ZDP-189 Santoku Silver Ebony 180mm (7.1″)

This limited-edition santoku is forged by Osamu-san of Yoshida Hamono and crafted from ZDP-189 powder steel—one of the hardest and most durable steels available for kitchen knives. The blade features traditional warikomi lamination, combining a razor-sharp cutting edge with impressive edge retention. A fine tsuchime texture and mirror-polished finish bring subtle elegance to its performance-driven design. At 180mm, it’s a versatile choice for meat, fish, and vegetables—and it holds its edge exceptionally well. A true collector’s piece made to be used.

BLADE SHAPE:
The name “Santoku” derives from the Japanese word “San,” meaning “three,” representing the knife’s three virtues. It effortlessly handles three key ingredients: meat, fish, and vegetables. It is equally adept at slicing, chopping, and mincing, making it a versatile companion in the kitchen.

STEEL:
ZDP-189 is a high-carbon stainless powder steel with approximately 3% carbon and 20% chromium, offering exceptional edge retention and corrosion resistance. With a Rockwell hardness of 65–67 HRC, this steel allows for an extremely sharp, long-lasting edge. The steel also contains tungsten, molybdenum, and vanadium to enhance wear resistance and structural integrity.

ZDP-189 composition: C 3.00 % | Cr 20.00 % | W 0.60 % | Mo 1.40 % | V 0.10 % | Mn 0.50 % | Si 0.40 %

LAMINATION:
The steel is laminated, meaning that the core is made of very strong steel covered with an external layer of softer stainless steel – also known as warikomi clad. The softer external layer protects the core steel from external factors.

GEOMETRY:
This double-bevel santoku knife has a V-edge grind and a low-profile blade shape, ideal for slicing, dicing, and chopping vegetables, fish, and meat. The geometry supports precise cuts with minimal resistance, making it versatile for both professional chefs and home cooks. 

BLADE FINISH:
The blade surface is polished to a subtle mirror hairline finish with a delicate tsuchime (hammered) texture, reflecting the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi—finding beauty in imperfection and uniqueness. Each knife is individually forged, so no two are exactly the same.

HANDLE:
This santoku features a traditional octagonal Japanese handle made from durable ebony wood with a blonde buffalo horn ferrule. Designed for both left- and right-handed users, it offers a balanced, comfortable grip. Ebony’s hardness and polished finish create a luxurious look and smooth feel, while the octagonal shape ensures precise control during use.

BLACKSMITH:
The knife is manufactured at the smithy of Yoshida Hamono in Japan, a family company with an age-long tradition in manufacturing state-of-the-art tools and Japanese swords (katanas) by hand. Yoshida Hamono has a great deal of experience forging ZDP-189 steel in the traditional manner. See the photo story from our visit to their smithy.

The knife is laminated, forged, and heat-treated by the blacksmith in his workshop in southern Japan. The final finish retains a rustic, robust character, showcasing the craftsmanship of a purely handmade blade. As a result, each piece is entirely unique.