Vintage Japanese Sakai Kaneshige Deba Knife 150mm Carbon Steel Magnolia Handle Made in Japan 1754

Experience traditional fish preparation with a vintage Kaneshige deba

This pre-owned Japanese deba pairs a recorded 150mm carbon steel blade with a magnolia wood handle and single-bevel geometry. Listed as Sakai Kaneshige, it offers a specialist cutlery format after assessing its condition and confirming handedness.

The Specs

• Recorded maker or brand name: Sakai Kaneshige
• Recorded inscription: 堺 / 金重; readings and individual attribution not independently authenticated
• Knife type: deba
• Steel recorded: carbon steel; exact grade not specified
• Blade length recorded: 150mm
• Bevel recorded: single bevel; handedness and edge angle not recorded
• Handle recorded: magnolia wood
• Hardness: earlier 58 HRC figure requires verification
• Overall length, weight and measured spine thickness: not recorded
• Origin recorded: Japan
• Condition: vintage, pre-owned; production date not established

Heritage & Use

The existing inscription notes read 堺 as Sakai and 金重 as Kaneshige. These recorded readings preserve the listing's identification without establishing a specific workshop lineage or individual smith. Earlier references to an Edo-period origin for the deba style are not used to date this knife. The deba format is associated with controlled whole-fish preparation, but the available measurements do not establish a particular spine profile or bone-cutting capability. Check blade integrity, edge condition and handle security before use, and confirm the single bevel's handedness.

Care & Maintenance

• Hand wash only; never use a dishwasher
• Dry immediately and avoid soaking the magnolia handle
• Remove active rust and apply a light coat of food-safe blade oil before extended storage
• Do not use a honing rod
• Confirm handedness before sharpening on suitable water stones
• Preserve the main bevel and existing back-face geometry; do not convert the edge to a double bevel
• Consult a specialist sharpener if unfamiliar with single-bevel maintenance
• Avoid frozen food, impact work and twisting through bones
• Store clean and dry with the edge protected