How does Xinzuo ensure precise heat treatment of its knives?

At Xinzuo, we begin by thoroughly understanding the materials we use. We have developed our own steel in collaboration with reputable steel companies. Our range includes the 73-layer Damascus steel with a 14Cr14MoVNb powder steel core, among others. Extensive research allows us to determine the exact temperatures required during the hardening and tempering processes. In addition, we employ a freezing process during heat treatment. Knives are placed in a low-temperature chamber, which significantly enhances the steel’s performance. By implementing this freezing process, we are able to maintain precise control over the heat treatment. To ensure optimal performance and the best heat treatment results, we also incorporate steel from other trusted brands and countries. For example, when working with our M390 material from Bohler, we entrust the heat treatment to Bohler themselves. Likewise, for ZDP189 knives, we ship the blades back to Japan to undergo professional heat treatment, capitalizing on Japan’s renowned expertise in this field. We possess heat treatment reports from these companies and are more than willing to share them upon request. Xinzuo firmly believes that the impact of heat treatment on steel performance is substantial. By upholding stringent standards and adopting various measures, Xinzuo consistently delivers knives of exceptional quality and performance, with precise heat treatment as a crucial aspect of our process.

What does Xinzuo do differently to mitigate the protrusion on natural wooden materials?

Given that Xinzuo extensively utilizes natural materials, such as wood, it’s important to address the potential for shrinkage in varying humidity conditions. While it is challenging to completely control wood shrinkage, we take several measures to minimize protrusions on the handle. Firstly, we enforce strict humidity control during the production of wood handles. If the humidity levels are not optimal, we ensure the wood is properly dried before proceeding with polishing. Furthermore, once the knives are ready, they are stored in our warehouse, where we meticulously control the humidity levels within the environment. To prevent any changes in humidity during transportation, we take additional precautions. Each knife box is carefully wrapped in plastic before being shipped to customers, ensuring that the humidity cannot penetrate the knives during transit. By implementing these measures, Xinzuo strives to minimize protrusions on the handles of our knives, providing customers with a quality product that maintains its integrity even in varying humidity conditions.

As a manufacturer and brand are the Damascus billets made by Xinzuo, or are they ordered from the steel manufacturers?

Xinzuo operates as both a brand and a professional factory. In our facility, we not only manufacture our own Xinzuo and Hezhen brand items but also produce OEM items for other customers. When it comes to Damascus billets, we work in collaboration with reputable steel manufacturers to ensure their production. Steel manufacturing is a complex process that requires specialized equipment and expertise, so partnering with professional steel companies allows us to obtain high-quality Damascus billets.

How does Xinzuo strive to continuously improve its knives and stay ahead in the market?

Xinzuo employs several strategies to continuously enhance its knives and maintain a competitive edge in the market.

• We consistently utilize the best steel available globally, including materials like 49 Layers Damascus steel with SRS13 core, 3 Layers composite steel with ZDP189 core, M390 steel, N690 Steel, and Sandvik 14C28N steel. This ensures that our knives possess exceptional performance characteristics.

• Furthermore, we have an ongoing commitment to developing our own steel in collaboration with steel manufacturers. By doing so, we can achieve better performance while also offering competitive pricing to our customers.

• Additionally, Xinzuo prioritizes innovation and product development. Each year, we introduce three to five new series of knives to meet the evolving demands of our customers. Our talented team of engineers works diligently to create new and exciting designs, and we also collaborate with renowned knifemakers from around the world to produce exceptional masterpieces.

Our journey of development and innovation is limitless, and we remain dedicated to continuous improvement and advancement in our quest to provide top-quality knives to our valued customers.

What are the metals used to create those Damasus patterns?

To create the Damascus patterns, Xinzuo incorporates different metals in the layers of the steel. Typically, we use 410 or 314 steel for the side layers. The process involved in creating Damascus steel is more intricate, but the layers themselves consist of 410 or 314 steel.

Is the lamination of the Damascus Cladding done by Xinzuo?

Xinzuo collaborates with professional steel manufacturers for the lamination of the Damascus cladding.

