Name: Yoshida Hamono ZDP-189 Kurouchi Santoku
Brand: Yoshida Hamono
SKU: 2251
Price: 230.0 GBP
Availability: OutOfStock

Yoshida Hamono ZDP-189 Kurouchi Santoku Purchase options

A great looking knife that boasts the sharpness and hardness of knives significantly more expensive. This santoku has a superbly sharp edge out of the box and will hold it for a long time.

With a bit more of a veg bias than the gyuto knife the santoku can do most things (no really hard veg or bones though!) and you'll find it becomes invaluable.

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.

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, a few strokes with a ceramic sharpening rod 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

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.

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: 180mm (Measurement of the cutting edge)
Total Length: 317mm (Blade + Handle)
Blade Thickness: 2mm (Measured level with heel)
Blade Height: 48mm (Heel to spine)
Total Weight: 137 grams
Core Steel: ZDP-189
This knife is made from a reactive carbon steel which is not stainless and therefore has some special care instructions and properties.

Read the carbon steel care guide
Order a carbon steel care kit
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)

Product SKU: 2251

Our aim is to measure and photograph all our products as accurately as possible but due to the handmade nature of many items, please be aware that there may be some variance in the measurements and that things such as blade and knife handle patterns can vary and presentation boxes may differ from those shown but we will always endeavour to provide the most accurate measurements, photos and descriptions of our products.

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

Protection & care for this knife

A photo of various protective guards for Japanese chef knives

Please note that the Oster Rob santoku size saya does not fit this knife. However, the bunka sized saya is a good fit instead.

Saya & Guards Knife Racks & Storage Sharpening & Blade Care

Blacksmith Profile

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.

View all knives from Yoshida Hamono

Yoshida Hamono ZDP-189 Kurouchi Santoku