ZDP-189 Santoku Silver Gold Carbon 180mm (7.1")
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✔︎ No import fees & duties (US tarrifs excluded) |
Handles are crafted from natural materials, so slight variations in color and texture are to be expected. If you have a preferred hue, please contact us.
- Description
- Specifications
- Knife Care
- Shipping
ZDP-189 Santoku Silver Gold Carbon 180mm is a high-performance Japanese knife developed in collaboration with Yoshida Hamono. Its extremely hard ZDP-189 powder steel core delivers exceptional edge retention for faster, smoother, and more precise everyday prep.
The santoku shape is easy to control and works beautifully for vegetables, herbs, meat, and fish. A resin-infused carbon fiber handle with gold flakes adds durability, easy maintenance, and a more substantial feel in hand.
A refined, practical santoku for users who want long-lasting sharpness, everyday versatility, and a knife that looks as special as it cuts.
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 blade is fitted with a resin-infused carbon fiber wa handle, featuring a deep black resin sprinkled with gold flakes, and crowned with a traditional buffalo horn ferrule.
This modern composite is non-porous and waterproof, as well as highly resistant to cracking and warping, making it exceptionally easy to maintain and long-lasting. Unlike traditional wood, this dense material gives the handle a more substantial feel, shifting the balance point toward the handle similarly to a Western (Yo) style knife.
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.
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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. |
Blade shape: Santoku
Steel type: ZDP-189
Blade construction: Warikomi / convex v-edge / migaki
Hardness (HRC scale): 65-67
Overall length: 320mm (12.6")
Blade length: 180mm (7.1")
Blade height: 46mm (1.8")
Spine thickness: 1.8mm (0.07")
Weight: 155g (5.5 oz)
Handle length: 130mm (5.1")
Handle type / wood: Japanese / Carbon fibers
Kanji on the blade:
Blacksmith: Yoshida Hamono
Location of the smithy: SAGA / Saga Prefektura / Japan
☝️ Japanese kitchen knives in our store are handmade from natural materials. Slight variations in color, texture, weight and other dimensions are possible. We try to give a good photographic representation of our products, however computer screen resolution and colors do vary, so products might not look exactly as they are seen on screen.
☝️ THIS KNIFE MAY DEVELOP PATINA
Knives made of carbon steels can, due to their low chromium (Cr) content, discolor and develop patina. The knife is the most sensitive when it is still new and a patina had not developed yet, but later, patina will protect the blade. These types of knives require a touch more care:
✔ Wipe it regularly with a clean and dry cloth (you can also do this during use).
✔ After use, rinse it with lukewarm water and wipe it dry.
✔ Coat it regularly with knife maintenance oil or plain refined sunflower oil.
✔ Store the knife by wrapping it in paper which will absorb moisture and protect the blade.
A patina is a thin layer that forms on the surface of oxidized steel and protects it from further oxidation. The patina should not be confused with rust. Patina protects the blade, while rust causes corrosion and deterioration of material, so it should be removed (see Rust erasers).
→ For in-depth information about patina, read our dedicated post on patina.
GENERAL KNIFE CARE TIPS:
Blade wear depends on the quality of steel, usage and maintenance of the blade. Japanese knives are made of high-quality steels. Follow these tips to keep your Japanese knife in top-notch shape:
✔ Use a wooden, plastic or rubber cutting board.
✔ After use, wash the knives and wipe them dry.
✔ For storage, use a knife holder or a protective knife sheath (saya).
✔ A good cutting technique is your best bet to prolong sharpness.
✔ Use sharpening stones to sharpen the knife.
❗️Don’t leave the knife in the sink. Wash it by hand.
❗️Don’t wash the knife in the dishwasher.
❗️Don’t use the knife on glass, ceramics, marble or steel surfaces.
❗️Don’t scrape the food off the cutting board with the edge of the blade. Use the spine of the knife instead.
❗️Knife is a tool intended for specific use - cutting food. It is not a can opener, screwdriver, trowel, wire cutter, hammer etc.
→ For more details, read our guide
on Maintenance of Kitchen Knives.
🤙 Contact us if you need some help. We reply within 1 business day.
SHIPPING RATES:
- €10 - flat worldwide rate with DHL Express (express delivery, 2-5 business days).
- FREE - all orders over €300 (DHL Express).
EXCEPTIONS:
See our Shipping page for more details.
DUTIES AND IMPORT TAXES:
We ship all orders DDP (duties & taxes paid). This means you will not be charged for any import fees and taxes (including VAT). All our prices are final. The price you see at checkout is the final price, no hidden costs.
DELIVERY TIME:
- Europe: 1-2 business days
- US & Canada: 2-4 business days
- Rest of the World: 3-5 business days
RETURNS:
Our return policy lasts 30 days. If more than 30 days have gone by since the day you received your order, unfortunately we can’t offer you a refund or exchange.
→ Read our SHIPPING & RETURNS policy for more info. We strive to solve any issues fast and with as little hassle for you. If you have some additional questions, please contact us.
Each knife comes with:
✔️ Instructions and knife care leaflet.
✔️ A preventive Band-Aid – the knives are very sharp! 😉
✔️ Original box from the blacksmith, which we wrap in an old Japanese newspaper sheet – so every knife is ready to be passed on as a gift as soon as it hits your doorstep!
✔️ We also offer a special gift wrapping option with the traditional Japanese washi paper.
Quiz
Still doubting which type of Japanese knife should best fit your needs?
We created a 5-steps quiz to help you find the perfect knife based on your cooking skills and the type of food you prepare.
