Both miyabi kaizen and kaizen ii (2) are two high-end knives of miyabi. Miyabi Kaizen is a beginner and most popular series of miyabi whereas kaizen ii is a newer edition to Miyabi’s collection. But both of the knife series feature quality material and beautiful design. To know more about the differences and similarities between these two series let’s dive deep into this Miyabi kaizen vs kaizen ii 5000fcd comparison.
Here we will go through a quick overview, a comparison table, and finally depth comparison between these two miyabi knives.
Quick Overview: Miyabi Kaizen vs Kaizen ii
If you are in hurry then before going through this whole Miyabi kaizen vs kaizen 2 comparison you can go through this quick overview. Here are the main differences between these two miyabi knives.
- Miyabi kaizen blade core is made with VG-10 super steel. On the other hand, Miyabi Kaizen ii the blade is made with FC61 fine carbide stainless steel.
- In miyabi Kaizen the vg10 blade core is wrapped by 32 layers of Damascus steel at each side so there is a total of 65 layers of steel. But in miyabi kaizen 2 the blade core is wrapped by 24 layers of steel at each side which means there is a total of 49 layers of steel in kaizen 2.
- The exterior of the miyabi kaizen blade has a flower Damascus pattern. Whereas, miyabi kaizen ii balde features a combination of wavy Damascus pattern and flower Damascus pattern.
- Miyabi Kaizen handle is made with black linen micarta and miyabi kaizen ii handle is made with Pakkawood.
- Both Kaizen and Kaizen 2 feature D shape handle but these two handles have a difference in shape and design.
- There is a little difference between the price of miyabi kaizen and miyabi kaizen ii.
As both knives are crafted by the same knife maker they have a lot of similarities as those differences.
- Both of these miyabi knives have hand-honed 9.5 to 12-degree cutting angles and both are double-beveled knives.
- Miyabi kaizen ii and kaizen have almost the same Rockwell hardness.
- As both of these miyabi knives have the same Rockwell hardness and are made with quality material both retain their edge for a long.
- Miyabi Kaizen and Miyabi Kaizen 2 both are full tang knives.
- When it comes to caring, cleaning, and maintaining these two knives prefer handwash only.
- Miyabi kaizen and kaizen ii both come with a limited lifetime warranty that covers any kind of manufacturing defect.
Both of these knives are part of our best miyabi review list.
Comparison Table: Miyabi Kaizen vs Kaizen 2
| Miyabi Kaizen | Miyabi Kaizen ii | |
| Where it’s made | Seki, Japan | Seki, Japan |
| Blade Material | High carbon VG-10 super steel | Fine carbide FC61 stainless steel |
| Blade Construction | The core is wrapped by 32 layers of Damascus steel on each side | Blade core is protected by 24 layers of Damascus steel on each side. |
| Blade Design | Flower Damascus pattern | Flower and wavy Damascus pattern |
| Handle Material | Black linen Micarta | Pakkawood |
| Handle Design | Rounded D shape handle with stainless steel end cap and mosaic pin | D shape handle with decorative red spacer and mosaic pin |
| Handle Color | Black | Black |
| Sharpness ( Edge angle) | 9.5 -12 | 9.5 -12 |
| Rockwell Hardness | 60 | 61 |
| Full Tang | Yes | Yes |
| Edge retention | Long-Lasting | Long-Lasting |
| Cleaning | Hand Wash | Hand wash |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime | Limited Lifetime |
| Price | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon |
Differences between Miyabi Kizen vs Kaizen ii
In the quick overview part of this Miyabi kaizen vs miyabi kaizen ii 5000fcd gytuo comparison differences between these two beautiful knives were mentioned briefly. Now let’s talk about that difference in detail.
Differences 1: Blade Material
Both kaizen and kaizen ii blades are made with premium steel material but they are different from each other.
Miyabi kaizen blade core is made with VG-10 super stainless steel. VG-10 steel is known as the gold standard of knife making among the Japanese knifemakers and they use this steel a lot. It is a high-carbon stainless steel alloy of different components like chromium, carbon, cobalt vanadium, etc. These components add different necessary qualities like rust resistance, edge retention that makes VG-10 steel so famous.
