Vintage Japanese Deba Knife 120mm 1178

Experience Traditional Fish Preparation with a Vintage Japanese Deba

This vintage Japanese Deba combines a compact 120mm blade with a substantial 6.2mm spine and magnolia wood handle. Its right-handed single-bevel geometry offers a traditional specialist for fish preparation, with the character of a pre-owned Japanese kitchen knife in good overall condition.

The Specs

• Knife type: Deba
• Steel: Recorded as Super White Steel
• Hardness: 58 HRC
• Blade length: 120mm
• Overall length: 240mm
• Spine thickness: 6.2mm
• Bevel: Single bevel, right-handed geometry
• Construction: Recorded as fully forged, full tang
• Handle: Magnolia wood
• Knife weight: Approximately 250g
• Origin: Japan
• Condition: Vintage, good overall condition

Traditional Deba Design

The Deba is Japan's dedicated fish-preparation knife, pairing a thick spine and substantial heel with single-bevel geometry for breaking down and filleting fish. This compact 120mm example brings that traditional design to controlled, close work, while the magnolia wood handle completes its classic form.

The existing product record describes the blade material as Super White Steel without identifying a specific grade. That wording is retained rather than assigning an unverified steel classification. Its reactive blade requires careful drying and can be sharpened on Japanese water stones while preserving the single bevel.

Care & Maintenance

• Hand wash only and dry immediately
• Wipe the reactive blade dry after every use to help prevent rust
• Sharpen on Japanese water stones, preserving the right-handed single-bevel geometry
• Seek specialist sharpening if unfamiliar with single-bevel knives
• Apply a light coat of food-safe oil before extended storage
• Store securely with the edge protected