Sakai City sits in Osaka Prefecture on the edge of Osaka Bay, at the mouth of the Yamato River, and has been one of the largest and most important seaports in Japan since the medieval era. Once known for samurai swords, Sakai is now famous for the quality of its kitchen knives, and most high-quality Japanese cutlery originates there today.
Yuzou Tani, born in 1962, has worked as a blacksmith in Sakai for over 35 years. The company bearing his name was established 50 years ago by his father, the first generation, and Tani-san makes every blade entirely by hand, laminating the steel himself. The edge steel he uses for this deba is Shirogami #2 high carbon steel made by Hitachi Metals - a favorite among Japanese smiths for single-bevel knives due to its ability to take a very acute edge. He laminates the inner core with soft iron for strength and durability; as a reactive cladding, care is needed to clean and dry the blade between uses. This is a classic deba, single beveled for right-handed users only, finished with a simple but elegant octagonal magnolia wood handle and buffalo horn ferrule.
Care Instructions: White #2 is a reactive carbon steel and will develop a natural patina with use. Wipe and dry the blade immediately after every use to prevent rust. Hand wash only. Apply a light coat of camellia oil for long-term storage.
Yuzou Tani, born in 1962, has worked as a blacksmith in Sakai for over 35 years. The company bearing his name was established 50 years ago by his father, the first generation, and Tani-san makes every blade entirely by hand, laminating the steel himself. The edge steel he uses for this deba is Shirogami #2 high carbon steel made by Hitachi Metals - a favorite among Japanese smiths for single-bevel knives due to its ability to take a very acute edge. He laminates the inner core with soft iron for strength and durability; as a reactive cladding, care is needed to clean and dry the blade between uses. This is a classic deba, single beveled for right-handed users only, finished with a simple but elegant octagonal magnolia wood handle and buffalo horn ferrule.
Care Instructions: White #2 is a reactive carbon steel and will develop a natural patina with use. Wipe and dry the blade immediately after every use to prevent rust. Hand wash only. Apply a light coat of camellia oil for long-term storage.
- Blacksmith: Yuzou Tani
- Location: Sakai, Japan
- Construction: Hammer Forged, Ni Mai
- Edge Steel: White #2
- Cladding: Soft Iron
- Finish: Migaki (Polished)
- Edge Grind: Even, Single Bevel, Right-Handed
- Weight: 12.3 oz (350 g)
- Blade Length: 188 mm
- Total Length: 343 mm
- Spine Thickness at Heel: 7 mm
- Blade Height: 56 mm
- Handle: Octagonal Magnolia Wood
- Ferrule: Buffalo Horn
