Deba knives are one of the three most popular traditional knife shapes in Japan. The deba is mainly used for cleaning and filleting fish and dressing poultry and other meats. The heaviness of the very wide spine lends stability and extra heft that is needed to cut through tough joints and bones with ease. The thick spine of the blade gradually becomes thinner towards the tip allowing for a great amount of control in manipulating the blade when filleting fish and guiding it along bones.
The Kitaoka 165mm Deba is made from Blue #2 Hitachi steel. This is a very popular alloy for kitchen knives. It is the same as White #2 but with added chromium and tungsten. These elements endow the alloy with better corrosion resistance and edge retention. Remember, though, that this is a carbon steel and must be carefully cleaned and dried after use.
Aogami Blue #2 outperforms Shirogami (White Steel) in a couple of ways. Notably, it features better edge retention and an ability to take a more acute edge geometry. Kitaoka-san tempers his Blue Steel to an HRC of 62-63 which we think is a sweet spot for this alloy.
This beautifully finished, strong blade is fitted with an upgraded rosewood octagonal handle with black pakka wood ferrule.
This single-bevel knife is made specifically for left-handed users.Blacksmith: Kitaoka San
Location: Echizen, Japan
Construction: Hammer Forged, Left Handed Grind
Handle: Rosewood Octagonal
Weight: 10.5 oz (296 g)
Edge Length: 170 mm
Total Length: 308 mm
Spine Thickness at Base: 6.8 mm
Blade Height at Base: 50.5 mm
Please note the video has the old handle. The new one is correctly pictured above.
We are only shipping Kitaoka knives in the USA
The Kitaoka 165mm Deba is made from Blue #2 Hitachi steel. This is a very popular alloy for kitchen knives. It is the same as White #2 but with added chromium and tungsten. These elements endow the alloy with better corrosion resistance and edge retention. Remember, though, that this is a carbon steel and must be carefully cleaned and dried after use.
Aogami Blue #2 outperforms Shirogami (White Steel) in a couple of ways. Notably, it features better edge retention and an ability to take a more acute edge geometry. Kitaoka-san tempers his Blue Steel to an HRC of 62-63 which we think is a sweet spot for this alloy.
This beautifully finished, strong blade is fitted with an upgraded rosewood octagonal handle with black pakka wood ferrule.
This single-bevel knife is made specifically for left-handed users.
Reviews
3 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval)
Overall a great knife
Posted By: Aiden
2 people found this review helpful
I have been using this knife for about a year on a near daily basis. It retains a great edge throughout the work day and it can take a very fine edge. Only complaint is that the knife came in a damascus pattern, which I am personally not a fan of, especially in my single bevel knives. Didn't want to rate the knife less than what it deserves but be aware that what is pictured is not what you might get.
2 people found this review helpful
I have been using this knife for about a year on a near daily basis. It retains a great edge throughout the work day and it can take a very fine edge. Only complaint is that the knife came in a damascus pattern, which I am personally not a fan of, especially in my single bevel knives. Didn't want to rate the knife less than what it deserves but be aware that what is pictured is not what you might get.
So few good left-handed knives
Posted By: Stefan Luders - verified customer
2 people found this review helpful
And after a week or two of use, I'm very satisfied with this Kitaoka Deba. It's hefty, it's sharp, it seems to keep a good edge so far and I love it.
The flat side has a little hollow-grind which helps against things sticking to it. It also helps with seeing exactly where a sharpening stone is actually touching the blade itself.
The edge side has a little curve to it, and since this is my first single edge knife I'm sort of relearning how to sharpen a knife of this type properly, but all in all and really very satisfied.
Given the steel and the general workmanship I think that the price is still quite reasonable as well.
Last, but not least, it just handles like a dream.
2 people found this review helpful
And after a week or two of use, I'm very satisfied with this Kitaoka Deba. It's hefty, it's sharp, it seems to keep a good edge so far and I love it.
The flat side has a little hollow-grind which helps against things sticking to it. It also helps with seeing exactly where a sharpening stone is actually touching the blade itself.
The edge side has a little curve to it, and since this is my first single edge knife I'm sort of relearning how to sharpen a knife of this type properly, but all in all and really very satisfied.
Given the steel and the general workmanship I think that the price is still quite reasonable as well.
Last, but not least, it just handles like a dream.
Kitaoka lefty deba
Posted By: Michael
2 people found this review helpful
Wow. This knife is amazing. Had it for a few weeks now and don't use anything else. Took a while to get super sharp but now it cuts like no knife I've ever had. Very versatile, amazing quality. I couldn't have asked for better.
2 people found this review helpful
Wow. This knife is amazing. Had it for a few weeks now and don't use anything else. Took a while to get super sharp but now it cuts like no knife I've ever had. Very versatile, amazing quality. I couldn't have asked for better.