Almost everybody has a collection of old ratty paring knives in their kitchen drawer. They are used for everything & all the time. They are quintessential in your kitchen prep. From peeling fruits and vegetables to more delicate tasks such as garnishing, they are always handy.
Think of a paring knife as an extension of your hand. The difference in a sharp quality paring knife & a dull one makes the difference in a happy kitchen experience & a frustrating one. The big difference is usually that the less expensive brands of paring knives are sharp for a bit but never again.