Deba literally translates to "pointed carving knife" and can also be called Hon-Deba (true Deba). Japanese specialty knives are made with a specific purpose and they excel at what they are designed to do. In the case of the Deba, the knife is perfect for working on whole fish since each part of the blade has its own function. The sturdier heel is used to cut the head and tail of the fish, as well as the small bones. The more delicate tip is used to penetrate the flesh of the fish, as well as to guide the cook to the spine of the fish. The center of the knife, with its curved shape, is used to cut as close to the spine as possible to lift the fish fillets and remove the skin. The Deba can also be used to butcher poultry and small game, although this is not its specialty.
Kenji Togashi was born in 1948 and began his career in 1966-67. Since then, he has received numerous awards over the years. In 1990, he was awarded the Dentō-Kugeishi by Japan's Ministry of Economy and Trade. This distinction is reserved for Japanese craftsmen who are masters in their field, having accumulated at least 12 years' experience and proven their mastery of their art, both theoretically and practically. In 2007, the city of Sakai, in Osaka prefecture, awarded him certification as a "master of traditional craftsmanship" for his excellent tempering technique and exceptional mastery of kitchen knife making, honoring the traditions of ancestral Japanese forges.
Today, Kenji Togashi makes his knives from start to finish in his workshop in Sakai. He works with his three sons and a handful of apprentices to offer top-quality blades that meet the standards of Master Togashi himself. When you buy a Togashi blade, you're assured of a level of forging, grinding and finishing quality that rivals that of Sakai's finest forge houses.
Shirogami #2 translates to: Shiro (white) and Gami (Steel) and thus; white steel #2. It is named after the color of the package it was wrapped in at Hitachi Metals. The composition of this steel is very pure and contains almost only iron and carbon (1.05%-1.2%). It is in the hands of very experienced blacksmiths that one realizes the enormous potential of Shirogami #2. The quality of the heat treatment and a lower temperature forging are key elements that can allow Shirogami #2 to compete with and even surpass many modern steels. Try a Shiro #2 blade forged by Tanaka-san, Kisuke Manaka-san or Yoshikane Forge and you will see!
