Reviews You Can Rely On

Mac Professional Series 8" with Dimples MTH-80 Review

A Japanese-made knife that is top-of-the-line when it comes to sharpness and precision
gearlab tested logo
Mac Professional Series 8" with Dimples MTH-80 Review
Credit: Bradley Nichols
Price:  $175 List
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Manufacturer:   Mac
By Bradley Nichols ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Sep 25, 2024
85
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#3 of 13
  • Cutting Performance - 30% 9.5
  • Practicality - 30% 8.0
  • Ergonomics - 25% 8.0
  • Build Quality - 15% 8.5

Our Verdict

The Mac was the hands-down favorite for delicate work among our experienced testers. Those with strong knife skills were able to use the Mac to perform the finest of chiffonades, create the smallest of onion dice, and shave the thinnest of tomato slices. With a much shorter-than-average handle, this knife isn't meant for the inexpert hand and is designed for use with the pinch grip. It's one of the sharpest knives we've seen, straight from the factory, with no additional work from our testing team. This impressively fine edge can feel daunting for less experienced users and easily digs into wood and plastic cutting boards when wielded with force. That said, the Mac knife is perfect for anyone who wants to make Michelin-Star-level food at home. See how it stacks up to the competition in our chef knife review.
REASONS TO BUY
Extremely sharp straight from the factory
Excels at precision cuts
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Handle is short

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards Top Pick Award
Best Chef Knife for Precision Work
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Chef Knife
Editors' Choice Award
Best Upgraded Chef Knife
Best Buy Award
Best Value for a Chef Knife
Best Buy Award
Best Chef Knife on a Tight Budget
Price $175 List
$154.95 at Amazon
$170 List
$139.99 at Amazon
$213 List
$162.00 at Amazon
$61 List
$44.98 at Amazon
$30 List
$24.99 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
85
91
90
82
62
Star Rating
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Bottom Line An expert's knife that is capable of the finest cutsA weighty and elegant knife, this chef knife is a pleasure to useA distinctive model that is extremely capable of everything you need it forA fantastic value for an all-around excellent blade, offering great performance at a low costA great value for a solid knife that holds its own against stiff competition
Rating Categories Mac Professional Se... Wusthof Classic 8" Shun Classic 8" Victorinox Swiss Cl... Babish High-Carbon 8"
Cutting Performance (30%)
9.5
9.0
9.0
8.0
7.5
Practicality (30%)
8.0
9.0
9.5
8.5
6.5
Ergonomics (25%)
8.0
9.5
9.0
8.5
5.5
Build Quality (15%)
8.5
9.0
8.0
7.5
4.0
Specs Mac Professional Se... Wusthof Classic 8" Shun Classic 8" Victorinox Swiss Cl... Babish High-Carbon 8"
Reported Blade Bevel Angle 15° 14° 16° 16° 15°
Measured Blade Bevel Angle 25° 15.75° 13° 20° 12°
Reported Steel Hardness 60 HRC 58 HRC 60.5 HRC 56 HRC 55 HRC
Measured Steel Hardness 53 HRC 54 HRC 51 HRC 54 HRC 51 HRC
Measured Factory Sharpness 187 BESS 140 BESS 153 BESS 213 BESS 185 BESS
Country of Origin Japan Germany Japan Switzerland China
Construction Method Stamped Forged Forged Stamped Stamped
Model Tested MTH-80 Classic DM0706 6.8063.20G 8"
Metal Type Not specified X50CrMoV15 VG-MAX (propietary) Not specified 1.4116
Measured Weight 6.4 oz 9.1 oz 7.4 oz 5.7 oz 8.3 oz
Measured Blade Thickness at Spine 2.10 mm 2.60 mm 1.92 mm 2.20 mm 2.00 mm
Full Bolster No Yes No No No
Handle Material Pakkawood Polymer Pakkawood Nylon Polymer
Dishwasher Safe Hand wash only Hand wash only Hand wash only Dishwasher safe, hand wash reccomended Hand wash only
Interesting Features Dimpled blade None Damascus pattern blade None Babish face etched onto handle end

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Mac Professional MTH-80 is an 8-inch stamped steel blade made in Japan. It comes with a pakkawood handle. We tested the version with dimples in the blade, which we measured at 6.4 ounces.

