Vintage Kumpei Deba Knife 120mm Carbon Steel Wood Handle Buffalo Horn 2230

Experience Compact Echizen Power in This Vintage Kumpei Ko-Deba

Inscribed with 訓平作 (Kunpei-saku), this compact 120mm deba is a product of the Masutani Hamono workshop in Echizen City, Fukui Prefecture - one of Japan's most revered knife-making regions. At this shorter length, it functions as a ko-deba: the specialist's choice for small fish, poultry jointing, and precise butchery work where a full-size deba would be unwieldy.

• Steel: High-carbon steel
• Blade length: 120mm
• Blade style: Ko-Deba (single bevel, small fish / poultry)
• Handle: Wood with buffalo horn collar
• Origin: Echizen City, Fukui Prefecture, Japan
• Condition: Vintage / second-hand - one-of-a-kind
• SKU: VTG-KUMPEI-DEBA-120-2230

The Kunpei name honours Kunpei Masutani, father of fourth-generation master smith Kunio Masutani, whose workshop operates within the legendary Takefu Knife Village collective. Despite its compact size, this blade carries the same heavy-spine geometry and single-bevel grind as its larger siblings - built to split bone cleanly and fillet with surgical precision. A versatile addition to any serious Japanese knife collection.

• Hand wash only - never dishwasher
• Dry immediately after use to prevent rust
• Hone on a fine whetstone to maintain the single-bevel edge
• Sharpen on a Japanese water stone (1000/3000 grit)
• Store on a magnetic rack or in a knife roll