ZDP-189 Santoku Silver Gold Carbon 180mm (7.1")

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.

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.