• ZDP189

  • ZDP189 is a premium stainless steel known for its unparalleled hardness, achieved through advanced powder metallurgy by Hitachi Metals.

ZDP189 – The Steel of the New Era Where Tradition Meets Innovation

  • ZDP189 has transcended the boundaries of stainless steel. It is not merely corrosion-resistant; its hardness and durability represent the pinnacle of what modern steel materials can achieve. However, this material is more than just a substance—it requires more than just hammering to master. To truly understand and utilize ZDP189, one must delve into its unique characteristics and approach it with careful consideration. While it may be challenging to handle with traditional forging techniques, combining it with modern technology opens up new possibilities. ZDP189 is, without a doubt, the steel that will shape the future.

ZDP189 Japanese Knife Collection

ZDP189 knives, handled by KIREAJI, feature a mirror-polished finish by Tadayoshi Yamatsuka, reflecting his traditional craftsmanship.

KIREAJI's Three Promises to You

  • japanese_knife_made_in_Sakai

    1. High-quality Japanese Knive

    We offer knives crafted by craftsmen from Sakai City.

    Honbazuke 
  • Honbazuke

    2. Genuine Sharpness

    To ensure you experience sharpness, we provide a free Honbazuke by our skilled craftsmen.

    Saya (Sheath) 

  • 3. Lifetime Knife Use

    Every knife comes with a free Saya(Sheath) for durability. We also provide paid after-sales services with Sakai City Japanese knife workshop.

    After services 
ZDP189-Gyuto-240mm-Mirror-Polished-both-sides

What is ZDP189?

ZDP189 is a premium stainless steel produced by Hitachi Metals, one of Japan's leading steel manufacturers. It contains 3% carbon and 20% chromium, achieving high hardness (up to 70 HRC) and excellent wear resistance, while also being resistant to rust. In terms of hardness, which significantly affects edge retention, ZDP189 is among the top-class steels for blades. Despite these strengths, it has drawbacks such as lower toughness, reduced corrosion resistance, and being difficult to sharpen. Skilled craftsmen meticulously create each knife, utilizing these outstanding material properties. Please enjoy the exceptional sharpness.

What is ZDP189?

Hitachi Metals' strongest powder steel, ZDP-189, boasts a hardness of 67 or higher, the highest of any known steel for cutting tools. It offers the ultimate combination of hardness, toughness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance. However, due to its extreme hardness, ZDP-189 is difficult to sharpen with regular sharpening stones and is quite expensive.

Features of ZDP189

  • ZDP189

    World-Class Hardness

    ZDP189 is a high-hardness stainless steel developed by Hitachi Metals. Due to its extreme hardness, it maintains sharpness for extended periods.

  • Petty made from ZDP189

    Excellent Wear Resistance

    Thanks to its high hardness, ZDP189 exhibits superior wear resistance compared to conventional stainless steels, reducing the need for frequent sharpening.

  • Sharpening a knife

    Challenging to Handle

    ZDP189 is extremely hard, making it difficult to sharpen and unsuitable for beginners. Skilled technique is required for effective use.

  • Recommended Users for ZDP189

  • 1. Experienced Professional Chefs

    Ideal for busy professional Ideal for busy professional kitchens where edge retention is crucial, as the blade maintains its sharpness even after extended use. The sustained precision cutting is a significant advantage in demanding culinary environments.

  • 2. Knife Enthusiasts with Advanced Sharpening Skills
    Due to the difficulty in sharpening ZDP189, it is best suited for users with advanced sharpening techniques. For enthusiasts pursuing the ultimate in cutting performance, this material represents an ideal choice.

  • 3. Experts Seeking Minimal Maintenance

    The superior wear resistance means less frequent resharpening is required, maintaining a keen edge over extended periods. This makes it perfect for users who prioritize long-term performance.

  • ZDP189 represents the ultimate choice for users seeking maximum sharpness and durability. However, to fully utilize its characteristics, proper handling and advanced maintenance techniques are essential. Knives crafted from ZDP189 by skilled artisans await in the hands of true experts who can appreciate and effectively utilize their superior performance.

