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7" Santoku Knife - Zhen Series (X05Z)
The Zhen Series Santoku puts a ZDP-189 powder-steel core into a 7-inch all-rounder. The flat-ish profile and broad face suit push cuts, fine slicing and clean board-to-pan transfers. ZDP-189 is one of the hardest blade steels in production, vacuum heat-treated and deep-frozen to 65-67 HRC for an edge that holds far longer between sharpenings. The octagonal wa-handle in desert ironwood and white buffalo horn balances the blade and keeps it nimble in the hand.
$405.95
or 4 interest-free payments of $101.49 with
30-day returns
Free shipping over $100
Lifetime warranty
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65-67 HRC
ZDP-189 Core
15° Per Side
Push-Cut Ready
Octagonal Wa
Desert Ironwood
DESCRIPTION
The Zhen Series 7-inch Santoku Knife is your go-to for precision slicing, dicing, and chopping. With its versatile blade shape and exceptional sharpness, this knife excels in multipurpose prep, making it an indispensable tool for both professional chefs and home cooks.
Unrivaled Sharpness and Edge Retention
At the heart of this knife is a ZDP-189 powder steel core, renowned for its exceptional hardness and edge retention. Vacuum heat-treated to 65-67 HRC, the blade maintains its razor-sharp edge for longer, reducing the need for frequent sharpening.
Durable Three-Layer Construction
The ZDP-189 core is clad in softer stainless steel, creating a three-layer composite construction that enhances durability and corrosion resistance. This ensures the blade can withstand the rigors of daily use while maintaining its pristine appearance.
Exquisite Handle Design
The handle is crafted from desert ironwood and features a white buffalo horn (bison horn) ferrule, providing a comfortable and secure grip. The octagonal handle design offers enhanced control and balance, allowing for precise and effortless cutting.
Specifications:
- Series: Zhen (XZ05)
- Blade Length: 7 inches
- Blade Material: ZDP-189 core, three-layer composite steel
- Handle Material: Desert ironwood with white buffalo horn ferrule
- HRC: 65-67
- Knife Type: Santoku
Complete Your Set
Elevate your culinary experience with other knives from the Zhen Series. From chef knives to paring knives, each blade is crafted with the same attention to detail and commitment to quality.
READY TO GIFT
All our knives arrive in a beautiful, premium gift box that’s ready to impress. (Whether it's for a very lucky cook, or just for you.)
THE NERDY BITS
- Knife type: Santoku
- Blade length: 7.0 in / 178 mm
- Core steel: ZDP-189 (Original Japanese composite)
- Hardness: 65-67 HRC
- Construction: 3-layer san-mai (ZDP-189 core clad in 2 layers SUS405 stainless)
- Edge angle: 15° (±1) per side
- Heat treatment: Vacuum heat treatment and deep freeze
- Blade finish: Hand-brushed cladding, polished core edge
- Tang: Hidden tang
- Handle: North America desert ironwood + white buffalo horn
- Handle shape: Octagonal wa-handle
- Country of origin: China (Yangjiang); ZDP-189 sourced and heat-treated in Japan
- Product weight: 166 g
- Packaging: Handmade Paulownia wooden gift box
- Care: Hand wash only, not dishwasher safe
- Warranty: Lifetime
Zhen Series
The Santoku, Built Around ZDP-189
The santoku is the knife most home cooks reach for first: flat-ish edge, broad blade, nimble enough for herbs and decisive enough for protein. The Zhen Series takes that everyday shape and gives it a premium spine. The 178mm blade carries a ZDP-189 powder-steel core, clad in two outer layers of SUS405 stainless in a three-layer san-mai construction. Hard core for the edge, stainless flanks for protection. This is the all-rounder you sharpen less and trust more.
Add to cart — $405.95
In stock. Ships from Australia. Hand-wash only.
