Hezhen B38L 7.01” Damascus Bone Chopper (Chopper/Cleaver) — Linen Micarta Handle

This is the heavy-duty knife in the series. The Hezhen B38L Bone Chopper (Chopper/Cleaver) is built for the jobs that can chip a hard, thin, high-HRC blade—things like tougher cuts, joints, and the kind of chopping where you want strength and impact-toughness more than razor-thin slicing.

To do that, this knife uses a tougher, softer core steel so it’s less likely to chip under impact: 7Cr17CoMoV, heat-treated to 56–58 HRC. It’s also built with a 40% thicker blade (0.28 cm vs 0.20 cm on the cleaver), which makes it extremely strong—and the added weight helps chopping feel easier and more controlled.

But here’s the caveat: “7Cr17MoV” is a steel type, not a guarantee of quality. There are multiple factories producing 7Cr17MoV, and some exist to serve low-cost, high-volume knife makers where the goal is price, not performance. Xinzuo and Hezhen sources 7Cr17MoV from the highest-quality steel producers, and then the second half of the equation is their process: vacuum cryogenic heat treatment (heat + deep cold) to deliver stable hardness, stronger edge retention, better wear resistance, and consistent results from knife to knife.
Even though it’s a bone chopper by design, it still works great for vegetables and boneless meats, and it keeps the best “cleaver advantages” too: a tall blade for knuckle clearance, easy scooping/transfer, and yes—smashing garlic.

Steel + Heat Treatment (the 50/50 that matters — tuned for toughness)

When it comes to how a knife performs, I look at it like 50% steel + 50% heat treatment. Great steel can’t reach its potential without great heat treatment—and great heat treatment can’t save cheap steel.
For impact work, “harder” isn’t always “better.” This knife is intentionally heat-treated to 56–58 HRC, so the blade has more toughness and chip resistance when you’re doing heavier chopping. The result is a knife that’s built to take more abuse than a high-hardness slicing blade—because the steel choice and heat treatment were picked for this job on purpose.
Read about Xinzuo’s State Of The Art Heat Treatment, Vacuum Cryogenic Heat Treatment

A quick word from Chef Panko (100+ knives tested)

Chef Panko is a well-known YouTube knife reviewer. Here’s what he said about Xinzuo:

“I believe Xinzuo has the potential to be the best, if not already the number one kitchen knife manufacturer in China, especially when compared to the 100+ knives I have tested, particularly in terms of quality control, materials, and heat treatment.” — June 2023 Chef Panko

Built for Comfort and Control

The linen micarta handle is built for real kitchens—durable, moisture-resistant, and grippy without being rough.

Handle: Linen Micarta (why I chose it)
The linen micarta handle on the B38L is one of my new favorites from Hezhen because it’s basically modern indestructible—right up there with G-10 and PakkaWood—but in your hand. It has a classier, wood-reminiscent feel, and it stays grippy and comfortable even when your hands are wet. The ergonomic curve and gradual thinning help the knife sit naturally in your hand, while the rounded spine and heel reduce finger pressure in a pinch grip. Add full-tang construction, and you get a knife that feels secure, balanced, and ready to become a top choice in your kitchen arsenal.

Rob’s note: If you’ve ever chipped a hard knife doing heavy chopping, this is the answer—it’s designed to be tough first, and reliable every time.

Hezhen: Real specs. Real heat treat. Real performance.

• Brand: Hezhen Made by Xinzuo
• Series: Elegant Series
• Total Layers: 67
• Blade Length: 8.39"
• Blade Width: 1.57"
• Overall Length: 13.54"
• Blade Thickness: 0.2 cm (2.0 mm)
• Tang: Full Tang
• Center Core Steel: 7Cr15MoV
• Hardness: 60±2 HRC
• Damascus Outer Steel: 316L / special martensitic stainless steel
• Damascus Pattern: Newly designed Damascus pattern
• Tip Angle: 65°
• Cutting Edge Angle: 15° ± 1 per side
• Handle: Linen Micarta
• Vacuum cryogenic heat treatment (heat + deep cold)
• quality control processes
• Includes: Bone Chopper + gift box

Standard Returns (30 days)

You have 30 days to return unused items in their original packaging for a full refund of the cost of your product(s).

How to start a return: email me, Rob, The Bamboo Guy, at thebambooguy.cs@gmail.com, and let me know what you would like to return; I will email you back a return label, Ezzy Peezy.

Hezhen is a brand produced by Xinzuo, a manufacturer known for consistent quality control and clear product specifications. Their focus is simple: transparent materials, real heat treatment, top-quality fit and finish, and knives that perform as they should.