sharp edge and flexible enough to resist chipping.
Q: Can I use this Hygiplas 8.5cm vegetable knife on vegetables?
A: No. To maintain food safety standards, this red-handled knife should never be used on vegetables or any other food group. You should use a green-handled knife for vegetables.
Q: How should I sharpen this knife?
A: Use a honing steel regularly to maintain the edge. For more significant sharpening, a whetstone or a professional knife sharpener is recommended.
Q: Is the handle comfortable for long periods of use?
A: Yes, it features an ergonomic resin handle designed to be comfortable and provide excellent grip, reducing hand fatigue during busy service.
The Hygiplas Promise: Reliability You Can Handle
When you buy a Hygiplas product, you're not just buying a tool; you're investing in peace of mind. For years, Hygiplas has been a cornerstone brand in UK kitchens, trusted for its no-nonsense approach to creating affordable, durable, and practical equipment. This knife is the perfect embodiment of that philosophy. It's built with the understanding that in a real commercial kitchen, reliability trumps fancy features every time. The brand's commitment to the industry-standard colour-coding system shows a deep understanding of the daily pressures chefs face, from maintaining HACCP compliance to working with speed and precision. This isn't a delicate instrument you have to pamper; it's a dependable workhorse designed to withstand the rigours of daily service, delivering consistent performance that helps you run a safer, more efficient, and more professional operation.
Explore more from HygiplasWhy Colour-Coding is Your Kitchen's Secret Weapon
Ever wondered why this professional paring knife has a bright red handle? It's not just for looks; it's a core part of a system called HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points), which is the gold standard for food safety in the UK. Think of it like a traffic light system for your kitchen: red means 'stop and use for raw meat only'. This simple visual cue instantly prevents dangerous bacteria from raw meat from contaminating ready-to-eat foods, like salad vegetables or cooked items.
Using a Hygiplas colour coded paring knife is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce the risk of foodborne illness. It makes training new staff a breeze and shows health inspectors you're serious about safety. It’s a small feature with a massive impact on the safety and professionalism of your operation.
Who Should Buy This?
- Butcher Shops: A must-have for precise trimming and preparation of raw meat cuts while maintaining hygiene.
- Restaurant & Pub Kitchens: Essential for the meat station to ensure safe separation from other food prep areas.
- Mobile Caterers: A lightweight, durable, and compliant tool for safe on-site food handling.
- Culinary Schools: An ideal training knife to teach students the fundamentals of food safety and colour-coding.
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