Kitchen knife - Steel, Wood - Japan - 日本製伝統的和出刃・薄刃包丁 堺佑特撰/登録宮文

Important notice for certain EU countries - IOSS shipments under EUR 150

Due to recent changes in EU import procedures, temporary shipping restrictions may apply to IOSS shipments under EUR 150 to the following countries:

Austria, Germany, Finland, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Portugal.

Shipping availability may change depending on Japan Post and the destination country's postal procedures.

Please consider this possibility before placing a bid.

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Vintage Japanese Deba and Usuba Kitchen Knife Set – "堺佑" (Sakai Yu) / "登録宮文" (Miyabun) – Traditional Japanese Cutlery – Restoration Required

Country of origin: Japan
Number of knives: 2
Types: Deba and Usuba
Blade material: Steel (exact composition unverified)
Handle material: Wood
Condition: Vintage, pre-owned, damaged – restoration required

Product description

Offered for auction is a set of two traditional Japanese kitchen knives, consisting of a Deba knife marked "堺佑" and an Usuba knife marked "登録宮文".

Both knives retain traditional wooden handles and Japanese blade inscriptions.

The Deba is characterized by its broad, pointed blade, traditionally associated with preparing and processing fish.

The Usuba has a wide, relatively straight-edged blade, traditionally associated with precise vegetable preparation.

These knives are vintage, previously used items with considerable age-related wear and damage.

**Both knives require restoration before use. They are not ready-to-use kitchen knives.**

The blades show rust, dirt, scratches, rubbing marks, tip damage, and multiple chips along the cutting edges.

The ferrules and wooden handles also show deterioration and damage.

This set is offered primarily for collectors and experienced restoration enthusiasts who personally possess the necessary knowledge and practical skills to restore vintage Japanese kitchen knives.

1. Deba knife – "堺佑" (Sakai Yu)

The knife on the left is a traditional Japanese Deba knife.

It features a broad, pointed blade and a wooden handle fitted with a metal ferrule.

The blade bears the inscription:

"堺佑"

The wooden handle retains a burned-in marking reading:

"堺商標佑特撰"

The marking includes a reference to Sakai and the designation "特撰", meaning "specially selected".

These markings are reproduced as they appear on the knife. The exact identity of the maker, manufacturing date, and steel composition have not been independently verified.

The blade exhibits rust, oxidation, dirt, scratches, rubbing marks, discoloration, and general wear.

There is damage or wear around the tip, together with multiple chips and irregularities along the cutting edge.

The metal ferrule shows dirt, scratches, dents, and misalignment.

The wooden handle shows dirt, scratches, chips, surface wear, and age-related deterioration.

The knife requires careful inspection, cleaning, sharpening, and restoration before use. Repair or replacement of handle components may also be necessary.

Approximate dimensions:

Overall length: 32 cm
Blade length: 17 cm
Maximum blade width: 4.5 cm

2. Usuba knife – "登録宮文" (Registered Miyabun)

The knife on the right is a traditional Japanese Usuba knife.

Its broad blade and relatively straight cutting edge are characteristic of a Japanese vegetable knife.

The blade bears the inscription:

"登録宮文"

This can be translated approximately as "Registered Miyabun".

The inscription is presented as a visible marking, without independently verifying the maker, manufacturing date, or provenance.

The blade shows rust, oxidation, dirt, scratches, rubbing marks, discoloration, and age-related wear.

Multiple chips and irregularities are present along the cutting edge, together with damage or wear around the blade tip and upper edge.

The metal ferrule exhibits dirt, scratches, dents, and misalignment.

The wooden handle shows dirt, scratches, chips, and general age-related deterioration.

The knife requires substantial cleaning, sharpening, inspection, and restoration before use.

Additional work on the wooden handle or ferrule may also be necessary.

Approximate dimensions:

Overall length: 37 cm
Blade length: 22 cm
Maximum blade width: 5.2 cm

All measurements are approximate estimates based on the photographs and have not been physically verified.

3. Important condition report – Restoration essential

Both knives are vintage, previously used items in damaged condition.

They show significant signs of age and previous use, including:

- Rust, oxidation, and surface discoloration.
- Dirt and accumulated residue.
- Scratches, rubbing marks, and general surface wear.
- Damage or wear around the blade tips.
- Multiple chips and irregularities along the cutting edges.
- Dirt, scratches, dents, and misalignment of the ferrules.
- Dirt, scratches, chips, and deterioration of the wooden handles.

**Restoration is essential before either knife can be considered for kitchen use.**

The knives have not been fully disassembled or internally inspected.

Additional defects may exist that cannot be identified from the photographs.

These may include hidden corrosion, cracks, damaged tangs, weakened handle fittings, deterioration inside the wooden handles, loose components, or other structural problems.

The actual extent of restoration required cannot be determined without detailed physical inspection.

Cleaning and sharpening alone may not be sufficient.

Depending on their condition, blade repairs, reshaping, handle reattachment, ferrule repairs, or complete handle replacement may be required.

No guarantee is provided that either knife can be restored to a fully functional condition.

These knives are not suitable for buyers expecting items that can be used immediately after delivery.

Please examine all photographs carefully, particularly the damaged cutting edges, blade tips, ferrules, and wooden handles.

The photographs form an essential part of the product description.

4. Collector appeal

This set combines two recognizable styles of traditional Japanese kitchen knives: the Deba and the Usuba.

