Odd Japanese knife

[ISCS Yoda]

This little knife (it's just 6 inches long, stem to stern, with a 2.5 inch blade, more or less) is very old, I have had it for so long I suspect that it was my parents' and it is possibly 75 to 100 years old. It survived my 2018 fire but the carbon steel blade got very rusty. I have cleaned it up some with steel wool. Notwithstanding that, it is very sharp!

The handle seems to be wrapped in plastic but it could be a natural material, I have no idea.

On the top left side of the blade, right before the handle, you can read "JAP". The markings on the rest of the blade are impossible to read, they could be makers' marks, they could be Japanese letters, no way to tell.

Anyway, if anyone can tell me about this little knife, what it was designed for, etc., I'd be obliged.

 

[Mule Packer]

It's a harvesting knife. Can be used to harvest a number of fruits and vegetables without bruising them. Is also used for pruning. Hope this helps.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Harvesting? One fruit at a time? Seems a little tiny for the job but what do I know?

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Most I have seen in person or in pics have a longer blade.
But this definitely looks like a Japanese Gardening or Harvesting Knife.

 

[Mule Packer]

Harvesting? One fruit at a time? Seems a little tiny for the job but what do I know?

Think lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, asparagus, melons, grapes, etc.. They come in various blade lengths and shapes.

 

[mrchick]

Is the other side hollow ground? If so, it is a Japanese straight razor or "Kamisori". I have several and they are great shavers.

 

[Rudi]

Is the other side hollow ground? If so, it is a Japanese straight razor or "Kamisori". I have several and they are great shavers.

My thought as well, looks like a razor. Pretty cool.

 

[Hawg Rider]

I also believe that to be a Japanese version of a straight razor. It has maker's marks stamped onto the blade, and I don't think they'd do that just for a simple pruning/gardening knife. The maker was proud of his work, and whether it was for domestic use or for export ("JAP"), it's pretty cool.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Is the other side hollow ground? If so, it is a Japanese straight razor or "Kamisori". I have several and they are great shavers.

YES!!! The concave side is pictured but it's unclear in the photograph above. It looks just like a straight razor!!! It never occurred to me. As a matter of fact, it looks just like this, same rattan handle, too:

Iwasaki Japanese Kamisori Straight Razor — Fendrihan


© 2024 Fendrihan.


Now we know!

Gracias!!!

 

[mrchick]

YES!!! The concave side is pictured but it's unclear in the photograph above. It looks just like a straight razor!!! It never occurred to me. As a matter of fact, it looks just like this, same rattan handle, too:

Iwasaki Japanese Kamisori Straight Razor — Fendrihan


[emoji2398] 2024 Fendrihan.


Now we know!

Gracias!!!

Happy to help. Ones that are in good shape and sharpened properly are actually very good shavers.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Happy to help. Ones that are in good shape and sharpened properly are actually very good shavers.

I think that despite the very fine edge that I feel there's probably too much rust and pitting to risk using it.

Gracias!!!

 

[BillBro]

Its their straight razor.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Is the other side hollow ground? If so, it is a Japanese straight razor or "Kamisori". I have several and they are great shavers.

As an added post here - I HAVE NO IDEA where it came from. As a general rule, anything that I have that seems odd probably belonged to my father. Especially odd old tools, or kitchen items, and the kamisori fits right into that category!