Knife Materials and Powder Steel

  • Knife materials include various types such as carbon steel, alloy steel, and stainless steel, but recently, new manufacturing methods that differ from these conventional methods have been gaining attention. One such method is the production of "powder steel" through powder metallurgy.

  • One example of powder steel is ZDP189, also known as "powdered high-speed steel." This steel is created by placing powder material into a mold and applying heat and pressure during the sintering process. This process results in a dense metal structure with minimal impurities, yielding a steel that is exceptionally hard and has excellent wear resistance. Because of these qualities, knives made from ZDP189 have been gaining popularity due to their high performance.

  • Typically, steel materials are melted using a electric arc furnace and then formed and rolled. However, powder steel involves cooling and powdering the melted raw material, then placing this powder into a mold and sintering it under pressure. As a result, the terms "melted steel" and "powder steel" are used to distinguish between the two manufacturing processes.

  • Currently, the powder metallurgy method is primarily used for stainless steel, but the term "powder steel" does not refer to a specific type of steel; instead, it encompasses all steel made using this method, which means high-carbon steel can also be produced as powder steel.

  • Since powder steel involves melting the material and then powdering it before sintering, the metal structure becomes fine and dense, contrasting with conventional steel, which tends to have coarser particles. This process allows for uniform particles to be obtained, resulting in an expectedly sharp cutting edge. In fact, knives made from powder steel have received high praise from users.

  • A finer metal structure means a greater number of particles, contributing to an aggressive cutting edge. This sharpness indeed allows for excellent cutting performance when slicing through hard ingredients like vegetables. However, this sharpness can also lead to cellular damage in the food, and in experiments using onions, it has been found that cutting with powder steel knives can release components like allyl sulfide, which may contribute to bitterness and pungency. Thus, this manufacturing method may not be suitable for those looking to minimize off-flavors in their ingredients.

FAQ about ZDP189

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What is ZDP-189?

ZDP189 is a high-performance powdered stainless steel developed by Hitachi Metals in Japan. It's known as a high-alloy steel with a very high carbon content and alloying elements such as chromium and molybdenum.

What are the precautions for handling ZDP189 knives?

Sharpening: ZDP189 is an extremely hard stainless steel, making self-sharpening difficult, although it can be done by skilled individuals.

Characteristics of ZDP189 knives: ZDP189 knives are made of stainless special steel with the highest level of hardness in the world, ensuring long-lasting sharpness due to their wear resistance. However, due to their hardness, there is an increased risk of edge chipping. Please be cautious when cutting frozen foods or hard objects like bones.

Please keep these precautions in mind for the safe use of ZDP189 knives.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of ZDP189?

Advantages:

  • Extremely sharp edge with long-lasting edge retention
  • Excellent wear resistance
  • Good corrosion resistance

Disadvantages:

  • Difficult to resharpen due to high hardness
  • Low toughness, prone to chipping
  • High cost

How should ZDP189 knives be maintained?

Maintenance tips for ZDP189 knives include:

  • Clean and dry immediately after use
  • Sharpen regularly with whetstones (requires advanced skills)
  • Avoid use on hard surfaces
  • Store properly (avoid moisture, use blade guards)

What should be considered when purchasing a ZDP189 knife?

When purchasing a ZDP189 knife, consider the following:

  • Be aware of the high price
  • Ensure it matches your skill level
  • Learn proper maintenance techniques

Japanese Knife Materials

In the realm of Japanese knives, the choice of material plays a crucial role in performance and maintenance. This guide delves into the nuances of carbon and stainless steel, including popular variants like White Steel #2 and Blue Steel #2, and newer innovations like ZDP189 and Ginsan.

Japanese Knife Materials

The Origin of Craftsmanship

  • Sometimes, handcrafting is what creates the most precise and beautiful form. The value of the tool runs deep because it’s made with care, not just by machines.

  • While machines have their place, it’s the act of crafting each piece by hand, with heart, that brings out the true worth of the tool. When human hands touch the material, they breathe life into it, and each tool comes to embody the spirit of the artisan. This is why I hope that those who use it can feel it as something beyond just a tool.
Sakai Traditional Craftsmen Collection