Knives

Minonokuni Matsu 165mm Deba Knife - Aogami #2 Blue Steel (Right-Handed) Experience the joy of traditional Japanese fish preparation with the Minonokuni Matsu Deba, a 165mm (6.5-inch) specialty blade meticulously crafted for the discerning chef or passionate home cook. This is more than just a knife; it's an heirloom-quality tool designed to process fish and poultry with ease and precision.  The "Matsu" (Pine) line from Minonokuni represents the resilience, longevity, and soul of traditional Japanese bladesmithing. This knife is hand-hammered and forged in the classic methods that have been used to forge samurai swords for hundreds of years. This right-handed Deba features: Exquisite Aogami #2 (Blue Steel) Kasumi Blade: Carbon (not stainless) Aogami #2 steel, renowned for its exceptional sharpness, superior edge retention, and surprising ease of sharpening. This hard cutting edge melds into a soft iron spine, which creates a beautiful "Kasumi" (misty) finish and adds strength and weight to the knife Purpose-Built Deba Design: The classic thick spine and substantial weight provide the necessary power to effortlessly cut through fish heads and bones. The acute single-bevel edge ensures incredibly clean, precise filleting, preserving the delicate texture of the fish. Versatile 165mm Blade Length: An ideal size for handling small to medium-sized fish with excellent control and maneuverability. This size offers optimal control while still providing enough length to cut a variety of game birds and fresh or salt water species. Authentic Wa-Handle: The traditional Japanese D-shaped handle is crafted from oiled Japanese Magnolia (Ho) wood. This lightweight, water-resistant wood offers a comfortable, natural, and secure grip, even with wet hands. Premium Buffalo Horn Ferrule: The handle is beautifully accented and reinforced with a genuine Buffalo Horn ferrule, adding a touch of luxury, durability, and ensuring a tight fit between blade and handle. Right-Handed Single Bevel: Sharpened primarily on one side for the precise, pull-cutting techniques characteristic of Japanese culinary arts.  Whether you're aiming for perfect sashimi slices or expertly butchering a whole catch, the Minonokuni Matsu Deba, with its premium Aogami #2 steel and traditional craftsmanship, offers an unparalleled cutting experience. Learn More

Unleash the Soul of Japanese Cuisine: The Minonokuni Matsu 180mm Deba For the culinary artist who understands that the finest dishes begin with the perfect cut, the Minonokuni Matsu 180mm (7-inch) Deba is not merely a knife—it is an extension of your will. Hand-forged by the esteemed craftsmen of Minonokuni Yamahide, the "Matsu" (Pine Tree) series embodies resilience, longevity, and the pinnacle of Japanese knifemaking artistry. This is the definitive tool for mastering the demanding tasks of fish butchery and poultry preparation with grace and surgical precision. The Heart of the Blade: Legendary Aogami Blue Steel The soul of the Matsu Deba is its formidable blade, forged from Aogami-ko Kasumi Blue Steel (Aogami #2), a high-carbon steel revered by professional chefs worldwide. This premium material is celebrated for its ability to achieve and maintain an incredibly sharp edge, ensuring clean, effortless cuts that preserve the delicate texture of the ingredients. The substantial 7mm spine and 11.45-ounce weight provide the necessary power to confidently break down fish heads and navigate through bones, while the traditional single-bevel grind offers unparalleled precision for filleting. A Handle Forged in Tradition, Designed for Control Grasp the octagonal handle, crafted from lightweight Ho wood (Japanese Magnolia), and feel the perfect balance and control it affords. Ho wood is prized for its comfortable and secure grip, even when wet, a critical feature when handling fish. The handle is elegantly crowned with a water buffalo horn ferrule, a classic touch that not only enhances the knife's beauty but also ensures its durability for a lifetime of use. Who is This Knife For? The Minonokuni Matsu Deba is designed for the professional chef, the passionate home cook, and the dedicated culinary enthusiast who demands the very best from their tools. Its 180mm blade is the ideal, versatile size for handling a wide range of fish. Whether you are breaking down a whole snapper or preparing chicken for yakitori, this knife will become an indispensable partner in your kitchen. Learn More

Master the Art of Fish Butchery with the Minonokuni Gin-San 165mm Deba Experience the pinnacle of Japanese craftsmanship with the Minonokuni Gin-San 165mm Deba, a knife forged for the precise and demanding art of breaking down fish. This traditional Japanese blade is an essential tool for any chef who is serious about seafood, from filleting and deboning to removing the head with a single, clean cut. The Deba's significant weight and thick spine provide the power needed for tough tasks, making it ideal for processing whole fish and even poultry with small bones. The heart of this Deba is its Gin-San (Silver #3) stainless steel blade. This premium steel is highly regarded by chefs for offering the best of both worlds: the razor-sharp edge and ease of sharpening found in carbon steels, combined with the rust resistance and low maintenance of stainless steel. The blade's composition allows it to take a fine, crisp edge and hold it, ensuring reliable performance in a busy kitchen. Designed with purpose, the 165mm blade is a versatile size, while the knife's pointed tip allows for delicate work and precision cuts close to the bone. The single-bevel grind, a hallmark of traditional Japanese cutlery, creates an incredibly sharp edge for effortless slicing. The substantial feel of the knife provides controlled force, letting the weight of the blade do the work for you. Key Features: Blade Steel: Gin-San (Silver #3) Stainless Steel for a carbon steel feel with rust resistance. Blade Length: 165mm (6.5 inches) Knife Style: Deba, the traditional Japanese fish butchery knife. Primary Use: Ideal for filleting, deboning, and portioning whole fish and poultry. Grind: Traditional single-bevel for exceptional sharpness. Craftsmanship: Expertly forged to deliver superior performance and durability. Whether you are a professional sushi chef or a passionate home cook dedicated to preparing fish with precision, the Minonokuni Gin-San Deba is an indispensable tool that will elevate your culinary skills. Learn More

