Tosagata Deba Hocho

[RETREVR]

I ordered the 6 3/4" deba from japanese woodworker. It is a kuroichi finished "deba" in white steel with ho handle. The fit and finish is poor but not below expectations for a knife in this range. It looks like a $10 knife you would find in an asian market. The ferrul is plastic and has a big ridge where is meets the wood. The ho wood is completely raw. The first thing I did was take sand paper to it and smoothed out the ferrul-wood connection. This yeilded a nice smooth handle, although the ferrul is now a matte finish(which I don't mind...I could always polish it). I then oiled the handle. The handle feel and appearance is now satifactory.
The blade is double beveled. Each side does have a slight concave shape. The edge was very sharp, although I did touch it up on a fine stone before using it.
The only thing I have used it on has been chicken breasts. It performed well. I really like the heavyness especially compared to something like a santuko which I have always found to be flighty. This type of knife calls out for a grip with your index finger on the spine. I have always scolded underlings for using this type of grip on their chefs knives, but this is proper and natural on this knife.
I'll tell you what. There is a certain satisfaction from buying an inexpensive tool that you don't have to baby, and will get the job done.

[chefjeff]

I have the same knife and agree w/ you 100%. It will get the job done. I've aquired almost the whole line of Tosagatas, which I use for my house knives. They perform very well.
Eventually, I do see them coming apart from the handles though. When this hapens I'm going to custom fit them w/ some of my own make. Still a while before this happens.

[RETREVR]

This is the deba, not the bunka....although it does have the double bevel. I thought you had the bunka...perhaps you have both.
The handle is pretty cheesy. I have looked around a little for japanese handles but have not found a source. Turning a peice of wood is easy enough, and horn cylinders are available. I just think it would be a little tricky to fashion a horn bolster(for me anyway).
Anyone seen a source for replacement handles?
I know korin has a service(for knives they sell). I am not interested in paying them $50 to put a handle on a $30 knife. There has to be a place that sells just handles.
By the way, I think watenabe offers handle replacement for all his knives. That is a nice service.

[Oded]

Why not make one...?

I really do not see a need for the horn ferrule if you are relaying on Epoxy rather then tight fit to hold the tang within the handle. Anyway, Watanabe can sell cow horn ferules if you do want one. I bought two from him for $4 but never used them. I do not mind giving them away but postal from the UK will be more then the horn pieces.

I can post few tips and tricks for the making of traditional Japanese handles if someone is interested.

[chefjeff]

Oded. I would be very interested in hearing how to make Japanese handles.

Retrevr. Here's a source for handles allready to go. They do have different sizes and such so search around a little.
http://www.dick.biz/cgi-bin/dick.storefront/EN/Catalog/1020?action=rootcategory&PID=DW

[Oded]

OK... I will write something down. Going to be quite an essay so it might take me a couple of days.
I will post it in KF as well - I believe Fish with his experience might be able to come forward with few suggestions that might be less time consuming then mine.

[RETREVR]

I find a ferrul to be important for working knives. Even the cheap plastic ones will help with durability of a cheap handle.
Thanks for the info and the info to come.

[Scott]

Oded,

I, for one, really look forward to any insights you can give! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Thanks!

Scott

[RETREVR]

[ QUOTE ]
Oded. I would be very interested in hearing how to make Japanese handles.

Retrevr. Here's a source for handles allready to go. They do have different sizes and such so search around a little.
http://www.dick.biz/cgi-bin/dick.storefront/EN/Catalog/1020?action=rootcategory&PID=DW

[/ QUOTE ]

Jeff-
where do you live?
If in in the US, have you ordered form them? And what was the shipping like?
Thanks

[chefjeff]

I do live in the US and have not ordered from them so I can't say.

[Sid Post]

If you want Japanese knife related materials, I would ask Koki over at JCK. I bet handle blanks are a common item for them. Since they are probably a very low volume item off their web-site, don't expect to find them there.

When I got my Saya from her, I had the feeling it was custom made for my request. A knife handle blank with ferule should be a simple item to locate and mail to the USA.

[Oded]

Blanks are not a problem as long as by 'blank' you mean an undrilled / unshaped blank.
Woodturning supplies are the first place to check. Pen blanks will be too small but spindle blanks will do.
Snooker / Billiard cue blanks are good as well. Check this one for example: http://www.cuecomponents.com/ouwoon.html
Prices are high but the blanks are stunning.

I am still working on my 'guide'... done all the drawing so expect to see something over the weekend.

[Scott]

Oded,

I'm looking forward to it! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Scott