21cm Sukenari ZDP-189 damascus ebony handle chef's knife, handmade in Japan

The Japanese company Sukenari was founded in 1933, having inherited the ancestral forging techniques used by blacksmiths to make samurai katanas. Its team is made up of expert blacksmiths skilled in the manufacture of Honyaki blades, which are considered to be of the highest quality in cutlery. Today, Sukenari draws on its long experience and know-how to offer you top-of-the-range knives combining modern design and traditional craftsmanship.

A top-of-the-range Japanese knife with an octagonal handle

This gyuto knife features an octagonal-cut handle, suitable for both right- and left-handed use. You'll enjoy a comfortable grip, especially for intensive cutting, and controlled handling.

The handle is made fromMacassar ebony, also known as golden ebony. This is a prestigious wood from Indonesia. The species is known for its hardness and ensures a sturdy handle. Ebony's smooth, uniform grit is pleasant in the hand. Its dark brown color is underlined by large, pronounced black veins, which can tend to resemble marbling.

The wood is complemented by a black buffalo horn bolster, to link it to the blade and bring optimal balance to the knife. A white micarta ring separates the bolster from the ebony, giving the materials an elegant contrast.

To finish with the handle, wood paste has been injected where the blade fits into the handle. This makes the knife perfectly watertight: water from cleaning and food scraps cannot get inside.

A handcrafted Japanese knife with a damascened blade

Your Japanese chef's knife features a 21cm damascened blade. This means it's based on a rigid steel core that's covered by several layers of softer steels. These outer layers are superimposed to protect the core and give it better balance.

The blade core here is made from ZDP-189 powdered steel, a high-end hybrid alloy designed by the world-renowned Hitachi steelworks.

This alloy contains almost 3% carbon, which is what makes it so special. The higher the carbon content of an alloy, the greater its hardness, ensuring a highly effective, long-lasting cutting edge. ZDP-189 steel is ideal for cutting. It also contains around 20% chromium, which is very high. Thanks to its chromium content, the alloy offers excellent corrosion resistance. All in all, ZDP-189 combines the advantages of a carbon steel with those of a stainless steel.

Thanks to this alloy, the blade has a hardness of 65 HRC on the Rockwell scale. Such high hardness is a very good indicator of edge performance and durability. Steel contains a lot of carbon, so it's important to maintain it with the utmost care (our tips are further down on this page).

Hybrid alloy is not yet widely available on the market and is relatively difficult to work, which is why it is so expensive. Only a few experienced blacksmiths, such as those at Sukenari, are capable of shaping it.

This rigid core is then surrounded by several softer layers ofnickel steel. By overlapping and alternating, the upper layers create the damascus, protect the core and give it perfect balance.

The superimposition of steel layers is visible across the entire blade: the layers form random waves that run across the entire cutting surface. The damascus pattern is unique to each knife.

The blade has been hand-sharpened on a water stone, giving it an elegant mirror-polished finish. It also features kanji and the brand logo engraved on both sides, giving it an authentic character.

Caring for this carbon-containing knife

Your top-of-the-range knife requires meticulous care due to its composition. That's why it should never be put in the dishwasher or left to soak in your sink.

This knife should only be washed by hand in lukewarm water, using a mild soap and a non-abrasive sponge. When washing, take care not to get the handle wet. Once the knife has been washed, it should be dried carefully and stored moisture-free.

The knife can then be stored in a dry place, such as in its box. As the alloy contains a lot of carbon, it is normal for the blade to change its appearance slightly over time.

Finally, your knife must be stone-sharpened whenever you feel it is necessary. The high hardness of steel can make this operation complicated for some, which is why we have a sharpening service at your disposal.

KnifeLeader.eu offers a wide range of accessories to help you maintain your blade!