MAC Chef Series Gyuto Knife 18cm (HB-70)
Product Description
The MAC Chef Series Gyuto (HB-70) is an 18cm all-purpose chef's knife produced in Japan, where much of the manufacturing process still involves skilled hand-finishing. The Gyuto profile is the...
Specifications
- Warranty
- 1 Year
Downloads
Product Description
The MAC Chef Series Gyuto (HB-70) is an 18cm all-purpose chef's knife produced in Japan, where much of the manufacturing process still involves skilled hand-finishing. The Gyuto profile is the Japanese interpretation of the Western chef's knife — slightly thinner behind the edge than a European equivalent, which translates into cleaner, more precise cuts with less resistance through the ingredient.
In a working kitchen environment, this is a reliable general-purpose knife suited to the full range of everyday prep work: portioning meat, breaking down fish, slicing vegetables, and fine knife work where control matters. The 18cm blade sits at a practical mid-length — long enough for most tasks, short enough to feel responsive in the hand. At 130g it is notably light, which reduces hand fatigue during extended prep sessions.
Practical day-to-day advantages include:
- Thin Japanese blade geometry for cleaner cuts through meat and fish
- Lightweight construction that reduces fatigue during long prep shifts
- Balanced for general-purpose use across a wide range of ingredients
- Hand-finished production consistent with MAC's established quality standards
- Suitable for daily professional use without specialist maintenance
One practical consideration worth noting: this knife requires hand washing only. Putting it through a commercial dishwasher will damage both the edge and the handle over time — a discipline that matters in a busy kitchen where knives can easily end up in the wrong place at the end of a service.
The HB-70 is well suited to chefs and commis staff who need a dependable everyday knife for general prep. It is not a specialist boning or filleting knife, and those with very high-volume continuous use may want to consider a heavier-gauge alternative. If you are equipping a brigade and want to discuss the right specification across a range of tasks, the team is happy to help.
Key Features
- 18cm Japanese-made blade with thin, precise cutting geometry
- Lightweight 130g construction designed to reduce hand fatigue
- Gyuto profile suited to meat, fish, and vegetable preparation
- Hand-finished production consistent with MAC quality standards
- Balanced handle and blade weight for responsive everyday control
Operational Benefits
- Cleaner cuts through meat and fish reduce prep time and waste
- Light weight supports extended prep work without strain on the hand
- Versatile profile handles most daily kitchen tasks from a single knife
- Consistent Japanese manufacture means reliable edge quality across batches
- Practical 18cm length suits most workstation sizes and cutting board setups
Specifications
- Warranty
- 1 Year
Downloads
Frequently Asked Questions
- Yes, the HB-70 is designed for everyday professional use and handles the typical range of prep tasks well. That said, it is a mid-weight general-purpose knife rather than a heavy-duty workhorse — chefs working at very high volume or cutting through dense product repeatedly may find a thicker-spined knife more appropriate for those specific tasks.
- No — MAC specify hand washing only for this knife. The heat, detergents, and mechanical action of a commercial dishwasher will degrade both the blade edge and the handle over time. In a busy kitchen it is worth having a clear protocol for knife handling at the end of service to prevent this.
- A Gyuto typically has a thinner blade profile and a slightly flatter belly than a classic French or German chef's knife, which gives it a finer, more precise cutting action. Most chefs adapt quickly, though those used to a heavy rocking motion on a thick European blade may notice the difference in feel. For the majority of prep tasks the transition is straightforward.