Tani White #2 Deba 180mm

Our recent blacksmith discovery heralds from the center of blade making in Japan, Sakai City. Located in Osaka Prefecture, Japan, on the edge of Osaka Bay, Sakai City sits at the mouth of the Yamato River. Sakai has been one of the largest and most important seaports of Japan since the Medieval era. Once known for samurai swords, Sakai is now famous for the quality of its kitchen knives. Most high-quality Japanese cutlery originates in Sakai, and knife production is now the major industry in the city.

Yuzou Tani is a smith who works in Sakai, Japan. Mr. Tani was born in 1962, and he has been in this job for 35 years. The company bearing his name was established 50 years ago by his father, who is the 1st generation. Tani-san makes all of his blades by hand and also laminates the steel himself.

The edge steel used by Tani for this beautiful Deba is Shirogami # 2 high carbon steel which is made by Hitachi Metals. This steel is a crowd favorite and Japanese smiths are drawn to use it in their single bevel knives due to its ability to take a very acute edge. He laminates the inner core with a soft iron for strength and durability. As it is also a reactive cladding, care needs to be taken to clean and dry the blade between uses.

This is a classic deba, so it is single beveled and is only useful to right-handed users. This particular knife comes with a simple but elegant octagonal magnolia wood handle with a buffalo horn ferrule. Together with the stunning blade work, this is a knife that is both functional and beautiful.

Blacksmith: Mr. Tani

Location: Sakai, Japan

Construction: Hammer Forged, Ni Mai

Edge Steel: White #2

Cladding: Soft Iron

Finish: Migaki (Means "Polished" in Japanese)

Edge Grind: Even

Weight: 12.3 oz (350 g)

Edge Length: 188 mm

Total Length: 343 mm

Spine Thickness at Heel: 6.9 mm

Blade Height at Heel: 56.3 mm

Handle: Magnolia Wood

Ferrule: Buffalo Horn