On the other hand, the Blade core of miyabi kaizen ii (miyabi 5000fcd knife) is made with revolutionary fine carbide FC61 stainless steel. It is also very high-end steel enriched with different necessary components like carbon, chromium, cobalt. And these materials make the blade tough, hard, corrosion-resistant, and durable as VG-10 steels.
Differences 2: Blade Construction
In miyabi kaizen the Vg-10 core is wrapped by 32 layers of Damascus steel on each side of the blade. So, there is a total of 65 layers of steel along with the blade core in miyabi kaizen.
On the other hand, the kaizen 2 core is wrapped by 24 layers of steel on each side of the blade. So, there is a total of 49 layers of steel in kaizen ii (miyabi 5000fcd).
Those extra layers of steel around the core protect the core from extra pressure and damage. These layers are made with one layer of hard steel on layers of soft steel. So, these layers contribute to the flexibility of the knife.
Differences 3: Blade Design
Both kaizen and kaizen ii have Damascus pattern through their whole body but there is a difference between their patterns.
In miyabi kaizen those 65 layers of steel create a beautiful Damascus pattern. There is a beautiful flower Damascus pattern through the whole body. As each miyabi knife is handcrafted each kaizen has a unique design pattern.
Whereas in miyabi kaizen ii, the balde has a combination of wavy Damascus pattern and flower Damascus pattern. The top half portion of the blade has a wavy Damascus pattern and the bottom part has a flower Damascus pattern. In kaizen ii these Damascus patterns are darker than miyabi kaizen.
**This comparison is also similar as Miyabi kaizen 2 vs artisan comparison or Miyabi kaizen 2 vs shun classic comparison.**
Differences 4: Handle Material
Both of these miyabi knives feature long-lasting and durable handle material.
The miyabi kaizen handle is made from black linen micarta. Micarta is a composite material of resin, linen, paper, canvas, and burlap. Moreover, micarta features a beautiful grain structure along with a wooden texture. It makes the kaizen handle extremely resistant to water and moisture.
On the other hand, Miyabi Kaizen 2 handle is made from Pakkawood. As mentioned before in this Miyabi kaizen vs kaizen ii pakkawood is a resin-based material which is a composite of resin and different hardwood. Pakkawood handles don’t harbor bacteria so they have a long life span. And as like kaizen handle, pakkawood handles are water and moisture resistant.
Differences 5: Handle Design
Both miyabi kaizen and kaizen ii features traditional Japanese D shaped handles but there is a lot of difference in their handle design as mentioned before in this Miyabi kaizen vs kaizen 2
Miyabi kaizen handle has a straight shape with a slight D curve on the right side. There is no curve at the belly so it has a straight cylindrical look.
And miyabi kaizen ii handle has curves at the belly. The handle is thinner on both ends at the belly the handle is thicker so it fills the grip. There are lines in the black handle that gives it a beautiful look.
Both handles has a steel end cap that contributes to the proper balancing of the knife. There is also a mosaic pin and red strips in each handle.
Differences 6: Price
Both kaizen and kaizen ii are two high-end chef knives of miyabi. So, both of them are a little expensive.
Both knives has almost the same price range but sometimes it may vary from seller to seller a little bit.
Differences 7: Product Offering
Both of these miyabi series offer a wide range of knife and knife sets.
Click on ‘Available’ to know more about the knife
| Knife/ Set | Miyabi Kaizen | Miyabi Kaizen ii |
| chef’s knife | Available | Available |
| Santoku knife | Available | Available |
| Rocking Santoku | Available | Not Available |
| Nakiri Knife | Not Available | Available |
| Prep knife | Available | Not Available |
| Slicing Knife | Available | Not Available |
| Bread Knife | Available | Not Available |
| Utility Knife | Available | Available |
| Paring Knife | Available | Not Available |
| 6 piece knife set | Not Available | Not Available |
Similarities between Kaizen and kaizen 2 (ii)
We have gone through almost all the differences in this Miyabi kaizen vs kaizen ii review and comparison. Now, let’s discuss their similarities that’s even more than the differences.
