Xinzuo vs Hezhen: Petty Face-Off
Petty is the knife you reach for a hundred times a week — coring, trimming, portioning, and every small task the chef knife is too big for. Length and tip shape define the category. Xinzuo goes long and pointy with a kiritsuke tip on a 6.5" blade. Hezhen goes shorter and more agile with a reverse-tanto petty-bunka in fully stainless steel.
Xinzuo 6.5" Kiritsuke
Hezhen Retro 5.8" Bunka
At a glance
| Spec | Xinzuo | Hezhen |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 9.1 | 8.4 |
| Price | $79 | $48 |
| Steel | 67-layer Damascus 10Cr15CoMoV | 1.4116 German Stainless |
| Blade length | 6.5" | 5.8" |
| Handle | Ebony wood | Red sandalwood |
Category by category
Tip work
The kiritsuke tip is exceptional for scoring and detail cuts, though it sits high off the board.
Reverse-tanto tip is dropped closer to the cutting surface — better for board work.
In-hand feel
Longer blade, more heft. Feels like a mini chef knife.
Lighter and quicker. Vanishes in pinch grip.
Edge & steel
Harder core steel takes and holds a fine edge.
Softer stainless — quick to sharpen, easy to maintain, less refined at the apex.
Fit & finish
The kiritsuke profile is executed cleanly with a well-finished spine and choil.
The mirror-polished bevel is the standout. Handle join is tidy for the price.
Value
Costs more but performs like a much more expensive knife.
One of the best cheap petty knives from either brand.
For pure task versatility, the Hezhen petty-bunka is the more useful knife in a small kitchen — shorter, nimbler, and easier to live with. Choose the Xinzuo kiritsuke petty if you want something that looks striking and pulls double duty for larger prep.