# Best MAC knives: MTH-80 and the Professional line Source: https://edgeandhaft.com/best/best-mac-knives Publisher: Edge & Haft. Picks are chosen from what each Amazon listing states, not from hands-on tests. Method: https://edgeandhaft.com/how-we-pick MAC is a Seki, Japan maker known for thin, light blades with Western handles, and its catalog is easy to misread. The Professional series is built around the MTH-80, an 8 inch dimpled chef's knife that the PRO-31 listing calls its best-selling knife. The Chef series uses the TH-80 with a similar shape at a lower price, and the Original series rounds out the range. The useful questions are which series you are buying into, whether you want a single chef's knife or a starter set, and what steel each knife uses: MAC lists a sub-zero tempered alloy for the Professional chef's knife and a stain-resistant molybdenum alloy elsewhere. MAC listings on Amazon are thin on specs, so this guide writes "Not stated" wherever a listing leaves out hardness, steel or handle details. Five MAC listings priced at $150 and up are compared here. ## Picks ### 1. Mac Knife set Professional series 3-piece PRO-31, MTH-80 Pro series 8" Chef's knife w/dimples, PKF-50 Pro series 5" Paring knife, MSB-105 Pro series 10.5" Bread/Roast slicer, made in Japan Series: Professional; Pieces: 3; Main knife: MTH-80 8 in dimpled chef's; Steel: Sub-zero tempered alloy (chef's); molybdenum alloy (paring, bread); Handle: Bolstered Pakka wood A set built around the MTH-80 Pro chef knife, plus a paring knife and a 10.5 inch bread and roast slicer. Good for cooks who want the MTH-80 and a long slicer. What the listing offers: - Includes the MTH-80 Pro 8 in chef, which the listing calls MAC's best-selling knife. - The chef knife's sub-zero tempered alloy is said to hold an edge about 10-15% longer. - Bolstered Pakka wood handles with knuckle clearance, per the listing. Limits to know: - HRC and edge angle are not stated in the listing. - The highest-priced three-piece set in this guide. ### 2. MAC Knife Chef series 3-piece starter knife set CHEF-32, TH-80 Chef series 8" dimpled Chef's knife, TH-50 Chef series 5" dimpled Paring knife, SB-105 Superior series 10.5" Bread knife, made in Japan Series: Chef (bread knife from Superior); Pieces: 3; Main knife: TH-80 8 in dimpled chef's; Steel: Stain-resistant molybdenum alloy; Handle: Pakka wood, upswept The CHEF-32 pairs the TH-80 chef's knife with a dimpled paring knife and a 10.5 inch bread knife. A lower-cost way into MAC's thin, stock-removal blades. What the listing offers: - The listing states 2.5 mm starting stock for the chef's knife and 2.0 mm for the paring knife. - Dimples on the chef's and paring knife are stated to reduce sticking on potatoes and apples. - 100% handcrafted in Seki, Japan, using Japanese materials, per the listing. Limits to know: - No bolster and no sub-zero steel; those are listed only for the Professional set. - No block is listed, and hardness is not stated. ### 3. MAC MIGHTY MTH-80 Professional Series Chefs Knife 200mm(7.8Inch) Series: Professional; Pieces: 1; Main knife: MTH-80 chef's, 200 mm (7.8 in); Steel: Molybdenum vanadium stainless; Handle: Not stated MAC's Professional series chef's knife at 200 mm, with hollow edges to stop food sticking. The lowest-priced knife here and a plain, practical gyuto-style pick for daily prep. What the listing offers: - Lowest listed price in this guide while still clearing the $150 mark for a Professional series knife. - Listing states hollow edges along the blade to keep sliced food from sticking. - Molybdenum vanadium stainless steel is listed, a low-maintenance choice for a busy kitchen. Limits to know: - The listing is thin: no hardness, edge angle or handle material is stated, so check the brand page before buying. - At 200 mm it is a little shorter than a 210 mm gyuto, which some cooks find small for big boards. ### 4. Mac Knife Original Series 4-Piece Starter Set Series: Original; Pieces: 4; Main knife: Not stated; Steel: Not stated; Handle: Pakka wood A 4-piece Original series starter set with Pakka wood handles, made in Japan. For buyers who want several MAC knives at once and can live with sparse specs. What the listing offers: - Four pieces in one listing, the most knives of any MAC option here. - Pakka wood handles and made in Japan, according to the listing. - The listing states a razor-sharp edge and recommends hand washing. Limits to know: - The listing does not say which knives are included or what steel they use. - Not dishwasher safe, per the listing, and hardness is not stated. ### 5. MS-46 - Pro Series Santoku Set 2pcs (MSK-65 with Dimples/SK-40) Series: Professional; Pieces: 2; Main knife: MSK-65 santoku with dimples; Steel: Not stated; Handle: Not stated A two-piece Pro series santoku set pairing the dimpled MSK-65 santoku with the SK-40. For cooks who prefer a santoku as their main MAC knife. What the listing offers: - Built around a Pro series santoku with dimples, per the listing title. - Two knives in one listing, for a santoku-based kit. - A good fit for cooks who push-cut rather than rock a chef's knife. Limits to know: - The listing has no feature details: steel, blade lengths, hardness and handle are not stated. - The SK-40 is not described on the listing, so check what it is before buying. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.