Similarities 1: Sharpness and Edge
Like most other high-end miyabi chef’s knives, kaizen and kaizen 2(5000fcd) feature a hand-honed 9.5 to 12-degree cutting angle with a katana edge finish. Their sharpness is usually twice that of any western knife. So, these sharp edges can go through any food like soft butter.
Actually traditional honbazuke method is used to ensure this extreme hardness in these miyabi knives. This process contains 3 steps. In the first two steps each knife is sharpening using horizontal and vertical rotating stone. Then at the last step, each knife is hand polished on leather.
Both of these miyabi knives is double-beveled so both left and right-handed users can sue them with comfort.
Similarities 2: Hardness
We already know from this Miyabi kaizen ii vs kaizen comparison that these two miyabi knives are made with different materials. But both of the steel materials are very high end and each knife goes through the same crafting process. So, when it comes to the hardness of the knife both knives have almost the same Rockwell hardness.
Miyabi Kaizen ii has 61 Rockwell hardness and miyabi kaizen has Rockwell hardness of 60. So, both kaizen and kaizen ii are tough hard, and durable.
Similarities 3: Edge Retention
When it comes to edge retention you won’t need to worry about any of these miyabi knives. Both miyabi 5000fcd kaizen ii and miyabi kaizen have rock-solid hardness and both are hand-forged. So, both of these knives retain their edge for very long and you won’t need to worry about sharpening these knives too often. Moreover, you will need to be careful about the sharp cutting edge of these two razor-sharp knives.
Similarities 4: Tang
Both miyabi kaizen and kaizen 2 are full tang knives. That means a part of the blade goes all the way through the end of the handle portion. Actually, full-tang knives are more durable than half tang knives and these knives have more perfect balancing. As tang contributes to the weight distribution and balancing of a knife.
Similarities 5: Weight
As both of these knives have the almost the same size and shape, the knives of these two series have the almost the same weight. Kaizen and kaizen ii knives are not so heavy of lightweight. They have got an average weight so that users can get used to it very easily.
Similarities 6: Clean and Maintanance
Proper care and maintenance are compulsory for the longevity of a knife, same for kaizen and kaizen ii. As mentioned before in this Miyabi kaizen vs kaizen 2 both miyabi kaizen and kaizen ii prefer only hand wash. So, just wash these knives with clean water or use soap and cloth. Never put the knife in dishwasher as it may damage the blade.
After washing remember to put the knife in open place so that it dries out properly.
Never put the knife in your drawer without any sheath because it may cause damage to the knife or harm you. You can also use a knife block for storing the knife.
Similarities 7: Where they are made
All of the Miyabi knives are handcrafted in Seki which is the knife-making capital of japan. Expert craftsmen are crafting knives here for 700 years. Each miyabi knife are crafted by expert Japanese bladesmiths.
Since 2004, Miyabi company is owned by famous german knife maker Zwilling. So, You will find the combination of ancient Japanese knife-making tradition and modern german technologies in each miyabi knife.
Similarities 8: Warranty
For any kind of manufacturing defects, miyabi will provide a limited lifetime warranty for your knives.
Same for miyabi kaizen andmiyabi 5000fcd kaizen ii. As described before in this Miyabi kaizen 2 vs kaizen, if you find any kind of manufacturing defect in your miyabi knives you can take the free warranty service.
Conclusion
If you have gone through this whole Miyabi kaizen vs kaizen ii comparison then you must have got about a clear idea about these two miyabi knives. Now let’s decide which one is best for you Kaizen or Kaizen 2?
If you want a knife with light and a simple Damascus design then miyabi kaizen is a better choice. But if you want a gorgeous and very dense Damascus design on your knife then go with kaizen ii.
If you want a straight handle without any curve then miyabi kaizen has this feature. On the other hand, the handle of kaizen 2(ii) is not straight, the middle of the handle is thicker than the two ends.
But in terms of hardness, sharpness, and edge retention both kaizen and kaizen ii are almost the same.
Finally comes the affordability and price. Both knives are two high-end knives of miyabi and they have the almost the same price. But the price differs from seller to seller and it is usual to see that the kaizen series is a little bit more affordable than the kaizen ii series. But the differences are never too much.
If you want to read a detailed review about these two knives, then here is the full Miyabi kaizen chef knife and Miyabi kaizen ii knife review.
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