Name: Sukenari ZDP189 Kiritsuke Gyuto 210mm
Brand: Sukenari
SKU: SUKE-001-##
Price: 400.0 GBP
Availability: InStock

First Impressions

Wow! The edge on the ZDP189 range is sensational. Sukenari are praised for the quality of their knives and skill working with super steels and you can immediately see why.

Right out of the box, this is very clearly a top level knife.

Beauty

The blades are classy and understated with a simple migaki polished hairline finish on the stainless cladding that carries through to the core steel and we've paired this with octagonal bocote wood handles that have their own unique and distinctive patterns look great without being over the top.

The handles are finished with either a black or marble colour buffalo horn bolster.

In Hand

This is a range that has a feel of substance in hand, the bocote handle is a slightly longer than usual size and as a hardwood is quite dense and adds a nice feel of weight but without being too unbalanced.

The shorter gyuto in the range has a balance point just around the heel while the longer gyuto tends to balance out just forward of the ZDP189 stamp and all feel easy to use and the thin edge provides exceptionally smooth cutting and food release.

Durability

ZDP189 is a super steel that can (and is) treated to an exceptional level of hardness so offers some of the best edge retention available so this is a knife that you can most certainly use more between sharpening than many others.

Ease of Care

ZDP 189 can be difficult to sharpen but you shouldn't have to do it very often, a few strokes with a ceramic honing rod and leather strop will keep it in tip top condition between sharpens.

Given the extremely high HRC rating of the steel, you do need to be precise in your cutting technique to avoid any potential chipping but if you are, these knives will last a long time between sharpens.

Our Verdict

It's an absolute pleasure to be able to stock Sukenari knives, they represent some of the best craftsmanship in super steels and combine a superb finish with excellent edge retention.

While they do sit at a premium price price it's one that's justified and deserved so for those looking for a top standard knife for use in either a home or professional environment that holds an edge like few others then look no further.

Product Quick View

Want to see a little more of the knife? Check out what the knife looks like in hand and up close.

Product details

Blade Length: 204mm (Measurement of the cutting edge)
Total Length: 352mm (Blade tip to handle end)
Blade Height: 47.7mm (Heel to spine)
Blade Thickness: 2.49mm (Spine width above the heel)
Total Weight: 164 grams
Core Steel: ZDP-189
Care Tip – Reactive Carbon Steel

The core (and on some ranges, the cladding steel too) of this knife is made using a carbon steel which can react with moisture and acids in your food and so is not stainless or rust-proof.

Read our carbon steel care guide

View all carbon steel knives

View all non-reactive knives

RECOMMENDED Carbon steel care kit
Cladding Steel: Stainless
Hardness: 67 (HRC)
Handle Style: Japanese
Handle Material: Octagonal Bocote with black or marble buffalo horn
Left or Right handed: Either (Double Bevel)

Product SKU: SUKE-001-##

Our aim is to measure and photograph our products as accurately as possible but due to many items being handmade, finished or using natural materials, there can be minor variance in measurements and things such as blade or wood finishes can vary. We will always endeavour to provide the most accurate measurements, photos and descriptions of our products.

Some measurements such as HRC are provided by manufacturers and should therefore be used as a guide.

Protection & care for this knife

We recommend the 210mm gyuto (wide fit) magnolia saya or a large gyuto (27x5.5cm) blade guard for this knife.

Saya & Guards Knife Racks & Storage Sharpening & Blade Care

Meet the maker

Sukenari

A small workshop founded in 1933 and based in Toyama, Sukenari are led by 3rd generation blacksmith Nobuo Hanaki and are widely regarded not only for their traditional skills in making honyaki forged knives but also for their innovative work and making incredible blades from modern super steels.

Sukenari ZDP189 Kiritsuke Gyuto 210mm