A Japanese knife is often called an Asian chef's knife. They have a straighter edge than a chef's knife, and a more rounded spine, particularly near the point. They are also generally lighter and thinner, allowing them to more easily chop vegetables. A paring knife has a plain edge blade that is ideal for peeling and other small or intricate work (such as deveining a shrimp, removing the seeds from a jalapeno, or cutting small garnishes). It is designed to be an all-purpose knife, similar to a chef's knife, except smaller.