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Deba

Fish Butchering
A deba knife is a traditional Japanese kitchen knife specifically designed for butchering fish, though it can also be used for poultry and other meats with smaller bones. Here are some key characteristics and features of a deba knife:

Blade Material: Deba knives are available in various materials, including traditional carbon steels such as shirogami (white steel) and blue steel, as well as stainless steel variants like molybdenum stainless steel. Carbon steel is preferred for its excellent sharpness and edge retention, while stainless steel variants are less prone to rust.

Blade Design: Deba knives typically have a single bevel blade, meaning they are sharpened completely on one side. This design is intended for right-handed use, though left-handed versions are available by special order.

Blade Geometry: The blade of a deba knife is heavy and thick-spined, with a blade length ranging from 5 to 7 inches. This design, along with the weight of the knife, allows it to easily cut through fish bones and joints.

Primary Purpose: The primary purpose of a deba knife is to break apart full fish, removing heads, fins, and bones, and filleting them. It is also suitable for butchering poultry and other meats with smaller bones.

Technique Tips: When using a deba knife, it's recommended to allow the weight of the blade to do the work. A sturdy grip is essential, with the middle, ring, and pinkie fingers wrapped firmly around the handle. The pointer finger should be placed on the spine of the knife, while the thumb is positioned close to the heel edge of the blade to steady the strokes. When cutting through bones, downward pressure should be applied with the non-dominant hand to push the knife cleanly through.

Shop Deba Knives

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Hatsukokoro x Myojin Shirasagi White 2 Deba 210mm

Myojin Riki

Hatsukokoro x Myojin Shirasagi White 2 Deba 210mm

Hatsukokoro x Myojin Shirasagi White 2 Deba 195mm

Myojin Riki

Hatsukokoro x Myojin Shirasagi White 2 Deba 195mm

Hatsukokoro x Myojin Shirasagi White 2 Deba 165mm

Myojin Riki

Hatsukokoro x Myojin Shirasagi White 2 Deba 165mm

Nakagawa Ginsan K-tip Deba 180mm Mirror Polished Finish

Nakagawa Hamono

Nakagawa Ginsan K-tip Deba 180mm Mirror Polished Finish

Hatsukokoro Kurokaze Blue 2 Kurouchi K Tip Deba 165mm Double Bevel

Hatsukokoro

Hatsukokoro Kurokaze Blue 2 Kurouchi K Tip Deba 165mm Double Bevel

Tsunehisa Ginsan Deba 150mm

Tsunehisa

Tsunehisa Ginsan Deba 150mm

Sakai Takayuki Ginsanko Deba 165mm with Ho Wood Handle Chef Series

Sakai Takayuki

Sakai Takayuki Ginsanko Deba 165mm with Ho Wood Handle Chef Series

Sakai Takayuki Ginsanko Deba 150mm with Ho Wood Handle Chef Series

Sakai Takayuki

Sakai Takayuki Ginsanko Deba 150mm with Ho Wood Handle Chef Series

Sakai Takayuki INOX Stainless Ko-Deba 120mm

Sakai Takayuki

Sakai Takayuki INOX Stainless Ko-Deba 120mm

Mazaki Blue 2 Migaki Deba 180mm

Mazaki

Mazaki Blue 2 Migaki Deba 180mm

Mazaki White 2 Migaki Deba 180mm

Mazaki

Mazaki White 2 Migaki Deba 180mm

Hatsukokoro x Myojin Shirasagi Ginsan Ko Deba 120mm

K&S - Sydney

Hatsukokoro x Myojin Shirasagi Ginsan Ko Deba 120mm

Hatsukokoro Kurokaze Blue 2 Deba 180mm Double Bevel Kurouchi
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Hatsukokoro

