Misen chef's knife with blue handle and stainless steel blade

5.5" Utility Knife (ACUTO440)

Blue
$94.00
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Misen chef's knife with blue handle and stainless steel blade

1758 Reviews

5.5" Utility Knife (ACUTO440)

5.5" Utility Knife – ACUTO440 Japanese Steel

$94.00

Our in-between knife for everyday prep. Perfect when a chef’s knife feels too big and a paring knife too small.

Color: Blue
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60-Day Test Drive

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Lifetime Warranty Against Defects

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Free Returns

Features
  • AICHI ACUTO440 Japanese steel for exceptional sharpness and edge retention
  • Lab-tested rust resistance proven to withstand 50 days submerged in water and up to 100 dishwasher cycles.
  • 5.5” blade for versatile everyday prep
  • Ideal for slicing small produce, cheese, charcuterie, and citrus
  • Ergonomic rounded spine and bolster for a more comfortable pinch grip
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Rust-Proof

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ACUTO440 Steel

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All Chop Styles

Use & Care
  • Hand wash
  • Dry immediately after use
  • Sharpen every 4–6 months
  • Heads up: High-carbon knives may show discoloration after exposure to acidic foods and/or salt. This is purely cosmetic and different from rust, which is extremely rare.
  • Visit our Help Hub for more on how to use and care for this knife.

Let Us Handle the Sharpening

Specifications

Blade Length: 5.7 in. / 147 mm
Total Length: 10.4 in. / 265 mm
Handle Thickness: 16 mm
Blade Height: 36 mm
Weight: 0.29 lb / 136 g
Steel: AICHI ACUTO 440 (Japan)
HRC: 58±2
Grind & Edge: 50/50 Symmetrical, 14° per side
Handle Material: Polyoxymethylene
Country of Production: PRC

Warranty

All Misen products come with a lifetime warranty against defects. Misen will replace any defective products. Learn more about our warranty policy here and what's covered.

Pair it with

Basically a Navy Seal

Rust-proof after 100 dishwasher cycles.

Because it’s got more chromium than standard high-carbon stainless, ACUTO440's rust resistance is a lab result, not a marketing claim.

Sliced salami and mozzarella sheet pan pizza on parchment paper being cut with a Misen chef's knife
Misen bread knife slicing dark sourdough loaf on wooden cutting board

Works Harder, Stays Sharper

Holds a razor edge through heavy prep.

At 58±2 HRC, ACUTO440 has incredible edge retention without brittleness. That means you can put off sharpening it for longer.

Questions?

What are Misen’s ACUTO440 Knives made of?

Our ACUTO440 Knives are made with AICHI ACUTO440, an exceptionally corrosion-resistant Japanese high-carbon stainless steel. AICHI ACUTO440 is rust-proof, incredibly durable, and has excellent edge retention. What that means for you: less time cleaning and sharpening, more cooking.

What’s the difference between Misen’s ACUTO440 Knives and classic knives?

All of our knives are made from high-carbon stainless steel, which is what gives them their razor-sharpness and excellent edge retention. However, our ACUTO440 Knives have a much higher chromium content (about 18%), which makes them significantly more corrosion (aka rust) resistant.

Our ACUTO440 Knives also feature a rounded spine and heel (the back of the knife where the blade meets the bolster), creating a more comfortable grip over long prep sessions.

How are Misen’s ACUTO440 Knives different from other high-carbon knives?

We wanted our ACUTO440 Knives to be high-performance tools that you could still leave in the sink overnight if you needed to. That’s why our ACUTO440 Knives are made with AICHI ACUTO440, a Japanese high-carbon stainless steel that is more durable and easier to care for than other high-carbon knives, which are prone to rusting and/or chipping without proper care.

What do you mean by rust-proof?

Our ACUTO440 Knives are made with AICHI ACUTO440 steel, an exceptionally corrosion-resistant Japanese high-carbon stainless steel. Our knives have been lab-certified to withstand up to 100 dishwasher cycles, as well as 50 days of being submerged in water, without showing any signs of rust.

Can I put Misen’s ACUTO440 Knives in the dishwasher?

While our ACUTO440 Knives have been lab-certified to withstand up to 100 dishwasher cycles without showing any signs of rust, we generally recommend hand washing all of your Misen knives. Because our knives are extremely sharp, when they get jostled around in the dishwasher, the blade can cut through the soft materials that make up your dishwasher racks. Dishwashing can also damage your knives if the blade edge bangs against hard objects like flatware or pots and pans during the washing cycle.

How often should I sharpen my knives?

Whenever you start to notice your knife is slicing and dicing a little less crisply than usual, it’s time to sharpen. Although our ACUTO440 Knives can go long periods between sharpenings, we generally recommend getting them sharpened about twice a year for best performance. We also recommend regularly using a honing rod between sharpenings to keep your knife edge in good shape.

My blade has discoloration and/or staining. What is this?

While our ACUTO440 Knives are rust-proof, all high-carbon knives can experience some discoloration and/or staining with prolonged exposure to acidic foods and/or salt. This is purely cosmetic and is not the same as rust. To remove discoloration, make a paste with baking soda and water. Apply the paste to the discolored spots, then use a soft microfiber cloth to gently rub the paste into the affected area to remove discoloration. Wash your knife with a soft sponge and warm soapy water, then dry right away. That's it.

