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Collector Edition
Hikari  ·  light光

Chef Knife

8"
No reviews yet · be the first
$399Free US delivery over $125

One of a kind collector's item: no two Hikari knives look the same.

Sashimi cut so cleanly it shines, and an edge that stays that way for months, not weeks.

A Hitachi ZDP-189 powder-steel core at 65 ± 2 HRC, the hardest steel KuroZhen makes.

30-day returns. Cook and use it first, then decide.

Warranty covers qualifying manufacturing defects.

Free US delivery over $125. Most orders arrive within 5 working days.

Sold out · back soon

Collector Edition
Hikari 8-inch chef knife, satin-polished blade with a desert ironwood handle and white horn bolster
01

Made in Yangjiang

A knife-making city with more than 1,400 years of history.

02

ZDP-189 powder steel · 65 ± 2 HRC

Japanese steel from Hitachi, one of the hardest used in kitchen knives today.

03

Desert ironwood, white horn

Dense, durable wood; the grain and the horn vary on every knife.

04

Hand wash only · stones only

No honing rod: fine whetstones, or your free professional sharpening.

Why this knife

The knife a collector reaches for when precision matters most.

The 8-inch blade glides through fish, vegetables and boneless meat with almost no pressure, and the ZDP-189 edge keeps that feel far longer than any other knife we make.

Some collectors want one blade that outperforms everything else in the drawer. Hikari is that knife.

The core is ZDP-189, a Japanese powder steel from Hitachi. It is one of the hardest steels used in kitchen knives today. At 65 ± 2 HRC, it holds its edge far longer than any other KuroZhen knife. A single layer of SUS405 stainless wraps the core to protect it, satin polished to a soft shine.

The handle is stabilized desert ironwood with a white horn bolster, chosen for how they age over years of use. The grain and the horn vary from piece to piece, so no two Hikari knives look the same.

Hikari is for the collector who wants the rarest steel and knows how to care for it.

Materials

what it is made of

We name our steel and publish our hardness.

Core and edge construction

  • 1 layer of SUS405 stainlessouter layer · satin polished
  • Hitachi ZDP-189 powder-steel core65 ± 2 HRC cutting edge
  • 1 layer of SUS405 stainlessouter layer · satin polished

Core steel

ZDP-189

Hitachi ZDP-189 powder steel: extreme edge life, and the hardest steel in the KuroZhen line. Steel performance, out of 5:

Edge retention 5
Corrosion resistance 3
Ease of sharpening 2
Toughness 2

Catalogue rating, out of 5. Hard steel trades toughness and easy sharpening for edge life.

Hardness · Rockwell C

65 ± 2 HRC

The hardest steel in the KuroZhen line: a very fine, long-lasting edge that needs careful use.

Most Western knives · 56 HRC Hikari · 65 ± 2 HRC

HRC → harder

Desert Ironwood + White Horn

Handle

Desert Ironwood + White Horn

Stabilized desert ironwood with a white horn bolster: dense, durable wood, and each handle's grain is unique.

Satin Polished

Finish

Satin Polished

One layer of SUS405 stainless protects the hard core and keeps the blade light, satin polished to a soft, even shine.

How to use it

the hardest edge needs a gentle hand

Best for

  • Slicing raw fish
  • Fine vegetable work
  • Herbs
  • Boneless meat, with long smooth cuts

Avoid

  • Bones, frozen food and nut shells
  • Hard squash
  • Twisting, prying or rocking hard on the board
  • Glass, stone or ceramic boards

Care

  • 01Hand wash only and dry at once; don't leave it wet or soaking.
  • 02Store it in a sheath or on a soft magnetic holder, away from other metal.
  • 03Don't use a honing steel or rod.
  • 04Sharpen only on fine whetstones at a steady angle, or use your free professional sharpening.

In the box

what arrives at your door

Everything inside, piece by piece.

KuroZhen black gift box with the red band
KuroZhen keepsake coin turning
01
Gift boxOur black and red gift box. Your knife arrives ready to give.
02
Keepsake coinKuroZhen on one side, 礼 (gift) on the other.
KuroZhen knife manual
03Knife manualQuick start, care, sharpening, safety and storage in one pocket booklet.
Card sleeve with a diamond window
04Card sleeveHolds your four cards behind a diamond window.
Brand story card
05Brand story cardWhy we started KuroZhen and where your knife is made.
Gift coin card
06Gift coin cardThe tradition behind the coin, and what to do with it.
Warranty and returns card
07Warranty and returns30-day returns and a limited lifetime warranty.
Personal message card
08Personal message cardA blank card for your own note to whoever receives it.

A note from our founders

“The kitchen is where a home comes alive. Meals start there, and people stay there long after the plates are cleared.”

We started KuroZhen because the knife is at the centre of that room. A good knife is the one you reach for every day. It should feel right in your hand, and you should know what it is made of.

So we name our steel, we publish our hardness and we tell you where our knives are made: Yangjiang, China, a city that has made blades for more than 1,400 years. Kuro is Japanese for black. Zhen is Chinese for precious. We hope your knife becomes both.

The KuroZhen founders

Look after it

a home for the hardest edge

Store it apart from other metal, or carry it with you.

Magnetic Knife Stand

Magnetic Knife Stand

$119
Leather Knife Bag

Leather Knife Bag

$319

Reviews

from the people who cook with it

No reviews yet

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FAQs

what to know about hikari

Still unsure? Email support@kurozhen.com. We are happy to help you choose the right knife, or the right gift.

Hikari is for the experienced cook or collector who wants the longest-lasting edge and is happy to care for it. If you want a forgiving everyday knife, choose Sumi or Sterling instead.
No. The ZDP-189 steel is made by Hitachi in Japan. The knife is made in Yangjiang, China.
It is one of the hardest production steels used in cutlery. At 65 ± 2 HRC, it holds a fine edge far longer than conventional kitchen steels.
Hand wash only, and dry it at once; ZDP-189 resists rust less well than our other steels. Use only wood or soft synthetic boards. Never cut bones, frozen food or hard shells, and never twist the blade.
Don't use a honing steel or rod. Use fine whetstones with a steady angle, or use your free professional sharpening. The edge needs attention far less often than other knives.
Most US orders are delivered within 5 working days, depending on the items ordered and your delivery location. Delivery is free on orders over $125, and we send tracking as soon as it ships.
KuroZhen will cover qualifying manufacturing and workmanship defects under the final warranty policy.
You have 30 days to return it. If the edge chips in normal use, send us photos and tell us what happened. We'll assess it under the warranty and help with the next step.
Email us at support@kurozhen.com. We're happy to help you choose the right knife, or the right gift.