The Best Chef Knife
The sharpest, most agile all-arounder for home cooks — Wirecutter's top pick for over a decade. · Updated June 24, 2026
Mac MTH-80 Chef's Knife
Mac MTH-80 Professional Series 8-Inch Chef's Knife with Dimples
$155Buy on Amazon
★star.shop pickWirecutter pickReddit favorite
Pros
- Razor-sharp, thin Japanese-style blade glides through produce with minimal effort
- Lightweight and agile with a comfortable, well-balanced handle
- Dimples along the blade help reduce food sticking while slicing
- Wirecutter's #1 pick since 2013, reconfirmed in April 2026 after testing 23 knives
- Holds its edge well and is a reliable everyday workhorse
- Positively cited in Reddit's r/chefknives recap and BIFL threads
Cons
- Pricey at around $155 compared to budget alternatives
- Harder Japanese steel is more prone to chipping than softer German knives
- Requires more careful sharpening and maintenance to stay at its best
- Thinner blade is less suited to heavy tasks like splitting squash or hard bones
- BIFL purists often favor the more durable Wüsthof for lifetime longevity