The layered damascus is beautiful. No 2 blades are the same. The rounded handle feels like wood but washes and wears like plastic. The rocking blade is sharp and comfortable whether you are rocking like a chef knife or chopping as if with a santoku.
This knife is the perfect combination of two of my favorite knives! It can be used for any task whether you are rocking or chopping. The hollow edge helps guide my food up and off the blade and the Kaizen handle is oh so comfortable! Everyone should have this guy in their repertoire.
I love the aesthetics of this knife. Very beautiful. The balance of the knife tends to favor the handle which I’ve found makes it a little easier to chop/mince with. The best feature that I enjoy about this knife is the upward-slanted choil. It is very comfortable with a super smooth finish and does not irritate my index finger after prolonged use. HRc 60 so the blade stays sharp for a long time. CAUTION: I purchased this knife new from an authorized retailer. I returned the first knife due to imperfections in the VG10 core. After receiving the replacement, there were still divots/imperfections within the katana-finished edge. Not sure if it was coincidence or a blight synonymous with this particular knife. I also own the Kaizen 9 1/2” Gyutoh and the Kaizen 3 1/2” Shotoh and the blades on both knives are flawless.
This is the sharpest knife I have ever owned and I don't have cheap knives. The high hardness, Rc61 will help it stay that way. Good balance, and very attractive so it became an instant favorite for both my wife and I.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Response from Zwilling.comBy Consumer Relations, March 5, 2019
Thank you so much for making our day! We love positive feedback, and thank you for taking the time to share your wonderful experience with us! We hope to hear from you again soon. Happy cooking!