TOJIRO SHIROGAMI Deba 165mm

The deba is Japanese traditional fish butchering knife. Its thick spine, heavy heel, and single bevel are built to handle the full process of breaking down a whole fish from head removal to portioning. TOJIRO builds this 165mm version in Sanjo City with a Shirogami (White #2) carbon steel core and soft iron cladding, a traditional combination that produces a blade of exceptional sharpness at an entry price for the format. This is the right size for smaller fish - mackerel, striped bass, trout - where the 180mm version would feel like too much knife.

Shirogami (White Paper Steel) is a high-purity carbon alloy known for reaching an acute, polished edge and sharpening with a responsiveness that more complex alloys cannot match. The soft iron cladding protects the hard core, adds some ductility to the construction, and develops a natural patina with use. The single bevel grind follows traditional Japanese fish knife geometry - aggressive on the cutting face, hollow-ground on the back - and the magnolia wood handle with a resin ferrule is a functional, traditional fit for the format.

What Customers Are Saying: One customer reports years of reliable daily use - handling trout of all sizes and occasional larger fish like pike without issue. The sharpness it reaches on a stone gets consistent praise, with one buyer describing the edge as easy to achieve and straightforward to maintain on weekly sharpening sessions. A chef who bought one as a first deba liked it enough to purchase a second for a cook and give away the original. The value relative to the price is the consensus across the review set - buyers note the handle and finish are what the price suggests, but the blade performance exceeds it.

Care Instructions: Shirogami (White #2) carbon steel with soft iron cladding means both the edge and the blade road are reactive. Wipe and dry the knife immediately after use - do not leave it wet or in contact with acidic foods. Apply a light coat of camellia oil for storage. Hand wash only - never put it in the dishwasher. A natural patina will develop with use and actually helps protect the steel.

Maker: TOJIRO

Location: Sanjo City, Niigata, Japan

Construction: San Mai

Edge Steel: Shirogami (White #2) Carbon

Cladding: Soft Iron

Finish: Kasumi

Edge Grind: Single Bevel, Right-Handed

Handle: D-Shaped Magnolia Wood

Ferrule: Resin

Weight: 10.5 oz (298 g)

Blade Length: 175 mm

Total Length: 315 mm

Spine Thickness at Base: 7 mm

Blade Height: 56 mm