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Deba bōchō facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

A Deba bōchō (pronounced "deh-bah boh-choh") is a special type of Japanese kitchen knife. Its name means "pointed carving knife." These knives are mostly used for cutting fish, but they can also be used for meat.

DebaBocho.Cleaver.Japan
Deba bōchō of different sizes.
Japanese knife blade types B
Image (b) shows a blade angled on both sides. Images (a) and (c) show blades angled on only one side. (a) is for right-hand use, and (c) is for left-hand use.

Deba bōchō knives come in many sizes. Some can be as long as 30 cm (12 inches). This knife first appeared in Japan during the Edo period in a city called Sakai. It was created to help people prepare fish.

What Makes a Deba Bōchō Special?

The Deba bōchō is designed to behead fish and remove their bones. It has a thick, strong blade. The back part of the blade is often angled in a way that helps it cut through fish heads without damaging the knife.

After cutting off the head, the rest of the blade is used to carefully separate the fish meat from the bones. This makes it easy to get clean fish fillets.

Taking Care of Your Deba Bōchō

Traditionally, Deba bōchō knives were made from carbon steel. Carbon steel blades can be sharpened very well. However, they need regular care and oiling to stop them from rusting.

Today, many modern Deba bōchō knives are also made from stainless steel. Stainless steel is easier to care for because it does not rust as easily. It is important to remember that these knives are not meant for chopping very large or thick bones.

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