Are you a home cook or a professional chef? If you cook regularly, you will know that having quality knives in your kitchen is very important if you want to do your chopping, dicing, and pruning effortlessly. There are so many knife brands in the market, but only very few of them come close to the best Zhen knives. Zhen knives are Japanese knives with extremely sharp blades. So sharp are the blades that users are advised to maintain extra care when using them. They may not be as durable as Kasumi or other Japanese knives, but they represent value for money for the price they are sold for.
With so many options to choose from, we understand that you may have a hard time making a choice. To help you out, we have compiled a review of some of the best Zhen knives to buy. Please do have a look.
Table of Contents
Best Zhen Knives
| Image | Best Zhen Knives | Rating |
|---|---|---|
 | 1. Zhen VG-10 67 Layer Japanese Damascus Steel Knife | 99% |
 | 2. Zhen Japanese VG-10 High Carbon Heavy Duty Cleaver Knife | 96% |
 | 3. Zhen Hammered Surface Nakiri Knife | 92% |
 | 4. Zhen Chef’s AUS 3-layer Knife | 89% |
 | 5. Zhen Damascus Chopping Knife | 85% |
Want to learn more?
Here are Our Best Zhen Knives.
1. Zhen VG-10 67 Layer Japanese Damascus Steel Knife
This Zhen knife is an 8-inch slicer made with razor-sharp Damascus steel. It is a butcher knife specially designed to slice through extra thick meat. If you have used a cleaver knife before, you will understand how sharp it can be and how they make it easy for the user to make angular cuts. That is exactly what this Zhen knife will offer you. This knife is a great tool for cutting meat, vegetables, and fruits. The Damascus steel allows you to execute precision cuts effortlessly. The HRC60/62 hardness ensures that the blade remains straight and does not bend despite the pressure you apply to it.
This Zhen knife has a full tang handle made of brown Pakkawood. The handle is non-slippery, and you can hold it comfortably. As you chop and dice your food, it will not slip off your fingers, neither will it fingerprint marks appear on it. Although the blade may be sharp, we recommend that you sharpen it with a whetstone regularly so the blade will retain its sharpness.
The hardness of this Zhen knife is unrivaled, and it is also stain-resistant, making it very easy to clean. This cutlery piece is a must-have for every home.
Why do we like it?
- Bacteria resistant
- Edge retention size
- Extra thick blade
- Waterproof
2. Zhen Japanese VG-10 High Carbon Heavy Duty Cleaver Knife
High Carbon knives are known to be very sharp and extra-durable because they are pressure resistant. This VG-10 model is one of the best Zhen knives you can add to your kitchen collection. The blade is 8-inch long with a TPR handle. Working with this knife for long periods will not cause you hand strain. The shape of the handle also allows you to work at a feverish pace if you have a lot of materials you need to chop and cut. The heavy-duty blade will cut through thick meat and hard vegetables like a hot knife gliding through butter.
The structure also allows for perfect balance. The custom-made design makes it an ideal knife for both experienced users and beginners. With a cooking knife like this, your kitchen tasks will become a lot more fun since you will be able to work faster and without stress. This steel blade is forged with 3 layers of carbon steel, including a cutting core and extra sharp hardness. That is why we decided to include it in our list because we know that whoever buys this knife is simply buying a family heirloom.
If you must buy a Zhen knife, we want you to buy one that will last for a very long time. This knife is sharp, lightweight, and durable.
Why do we like it?
- Very hard steel blade
- Odor-resistant
- Dishwasher-safe
- Durable Thermo Rubber Handle
3. Zhen Hammered Surface Nakiri Knife
Nakiri knives are a special type of Japanese knife for slicing and dicing, and this Zhen knife is one of the best Nakriri models by this manufacturer. The knife is made of Damascus steel and is excellent for cutting and dicing your food items. The blade is rectangular with a very smooth edge. Working with this knife in your kitchen requires a great deal of concentration because it is very sharp. The hammered surface forged in Japan utilizes special technology to achieve precision quality and a perfect balance.
Zhen has 66 layers of steel forged together to create a single cire. The thickness and sharpness of the blade ensure that you don’t need to apply pressure on the knife when cutting thick meat. The smoothness of the edged prevents drags. In the advent that you apply pressure on the knife, it will not bend but remain firm and straight. This knife was designed to meet the needs of professional cooks. However, you can use it all the same if you are a new user.
All we advise is that you take extra care, so you don’t hurt yourself. This Nakiri knife should not be washed with a dishwasher. Hand washing under running water is ideal.
Why do we like it?
- High-quality blade
- Non-slippery handle
- Ergonomic design
4. Zhen Chef’s AUS 3-layer Knife
This is a knife blank with the handle sold separately. The blade in this set allows you to customize your knife just the way you want it. It is about 9 inches long with an overall length of 12 inches. If you are tired of buying knives that do not offer you the precision quality you want, we encourage you to order this blank knife. With this blank, you can fashion a knife that will meet your unique needs.
This blade is suitable for slicing, chopping, and dicing. You can work with it long-term term, and it will show no signs of bluntness. Should it become blunt, you can always sharpen it with a whetstone, and it will become as sharp as ever. This is one of the best Zhen knives to buy if you want to take control of your knife’s sharpness. Not every brand affords you this opportunity.
It is long, durable, and guarantees value for money. Please do note once again that the handle is sold separately.
Why do we like it?
- Customizable
- Versatile
- Very hard
5. Zhen Damascus Chopping Knife
Do you do a lot of vegetable chopping? Are you looking for a knife that allows you to chop huge piles of veggies without causing you hand strain? This chopping knife is one of the best Zhen knives to order. Although you can use it to cut and dice meat and herbs, you will enjoy the full value of the knife when chopping veggies and fruits. The blade is razor-sharp with extremely smooth edges. You can chop for hours, and it will not get blunt. The edges also reduce drag which may inhibit your speed.
We also like the handle because it is made from quality wood. Zhen allows you to customize the wood to fit your needs. Rather than buy a ready-made handle, the word is made available to you, and you can shape it whichever way you please. This knife is durable with long-lasting quality. The rocking action caused by the deep belly simplifies your chopping exercises.
The blade and knife are not heavy but lightweight. When fused to become one, you will get a portable knife that is light on the hand and portable.
Why do we like it?
- Maximum chopping control
- Versatile features
- Great for veggies and fruits
Zhen Knives Buyer’s Guide
If you have decided to add Zhen knives to your kitchen collection, you have to take great care so that you don’t end up with a low-quality knife. Even though we agree that these knives are of good quality, you also want to make sure that you go for only the best, nothing less. When shopping for the best Zhen knives, these are some of the features to look out for.
Material
A knife is only as good as its build material. Inferior knives are constructed with inferior materials, and good-quality knives are made with quality materials. It is that simple. We recommend knives that are made with VG10 steel and above. They possess superior edge retention and are tough. Such a knife will give you long-term value.
Handle
Also, pay close attention to the handle of the knife. Wooden handles are better because they are non-slippery and easy to hold. To avoid hand strain, it pays to buy a knife with a handle that allows you to work with it for long periods.
Maintenance
You also want to buy a knife that is easy to maintain. Cleaning the knife shouldn’t be difficult, and honing it with a whetstone or honing steel should require minimal effort to make it sharp again.
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