Hezhen X09 Retro Series 7.09" Authentic Japanese ZDP-189 49 Layer Damascus Nakiri Knife
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Crafted for serious chefs and collectors, the X09 Retro Series features authentic Japanese ZDP-189 powder metallurgy steel from Hitachi Metals—one of the highest-performance kitchen steels in the world. With ~3% carbon and ~20% chromium, ZDP-189 pushes hardness and edge retention to the extreme, while still resisting corrosion and chipping when properly heat-treated.
Features:
- Brand: Hezhen
- Series: X09 Retro Series
- Total layers: 49
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Blade Length: 7.09 Inches
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Blade Width: 2.09 Inches
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Overall Length: 13.11 Inches
- Tang: Traditional Japanese octagonal handle design
- Blade Center Core: Japanese Hitachi ZDP-189 powder steel
- Blade Core Hardness: 65-67 HRC
- Blade Thickness: 2.0 mm
- Tip Angle: 100°
- Cutting Edge Angle: 15°
- Damascus Blade Material: 24 layers per side of SUS420J2 steel with a center core of Hitachi ZDP-189 powder steel
- Damascus Pattern: Newly designed pattern, with interwoven black/white layers with captivating contrast
- Handle Material: Traditional Japanese structure handle with all black and phosphor bronze, resin accented by Cupronickle spacers
- 12 Processes: 12 Processes of Manufacturing and Quality Control
- Heat Process: Vacuum Deep-Cooling Heat Treatment
- Includes: Nakiri Knife 7.09 inches
Each blade is produced with a 49-layer Damascus construction, using a Hitachi ZDP-189 core sandwiched between 24 layers of SUS420J2 stainless cladding per side. The result: a razor-thin cutting edge, rock-solid strength, and striking black-and-silver Damascus patterning.
Performance
- Hitachi ZDP-189 core steel imported from Japan
- 65–67 HRC hardness via vacuum heat-treat & deep-freeze cryogenic processing
- ~15° cutting edge per side for ultra-precise slicing
- Engineered to deliver elite edge retention and clean performance on proteins and produce
ZDP-189 is considered the upper limit of hardness appropriate for kitchen use. While hard steels can be brittle, this formulation’s chromium content and optimized heat-treat improve toughness, supporting a keen edge without the chipping risk normally associated with super-hard steels.
Craft & Construction
- 49-layer Damascus with bold interwoven light/dark grain contrast
- Multiple hand-polishing stages for refined texture and seamless finish
- Rounded spine & heel for fingertip comfort during long prep sessions
- Curved heel transition to avoid catching or nicking fingers during board contact
Traditional Japanese Handling
A modern interpretation of a classic Japanese handle form:
- Octagonal Wa-style handle
- Gloss-black resin with phosphor-bronze and cupronickel spacers
- Balanced center of gravity for fatigue-free cutting and fast blade control
Presentation
- Premium solid acacia wood gift box
- Elevated Japanese styling suitable for gifting or professional presentation
Summary
The Hezhen X09 Retro ZDP-189 Series blends true Japanese steel pedigree, modern powder metallurgy, and refined hand-finishing. It offers the cutting experience, precision, and longevity typically reserved for custom bladesmith work—now accessible in a complete chef-ready series.
