MACBrand Santoku Knife w/Bolster (#MSK65)

The reviews on this knife are compelling and confirmed when it is used. You will really enjoy using it.

Taille idéale, tranchant parfait, rien à lui reprocher.

Beautiful knife. perfect slice, great weight and balance love to use it. it is very very sharp.

Been using a couple German knives for over a dozen years and I thought they were at the top of the heap in their price range. Then a couple of years ago I got a MAC knife as a present. It outclassed the German knives I had been using in most every way. The knife I reach for first is a santoku. Resisted replacing it because it is a decent knife and I wondered how much better a MAC santoku would be. When I gave in a bought a MAC santoku, I found it exceeded my expectations. Handling is great and the edge is so keen you can barely feel it cutting. I believe you have to be more diligent about washing the MAC promptly because of the slightly different composition of the metal in the blade. The blade angle is different from conventional knives also. But they make a clever sharpener for people like me who lack the skill to hold a precise, consistent angle while sharpening with a rod or stone: http://www.amazon.com/Mac-Knife-Rollsharp-Hone-Sharpenner/dp/B000RKT41Y/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1393171202&sr=8-6&keywords=mac+sharpener

I'm a chef in a large hotel and I've been looking for a Santoku for a while but didn't want to buy a mediocre one to use everyday and it to lose its edge. My head chef recommended Mac to me. He has a set and said they are the best he has ever used. I've had Japanese knives before like Globals, Kai, Z&H and a host of European blades and yeah the Japanese are generally a lot better I've found, but I didn't really know what to expect with this mainly because of its price. But when I used it for the first time I understood straight away. Firstly is is the most beautifully balanced knife I've ever held, an absolute joy to use for one quick job or a prolonged MEP session. Secondly and most importantly it is insanely sharp! It is almost scary to use at speed in the beginning but once your used to it its amazingly sleek and effortless. The flutes make a big difference to it I've noticed. They also make it very thin indeed which is my third point. I am so careful with it in fear of dropping it or taking the tip off it. It is razor blade thin and need to be looked after. In terms of maintenance I've been using a ceramic rod on it and I'm waiting to get a second combined whetstone when I'm paid to keep it razor sharp. My chef recommends a 240,1000,3000 and 8000 grit set of stones and a 2000 grit ceramic rod just from his experience so I will see. If you are in two minds about this knife trust me and many others that it will not let you down. Yes its not cheap but you get what you pay for and more. I am currently saving to buy a second one from their Damascus range of stunning hand made 64 fold knives. I can't wait!