Tojiro Deba 150mm – Shirogami #1 Carbon Steel Fish Knife

Chosen by Sharp Knives Malta

Traditional Japanese craftsmanship for serious fish preparation.

The Tojiro Deba 150mm is a traditional Japanese fish butchery knife designed for breaking down whole fish with precision and control. Forged from Shirogami #1 (White Paper #1) carbon steel, it offers exceptional sharpness, effortless sharpening, and the crisp cutting feel that has made traditional Japanese carbon steel the preferred choice of many professional chefs.

Built with a thick, robust blade and traditional single-bevel geometry, this is a specialist tool made for fish—not a general-purpose kitchen knife.

Crafted in Japan

Tojiro has earned an international reputation for producing authentic Japanese knives that combine traditional craftsmanship with outstanding value.

The Deba remains one of the most important knives in Japanese cuisine, trusted by sushi chefs and fishmongers for generations to process whole fish with accuracy and efficiency.

Who This Knife Is For

Perfect for:

• Professional chefs
• Fishmongers
• Sushi and seafood enthusiasts
• Home cooks who regularly prepare whole fish
• Users who appreciate traditional carbon steel knives

Why You'll Like It

Traditional Deba Blade

The Deba is purpose-built for fish preparation.

Its thick spine and substantial weight allow it to handle tasks that lighter knives cannot, while the finely ground cutting edge provides exceptional precision.

Ideal for:

• Filleting whole fish
• Removing heads
• Cutting through small fish bones
• Portioning fish
• Precision work around joints and bones

Note: A Deba is designed for fish bones only and should never be used on frozen food or large animal bones.

Shirogami #1 Carbon Steel

At the heart of the blade is Shirogami #1 (White Paper #1) carbon steel, hardened to approximately 61–62 HRC.

One of Japan's purest traditional knife steels, Shirogami #1 is renowned for:

• Exceptional sharpness
• Extremely fine edge formation
• Easy sharpening
• Excellent edge retention
• Outstanding cutting feel

Favoured by chefs who value maximum cutting performance above all else.

Traditional Carbon Steel Character

Unlike stainless steel, Shirogami develops a natural blue-grey patina with use.

This is completely normal and helps protect the blade while giving each knife its own unique character.

With proper care, carbon steel knives can provide decades of exceptional performance.

Magnolia D-Shape Handle

The traditional magnolia wood handle is fitted with a durable resin ferrule.

It provides:

• Lightweight balance
• Comfortable grip
• Excellent control
• Traditional Japanese aesthetics

The D-shaped design is intended for right-handed users and naturally aligns the blade during precise cutting.

Specifications

Brand: Tojiro
Knife Type: Deba (Fish Butchery Knife)
Blade Length: 150 mm
Blade Thickness: Approximately 7 mm
Steel: Shirogami #1 (White Paper #1) Carbon Steel
Hardness: Approximately 61–62 HRC
Edge: Traditional Single Bevel
Handle: Magnolia Wood D-Handle with Resin Ferrule
Made In: Japan

Care Instructions

Because this knife is made from carbon steel:

• Hand wash only
• Dry immediately after use
• Never leave the blade wet
• Apply camellia oil before long-term storage
• Sharpen using quality Japanese whetstones
• Store in a saya or blade guard

A natural patina will develop over time—this is a normal characteristic of traditional carbon steel and helps protect the blade.

Complete Your Setup

Pair it with:

• Camellia Knife Oil
• 1000/3000 Grit Japanese Whetstone
• Fish Bone Tweezers
• Saya or Blade Guard
• End-Grain Cutting Board

Why We Chose This Knife

At Sharp Knives Malta, we appreciate knives that remain true to Japanese culinary tradition.

The Tojiro Deba combines the exceptional sharpness of Shirogami #1 carbon steel, traditional single-bevel craftsmanship, and the strength required for professional fish preparation. It's a knife designed for cooks who value precision, authenticity, and the satisfaction of working with one of Japan's finest traditional steels.

Traditional craftsmanship. Exceptional carbon steel. Built for serious fish preparation.