


Hokiyama Hon-Deba Aogami #2 165mm (6.5")
Easy to care for and resistant to rust, making it a great choice for daily use in home or professional kitchens.
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✔︎ No import fees & duties (US tarrifs excluded) |
- Description
- Specifications
- Knife Care
- Shipping
Hokiyama Hon-Deba 150mm (5.9") is a heavy traditional Japanese knife for cleaning and filleting whole fish, cutting through fish heads, and preparing poultry or other meat with small bones. Its sturdy heel handles tougher work, while the tapered spine creates a thinner, more precise tip. Single bevel and right-handed only.
BLADE SHAPE:
Deba is a proud member of the traditional Japanese trio (along with yanagiba and usuba knives) used to prepare sushi, sashimi and other Japanese specialties! In Japanese Hon literally means true or original, which means this Deba is the thickest and heaviest type of Deba.
Deba is not recommended for chopping though large bones. Do not subject the blade edge to sideways forces, as this can result in chipping or cracking.
STEEL:
Aogami #2 is a very popular steel in Japanese knife making and one of the finest high-carbon steels, meaning the knives forged from it will have exceptional edge retention and also sharpen very easily. ⚠️ Read about knife maintenance here.
LAMINATION:
Ni-mai lamination method is used on single-bevel knives, where a sheet of softer metal is forge-welded onto the shinogi (front) side of the blade’s hard core. This reinforces the blade’s structural integrity and consequently makes it tougher.
GEOMETRY:
The knife is a single-bevel blade and is heavier and stronger at the handle and thinner and more precise at the tip. This blade shape makes the knife easier to use because it is very responsive, easily maneuverable, and nicely balanced. This type of blade design is also called distal taper - you can read more about it in the article on blade geometry.
BLADE FINISH:
The blade features a delicate high polish and a hand-engraved kanji signature.
HANDLE:
The handle is made of the most commonly used handle wood in traditional Japanese knives - magnolia wood. It is preferred wood of Japanese sushi chefs due to its antiseptic properties and it is easy and inexpensive to rehandle as there is an abundance of magnolia handles on the market. Magnolia wood is a soft, light-colored wood that needs some extra maintenance as it can stain easily, so we recommend having clean hands before using the knife.
About Hokiyama:
Hokiyama Hamono is a leading smithy in Kochi Prefecture in Japan. They have recently celebrated their 100-year anniversary, founded in 1919. Hokiyama Hamono is known for their quality as they follow the tradition of hand-made blades that has been around for over 800 years. They retain the handiwork and traditional craftsmanship that is passed down from generation to generation while striving for the ever-new knowledge and innovation. Despite the fact that they make knives according to the traditional methods, they follow the modern technological guidelines in the field of metallurgy, material processing and innovations in production processes. Hokiyama, in their own words, is a fusion of tradition (土佐 一), innovation (無限) and practicality (左近).
Blade shape: Deba
Steel type: Aogami #2
Blade construction: Ni-mai
Hardness (HRC scale): 60
Overall length: 312mm (12.3")
Blade length: 170mm (6.7")
Blade height: 52mm (2")
Spine thickness: 6.7mm (0.26")
Weight: 267g (9.4 oz)
Handle length: 129mm (5.1")
Handle type / wood: Japanese / Magnolia
Kanji on the blade:
Blacksmith: Hokiyama
Location of the smithy: TOSA / Kōchi Prefecture / Japan
☝️ Japanese kitchen knives in our store are handmade from natural materials. Slight variations in color, texture, weight and other dimensions are possible. We try to give a good photographic representation of our products, however computer screen resolution and colors do vary, so products might not look exactly as they are seen on screen.
☝️ THIS KNIFE MAY DEVELOP PATINA
Knives made of carbon steels can, due to their low chromium (Cr) content, discolor and develop patina. The knife is the most sensitive when it is still new and a patina had not developed yet, but later, patina will protect the blade. These types of knives require a touch more care:
✔ Wipe it regularly with a clean and dry cloth (you can also do this during use).
✔ After use, rinse it with lukewarm water and wipe it dry.
✔ Coat it regularly with knife maintenance oil or plain refined sunflower oil.
✔ Store the knife by wrapping it in paper which will absorb moisture and protect the blade.
A patina is a thin layer that forms on the surface of oxidized steel and protects it from further oxidation. The patina should not be confused with rust. Patina protects the blade, while rust causes corrosion and deterioration of material, so it should be removed (see Rust erasers).
→ For in-depth information about patina, read our dedicated post on patina.
GENERAL KNIFE CARE TIPS:
Blade wear depends on the quality of steel, usage and maintenance of the blade. Japanese knives are made of high-quality steels. Follow these tips to keep your Japanese knife in top-notch shape:
✔ Use a wooden, plastic or rubber cutting board.
✔ After use, wash the knives and wipe them dry.
✔ For storage, use a knife holder or a protective knife sheath (saya).
✔ A good cutting technique is your best bet to prolong sharpness.
✔ Use sharpening stones to sharpen the knife.
❗️Don’t leave the knife in the sink. Wash it by hand.
❗️Don’t wash the knife in the dishwasher.
❗️Don’t use the knife on glass, ceramics, marble or steel surfaces.
❗️Don’t scrape the food off the cutting board with the edge of the blade. Use the spine of the knife instead.
❗️Knife is a tool intended for specific use - cutting food. It is not a can opener, screwdriver, trowel, wire cutter, hammer etc.
→ For more details, read our guide
on Maintenance of Kitchen Knives.
🤙 Contact us if you need some help. We reply within 1 business day.
SHIPPING RATES:
- €10 - flat worldwide rate with DHL Express (express delivery, 2-5 business days).
- FREE - all orders over €300 (DHL Express).
EXCEPTIONS:
See our Shipping page for more details.
DUTIES AND IMPORT TAXES:
We ship all orders DDP (duties & taxes paid). This means you will not be charged for any import fees and taxes (including VAT). All our prices are final. The price you see at checkout is the final price, no hidden costs.
DELIVERY TIME:
- Europe: 1-2 business days
- US & Canada: 2-4 business days
- Rest of the World: 3-5 business days
RETURNS:
Our return policy lasts 30 days. If more than 30 days have gone by since the day you received your order, unfortunately we can’t offer you a refund or exchange.
→ Read our SHIPPING & RETURNS policy for more info. We strive to solve any issues fast and with as little hassle for you. If you have some additional questions, please contact us.
Each knife comes with:
✔️ Instructions and knife care leaflet.
✔️ A preventive Band-Aid – the knives are very sharp! 😉
✔️ Original box from the blacksmith, which we wrap in an old Japanese newspaper sheet – so every knife is ready to be passed on as a gift as soon as it hits your doorstep!
✔️ We also offer a special gift wrapping option with the traditional Japanese washi paper.
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