Sakai Kikumori Nihonkou 210mm Yo-Deba Carbon Steel

Sakai Kikumori ‘Nihonkou’ 210mm Yo-Deba. Carbon tool steel with riveted pakka wood handle.

The Yo-Deba (western style deba) is a thick, double bevel knife ideal for the professional or home cook who needs a heavy weight chef knife that can be used for a large variety butchery tasks.

Sakai Kikumori’s Nihonkou line are reasonably priced factory made carbon steel knives with a carbon content of .95%, hardened to approx 63 HRC. Nihonkou knives’ thin mono-steel blades are super easy to sharpen and get a nice edge that holds well. They are ideal for the professional or home cook who is looking for a great workhorse with easy sharpen-ability.

This is a reactive carbon steel. It should be mentioned that extra care is required, as the knife is not stainless and should be dried immediately after use. It will develop a dark patina with usage, but any orange rust should be removed with a light abrasive.

Sakai Kikumori was started in 1926 and draws on Sakai’s 600 year history as the major center of traditional Japanese cutlery manufacturing. They work with a large variety of Sakai’s best smiths, sharpeners and small factories to offer a wide variety of knives ranging from traditional materials and styles to more modern, western influenced styles and materials.