Why ZDP-189
Hardness That Holds the Edge
ZDP-189 is a Japanese powder metallurgy steel run to 65-67 HRC here, among the hardest you will find in a working kitchen knife. Higher hardness means the 15-degree edge stays keen through weeks of board work that would dull a softer German blade. Vacuum heat treatment and a deep-freeze cycle lock in that hardness without brittleness. The trade-off is honest: hand wash only, and respect the edge against bone. Treated right, it rewards you with rare edge retention.
- 65-67 HRC
- ZDP-189 powder steel
- Vacuum heat-treated
- Deep-freeze cycle
The Steel
ZDP-189 Core, San-Mai Construction
The cutting core is Original Japanese ZDP-189 composite steel, sourced and heat-treated in Japan, then ground and finished by Xinzuo in Yangjiang. It sits in a three-layer san-mai sandwich: the hard ZDP-189 core clad in two outer layers of SUS405 stainless steel. The cladding is hand-brushed; the core edge is polished to a clean cutting bevel. Hardness lands at 65-67 HRC, with the edge ground to 15 degrees (plus or minus one) per side. Note this is a composite san-mai blade, not a Damascus pattern blade.
Specification
The details.
TypeSantoku Knife
Blade length178.0mm
Weight166g
SteelZDP-189
Hardness65-67 HRC
Edge angle15° (±1) per side
ConstructionHidden Tang
HandleNorth America Desert Ironwood + White Buffalo Horn
Made inChina (Yangjiang)
Hand-wash only — not dishwasher safe.
In the Hand
Octagonal Wa-Handle, Premium Materials
The handle is a classic Japanese octagonal wa-handle in North America desert ironwood paired with white buffalo horn. The octagonal cross-section indexes naturally in a pinch grip and rolls less than a rounded handle. It runs on a hidden tang and balances the 7-inch blade toward a light, nimble feel that suits the quick push cuts a santoku is made for. Each knife ships in a handmade Paulownia wooden gift box.
The difference
Why this knife
Zhen Series Santoku
- ZDP-189 powder-steel core at 65-67 HRC
- Three-layer san-mai with SUS405 cladding
- 15° per side, ground for push cuts
- Octagonal wa-handle: desert ironwood + buffalo horn
- Lifetime warranty, handmade wooden gift box
Typical stainless santoku
- Soft stainless around 56-58 HRC
- Single-piece blade, dulls faster
- Thicker factory edge, more wedging
- Moulded synthetic handle
- Short warranty, plain packaging
In the box
Everything it comes with.
- 7" Santoku Knife, Zhen Series (X05Z)
- Handmade Paulownia wooden gift box
- Lifetime warranty
Arrives ready to gift.
Zhen Series
Ready when you are.
Zhen Series
Add to cart — $405.95- 30-day returns
- Free shipping over $100
- Lifetime warranty
FAQs
Is this santoku a Damascus knife?
No. The Zhen Series blade is a three-layer san-mai composite, not a patterned Damascus blade. It has a ZDP-189 powder-steel core clad in two outer layers of SUS405 stainless steel.
How hard is the blade?
It runs at 65-67 HRC, among the hardest you will find in a working kitchen knife. ZDP-189 is a Japanese powder metallurgy steel, vacuum heat-treated and deep-frozen to reach that hardness.
What is the edge angle?
The edge is ground to 15 degrees (plus or minus one) per side, suited to the push cuts and fine slicing a santoku is built for.
Can I put it in the dishwasher?
No. Hand wash only and dry it straight away. High-hardness steel and a natural-material handle should never go through a dishwasher.
What is the handle made of?
An octagonal Japanese wa-handle in North America desert ironwood paired with white buffalo horn, running on a hidden tang.
Where is it made?
Ground and finished by Xinzuo in Yangjiang, China. The ZDP-189 core steel is sourced and heat-treated in Japan.
What comes in the box?
The single santoku knife in a handmade Paulownia wooden gift box, backed by a lifetime warranty.
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