If both the billets and lamination are not done by Xinzuo, are there any plans for Xinzuo to eventually bring these processes in-house?

At the moment, we do not have plans to bring the production of Damascus billets and lamination processes in-house. As mentioned earlier, manufacturing steel and carrying out the complex lamination process requires specialized resources and expertise. Instead, we focus on collaborating with reputable steel manufacturers to ensure the highest quality Damascus steel for our knives. Additionally, we continuously strive to develop new materials through close cooperation with universities and maintain strict quality control standards to offer the best products to our customers.

Can you please tell us more about your own-developed steel types in partnership with steel manufacturers:

Xinzuo also offers other steel types like the X9cr, XCr8, and XCr7, and powdered steel types like the 14Cr14V3M0Nb that I have not seen any other brands offer. As explained by Xinzuo those steel types are Xinzuo exclusives that are developed in close collaboration with the steel manufacturers.

Are there any plans to make them accessible to other brands, or are they exclusive to the Xinzuo/Hezhen brand?

The accessibility of our steel types varies. While some steel types, like our Damascus powder steel, are exclusively used for Xinzuo and Hezhen items, others may be made accessible to other brands as well.

What steel types are being used to create the coreless knives?

The coreless Damascus steel used for our knives consists of two hard stainless steel types: 10Cr15CoMoV steel and 9Cr18MoV steel.

Why has Xinzuo/Hezhen chosen a 110-layer coreless construction? Is there any other specific reason for using 110 layers other than aesthetics?

The decision to use a 110-layer coreless construction for our knives serves multiple purposes. Beyond the aesthetic appeal of the visually stunning pattern on the blade, this construction enhances both the durability and edge retention of the knives. The layering process creates a finer steel structure, resulting in increased strength and improved performance.

Can you tell us more about the Zhen Series ZDP-189:

is made in collaboration with Japanese companies like Sanyo Riki Co. LTD, which uses steel from Nippon Shoryu Metals, a subsidiary of Hitachi Metals. the process of bonding/lamination from ZDP-189 steel to the 3-layer cladding, this is done by Sanyo Riki, a Japanese company. The heat treatment is done by Hatta Koygo Co. LTD.

What processes are done internally by Xinzuo for the Zhen Series ZDP-189?

The raw materials are sourced from Japan, and the heat treatment is also performed in Japan. However, all other processes including blade shaping, grinding, handle work, and polishing are carried out by Xinzuo.

What does Xinzuo include in their final testing in terms of ergonomics and handle comfort before deciding to make knife sets dedicated to that series?

Xinzuo takes into account the varying requirements of different customers when it comes to knife design. We offer a range of knife series, some with lighter knives and others with slightly heavier ones, depending on the target customers. During the development process, we conduct extensive prototype testing and collaborate with chefs to gather feedback and ideas. This helps us ensure that our knives are ergonomically correct and comfortable for users.

What hand sizes do you design your products for?

the latest series are slightly more catered for those with medium to large hand sizes.

Is there any plans to accommodate those with small hand sizes? As it could benefit some knife styles such as the Santoku so that it is more comfortable to use at home for those with a small hand size.

Yes, we have upcoming designs and series that feature smaller and lighter handles, aiming to accommodate those with small hand sizes. These designs will improve comfort and usability for individuals with smaller hands, providing a better experience during knife usage.

Is there a chance of seeing the Xinzuo/Hezhen brand expand into other markets, such as textile scissors or gardening tools, and nail clippers? Are there any active plans, or is the current focus solely on the kitchen knife industry?

Currently, there are no plans to expand the Xinzuo/Hezhen brand into other markets beyond kitchen knives. The focus remains primarily on producing high-quality kitchen knives and accessories for our customers.

What sets Xinzuo apart from other Chinese knife manufacturers in terms of design and innovation?

While there are various knife manufacturers in China, we prioritize our commitment to creating the best quality knives at affordable prices for our customers. Rather than extensively surveying other knife manufacturers, our focus is on continuous improvement and innovation to make better knives that bring happiness to our customers.