Here are some quotes from Chef Panko, a well-known knife reviewer, who nearly stopped reviewing Chinese Knives until he discovered the Xinzuo brand
“My experiences with Chinese-made knives and brands
In the past, my experiences with Chinese-made knives and brands have been quite mixed. Many of them suffered from poor heat treatments and quality control, and several brands were found to be misleading, overpromising, and under-delivered. However, Xinzuo’s commitment to producing good knives through reliable heat treatment processes and quality control stands out in the Chinese knife industry, especially in an industry where some brands resort to misleading practices. This straightforward and honest approach, along with transparent labeling as ‘Made in China,’ has left a positive impression on me.” July 2023 Chef Panko
"100+ Knives I have tested 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." — Chef Panko
“My Experience with Chinese-made knives
After testing many Chinese-made knives and experiencing issues like cheap materials, poor heat treatment, questionable design choices, inconsistent sharpening angles, and inadequate quality control, I almost gave up on exploring Chinese-made knives if it wasn’t for Xinzuo. If I had given up, it would have meant that this website or my YouTube channel wouldn’t exist.” June 2023 Chef Panko
Xinzuo turned out to be a game changer
“I discovered Xinzuo at a time when there was very little information available about the brand on the Western internet, and since I don’t speak or read Chinese, I faced difficulty in finding relevant details. Xinzuo didn’t have an English website at that time. Despite these challenges, I decided to try a Xinzuo-branded knife, and it turned out to be a game-changer. The 440 Guyoto, in particular, addressed all the issues I had previously encountered with Chinese-made knives. Its performance was exceptional, and I have consistently recommended it ever since” June 2023 Chef Panko
The use of Chinese VG10 steel surpasses other brands that utilize the same steel
“Xinzuo, the manufacturer behind the Xinzuo and Hezhen branded knives, is leading the way in redefining the Chinese kitchen knife manufacturing industry. They have experienced significant growth as a company and stand out as one of the select few brands that have impressed me with their quality control and precise heat treatment of their knives. What truly sets Xinzuo and Hezhen apart is their commitment to transparency regarding the origin of their knives. With clear labeling on their product packaging and sales pages stating ‘made in China,’ they avoid any misleading claims of Japanese craftsmanship. Additionally, the use of Chinese VG10 steel, known as 10Cr15CoMoV, in Xinzuo and Hezhen knives surpasses other brands that utilize the same steel in my testing, making Xinzuo and Hezhen one of the top choices.” June 2023 Chef Panko
“For someone who values the details of Japanese craftsmanship, this ZDP 189 knife from China stands out as an impressive contender.” Jauruary, 2024 Chef Panko
“So who is Xinzuo or Hezhen?
Xinzuo is an established manufacturer and trader that has been operating for over 20 years, with a primary focus on researching, developing, and producing various types of kitchen knives. Located in Yangjiang city, known as the “city of knives” in China, Xinzuo has continuously enhanced its quality management systems and expanded its production facilities during its extensive history. As a sub-brand of Xinzuo, Hezhen places greater emphasis on creating premium knives with a focus on aesthetics, design, and materials, resulting in a more luxurious offering compared to the main Xinzuo brand.” June 2023 Chef Panko
After reading these quotes from Chef Panko, you can see why it’s hard for people to navigate through over 100 brands with most selling fake Japanese knives, with a high probability of picking one that looks good but is inferior to the few brands that are doing it right.
Be sure to check our list and links of 43 retailers, including retailers like Sedio, Senken, and Kyoku, to see what other people have to say who have researched fake Japanese knives.
Tap here for links to 3 articles exposing 43 companies with misleading advertisements