Moriya Munemitsu Chu Deba 140mm Gingami #3 Stainless Steel

Moriya Munemitsu YHC is a subsidiary of Hitachi Materials Magic, which puts them in very fine company indeed. One fellow subsidiary is Yasugi Specialty Steels ('YSS'), producers of the cutlery-grade stainless steel from which this deba is produced.

Gingami#3 is the high-grade stainless steel that is carbon-like in hardness and edge-holding. Manufacture of this knife is highly automated and while that may not be as romantic as some of the same company's sought-after wa-bocho, standards and quality control are industry-leading. Heat treatment is exacting.

The G-series chu deba is the goldilocks-sized cleaver for fish, neither too big nor too small ('chu' basically means middle). It's still a hefty piece of work that provides Japanese-level sharpness in a rust-resistant package. In the kitchen it will deal with breaking down any pan-sized fish, even when a little force is required - this is not a delicate knife. It's also fine for poultry, crab and lobster but is not suitable for breaking down soup bones, so don't get too carried away.

The handle is goban, a durable handle material of compressed wood fibre and resin that will retain its beauty and integrity for many years. Full-tang construction lends strength and balance. Excellent fit and finish. Great steel. A very practical choice for the busy home kitchen.