Japanese Higonokami

[JayFramer]

Just got in my beautiful Japanese made Higonokami (肥後守) knife:

These are hand forged and crafted one at a time by a Mr. Mitsuo Nagao, who is the last remaining member of a knife builders guild with exclusive right to make these famous classic folders. The design hasn't changed in well over a century, featuring a folded brass handle and the blade uses legendary "blue paper steel", a type of Japanese made laminated steel, that takes an excellent edge. Here is the master himself at work:

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-D4JLVe1QQ&t=23s&app=desktop[/ame]

These are extremely interesting blades and are affordable for how much hand work goes into them. I only paid about $30 for this example. Just a really neat and unusual knife, thought I'd share guys. Thanks!

-Jay

 

[Marshwheeling]

The Higo is a friction folder, like a number of other out-of-the-mainstream knives. Examples include the Svord peasant knives, smaller Opinels (actually, all Opinels are friction knives, but since 1955, the larger ones have had the lock ring), a number of models from MAM of Portugal, Sardinian resolzas, and many others.

Critics like to pan the blade geometry, but it is sharp, it cuts, and it doesn't take up much room in the pocket, all you need from an EDC knife.

 

[6518John]

I ordered one today—Jay is a BAD influence. I was not big on the French knife with the demon, but I am looking forward to seeing this one!

 

[moosedog]

I just ordered one too. You think Jay is getting a commission?

 

[les.b]

I seem to remember that we talked about these when Jay enabled us to purchase the "Duk-Duk"s!!! And by the way, I keep my Duk-Duk in the dash tray in the car. Along with a bunch of other knives I love to play around with. Actually I like my Duk-Duk.

Now I'm going to have to get one of these as well.

Thanks, JayFramer!!! Just what I needed.

Best Regards, Les

 

[moosedog]

That factory tour show is great. That guy puts a lot of labor into each knife, especially for the prices asked.

 

[6string]

I'm not all that big of a knife guy, but I do love Japanese hand tools. Actually, I love the artisan ethic in most handmade Japanese items, from dozukis to teapots.

This is a wonderful intro to kigonokami knives.

Yes, a lot of workmanship, and good value.

Thanks for posting!
Jim

 

[STCM(SW)]

OK, what's a good url to find there knife's for sale....

 

[hardluk1]

I had one and sold it getting my money back . I did not find the blade to easy to open or safe in the pocket even . Easy to sharpen but not a good edge retention ether nor was it very straight . Just a low end knife out of japan . Even the Blue Paper Steel is just a mill made carbon steel with some tungston added in a mill The good old days of the history on a long gun master knife maker , forging the steel to make the blade to a final product are gone to history .

Its a 30 dollar knife worth about 10 bucks . Sorry , just my opinion .

I have a few very high quality wood working tool from japan but this knife ain't one of them .

 

[JayFramer]

I had one and sold it getting my money back . I did not find the blade to easy to open or safe in the pocket even . Easy to sharpen but not a good edge retention ether nor was it very straight . Just a low end knife out of japan . Even the Blue Paper Steel is just a mill made carbon steel with some tungston added in a mill The good old days of the history on a long gun master knife maker , forging the steel to make the blade to a final product are gone to history .

Its a 30 dollar knife worth about 10 bucks . Sorry , just my opinion .

I have a few very high quality wood working tool from japan but this knife ain't one of them .

Your opinion indeed. Name one place where you can get a handcrafted hand forged traditional blade with so much heritage for the money. No they aren't the latest and greatest tacticool folder, they're not meant to be. It's a 150 year old design still made by hand by an artisan.

 

[hardluk1]

Yea well sorry your feelings are hurt but I tried one and found it to be nothing . I found no real history worth while in it just a modern day copy of a historical knife . NO more than looking at NO different really from one other of todays "master " ! Miyamoto Musashi Higonokami Japanese Folding Pocket Knife 75mm Steel Blade | eBay

This knife has the same right to the same history behind it but not hand forged ether by any master except for grinding away on a piece of spec steel bar stock . Sorry but what can you reall expect for the price . A historical look alike from a some distance . Like todays production Chinese 300 dollar samuria swords .