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Hezhen X09 Retro Series 7.09" Authentic Japanese ZDP-189 49 Layer Damascus Nakiri Knife

by HEZHEN
SKU 12906
Availability:
In stock
Save 33% Save 33%
Original price $434.95
Original price $434.95 - Original price $434.95
Original price $434.95
Current price $289.90
$289.90 - $289.90
Current price $289.90

Free return shipping on 2+ knives — open 1, try it for 60 days. Details

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
  • Blade Length: 7.09 Inches
  • Blade Width: 2.09 Inches
  • 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.

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