Performance Comparison


mac professional series 8" with dimples mth-80 - the mac is an insanely sharp knife with impeccable edge retention...
The Mac is an insanely sharp knife with impeccable edge retention and the right combination of low weight and great ergonomics to make it an ideal blade for precision cuts.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Cutting Performance


The Mac, quite simply, felt like the sharpest knife we had ever used. In all of our testing no knife cut as sharply or cleanly as the Mac. Reported with a steel hardness measure of 60 — one of the hardest steels in any chef knife in our lineup — we measured the HRC in our lab at 53.

Steel Properties and Construction Methods
 Reported Steel HardnessMeasured Steel HardnessBlade ConstructionMetal Type
Mac Professional MTH-8060 HRC53 HRCStampedNot specified
Shun Classic60.5 HRC51 HRCForgedVG-MAX (propietary)
Wusthof Classic58 HRC54 HRCForgedX50CrMoV15
Global Classic57 HRC57 HRCStampedCROMOVA 18 (proprietary)
Tojiro VG10 Gyutou59.5 HRC51 HRCStampedVG10 (core steel), 13-Chrome stainless steel (cladding)

Because of the impossibility of knowing exactly how and where Mac measures (or perhaps, simply calculates) steel hardness, we were unable to replicate most manufacturer specifications. Still, the steel of this knife proved more than capable of holding its edge through all our intensive testing.

Key Cutting Performance Scores
ProductEdge RetentionPrecision
Best54.5
Mac Professional Series 8\"4.55
Average3.84
Worst2.52

When it came to our cutting performance tests, it easily topped the field. The Mac easily cut razor-thin sheets of whatever vegetable was put in front of it and sometimes felt more like a vegetable scalpel. Ripe tomatoes fell easily into transparent slices under our tester's hands, wielding the Mac. We've never diced onions so small as we could with the Mac Professional MTH-80.


Some of our more inexperienced knife users felt the knife was almost too sharp and could dig into the cutting board if they applied too much force to the cut. This technically falls into the category of good problems to have, but it's worth noting how much of a step up it is from a 10-year-old hand-me-down dull knife.

mac professional series 8" with dimples mth-80 - we were able to create almost impossibly diced vegetables with the...
We were able to create almost impossibly diced vegetables with the ultra-precise Mac.
Credit: Bradley Nichols

Practicality


The Mac is produced with dimples along the blade. The manufacturer claims that this helps prevent fruits and veggies from sticking to the blade. During our testing, however, we never really noticed a big difference in the way veggies got stuck. It wasn't any worse than any other knife, but it wasn't any better either.

Key Practicality Test Scores
ProductUnusual CutsBreak Down ChickenWet Handle
Best554.5
Mac Professional Series 8\"445
Average43.63.5
Worst222

The Mac has a much shorter-than-average handle. Although it was quite comfortable, we felt it wasn't the most practical. When cutting large or oddly shaped items, it's almost always better to have more room on the handle. This allows you to move your hand as needed to get a safe and effective grip and apply more leverage as needed. We noticed this drawback when breaking apart chickens and cutting through large gourds.


That said, when cutting most items, the short Pakkawood handle forces the user to use a pinch grip and adds a lot of stability and precision to cutting motions.

mac professional series 8" with dimples mth-80 - though the handle of the mac is a bit short and takes some getting...
Though the handle of the Mac is a bit short and takes some getting used to, once we had our technique down, we had no issues maintaining control of this super sharp blade, even with greasy chicken hands.
Credit: Bradley Nichols

Ergonomics


The handle on the Mac is comfortable but very short. Some of our larger-handed testers felt it could be slightly awkward to hold in certain positions. All of them felt the positioning in a pinch grip was acceptable.

