Best Overall$145-$175
Mac MTH-80 Professional 8-Inch Chef's Knife
Wirecutter's top pick for most cooks, the Mac MTH-80 combines a hard stamped blade that holds an edge longer than most rivals with a nimble, balanced feel. It outperformed German knives on sharpness retention and Japanese knives on durability.
If you only buy one chef's knife, this is it. The Mac MTH-80 beats both German and Japanese competitors on the thing that matters most: staying sharp without babying it.
Pros
- Stays sharp longer than softer German blades like Victorinox and Wüsthof Classic Ikon per Wirecutter testing
- Hard stamped blade with homogeneous steel construction is more durable than layered Japanese alternatives
- Smooth, precise cutting motion ideal for push-pull and rocking techniques
- Mid-range price punches well above its weight class
Cons
- Hard steel blade can be brittle and is not suitable for cutting hard foods like butternut squash
- Japanese-style edge requires push-pull cutting technique, not ideal for rocking-motion cooks
- Stamped blade lacks the heft some cooks prefer from German forged knives
“It stays sharp longer than most knives we tested. Because the MTH-80's stamped blade is made of very hard steel, it stays sharp longer than softer blades.”
— Wirecutter