Customer Reviews

4.9
Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars
Based on 1,758 reviews
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1,758 reviews
  • William D. M. J.
    Verified Buyer
    Reviewing
    5.5" Utility Knife (ACUTO440) - Blue
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    4 minutes ago
    Thoughts

    I really like this knife

  • Jodi B.
    Verified Buyer
    Reviewing
    5.5" Utility Knife (ACUTO440) - Black
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    1 week ago
    Knife for many uses

    Loved this knife.

    Wish it would come with a knife shield.

    I had to purchase one from Amazon...

  • James
    Verified Reviewer
    Reviewing
    5.5" Utility Knife (ACUTO440) - Blue
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    1 month ago
    The Everything Knife

    I use this knife for most tasks. It’s thin enough for thin-slicing a tomato and robust enough to breakdown a chicken or split a rack of ribs. And it keeps a sharp edge. It’s easy to control and comfortable to hold. I’ve owned mine for ~3 Years, and I’m giving my son the same knife for his 20th birthday (he likes to cook!). 10 out of 5 stars!

  • Lori K.
    Verified Buyer
    Reviewing
    5.5" Utility Knife (ACUTO440) - Red
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    2 months ago
    5.5 Utility Knife

    This is a daily go to knife. Super sharp and just the right size - for some cutting one does not need the 6.5 or 8-inch knife. Love, love this size knife.

  • Anna L.
    Flag of United States
    Verified Buyer
    Reviewing
    5.5" Utility Knife (ACUTO440) - Blue
    I recommend this product
    Product Standouts sharp, easy-to-use, good balance, comfortable handle
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    4 months ago
    I use this every single day

    I have small hands and this knife is the perfect size - it’s the first knife I reach for, I use it at least once per day. I have a larger misen knife from 5 or 6 years ago that’s still in fantastic shape and sharper than it should be for how little i’ve tried to sharpen it. gives me confidence this one will last a long time as well!

5.5" Utility Knife – ACUTO440 Japanese Steel

The Misen 5.5" Utility Knife (ACUTO440) is designed to live between your chef’s knife and paring knife, giving you a comfortable, precise option for everyday prep when a full-size blade feels like overkill. With a 5.5" blade and AICHI ACUTO440 Japanese steel, it’s built for sharp, controlled cuts on the tasks you do most often.

This size shines for quick, accurate slicing: small produce, citrus, cheese, and charcuterie are all called out as ideal uses. The shorter blade can feel easier to steer on a board, especially when you’re trimming, halving, or making thin slices where a larger knife can feel bulky. If you’re building out your kit piece by piece, it also pairs naturally with other single knives without committing to a full set.

Comfort is a big part of what makes this utility knife easy to reach for. The handle is designed with an ergonomic rounded spine and bolster, which supports a more comfortable pinch grip during repetitive prep. That matters on weeknight cooking tasks where you might be making dozens of small cuts and want a knife that feels secure and controlled in hand.

ACUTO440 steel is positioned here for both sharpness and edge retention, plus lab-tested rust resistance. The page notes testing that withstood 50 days submerged in water and up to 100 dishwasher cycles. Even with that durability, Misen’s recommended routine is still simple: hand wash, dry immediately after use, and sharpen every 4–6 months. For more guidance, the Acuto Knives Care page expands on how to use and care for this knife.

Choosing between colors (Blue, Black, Red, and White) is purely an aesthetic decision based on the information provided; performance and care remain the same. If you’re comparing shapes and sizes instead of colors, browsing Misen’s broader kitchen knives lineup can help you decide whether you want this everyday in-between blade, a larger all-purpose knife, or a more specialized style.

Explore Serrated Knives for more verified options related to this product.

Frequently Asked Questions About Utility Knives

What is a 5.5" utility knife best used for?

This 5.5" utility knife is meant for everyday prep when a chef’s knife feels too big and a paring knife feels too small. The page specifically calls out slicing small produce, cheese, charcuterie, and citrus, where control and a mid-size blade are especially helpful.

Is ACUTO440 steel rust resistant?

Yes. The product page states the knife uses AICHI ACUTO440 Japanese steel and notes lab-tested rust resistance, proven to withstand 50 days submerged in water and up to 100 dishwasher cycles. It also notes that true rust is extremely rare.

How should I wash and care for this knife?

Misen recommends hand washing and drying immediately after use. For maintenance, sharpen the knife every 4–6 months. The page also notes that high-carbon knives may show cosmetic discoloration after exposure to acidic foods and/or salt, which is different from rust.

What makes the handle comfortable for prep?

The handle is designed with an ergonomic rounded spine and bolster. According to the page, this shape supports a more comfortable pinch grip, which can make repetitive slicing and general prep feel more controlled over longer cooking sessions.

Does the knife come with any trial period or warranty?

Yes. The product page lists a 60-Day Test Drive, free returns, and a lifetime warranty against defects. These policies are presented on the page alongside the knife’s key features and care guidance.