Yoshida Hamono ZDP-189 Bunka 190mm
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An astonishingly sharp knife made from some of the hardest steel we've seen, it will hold its edge for a very long time and looks great while making short work of any food in front of it.
The unique shape of the bunka knife means that it is perfect for veg prep and for intricate tip work. The knife is made from a core steel of ZDP-189, a very hard steel (66-67 HRC), which means it can achieve and hold an incredibly sharp edge.
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Ally & James
Our Price Match PromiseAbout this range
First Impressions
The sharpness of the ZDP-189 range is up there with the very best knives we've ever seen. The hardness of the steel also means that edge is going to stay sharper for longer than many knives. They simply glide through food.
Beauty
These are very good looking knives, you can see the journey they have been on through the process in the steel itself. If you are looking for a knife that tells a story then look no further.
Kurouchi finished blade, which is in the upper part of the knife, untreated and has already developed a dark patina. This protects the blade while giving it a traditional Japanese look.
In Hand
The ZDP range is comfortable across the various knife styles and sizes with a balance typically around the middle of the kanji on the longer knives and just towards the bottom of the kanji on the shorter ones which makes them easy to hold when using a pinch grip and nimble in hand.
Please note: the knives are supplied with either an octagonal walnut or oval rosewood wa handle. The handle selection depends on which batch is currently in stock and can vary.
Durability
The ZDP-189 is one of the hardest knives we sell and so benefits from incredible edge retention of the already very sharp blade.
Ease of Care
ZDP 189 can be difficult to sharpen but you shouldn't have to do it very often compared to many relatively softer steels.
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.
ZDP189 is technically a "stainless" steel but it's not absoltely rust proof so we do mark it as a carbon steel in our experience we've not found it to be particularly reactive but it's worth noting that it's not completely resistant to rust in some cases so follow our carbon steel care tips to make the most of your blade.
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.
Our Verdict
Excellent value - The craftsmanship and style combined with the insane sharpness rivals many significantly more expensive knives.
With a steel this hard, you need to be a little more careful with your cutting technique than softer steels and avoid any lateral stresses from twisting but if you do, you'll be rewarded with an extremely sharp and very durable knife.
Yoshida Hamono ZDP-189 Bunka 190mm - product quick view
Want to see a little more of the knife? Check out what the knife looks like in hand and up close.
Knife Measurements - Yoshida Hamono ZDP-189 Bunka 190mm
- Blade Length: 188mm (Measurement of the cutting edge)
- Total Length: 322mm (Blade tip to handle end)
- Blade Height: 49.8mm (Heel to spine)
- Blade Thickness: 1.97mm (Spine width above the heel) 1.74mm (Measured halfway along spine) 1.62mm (Measured 15mm from tip)
- Total Weight: 148 grams
Range Specifications
- Core Steel: ZDP-189
- Cladding Steel: Stainless
- Hardness: 66-67 (HRC)
- Handle Style: Japanese
- Handle Material: Various - Typically either octagonal walnut or oval rosewood
- Left or Right handed: Either (Double Bevel)
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.
Meet the maker
Yoshida Hamono
Yoshida Hamono is a family-owned Japanese company with an age-long tradition in manufacturing state-of-the-art tools and Japanese swords (katanas) by hand.
How to choose the perfect knife
We've helped thousands of customers choose their perfect knife since 2011 and we're here to help you too.
Read our guide to choosing a Japanese knife and don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions!
