MAC Professional Santoku 170mm

The santoku — Japans three-virtue knife, named for its ability to handle meat, fish, and vegetables with equal ease — has become one of the most popular formats in the Western kitchen, and MAC has been making one of the best versions of it since 1964. The Professional series is the line that established MACs reputation, and the MSK-65 is a straightforward example of what the brand does well: a thin, precise knife built from quality steel and priced to be actually accessible.

The blade is roll forged from MACs proprietary chrome-moly vanadium steel — an alloy engineered to hit a balance point that most conventional stainless steels struggle with: hard enough to hold a keen, fine edge over extended use, tough enough to resist chipping under normal kitchen conditions. At 2mm at the heel the blade geometry is lean and low-resistance, making it light-feeling in use despite a weight of just over six ounces. The granton edge — hollow-ground scallops along the flat of the blade — reduces drag and helps food release during slicing. The western-style handle is compact by some standards, which suits smaller hands particularly well, and the knife balances predictably at the pinch grip. Like every knife in the MAC Professional line, this santoku carries a 25-year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.

What Customers Are Saying: Professional cooks and home users alike describe this knife as a reliable daily performer that earns its place through consistent edge quality rather than visual appeal. Several long-term MAC owners note that the steel responds exceptionally well to water stones and honing rods, producing an edge that holds up through heavy prep sessions and resharpens without resistance. It has been purchased repeatedly as a gift and is frequently described as a household favorite — one reviewer notes it is their spouses most-reached-for knife. A few buyers mention that the granton scallops have a modest practical effect on food release, but the fit, finish, and sharpness earn universal approval.

Care Instructions: Hand wash and dry after each use — this knife is not dishwasher safe. The steel responds well to both water stones and ceramic honing rods; regular light maintenance on a honing rod will extend time between sharpenings considerably. Avoid hard bones, frozen foods, and hard cutting surfaces to protect the edge geometry.

• Maker: MAC Knife, Inc.
• Location: Seki City, Japan
• Founded: 1964
• Construction: Mono Steel, Roll Forged
• Steel: Proprietary Chrome-Moly Vanadium
• Edge Grind: Double Bevel, Granton
• Blade Length: 169mm
• Total Length: 292mm
• Spine Thickness at Heel: 2mm
• Blade Height: 47mm
• Weight: 6.2 oz (175g)
• Warranty: 25 years against defects