Minonokuni Ume 195mm Deba

The Minonokuni Ume 195mm Deba is a traditionally crafted Japanese knife designed for precision and durability. Part of the Ume (Plum) series, these knives are produced by individual craftsmen as part of the Minonokuni project, ensuring a level of quality that exceeds production knives at this price point.

This Deba knife features a 195mm (7.67 inches) blade made from SK-4 carbon steel, with a Rockwell Hardness of 58-60. 

Also called yellow paper steel, this carbon alloy is softer than white or blue carbon steels, so it can be sharpened more easily and is less likely to chip when making direct contact with bone or hard boards. This steel type is an excellent choice for anyone who prefers a tough blade and is comfortable sharpening their knife more often. This is an excellent choice for chefs who are beginning to work with traditional Japanese knife shapes. The quality of the grind-work is a crucial aspect to consider when purchasing traditional Japanese knives. Despite its low price point the Ume series is beautifully shaped and ground which ensures the knife is flat enough for the shinogi line to contact the sharpening stone all the way to the edge. 

The knife has an Urasuki chisel grind and a Japanese Magnolia (Ho Wood) handle with a polycarbonate ferrule.

The blade length of 195mm is suitable for filleting and butchering medium to large fish, providing ample blade for clean, efficient cuts. Deba knives are specifically designed with a thick spine and a sturdy blade to handle tasks like removing fish heads, filleting, and deboning, without chipping the blade. This knife is a work horse that can be used to process high volumes of fish with ease.