MAC Superior Series 6 1/2 in Santoku (SK-65): problems, parts and running costs

Checked: 2026-10-15

Summary

Owners report a handle that feels bulky for smaller hands, a blade testers measure at 6.5 in, a sheep’s-foot tip that needs harder pushing, and rust or discoloration if the high-carbon blade is not dried immediately; MAC excludes rust, chips and bent tips from its 25-year warranty. There are no replaceable parts, so running cost is limited to occasional sharpening, with no figure published. At $74-90 from authorized dealers or MAC’s $90 sale it is a strong buy; above $100 the dimpled MSK-65 or larger knives become reachable.

Common problems and fixes

Handle feels bulky for smaller hands — testers measured a 3 in circumference and called it “a hair too thick and bulky” for smaller-handed users. [6]
Blade runs short — testers measured 6.5 in against MAC’s 6.75 in listing; one tester found it on the shorter end of preference. [6][7]
Sheep’s-foot tip needs more push — the turned-down tip puts more metal behind the tip and required harder pushing on delicate vertical cuts and chicken separation in testing. [6]
Rust or discoloration if not dried — the high-carbon steel discolors without prompt drying, MAC’s warranty excludes staining and corrosion, and one owner reported small orange rust spots almost immediately after washing. [7][9][10]
Chipping from misuse or a bad knife — MAC lists frozen items, bones, shells, hard squash, hard cheese, nut shells and chocolate as too hard to cut; one owner reported chipping while cutting cooked chicken breast the day after rust spots, with counterfeits raised as a possible cause. [9][10]
Counterfeit risk — owners report fake MAC knives; buy from an authorized dealer. [10]

Parts and consumables

No replaceable parts or consumables reported.

Yearly running cost

Not enough data. [13][20]

When it is a good buy

At $74.00 from Chef Knives To Go and $84.95 from Knife Merchant, and at MAC’s $90.00 sale against a $100.00 list (checked 2026-10-15), the SK-65 is a strong buy backed by two independent test endorsements and a 25-year defect warranty. [4][24][1][6][7][9]

$91-100: still defensible at list price. [1][6][7]

Above $100: the case weakens; the dimpled Professional MSK-65 is $165 on sale from a $175 list and is Serious Eats’ santoku winner, and the Misono UX10 7 in lists at $197 as ATK’s outright winner. [2][8][6]

Alternatives: the Victorinox Fibrox Pro 7 in Granton santoku at $62 is ATK’s Recommended pick but felt dull from the start; Epicurious would keep it only for buyers wanting a dishwasher-safe knife. [6][7] The Misono UX10 7 in at $197 is the better choice if budget allows and a longer blade is wanted. [6] The dimpled MSK-65 at $165 is the better choice if a bolster, dimples or sub-zero-tempered steel matter. [2][8]