Custom ZDP-189 Kiritsuke Black 240mm (9.5")
☝️ We assemble custom knives after an order has been placed. Assembly takes 2 business days which will affect shipping date, please plan accordingly.
✔︎ No import fees & duties - worldwide |
- Description
- Specifications
- Knife Care
- Shipping
ZDP-189 Kiritsuke Black 240mm (9.5") blade paired with our SharpEdge stabwood handles in grey/orange/emerald green.
Kiritsuke is a multi-purpose, Japanese kitchen knife with blade shape that is a hybrid of the Yanagiba (slicer knife, mostly used for sushi) and the Usuba (a specialized knife for cutting vegetables). It is intended for chefs who have prior experience with Japanese knives. You can use it for various tasks but it performs best when you cut meat or chop larger amounts of vegetables. The colour of the blade is dark which is the reason why this look is also called Kuro-uchi finish – the word “kuro” means black. This look is traditional and robust, with an unprocessed top part of the blade that has already developed a dark patina. The hand-forged blade bears visible signs of being pounded with a hammer. This doesn’t only give it a beautiful, rustic finish but also prevents food sticking to its surface.
The heart of the knife is made of ZDP-189 steel, which we selected because systematic testing has proven its superior qualities and long-lasting sharpness.
The steel contains as much as 3% Carbon (C), which is one of the main elements contributing strength and typically found in amounts of up to only 1% in other types of solid steel, while the Chromium (Cr) content, which prevents corrosion, amounts to nearly 20%. It also features 0.60% Tungsten (W), which considerably increases the abrasion resistance of steel, 1.4% Molybdenum (Mo), which helps to preserve the strength and power of steel under variable temperatures, and 0.10% Vanadium (V), the key element in increasing steel strength.
ZDP-189 composition: C 3.00 % | Cr 20.00 % | W 0.60 % | Mo 1.40 % | V 0.10 % | Mn 0.50 % | Si 0.40 %
Steel is laminated, which entails that the core is made of very strong steel covered with an external layer of softer stainless steel. Such a blade remains sharp for a very long time; its softer external layer makes it easier to sharpen, and it also protects the core steel from external factors.
We chose a universal, octagonal shape that comfortably fits the hands of both right- and left-hand users. It offers a firm grip for easy and comfortable use of the knife and makes even the most difficult tasks a breeze. The weight of the handle is suited to Japanese blades, so the knife will be evenly balanced.
Color and patterns of handles may vary from what is seen in the pictures. If you like a particular color hue, please contact us before placing an order.
ZDP-189 Kiritsuke is the finest specimen as to what one desires in a kitchen knife and is made of steel with a hardness of 65-67 HRC that will ensure fine, long-lasting sharpness even by Japanese standards!
ABOUT THE BLACKSMITH:
The Kiritsuke blade 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, i.e. katanas, by hand. Yoshida Hamono has a great deal of experience forging ZDP-189 steel in the traditional manner.
Blade shape: Kiritsuke
Steel type: ZDP-189
Blade construction: Warikomi / convex v-edge / kuro-uchi
Hardness (HRC scale): 65-67
Overall length: 395mm (15.6")
Blade length: 240mm (9.5")
Blade height: 53mm (2.1")
Spine thickness: 2.3mm (0.09")
Weight:
Handle length: 138mm (5.4")
Handle type / wood: Japanese / Maple stabwood
Kanji on the blade:
Blacksmith: Yoshida Hamono
Location of the smithy: SAGA / Saga Prefecture / 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.
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:
- United Kingdom - shipping to UK costs €15. All orders are shipped with UPS Express (2-3 business days). Free shipping on orders over €300.
- Russia (currently not available) - shipping to Russia costs €40. All orders are shipped with EMS postal service.
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.
We paired this blade with our traditional custom-made maple burl handles
select your favorite
→ NIKKO MOSS remind us of the ancient moss covering the stone walls of the old temples of Nikko. It is not unlike holding a soft piece of velvet in your hand.
→ TOTTORI SAND takes us on a walk across the Tottori dunes of western Japan. A sandy brown color is inspired by the infinitely swirly sand dunes.
→ TOKYO NIGHT reminds us of the flashing lights of Tokyo’s Harajuku. The color of these handles varies from light to dark grey, with soft or deep hues of red and swirls of cream.
→ OKINAWA REEF transports you to the clear waters of Okinawa island. A soothing, emerald green color. It feels like immersing your hand in shimmering coastal waters during summer.
→ KYOTO SUNSET warms us with the glow of sunset over Kyoto. It feels like holding something smooth and warm in your hand – a glow in the sky at sunset or a burst of bright autumn color.
If you like a particular color hue, please contact us before placing an order.
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.