A kiritsuke blends the reach of a gyuto with a sharp, angled tip, and this 240mm version from Sukenari brings that versatile profile to one of the hardest alloys used in kitchen knife making. ZDP189 is produced through powdered metallurgy, prized for its wear resistance, toughness, and the very high hardness it can reach, though that hardness also makes it more demanding to sharpen by hand than softer steels.
Sukenari has built a reputation as one of the best at working with ZDP189, producing some of the finest blades made from this exotic alloy. The inner core is clad in a softer stainless steel layer, finished here in a mirror polished Damascus pattern that keeps the knife easier to maintain through long professional shifts. The handle is an octagonal rosewood.
Care Instructions:ZDP189 is stainless but very hard and can chip at this hardness level, so use only wood or soft plastic cutting boards and avoid bones, frozen foods, or other hard materials. Hand wash and dry the blade after use, and strop the edge regularly between full sharpenings to keep this high hardness steel performing at its best on quality water stones.
Sukenari has built a reputation as one of the best at working with ZDP189, producing some of the finest blades made from this exotic alloy. The inner core is clad in a softer stainless steel layer, finished here in a mirror polished Damascus pattern that keeps the knife easier to maintain through long professional shifts. The handle is an octagonal rosewood.
Care Instructions:ZDP189 is stainless but very hard and can chip at this hardness level, so use only wood or soft plastic cutting boards and avoid bones, frozen foods, or other hard materials. Hand wash and dry the blade after use, and strop the edge regularly between full sharpenings to keep this high hardness steel performing at its best on quality water stones.
- Brand: Sukenari
- Blacksmith: Hanaki
- Location: Toyama, Japan
- Construction: San Mai
- Edge Steel: ZDP189
- HRC: 65-66
- Cladding: Stainless Steel
- Finish: Mirror Polished Damascus
- Handle: Rosewood Octagonal
- Weight: 7.2 oz (206 g)
- Blade Length: 234 mm
- Total Length: 385 mm
- Spine Thickness at Heel: 3 mm
- Blade Height: 50 mm
