Mac Superior Santoku

Although the Mac Superior Santoku appears in only a few of the reviews we found, ratings for this knife are generally positive. Plus, the brand is endorsed by famed chef Thomas Keller, which several reviewers say gives the lesser-known brand cache. Reviewers and users alike say the Mac Superior Santoku is exceedingly sharp out of the box and great for precision tasks, such as trimming the skin from bell peppers. One professional tester says the blade isn't likely to maintain its sharpness well, but users generally disagree, saying it needs only occasional sharpening. However, both professionals and users caution against using the Mac Superior Santoku for heavy-duty work, pointing out that the blade is very thin and potentially fragile. On the plus side, reviewers say this knife is more easily controlled, and therefore more versatile, than other santoku knives. Another highly rated santoku is the Shun Classic (*Est. $130) . Some experts say it is the best santoku overall, but it is nearly twice as expensive as the Mac.

The Mac Superior Santoku is included in two professional comparison reviews, one at Cook's Illustrated magazine and one in New York magazine. Owner reviews at Amazon.com are positive and include advice about home-sharpening this knife.