In recent years, we've increasingly heard talk in the knife and cutlery industries that "ZDP189 is being discontinued."
However, as of June 2026, to our knowledge, the steel manufacturer has not issued any official announcement regarding the discontinuation of ZDP189.
On the other hand, due to limited supply compared to before and continuously rising prices, speculation has spread in some circles that it "might be discontinued."
What is ZDP189?
ZDP189 is a powdered high-speed steel with extremely high hardness and wear resistance, highly praised by knife enthusiasts and professional chefs worldwide for its excellent edge retention.
However,
- High manufacturing cost
- Difficult to process
- Susceptible to raw material price fluctuations
These characteristics have led to continuous price increases in recent years.
Current Situation
We continue to manufacture knives using ZDP189.
However, due to rising steel prices and increased procurement costs, it is becoming difficult to maintain stable pricing.
Therefore, a price revision is planned for steel procured from July 2026 onwards.
Price Revision Notice
Our current stock of ZDP189 will be sold at the current price.
However, once the current stock is depleted, sales will be at the new price.
We will announce the specific products and prices once the steel arrives, but an increase from the current price is expected.
Customers considering the ZDP189 series are encouraged to make their purchases soon.
Looking Ahead
KYUSAKICHI will continue to develop and manufacture knives using high-performance steel, including ZDP189, HAP40, and the Aigami series.
The latest information will be announced on this website and social media as it becomes available.
We appreciate your continued support of KYUSAKICHI.