Yoshihiro Hayate ZDP-189 Super High Carbon Stainless Steel Petty Utility Chefs Knife Octagonal Ebony wood Handle with Triple ring
SKU:
- 66-67 HRC
- Yes
- Free Nuri Lacquered Saya Included
Blade Hardness
HRC (Rockwell Hardness) measures how hard the blade's steel is. Kitchen knife steel typically falls in the high-50s to mid-60s on this scale. Harder steel is built to hold a fine edge over long use, while softer steel favors flexibility and easy resharpening. The right HRC depends on the steel and design, not a single higher-is-better number.
Stain Resistant
This steel resists rust and staining from moisture and acidic foods, making it easy to maintain with routine care.
Saya Cover
This knife comes with its saya cover included at no additional cost, shaped to its exact blade for the same custom fit customers pay extra for on other knives.
Full Specifications
Blade
- Knife Type
- Petty (Utility Knife)
- Primary Use
- Small detail work (paring, trimming, herbs)
- Blade Metal
- ZDP-189 Steel
- Grade
- Hayate
- Construction
- Mono-Steel
- Blade Hardness
- 66-67 HRC
- Blade Edge Type
- Double Bevel
- Blade Finish
- Plain
- Stain Resistant
- Yes
Handle
- Handle Material
- Ebony
- Handle Shape
- Octagonal
- Bolster Material
- Triple Ring Water Buffalo Horn (Color Varies)
- Tang Type
- Partial Tang
Product Details
ZDP-189 is a premium powdered metallurgy steel developed by Hitachi and is widely regarded as one of the hardest steels used in high-end Japanese cutlery, even exceeding the hardness of HAP40. Hardened to approximately 65–67 HRC, it delivers exceptional edge retention and the ability to hold an extremely fine cutting edge for an extended period, which is why it has become one of the most sought-after steels among professionals and serious enthusiasts.
With its very high carbon and chromium content, ZDP-189 combines extreme hardness with good corrosion resistance, allowing the edge to last far longer than most conventional kitchen knife steels. This level of performance greatly reduces the need for frequent sharpening, though the same hardness means ZDP-189 requires more skill and proper equipment if sharpening or edge repair is needed.
Due to its cost and demanding production process, ZDP-189 is typically reserved for top-tier knives and is most often used as a hardened core in laminated (San Mai) constructions. Cladding the core with softer stainless steel adds toughness and ease of maintenance while preserving the outstanding cutting performance and edge retention that define ZDP-189.
Care & Origin
- Country of Origin
- Japan
- Care Instructions
- Hand wash only.
Dry immediately.
Avoid the dishwasher. - Sharpening Method
- Sharpen by hand using whetstones. Do not use honing rods.