Key Ergonomics Test Scores
ProductComfortBalanceBolster
Best555
Mac Professional Series 8\"454.5
Average3.53.53.5
Worst221

Weighing 6.4 ounces, the Mac has exceptional balance and feels lightweight in hand, making it more enjoyable to use over longer periods of time. This impressively low weight also makes it easier to maneuver into awkward places and perform unusual cuts.

Physical Characteristics
 Measured WeightMeasured Spine ThicknessBolsterHandle Material
Mac Professional MTH-806.4 oz2.10 mmPakkawood
Shun Classic7.4 oz1.92 mmPakkawood
Wusthof Classic9.1 oz2.60 mmPolymer
Global Classic5.9 oz1.83 mmMetal
Tojiro VG10 Gyutou6.8 oz1.90 mmPolymer

Mac describes the metal portion at the front of the handle as a bolster, and while it isn't the thicker, fuller bolster of many other models, its angular shape functions in much the same way. This understated section is well-shaped to add exceptional grip and control.


The Mac has a much straighter blade than you will typically find on knives in North America. This is due to its inspiration from the Japanese gyuto shape. This style favors a push-pull cutting motion, as there is less curve to develop a smooth rocking motion.

mac professional series 8" with dimples mth-80 - the handle of the mac is much shorter than most chef knives. this...
The handle of the Mac is much shorter than most chef knives. This pushes you toward employing the pinch grip - which proves comfortable and secure.
Credit: Bradley Nichols

Build Quality


The Mac is a simply built blade, made to do its job and nothing more or less. It may not look the fanciest, but all the details that we scrutinized, measured, and tested proved this blade is well-built.

Key Build Quality Test Scores
ProductPaper Slice TestManufacturing Finish
Best55
Mac Professional Series 8\"55
Average4.24
Worst2.53

Although it's constructed using a metal stamping process normally reserved for “lower-end” knives, the Mac Professional MTH-80 shows how much clever engineering matters.

Any knife can be sharpened to a fine edge with the right tools and effort. And no knife will maintain its sharpness forever; all require regular honing and sharpening to stay useful over the years.

Right out of the box, the Mac Professional sliced easily through paper like a hot knife through soft butter. We measured its edge at 187 BESS, which is in the same bracket of “sharp things” as a brand-new utility razor blade. In our paper slice test, it didn't catch anywhere, offering a smooth glide the whole way through.


Even after using this knife for months and inspecting it under a microscope, the impeccable quality of the Mac continued to show itself. Both in finishing details and the lasting quality of this knife under heavy use, we're impressed by the build quality of the Mac.

mac professional series 8" with dimples mth-80 - checking the factory sharpness of the mac - among many other...
Checking the factory sharpness of the Mac - among many other manufacturing details - in our lab proved the excellent build quality of this knife.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Should You Buy the Mac Professional Series 8" MTH-80?


If you are an advanced chef with strong knife skills who aspires to produce precise cuts and Michelin-quality food, the Mac is your best choice. You would be hard-pressed to find a consumer knife on the market today that can match its level of precision. If you're after a better all-arounder for use in everything from slicing herbs to chopping watermelon, this high-precision knife with a small handle best suited to the pinch grip of seasoned cooks might not be your cup of tea.

mac professional series 8" with dimples mth-80 - when we want the best precision, it's the mac that we reach for more...
When we want the best precision, it's the Mac that we reach for more than any other chef knive we've tested.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

What Other Chef Knives Should You Consider?


If you're not feeling completely confident in your knife skills but want something to grow into, the Wusthof Classic 8" is another great choice. It boasts a similar cutting performance while being more forgiving to yeoman cooks. The Global 8" Classic would also be a good choice for someone who wants a lot of precision but at a more affordable price. It's another well-made Japanese blade that cuts incredibly well, but its unique handle shape isn't suitable for everyone.

Bradley Nichols
 

You Might Also Like