ZDP-189 steel pros and cons for kitchen knives

ZDP-189 is a high-carbon, high-chromium powder metallurgy steel that achieves 63–66 HRC hardness for extreme edge retention, though this same hardness makes the edge more brittle and difficult to sharpen than softer steels.

In the K&S catalog, this steel is used by makers like Hatsukokoro and Sukenari across Gyuto, Petty, and Sujihiki profiles, with prices ranging from $300 to $930 AUD. A concrete example is the Hatsukokoro Hayabusa ZDP189 Migaki Gyuto 240mm, listed at $440 AUD. You should choose this steel if you prioritize holding a razor edge through heavy use and have the skill to maintain a 63+ HRC edge without chipping; if you need a knife that is forgiving of lateral stress or easy to sharpen in the field, the high carbon content and extreme hardness present a trade-off you may want to avoid.