The Deba retains the inscription "堺佑" and the burned-in handle marking "堺商標佑特撰".

The Usuba bears the inscription "登録宮文".

These surviving Japanese markings, traditional blade shapes, and wooden handles may appeal to collectors of vintage Japanese culinary cutlery.

The set may also be of interest to experienced enthusiasts seeking restoration projects involving traditional Japanese knives.

However, both knives are offered strictly as vintage items requiring restoration, not as restored or ready-to-use kitchen tools.

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Important notice – Please read carefully before bidding

No shipping to Denmark, the United Kingdom, or the United States (USA).

Bidding and payment

Please do not place a bid unless you genuinely intend to complete the purchase and payment.

By placing a bid, you confirm your intention to pay for the item if you win the auction.

Failure to complete payment may result in cancellation in accordance with Catawiki's policies.

Condition of vintage items

All knives are vintage, previously used items, offered in their present condition.

They may have rust, corrosion, scratches, chips, worn cutting edges, damaged tips, surface discoloration, deteriorated wooden handles, and damaged, cracked, loose, or misaligned ferrules.

Please note that defects which cannot be identified from the photographs may also exist.

These may include hidden corrosion, cracks, looseness, damage to the tangs, deterioration inside the wooden handles, or other structural problems.

The blades and handles have not been fully disassembled or internally inspected.

The knives are not guaranteed to be safe or ready for immediate use.

Cleaning, sharpening, repair, restoration, adjustment, or replacement of components is required or may be necessary depending on the condition of each part.

Important requirements for bidders

Please bid only if you personally possess the necessary knowledge, experience, practical skills, and ability to carry out cleaning, sharpening, repair, and restoration yourself.

Buyers must be capable of performing these tasks themselves when necessary.

If you do not have the practical ability to repair, restore, sharpen, and maintain vintage Japanese kitchen knives yourself, please refrain from bidding.

These knives are not intended for buyers who expect fully restored, maintenance-free, or immediately ready-to-use kitchen knives.

Please examine every photograph carefully before bidding.

The photographs form an essential part of the item description, and the condition must be evaluated with full consideration of the knives' age and previous use.

Important notice regarding wooden handles

Traditional Japanese kitchen knives commonly feature replaceable wooden handles.

Wooden handles may become dry, loose, cracked, weakened, or damaged through age, storage, previous use, or international transportation.

Ferrules may also become loose, cracked, damaged, or misaligned.

Even when a handle appears securely attached before shipment, its condition may change during transportation.

The buyer must understand that handle adjustment, reattachment, repair, or complete replacement may be necessary.

Only buyers with the knowledge and practical ability to carry out such work themselves should bid.

Replacement handles and repair materials are not included unless specifically stated.

Shipping restrictions

All kitchen knives are shipped from Japan via Japan Post or DHL.

We do not ship kitchen knives to Denmark, the United Kingdom, or the United States.

Shipping to other countries may also be restricted depending on local laws, customs regulations, international postal procedures, and the availability of suitable shipping services.

If lawful and compliant shipping cannot be arranged, cancellation may be necessary in accordance with Catawiki's policies.

International shipping and customs

Buyers are responsible for confirming that the importation of kitchen knives is permitted in their destination country before placing a bid.

Customs clearance requirements vary by country.

Buyers must cooperate with customs authorities, postal operators, and delivery companies when additional information, documentation, or payment is required.

Import duties, VAT, and customs clearance fees not already collected at checkout may be payable by the buyer.

The seller cannot directly control customs inspections, import procedures, or delays caused by destination-country authorities.

Shipping availability may change due to international circumstances, changes in import regulations, postal restrictions, or transportation disruptions.

Delivery times

Estimated international delivery time is approximately three to four weeks, depending on the destination and customs procedures.

Delivery times are estimates and cannot be guaranteed.

Please note that delivery to Italy may take one month or longer because of customs processing and postal delays.

Combined shipping

Due to the nature of kitchen knives and the importance of smooth international customs handling, each order is normally shipped separately.

Combined shipping is not offered as a standard service.

Returned parcels and reshipping

If a parcel is returned because the buyer refuses delivery, fails to complete customs clearance, does not provide requested documentation, does not pay applicable import charges, or fails to collect the parcel, reshipping will be considered individually.

Any reshipment must be agreed upon in advance.

Additional reshipping costs are normally the buyer's responsibility, subject to Catawiki's policies and applicable law.

Refunds, cancellations, and other remedies will be handled in accordance with Catawiki's policies and applicable law.

International circumstances and force majeure

International conflicts, sanctions, natural disasters, customs restrictions, postal suspensions, and other circumstances beyond the seller's reasonable control may affect the ability to ship or deliver an item.

If shipping becomes impossible, the situation will be handled in accordance with Catawiki's policies and applicable law.

Final confirmation before bidding

By placing a bid, you acknowledge that you have carefully reviewed and understood the complete product description, all photographs, disclosed defects, shipping restrictions, and important notices.

You understand that these are vintage, previously used knives which require inspection and restoration before use.

You also acknowledge that additional defects not visible in photographs may exist.

Please bid only if you personally have the knowledge, experience, and practical ability to perform the necessary cleaning, sharpening, repairs, and restoration yourself.

If you cannot perform these tasks yourself, please refrain from bidding.

These notices do not exclude or limit any mandatory rights provided under applicable law or Catawiki's policies.

JAPAN-E-STORE