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If my spatulas could talk, they'd be pretty mad at each other (and me, honestly) right now. I've already written an ode to my mini-spatula, and here I am trying to tell you why you should actually buy a fish spatula instead.
So let's be clear about the stakes of the situation. In a dream world, you can have all the spatulas that your greedy little heart desires. (What, you don't have dreams about kitchen equipment and storage?) But in reality, your utensil crock has limited space. So if you had to choose just one to take with you to a desert island, it should be a fish spatula—and not just because you'll probably be cooking and eating a lot of fish on said island. Allow me to explain.
While most spatulas are only good for flipping or cutting or stirring, the fish spatula is the unicorn of kitchen utensils in that it's actually quite multi-purpose. It has a thin, almost-sharp edge, which makes it great for sliding under delicate pancakes without messing them up, but also has enough heft to flip them over easily—the same goes for latkes, all kinds of fritters, and even hefty, American-style omelets. The thick handle helps you get a good grip, allowing you better dexterity when you're trying to, say, flip burgers in a slightly-too-small skillet. It's also great for cutlets, bigger vegetables, and anything that needs a little more effort to flip.
But wait, there's more! Because of it's slotted shape, a fish spatula can work in a pinch if you're frying and don't have a slotted spoon or spatula. AND it's sturdy and sharp enough to scrape up whatever crusty bits that end up stuck to your cast-iron or sheet pan. Did we mention that it's a lot easier to clean than most plastic spatulas?
You know that cheap (often black) plastic spatula that comes in those all-in-one utensil kits? Yeah, I don't even think I own that anymore. Just throw it out and buy a fish spatula already—you'll thank me later.