This 180mm deba is the longest in the Kitaoka Blue #2 line and a quintessential rendition of the classic deba shape. The deba is one of the three most common traditional knife shapes in Japan, used mainly for cleaning and filleting fish, and dressing poultry and other meats. The heavy, wide spine lends the stability needed to cut through tough joints and bones with ease, while the spine gradually thins toward the tip, giving real control when filleting fish and guiding the blade along bones.
Hideo Kitaoka constructs this deba from Hitachi Blue #2 steel with a jigane of soft iron, forged in his shop in Takefu Village, Echizen, where he has spent over 30 years concentrating on a handful of traditional single-bevel blade styles. The blade has a single bevel with a mild concave backside and a lovely primary bevel on the front that reveals the core hagane steel just shy of the edge. Blue #2 has a genuinely great ability to take and maintain a sharp edge, and Kitaoka-san tempers it to 62-63 HRC - a sweet spot for the alloy. The knife is finished with a sandalwood octagonal handle with a black pakka wood ferrule.
Care Instructions: Blue #2 is a reactive carbon steel and will develop a natural patina with use - this is normal and helps protect the steel. Wipe the blade dry immediately after each use and avoid leaving it wet or in contact with acidic foods. Hand wash only. Apply a light coat of camellia oil for long-term storage. Please note that Kitaoka installs the machi with an intentional gap known as Tokyo Style - this is a traditional aesthetic choice, not a defect.
Each knife is made by hand so measurements may vary.Blacksmith: Hideo Kitaoka
Location: Takefu Village, Echizen, Japan
Construction: Hammer Forged, San Mai
Edge Steel: Blue #2
Cladding: Soft Iron
HRC: 62-63
Grind: Traditional Single Bevel, Right-Handed
Finish: Satin
Handle: Octagonal Sandalwood
Ferrule: Black Pakka Wood
Handle Install: Tokyo Style (Gapped Machi)
Weight: ~11.4 oz (~3212 g)
Blade Length: 185 mm
Total Length: 330 mm
Spine Thickness at Base: 7-8 mm
Blade Height: 54 mm
Please Note: We only ship Kitaoka knives within the USA
Hideo Kitaoka constructs this deba from Hitachi Blue #2 steel with a jigane of soft iron, forged in his shop in Takefu Village, Echizen, where he has spent over 30 years concentrating on a handful of traditional single-bevel blade styles. The blade has a single bevel with a mild concave backside and a lovely primary bevel on the front that reveals the core hagane steel just shy of the edge. Blue #2 has a genuinely great ability to take and maintain a sharp edge, and Kitaoka-san tempers it to 62-63 HRC - a sweet spot for the alloy. The knife is finished with a sandalwood octagonal handle with a black pakka wood ferrule.
Care Instructions: Blue #2 is a reactive carbon steel and will develop a natural patina with use - this is normal and helps protect the steel. Wipe the blade dry immediately after each use and avoid leaving it wet or in contact with acidic foods. Hand wash only. Apply a light coat of camellia oil for long-term storage. Please note that Kitaoka installs the machi with an intentional gap known as Tokyo Style - this is a traditional aesthetic choice, not a defect.
Each knife is made by hand so measurements may vary.
