This is the hon-deba - the full-size format designed for large whole fish and serious professional fish work. Sakai Takayuki has been producing knives in Sakai for over 600 years, and this deba represents that tradition applied to stainless steel: AUS8A, a high-carbon molybdenum alloy that performs at the level expected of a traditional Japanese deba while resisting the rust and staining that make carbon steel demanding to manage in a fish-heavy kitchen environment.
The deba format concentrates its design around one job done perfectly: breaking down whole fish. The thick spine provides the authority to work through bone and cartilage at the collar and tail. The single-bevel grind produces an acutely sharp edge that moves through fish flesh cleanly without compressing or tearing. The 54mm blade height provides good knuckle clearance through large fish cross-sections. At this size, it handles everything from large salmon and sea bass to whole yellowtail and similar market fish with authority. The D-shaped magnolia wood handle with a buffalo horn ferrule is well-balanced with the blade weight and sits comfortably through extended prep sessions. Right-handed use only.
Care Instructions: AUS8A stainless is corrosion resistant and low maintenance. Hand wash and dry after each use. Avoid the dishwasher. Single-bevel sharpening requires specific technique: work the flat ura side on a flat stone to maintain the hollow grind, and sharpen the bevel at the original angle. Quality water stones recommended. Do not use for hard bones or frozen foods.Maker: Sakai Takayuki
Location: Sakai, Japan
Construction: Hammer Forged, Single Bevel Traditional Grind
Style: Hon-Deba
Edge Steel: Inox AUS8A Stainless Steel
Grind: Single Bevel
Orientation: Right-Handed Only
Handle: D-Shaped Magnolia Wood
Ferrule: Buffalo Horn
Weight: 11.2 oz (320 g)
Blade Length: 181 mm
Total Length: 333 mm
Spine Thickness at Base: 7 mm
Blade Height: 54 mm
The deba format concentrates its design around one job done perfectly: breaking down whole fish. The thick spine provides the authority to work through bone and cartilage at the collar and tail. The single-bevel grind produces an acutely sharp edge that moves through fish flesh cleanly without compressing or tearing. The 54mm blade height provides good knuckle clearance through large fish cross-sections. At this size, it handles everything from large salmon and sea bass to whole yellowtail and similar market fish with authority. The D-shaped magnolia wood handle with a buffalo horn ferrule is well-balanced with the blade weight and sits comfortably through extended prep sessions. Right-handed use only.
Care Instructions: AUS8A stainless is corrosion resistant and low maintenance. Hand wash and dry after each use. Avoid the dishwasher. Single-bevel sharpening requires specific technique: work the flat ura side on a flat stone to maintain the hollow grind, and sharpen the bevel at the original angle. Quality water stones recommended. Do not use for hard bones or frozen foods.
