Také Edition

The Deba (fat knife) is primarily used for breaking down whole fish and poultry. This smaller knife commonly referred to as a Ko-Deba is a smaller more lightweight Deba, not so great for cleaving fish heads, use this Deba for filleting. The way the Deba tapers from a thick spine, near the handle, to a thin tip allows the user to often feel the tip of the knife touching the bones making tics at each bone as the knife glides through the fish. Learn More

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 135mm and 150mm sizes really comes down to comfort in controlling the knife and size of fish to be cut.  Learn about the Care and Maintenance of Carbon Steel Knives Learn More

For too long, the left-handed chef has been forced to adapt, to compromise, to work against the very design of their tools. The Minonokuni Take 150mm Left-Handed Deba is not an adaptation; it is a declaration. This is the definitive butchery knife, forged from the ground up to move with you, not against you. The Deba is the heavyweight champion of the Japanese kitchen, and its purpose is singular: the powerful, precise dismemberment of fish and poultry. The 150mm blade offers the perfect balance of compact agility and brutal efficiency, allowing you to navigate the delicate anatomy of a sea bream or quail with the same confidence you use to drive its thick, weighted spine through a sturdy fish collar. The heart of this knife is its Aogami #2 (Blue Paper Steel) core—a material chosen for its ferocious, long-lasting edge and its underlying toughness. This isn't just steel; it's the embodiment of resilience, capable of withstanding the demanding work of butchery while retaining the surgical sharpness needed to separate flesh from bone without tearing. The true left-handed, single-bevel grind is its defining feature, providing a level of control that feels like a revelation. The blade steers itself, tracing the bone structure naturally and intuitively, leaving behind pristine fillets. This Minonokuni Take Deba is more than a tool; it is the restoration of balance, an instrument of power finally placed correctly in your hand. 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

The Minonokuni Také 195mm Deba is hand-forged in Kasumi Shiro-Ko White Paper 2 Stainless Steel. This knife is thick and heavy, designed to cleanly cleave flesh from the bone of fish and poultry. This size is particularly well suited for saltwater fish and large freshwater fish.  Learn about the Care and Maintenance of Carbon Steel Knives Learn More

The Také 210 mm (8.25 in) Yanagi is handmade by master blacksmiths from Kasumi Shiro-Ko (White Paper) carbon steel. You can expect this knife to be ground extremely flat. While they are sharp out of the box, they tend to get better and better with use and subsequent sharpenings as you burnish and true the edge. The smaller 210mm Yanagi is ideal for a cramped or tight kitchen workspace or for cooks who prefer working with a smaller blade. This is the size that many home users are most comfortable using.  Learn about the Care and Maintenance of Carbon Steel Knives Learn More