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8.3" Bunka Knife - Zhen Series (X05Z)
The Zhen Series 8.3" Bunka is built around a Japanese ZDP-189 powder-steel core hardened to 65-67 HRC, clad in two layers of SUS405 stainless for a true 3-layer san-mai blade. The reverse-tanto K-tip puts a fine point exactly where you need it for detailed tip work, while the flat profile drives clean push cuts through vegetables, herbs and boneless proteins. Octagonal wa-handle in North American Desert Ironwood and White Buffalo Horn. Ground to 15 degrees per side and delivered in a handmade Paulownia gift box.
$429.95
or 4 interest-free payments of $107.49 with
30-day returns
Free shipping over $100
Lifetime warranty
FAST SHIPPING
Low stock
65-67 HRC
ZDP-189 Core
15° Per Side
K-Tip Bunka
3-Layer San-Mai
Wa-Handle
DESCRIPTION
The Zhen XZ05 Series 8.3" Bunka Knife is a high-performance blade designed for discerning chefs. Featuring a ZDP-189 powder steel core and a beautifully crafted desert ironwood handle, this knife offers exceptional sharpness, edge retention, and balance for all your kitchen tasks.
Unrivaled Sharpness and Edge Retention
At the heart of this knife is a ZDP-189 powder steel core, renowned for its extreme hardness and ability to hold an incredibly sharp edge. Vacuum heat-treated to 65-67 HRC, this blade will maintain its razor-like sharpness for far longer than conventional stainless steel knives.
Exceptional Craftsmanship and Design
The blade is constructed from a 3-layer composite steel, with the ZDP-189 core clad in softer stainless steel for added durability and ease of maintenance. The octagonal handle is crafted from desert ironwood and accented with white buffalo horn, providing a comfortable and secure grip.
Specifications:
- Series: Zhen XZ05
- Blade Length: 8.3 inches (210mm)
- Blade Material: ZDP-189 Powder Steel Core (3-layer composite)
- Handle Material: Desert Ironwood with White Buffalo Horn
- HRC Hardness: 65-67
- Knife Type: Bunka Knife
- Construction: Composite Tang
Complete Your Set
Explore the rest of the Zhen XZ05 Series to create a complete and high-performing knife collection. 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: Bunka / Kiritsuke (Japanese K-tip all-purpose)
- Core steel: Japanese ZDP-189 powder steel (~3% carbon, ~20% chromium)
- Construction: 3-layer san-mai - ZDP-189 core clad in 2 layers SUS405 stainless
- Hardness: 65-67 HRC
- Heat treatment: Vacuum heat treatment and deep freeze
- Edge angle: 15° (±1) per side
- Blade length: 210mm (8.0in; marketed as 8.3in)
- Spine thickness: 2.1mm
- Blade finish: Hand-brushed cladding, mirror-polished core
- Handle: North American Desert Ironwood + White Buffalo Horn, octagonal wa-handle
- Tang: Hidden tang
- Origin: Ground and finished by Xinzuo in Yangjiang, China; steel sourced and heat-treated in Japan
- Care: Hand wash only - not dishwasher safe
Zhen Series · X05Z
The K-Tip Bunka, Built on ZDP-189
The Zhen Series is where Xinzuo runs its hardest steel. This bunka carries a ZDP-189 powder-steel core - a Japanese super-steel hardened to 65-67 HRC - so the edge bites longer between sharpenings than a standard kitchen knife. The reverse-tanto K-tip and flat blade profile make it an all-purpose Japanese workhorse: precise at the point, decisive through push cuts. One knife for most of what happens on the board.
Add to cart — $429.95
In stock. Ships from Australia. Hand-wash only.
Why ZDP-189
Edge Retention Most Steels Can't Reach
ZDP-189 is a high-carbon powder steel (roughly 3% carbon, 20% chromium) sourced and heat-treated in Japan. Vacuum heat treatment and a deep-freeze cycle take it to 65-67 HRC - harder than the 60-62 HRC range typical of premium kitchen knives. That hardness is what holds a keen edge through long prep sessions. It rewards a careful owner: hand wash only, keep it off bone and frozen food, and steer clear of the dishwasher.
- 65-67 HRC
- Japanese ZDP-189
- Vacuum heat treated
- Deep-freeze cycle
- Hand wash only
Steel & Construction
ZDP-189 Core, San-Mai Clad
This is a 3-layer san-mai blade: a ZDP-189 core ground to the edge, clad in two outer layers of SUS405 stainless steel. The stainless cladding protects the reactive high-carbon core and carries a hand-brushed finish, while the core itself is mirror-polished where it meets the edge. Spine measures 2.1mm, kept thin to slip through dense vegetables. The blade is not Damascus - it is a clean composite stainless-clad construction built for performance, not pattern.
Specification
The details.
TypeBunka Knife
Blade length210.0mm
Spine2.1mm
Weight175g
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.
Handle
Octagonal Wa-Handle, Premium Materials
A classic Japanese octagonal wa-handle in North American Desert Ironwood paired with White Buffalo Horn. The eight-sided profile indexes naturally in the hand and suits both pinch and standard grips. It runs on a hidden tang, balancing the knife toward the blade for control through the tip. Desert ironwood is one of the densest woods worked into knife handles - dark, tight-grained and hard-wearing.
The difference
Why this knife
Zhen Series Bunka (X05Z)
- ZDP-189 powder-steel core at 65-67 HRC
- Reverse-tanto K-tip for precise tip work
- San-mai stainless-clad construction
- Desert Ironwood + Buffalo Horn wa-handle
- Ground to 15° per side
- Handmade Paulownia gift box
Generic All-Purpose Kitchen Knife
- Mid-range stainless around 56-58 HRC
- Rounded tip, less precise at the point
- Single-piece stamped blade
- Moulded polymer handle
- Factory edge around 20° per side
- Plastic clamshell packaging
In the box
Everything it comes with.
- 1x 8.3" Bunka Knife - Zhen Series (X05Z)
- Handmade Paulownia wooden gift box
Arrives ready to gift.
Zhen Series
Ready when you are.
Zhen Series · X05Z
Add to cart — $429.95- 30-day returns
- Free shipping over $100
- Lifetime warranty
FAQs
Is this knife Damascus?
No. The Zhen bunka is a 3-layer san-mai blade - a ZDP-189 core clad in two layers of SUS405 stainless. It is a composite stainless-clad construction, not a patterned Damascus blade.
What is the blade made of?
The cutting core is Japanese ZDP-189 powder steel, roughly 3% carbon and 20% chromium, hardened to 65-67 HRC and clad in SUS405 stainless.
What is a bunka used for?
It is a Japanese all-purpose knife. The flat edge handles push cuts through vegetables and herbs, and the K-tip gives you a precise point for scoring, fine slicing and trimming boneless proteins.
How hard is the steel?
65-67 HRC. That is harder than most premium kitchen knives, which sit around 60-62 HRC, so it holds a keen edge longer between sharpenings.
Can I put it in the dishwasher?
No. Hand wash and dry it immediately. The high-carbon core is reactive, so keep it off bone, frozen food and the dishwasher.
What is the handle made of?
A classic octagonal Japanese wa-handle in North American Desert Ironwood and White Buffalo Horn, running on a hidden tang.
What angle is the edge?
Ground to 15 degrees (±1) per side, matched to the hardness of the ZDP-189 core for a fine, precise edge.
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From the journal
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