Stainless
Stainless Steel
"Stainless" means stain-resistant, not stain-proof. In kitchen use, the steel can still discolour or pit if exposed to acidic environments — citrus, vinegar, or salt water — for extended periods. Wash and wipe dry after every use, and avoid leaving the blade soaking in water. With basic care, a stainless knife is very low-maintenance and a great everyday choice. PM / Powder Steel Powder Metallurgy (PM)
A modern steel-making process where the alloy is atomised into a fine powder and then compressed under high pressure before sintering. This creates an exceptionally uniform carbide distribution — far finer and more even than conventionally cast steel. The result is a blade that achieves higher hardness without sacrificing toughness, holds a keener edge for longer, and is more resistant to chipping. PM steels are generally considered a step up in performance, though they can be harder to sharpen on coarse stones. Hitachi Special Steel, Japan 🇯🇵
"Stainless" means stain-resistant, not stain-proof. In kitchen use, the steel can still discolour or pit if exposed to acidic environments — citrus, vinegar, or salt water — for extended periods. Wash and wipe dry after every use, and avoid leaving the blade soaking in water. With basic care, a stainless knife is very low-maintenance and a great everyday choice. PM / Powder Steel Powder Metallurgy (PM)
A modern steel-making process where the alloy is atomised into a fine powder and then compressed under high pressure before sintering. This creates an exceptionally uniform carbide distribution — far finer and more even than conventionally cast steel. The result is a blade that achieves higher hardness without sacrificing toughness, holds a keener edge for longer, and is more resistant to chipping. PM steels are generally considered a step up in performance, though they can be harder to sharpen on coarse stones. Hitachi Special Steel, Japan 🇯🇵
ZDP-189
Hardness
Rockwell C Hardness (HRC) measures how resistant a steel is to permanent deformation. For kitchen knives:
55–58 HRC — Soft. Easy to sharpen and forgiving of rough use, but dulls faster. Typical of most German knives.
59–61 HRC — Balanced. Good edge retention with manageable sharpening. Common in mid-range Japanese knives.
62–64 HRC — Hard. Excellent edge retention, holds a very fine edge. Requires more care and a fine stone to sharpen.
65+ HRC — Very hard. Exceptional edge longevity but more brittle — more prone to chipping if used roughly.
Higher is not always better — it depends on how you use and maintain your knife.
55–58 HRC — Soft. Easy to sharpen and forgiving of rough use, but dulls faster. Typical of most German knives.
59–61 HRC — Balanced. Good edge retention with manageable sharpening. Common in mid-range Japanese knives.
62–64 HRC — Hard. Excellent edge retention, holds a very fine edge. Requires more care and a fine stone to sharpen.
65+ HRC — Very hard. Exceptional edge longevity but more brittle — more prone to chipping if used roughly.
Higher is not always better — it depends on how you use and maintain your knife.
63–66
HRC
555759616365+
ZDP-189 steel is a high-end powdered metallurgy stainless steel renowned for its exceptional hardness and edge retention capabilities. Developed by Hitachi Metals, it contains a high carbon and chromium content, allowing it to achieve hardness levels up to 67 HRC, making it one of the hardest steels used in knife making. This extraordinary hardness means that ZDP-189 can be sharpened to a very fine edge and maintain that sharpness through extensive use, far surpassing many other steel types in terms of edge retention. However, its high hardness also means that it can be more challenging to sharpen and may be more prone to chipping if used improperly. ZDP-189's significant chromium content also provides it with a degree of corrosion resistance, though care should still be taken to maintain the blade. Due to its premium qualities, ZDP-189 is often used in high-end and specialty knives, appealing to enthusiasts and professionals who prioritize cutting performance and longevity.
Composition
ZDP-189 Element Composition
Compare with
ZDP-189
—
20.0%
15.0%
10.0%
5.0%
0
C
3.0%
Cr
20.0%
V
0.1%
Mo
1.4%
W
0.6%
Mn
0.5%
Si
0.4%
C — Carbon
Cr — Chromium
V — Vanadium
Mo — Molybdenum
W — Tungsten
Mn — Manganese
Si — Silicon
Hardness
63–66 HRC
555759616365+
Knives in ZDP-189
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Sukenari
Sukenari ZDP-189 Hairline K tip Gyuto 270mm
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Sukenari ZDP-189 Hairline K tip Gyuto 210mm
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Sukenari ZDP-189 Hairline K-tip Gyuto 240mm
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Sukenari ZDP-189 Hairline Gyuto 240mm
Hatsukokoro
Hatsukokoro Hayabusa ZDP189 Migaki Gyuto 240mm
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Hatsukokoro Hayabusa ZDP189 Migaki Gyuto 210mm
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Sukenari ZDP-189 Damascus Kiritsuke (K-tip) Gyuto 240mm Birch Burl Handle
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Sukenari ZDP-189 Damascus Gyuto 270mm Birch Burl Handle
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Sukenari ZDP-189 Damascus Gyuto 240mm Birch Burl Handle
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Sukenari ZDP-189 Damascus Gyuto 210mm Birch Burl Handle
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Sukenari ZDP-189 Damascus Sujihiki 240mm Burl Handle with Saya
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