Hatsukokoro Kurokaze Blue 2 Deba 180mm Double Bevel Kurouchi

Sakai Takayuki Gintan Ginsanko Deba 210mm

Sakai Takayuki

Sakai Takayuki Gintan Ginsanko Deba 210mm

Sakai Takayuki Gintan Ginsanko Deba 180mm

Sakai Takayuki

Sakai Takayuki Gintan Ginsanko Deba 180mm

Tojiro DP3 Yo-Deba 240mm F-815

Tojiro

Tojiro DP3 Yo-Deba 240mm F-815

Tosa Tanren SK Steel Deba 150mm

Tosa

Tosa Tanren SK Steel Deba 150mm

Myojin Riki x Hatsukokoro Shirasagi  Blue 2 Kurouchi K-Tip Deba 180mm

Myojin Riki

Myojin Riki x Hatsukokoro Shirasagi Blue 2 Kurouchi K-Tip Deba 180mm

Hatsukokoro x Myojin Shirasagi Ginsan Deba 150mm
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K&S - Sydney

Hatsukokoro x Myojin Shirasagi Ginsan Deba 150mm

Hatsukokoro x Myojin Shirasagi Ginsan Deba 165mm
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K&S - Sydney

Hatsukokoro x Myojin Shirasagi Ginsan Deba 165mm

Hatsukokoro x Myojin Shirasagi Ginsan Deba 180mm

K&S - Sydney

Hatsukokoro x Myojin Shirasagi Ginsan Deba 180mm

Sakai Takayuki White 2 Tokujou Deba 165mm
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Sakai Takayuki

Sakai Takayuki White 2 Tokujou Deba 165mm

Hatsukokoro Kurokaze Blue 2 Kurouchi Deba 165mm Double Bevel
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Hatsukokoro

Hatsukokoro Kurokaze Blue 2 Kurouchi Deba 165mm Double Bevel

Hatsukokoro Kurokaze Blue 2 Kurouchi Deba 150mm Double Bevel
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Hatsukokoro

Hatsukokoro Kurokaze Blue 2 Kurouchi Deba 150mm Double Bevel

Nakagawa Ginsan Ko-Deba 135mm
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Hatsukokoro

Nakagawa Ginsan Ko-Deba 135mm

Tojiro MV Stainless Deba 180mm F-1055
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Tojiro

Tojiro MV Stainless Deba 180mm F-1055

Sakai Takayuki Tokujou Mioroshi Deba 270mm White 2 Carbon Steel
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Sakai Takayuki

Sakai Takayuki Tokujou Mioroshi Deba 270mm White 2 Carbon Steel

Sakai Takayuki Tokujou Mioroshi Deba 240mm White 2 Carbon Steel
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Sakai Takayuki

Sakai Takayuki Tokujou Mioroshi Deba 240mm White 2 Carbon Steel

Sakai Takayuki Tokujou White 2 Deba 165mm
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Sakai Takayuki

Sakai Takayuki Tokujou White 2 Deba 165mm

Sakai Takayuki INOX Stainless Deba 180mm (7.1")

Sakai Takayuki

Sakai Takayuki INOX Stainless Deba 180mm (7.1")

Sakai Takayuki INOX Stainless Deba 165mm (6.5")

Sakai Takayuki

Sakai Takayuki INOX Stainless Deba 165mm (6.5")

Sakai Takayuki Tokujou Deba 195mm (7.7") White 2 Carbon Steel
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Sakai Takayuki

Sakai Takayuki Tokujou Deba 195mm (7.7") White 2 Carbon Steel

Sakai Takayuki Tokujou Deba 180mm (7.1") White 2 Carbon Steel
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Sakai Takayuki

Sakai Takayuki Tokujou Deba 180mm (7.1") White 2 Carbon Steel

Sakai Takayuki INOX Stainless Deba 150mm (5.9")

Sakai Takayuki

Sakai Takayuki INOX Stainless Deba 150mm (5.9")

Sakai Takayuki White 2 Tokujou Deba 150mm

Sakai Takayuki

Sakai Takayuki White 2 Tokujou Deba 150mm

Best Used For

Fish Butchering