I found another paring knife with good food prep and repair potential. Kershaw knives have a line of chef's knives with the KAI name and several in the Pure Komachi 2 model family. The one I found interesting is the Pure Komachi 2 paring knife: it has a 3.5" high carbon stainless blade with a plain edge and a food safe coated surface. It comes with a simple ventilated plastic slip sheath. 1.6oz total (1.4 knife, 0.2 sheath). Overall length is 8-1/8" or 8-7/8" with the sheath.
Comparing it to the Victorinox Little Vickie, it is 0.6oz heavier, has a deeper and stiffer plain edged blade, and a more substantial handle. The curved blade makes for better chopping motion. The sheath on my example does not fit as snugly as the Victorinox, but would be secure enough in a pack.
Street price is about $9.95 and it is sold in cooking and big box stores. There are a number of other knives in the model family with similar construction, offering longer blades, serrated and other cutting profiles.
