Mercer Culinary Asian Collection Deba Knife, 4-inch

Came in a blister pack with card backing. Super sharp when opened. Point of knife is very sharp. Handle is made of a softer rubberised material. Really comfortable! For US$17, I'm going to be using this knife for everything.

Schönes Messer, mir gefällt der Hartgummi-artige Griff. Nichts für kleine Hände.

Amazing product.. a little lighter that I expected, and blade heavy. But works in my favour

As a culinary student/beginner, finding a balance between performance and practicality is key. This Mercer 12-inch Yanagi is arguably the most economical and sensible entry point into sashimi knives. Technical & Practical Breakdown: Simplified Geometry: Unlike traditional Japanese Yanagibas with complex "Urasuki" (concave) backs, this knife features a simpler single-bevel geometry. This makes it exceptionally easy to sharpen yourself on a whetstone, as you don't need to master the specialized techniques required for traditional hand-forged blades. Steel Hardness (56 HRC): The 56 Rockwell hardness is a "sweet spot" for learners. It provides enough rigidity for clean slices but remains soft enough to take a razor-sharp edge quickly without the fragility or chipping risks of high-carbon steel. Exceptional Grip: The rubber handle is a major upgrade over traditional wood for high-volume work. It provides a secure, non-slip grip even when working with wet fish, which is vital for maintaining precision during long pulling strokes. Economical Workhorse: It delivers the necessary 30cm length for single-motion slicing at a fraction of the cost of professional Japanese cutlery. Verdict: This is a high-utility tool designed for the "real world" of a busy kitchen. If you want the performance of a sashimi knife without the maintenance headache of traditional carbon steel, this is the one.

Great knife for the price