The Také 165mm (6.5 inch) deba is especially well sized for processing fresh water fish and small to medium sized salt water species. It is also very well sized for processing poultry. Hand-forged Kasumi Shiro-ko White Paper #1 carbon steel takes an extremely fine edge that cleaves through flesh without tearing. Edge retention is moderately less than a blue steel, but considerably improved from yellow or SK5 steels, this blade is hard enough to hold a very fine edge, but less prone to chipping. Think of this as the goldilocks deba in terms of size and steel composition.  Wash and dry immediately after use to prevent rust. Learn more about the Care and Maintenance of Carbon Steel Knives.  Learn More

The Minonokuni Také 165mm Deba Left-Handed Deba is primarily used for breaking down whole fish and poultry. This knife features a thick, heavy blade that is used tp cleave fillets from the bone with ease. The 165 mm Deba has a fair amount of weight which is very helpful for tracing the spines on tuna and salmon. This particular model is made with White steel which is often considered the Goldilocks of Carbon steel (not too hard and not too soft). It takes a razor sharp edge and holds it very well, but is less prone to chipping that harder blue or stainless steels. In terms of size the 165mm blade offers versatility as it is long enough to use on large species of salt or fresh water fish, but not so large that it cannot be used on smaller game birds or fresh water species.  This is an all around great choice. This knife is designed for use in the left hand. We also carry a right handed model (available here). Learn More

Blade Width: 7 mm Blade Height: 55 mm Weight: 11.5 ounces Steel type: kasumi shiro-ko (white paper #2)(not stainless) The Deba (fat knife) is primarily used for breaking down whole fish and poultry. They are thick, heavy and very efficiently cleave fillets from the bone. The choice between 165 and 180mm sizes really comes down to comfort in controlling the knife and size of fish to be cut. Learn More

The Minonokuni "Take" Deba is the authentic, purpose-built tool for the left-handed chef dedicated to the art of fish butchery. This is not simply a handle swap; the blade is forged and ground with a true single-bevel on the left side, providing the correct geometry for clean, precise work. It completely eliminates the steering and binding that happens when a lefty is forced to use a right-handed Deba, allowing you to break down a whole fish with confidence and control. At the heart of the "Take" (Bamboo) series is the use of premium Shirogami #2 (White Paper #2) high-carbon steel. This pure steel is prized by professional chefs for its ability to take on an incredibly sharp edge, far exceeding that of standard stainless steels. This exceptional sharpness is crucial for a Deba, allowing you to make clean cuts through fish heads, collars, and bones with minimal effort and without damaging the delicate flesh. The 180mm size is a versatile powerhouse, perfect for a wide range of fish. As a traditional carbon steel knife, it requires proper care and will develop a beautiful patina over time. It must be washed and dried by hand immediately after use to prevent rust. This is the correct, high-performance tool for the left-handed user who refuses to compromise. Learn More

Minonokuni Take 195mm Deba The Minonokuni Take 195mm Deba is the largest deba in the Take line, built for cooks who break down large fish and whole poultry. Its thick, heavy blade separates flesh from the frame cleanly and cuts through heads, collars and rib bones that would damage a thinner knife. This size is particularly well suited to saltwater fish and large freshwater fish. Features White #2 carbon steel in kasumi construction: A hard edge of Shiro-ko (White Paper #2) carbon steel is forge-welded to a softer steel body. The hard edge takes a fine, keen edge and is easy to restore on a waterstone, and the softer body makes the blade more resistant to shock. Single-bevel urasuki grind: The face carries the only bevel, and the back is slightly concave. The knife therefore follows the bone closely while filleting, and it can be laid flat on a stone to remove the burr without scratching the back. Thick spine and substantial weight: The mass of the blade does the work when splitting heads and cutting through bone, so the cook can guide the knife rather than force it. Traditional Japanese handle: The oiled ho wood handle is light, which keeps the balance forward in the blade where a deba needs it. Choosing the Right Deba For medium fish such as snapper, trout and bass, the Minonokuni Take 180mm Deba or Take 165mm Deba is easier to manoeuvre. Left-handed cooks will find the Take 180mm Left-Handed Deba the largest left-handed option in the line. Learn More

Minonokuni Ume 165mm Deba: The Authoritative Workhorse for Fish Butchery The quintessential tool for serious fish preparation, the Minonokuni Ume 165mm Deba is a classic workhouse. This hand-forged blade has the length and heft needed to process larger fish and the versatility to carefully dress smaller catches. The soul of a Deba lies in its dual nature: unyielding power and surgical finesse. This knife features a thick spine and a substantial weight that provide leverage to drive cleanly through tough fish heads, collars, and dense bones without hesitation. This raw power seamlessly transitions to a screamingly sharp, single-bevel edge. This traditional grind allows you to glide the blade flat against the fish's skeleton, separating pristine fillets with breathtaking precision and minimal waste. At 165mm (6.5"), this blade hits the "sweet spot" of professional performance. It provides the increased heft and longer cutting edge needed to confidently break down medium-to-large fish like cod, yellowtail, or salmon. Yet, it retains the balance and control required for all-around tasks, making it the one Deba that can truly do it all. It is the perfect upgrade for the dedicated home cook and an indispensable staple for the professional chef. Part of the "Ume" (梅) or "Plum Blossom" series, this knife represents resilience and refined strength. Where the plum blossom signals the promise of spring, this Deba signals the confident stride of a practitioner dedicated to mastering their craft. Learn More