-22%
Nikken Tsubazo Deba (cleaver/fish knife) 160 mm
SKU: 51028Nikken Tsubazo Deba
These knives, made in Japan by Nikken Cutlery in Gifu, offer excellent value for money. Founded in November 1971, Nikken has built a strong reputation for practical everyday products that deliver reliable sharpness and clean cutting performance. The blade of this knife is made of semi-rustproof Japanese molybdenum-vanadium steel and features a durable Hinoki wood handle and a polypropylene bolster. These knives are produced for the Japanese market and are now available in Europe for the first time.
A Deba is a traditional, single-edged Japanese knife with a shorter, wider, and stronger blade, designed for filleting and portioning fish. The thick spine and weight allow you to slice through heads, bones, and tougher parts with control, without the knife feeling unstable.
The sharp edge is ideal for precise work along the bone, preserving as much fish meat as possible. A Deba is also suitable for processing chicken or smaller cuts of meat, where strength and control are essential. With regular sharpening and thorough drying after use, a Deba remains reliable, sharp, and ready for intensive kitchen work.
- Blade length: 160 mm
- Total length: 280 mm
- Weight: 142 grams
- Blade thickness: 3 mm
- Steel type: semi-rustproof Japanese molybdenum-vanadium steel
- Single-sided sharpening, so for right-handed use only
- Hardness: 57-58 (Rockwell C)
- Handle: Oval handle made of traditional honoki wood and a black polypropylene bolster.
Like all Japanese knives, these Nikken knives are not dishwasher safe. Cleaning and drying after each use is the best way to care for these exclusive products.
Some authentic Japanese kitchen knives, particularly models originally intended for the Japanese domestic market, are deliberately not delivered with their edge refined to its absolute maximum sharpness.
In Japan, it has traditionally been common for the final sharpening and refinement of the edge — known as honbazuke — to be carried out by a specialist knife shop or by the user. This allows the edge to be tailored to the knife’s intended use and the individual preferences of the cook.
There is also a practical reason for this approach. An extremely sharp, very finely ground edge can offer exceptional cutting performance, but it may also be more delicate and susceptible to micro-chipping. A slightly more conservative factory edge therefore provides a good balance between sharpness and durability, while leaving room for further refinement.
For customers who would like their knife to arrive with a more highly refined, razor-sharp edge, we offer a professional polishing and finishing service. With this service, we further refine and polish the cutting edge before shipping, allowing you to enjoy the knife’s full cutting potential straight out of the box.
