Hideo Kitaoka Damascus Deba — Echizen Master Craftsman, Signed & Certified (DB180S) A rare opportunity to own a piece of living Japanese blade-making history. This Damascus Deba (出刃包丁) was crafted by Hideo Kitaoka (北岡英雄) of Echizen, Fukui Prefecture — one of Japan's most celebrated knife-making regions and a craft tradition his family has carried since 1868. Kitaoka is a nationally certified Traditional Craftsman (伝統工芸士, #505921), winner of the 2015 German iF Design Award, the 2017 Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award, and recipient of the Autumn Medal of Honor (瑞宝単光章) in 2020. His knives are exceptionally rare outside Japan. The blade features hand-forged Damascus steel patterning and bears Kitaoka's personal signature. Includes original box (labeled 特製 御料理庖丁 — "Special Premium Cooking Knife") and the maker's certificate of authenticity. The traditional Deba geometry — thick spine, single-bevel edge — delivers exceptional performance for breaking down fish and poultry with surgical precision.
