Ikenami Hamono Ryoba Deba 130mm Black-forged

Ikenami Hamono is an island knifemaker surrounded by deep sea so it's natural that their customer base would include a large number of fisherfolk and businesses in the seafood processing industry. The company forges a wide range of specialist fish knives including two ranges of deba, high-end 'kataha' single bevel and their 'ryōba' double-bevel alternatives.

Kataha deba knives reward skilled use and require a certain level of infrastructure to maintain and sharpen. While they are immensely appealing, a kataha deba is not always the most practical choice to own. If you have the commitment, go for it.

Ikenami Hamono's black-forged deba knives are a great alternative. They are an affordable, hand-forged, easy to sharpen knife that will cleave, slice and fillet with the best of them. Quenching and tempering produces a blade with the cutting feel that tanebocho are known for, with the toughness and sharpness required of a deba. They look the business too. And they're equally suitable for left-handers, who won't be faced with the standard lefty-loading on kataha knives. 

Ikenami Hamono produces this knife at 13cm for pan-sized fish, and also 15cm and 18cm blades. If you have the space, the need and the permission think about buying all three.