MAC 8-Inch Chef’s Knife Review

If there’s one item everyone equates with a chef, it’s their knife. And as someone who spent many a year as a private chef in people’s homes, I quickly learned to bring my own because it was a rarity that home cooks — even those situated in mansions and estates — sharpened theirs. And while I love my Shun knife set, I didn’t want to travel with them; although, in situations where I knew I’d need a variety of knives, I would. But overall, I sought a single knife that would get me through a dinner, a day of culinary instruction, and the other straightforward tasks I’d been hired for.

I’d used the MAC 8-Inch Chef’s Knife at a client’s house before, and in the end, I chose that reliable and versatile blade as my travel companion. I love that the MAC knife comes in a nice enough cardboard case, meaning I can just house it there when I’m on the go. When you’re arriving at someone’s home with numerous bags of groceries, having to contend with a knife bag on top of everything else is just one more trouble. This knife assuaged that problem for me.

Although the MAC chef’s knife is priced on the higher end, I’ve found it to be a worthwhile investment. I’ve had it for a good number of years, and provided it’s sharpened regularly, it’s solid and trustworthy for most basic chopping tasks. 

How I Use the MAC 8-Inch Chef’s Knife

My favorite use for my MAC knife is chopping fresh herbs. Because the blade is thin and sharp, it can create a beautifully fine mince, and the divots in the blade help to prevent ingredients from sticking to it. Large bits of herbs getting stuck to the side of the blade can slow you down and create an uneven end result, which is frustrating, so that’s an excellent attribute. 

I also enjoy using this chef’s knife for cutting lighter produce items, which basically means everything except root vegetables and melons. Because it’s so light, you won’t have the heft you need for something like an autumn squash. But if you’re making a fruit salad or another composed dish, it gives you added dexterity for garnishes. It also lends itself to working with meat, and I like using this knife for simple tasks like turning a roast into stew chunks. It can slide in between muscle and silver skin beautifully, which a bulkier blade will have trouble doing. I don’t really find it to be ideal for uses like breaking down a whole chicken because you want a knife with some heft for that task. However, its sharp edge handles cutlets like boneless chicken breast easily.

Because the blade of the MAC chef’s knife is on the thinner side, it’s particularly great for very thinly sliced ingredients, and it can help you attain even and consistent cuts. And thanks to the sharp point it comes to on the top, you’re able to use more of the knife itself than you could on one with a blunt or rounded edge. 

What I Love About the MAC 8-Inch Chef’s Knife

The handle of the MAC knife is extraordinarily comfortable, and I’ve long wondered why Global knives are so much more popular when they offer similar blades but with bumpy, awkward-to-hold handles. The MAC knife has a handle that is much simpler and familiar; it follows a more traditional Western shape, which is something many people are used to already. 

The weight of this knife is another huge selling point for me. After many years of cooking, I experience hand and wrist fatigue quickly upon chopping, and if I do it for more than 5-10 minutes at a time, my hands cramp up. So, a light knife is the best possible match for preventing strain. 

One thing I’ve learned from teaching others how to cook is that big knives are initially scary. When I try to explain that getting used to an 8-inch knife will be beneficial in the long run because it speeds up the prep process, many people remain unconvinced. But I’ve found that presenting them with a knife like the MAC helps to ease the transition to larger knives: It doesn’t look overly fancy, despite its higher price point, it doesn’t weigh much, and the blade is long but not hugely intimidating. This makes it a great choice for home cooks who want to invest in a knife but also want to ensure it’s one they will grow comfortable with. 

The Caveats

My only issue with the MAC 8-Inch Chef’s Knife is that it doesn’t hold its sharpness as well as my Shuns do. The one downside of having such a thin blade is that you notice all too soon when it begins to dull even the tiniest bit. Thankfully, you can still continue using it for some time before it actually needs sharpening, but I always experience a bit of a letdown once the initial post-sharpening edge wears down.

I’ve also found that because it’s so lightweight, this knife isn’t really suitable for heavier foods. If you’re looking for a one-stop-shop of a knife, and you regularly perform prep work like dividing a chicken into parts or slicing kabocha squash, this MAC knife won’t be the answer for you. You’d likely need a heavier, more cleaver-like knife on hand. 

Tips and Tricks

• Have your knife professionally sharpened at regular intervals. This helps keep it in the best possible working order.
• If you’re comfortable with it, use a honing steel in between sharpenings to keep your knife at its sharpest.
• Don’t use this knife for heavy foods like a big squash or melon, as it’s too light for that. You would risk it getting stuck in there.
• Always wash your knife by hand and dry it immediately. This knife is not dishwasher safe. 
• If you’re intimidated by the long blade, begin by using the larger end closest to your hand until you’re more comfortable with it.  

How It Compares

MAC knives are most commonly compared to Global, and Global is a brand beloved by many chefs. I like the lightness of Global knives, but personally, I can’t handle the feeling of the handles. They’re dimpled, and while some people like that for sweat absorption, I can’t deal with it from a sensory perspective and find it physically painful to hold. MAC is also compared to Shun, which is a Japanese brand known for the lightness of their blades. I love Shun knives, but MAC is a slightly more affordable option. 

The Verdict

The MAC 8-Inch Chef’s Knife is a high-quality knife that’s suitable for the average home cook and the seasoned chef alike. Its lightweight handle and blade can make longer prep lists move more quickly, with much less discomfort than a heavier knife. While it seems impeccably sharp out of the case, that edge does wear off, so be sure to have it sharpened regularly. But I’ve found that if you keep it well-maintained, it will serve you for years.

Overall, I enjoy using this knife, and I have even gifted it to others who are looking to upgrade their kitchen equipment but don’t want to invest in a full new set of knives. This one lightweight and versatile blade gets the job done.