a japanese folder and a changing view on knives

Wow, great story behind these knives. I remember using something like them as a kid in Taiwan. Taiwan was occupied by Japan for 50 years so there was a lot of Japanese culture left behind. Knowing the maker is in his 70s makes me want to get one before he stops making these knives. I don't really need this knife, though...
 
I read this thread early on Friday, and almost wasted the whole day researching and admiring the style, and related knives. Unfortunately, I am just about spent for my knife budget for the time being.

I did bookmark several places to get one of these, though.
 
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Mirror polished edge, no secondary bevel.

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As said I wasn't satisfied when it came in so toyed with it out of the box...deburring the bronze handle is the first thing you should do as mine were sharp where the plate was punched out. When I polished the edge I left the flanks show the file/grind marks for a bit of character.
 
D'oh! I read about Mercator knives today. I guess it's just me, but I find these old designs much more interesting than the latest modern zero-tolerance super folder. I love the simplicity of these older knives and each one has a story. If I had no self control, I'd immediately order a Higonokami, Mercator K55K, Opinel #7, and maybe a Douk Douk or Okapi.

By the way, I discovered there is an inexpensive SK steel (is it sk-5?) version of the Higonokami knife that is non-laminated with a nickel handle. It functions the same, but loses some of the charm of the brass/laminated version.
 
I just received my Higonokami yesterday. It is the same model as the one pictured in Robert.B's post. I took the blade for a spin on the edgepro last night. I am very pleased with the edge this one took. It came "ok", but now it has a wicked mirror edge.

I want to improvise a blade stop just to be on the safe side. The handle is trapezoidal so it requires some force to get the edge to bottom out, but I will feel safer with a small piece of zip-tie epoxied in the back section of the knife close to the pivot to serve as a "kick".

I think I am going to leave the blade unpolished. I like the utilitarian look of it so far.
 
I took a few swipes on .5 micron paste and then a few passes on leather. The edge is hanging hair sharp, almost, but not quite up to my straights. For a 20 degree edge, I am very impressed with what this steel can do. One thing I forgot to post, is that this knife came with an excellent grind on the edge. Both sides were 20 degrees dead on. No Case, GEC, or Benchmade has come close to this even at up to 10X the price of this knife. The blade is the star here and the guy who is cranking these out in Japan is a serious knife maker.
 
Thanks for the reccomendation about the Higonokami, I got it yesterday, put a Vinegar Patina on it, had no issue sharpening the Blue Steel, it takes a razor edge, and after some wood carving, it was still razor sharp, and got it back to hair popping sharp with ease. BTW I use DMT Diafolds, I used the Extra Extra Fine to finish it off
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I also ordered one and was amazed and fortunate with the quality and sharpness of mine.It push cuts toilet paper out of the box. This is an inexpensive way to connect the the old knifemakers. A GREAT DEAL!

Herb
 
Jeez but I wish you guys would stop already...:p

(...Before I succumb...)
 
So I was reading this thread earlier in the week and haven't been able to get this knife out of my mind. I'm driving home from work, the same way I always go and notice a store called The Japan Woodworker and think, hmmmm, what the hell might as well stop. Inside there was an incredible collection of hand made planers, chisels, axes, saws and ohhhhh yes knives! They had probably 200 of the most amazing damascus kitchen knives in the $200-800 range and sure enough, in the corner of one of the display cases, a higonokami for me! This knife is sweet. Cuts toilet paper out the box! I saw an old buddy today I went to elementary school with, I hadn't seen him in years and noticed a Spydie clipped to his pocket and asked to see it, we get to talking steel and seems he's got the bug bad too. I show him my new purchase and he was impressed. It was a great way to re-bond with an old friend. I have to admit I liked mine better, and I could by 4 of these for the price of his Spydie.
 
The blades on these really do look good.
I'm glad I started reading this thread.

Elliott, I am real interested to know the closed length on that 80mm when you get it. I think the 90mm might be a little big, but the 80mm might be just right.
 
FLymon said:
The blades on these really do look good.
I'm glad I started reading this thread.

Elliott, I am real interested to know the closed length on that 80mm when you get it. I think the 90mm might be a little big, but the 80mm might be just right.
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Stu, from what I read, the closed length is 100mm which should be right about 4". Just about perfect imho. Not too big, not too small.
 
popedandy said:
I've looked at that style knife off and on over the years, but have never bought one. I'm thinking maybe today is the day to pull the trigger. Thanks for the information, guys.
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me too -oneday i'll bite - maybe even head over to Japan and get one in person
 
maysbasement said:
So I was reading this thread earlier in the week and haven't been able to get this knife out of my mind. I'm driving home from work, the same way I always go and notice a store called The Japan Woodworker and think, hmmmm, what the hell might as well stop. Inside there was an incredible collection of hand made planers, chisels, axes, saws and ohhhhh yes knives! They had probably 200 of the most amazing damascus kitchen knives in the $200-800 range and sure enough, in the corner of one of the display cases, a higonokami for me! This knife is sweet. Cuts toilet paper out the box! I saw an old buddy today I went to elementary school with, I hadn't seen him in years and noticed a Spydie clipped to his pocket and asked to see it, we get to talking steel and seems he's got the bug bad too. I show him my new purchase and he was impressed. It was a great way to re-bond with an old friend. I have to admit I liked mine better, and I could by 4 of these for the price of his Spydie.
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The place across from REI right? I picked through a few as some seemed a little stiff and rubbing the sides. Strangely enough I couldn't find anywhere that were selling these in SF Japantown.
 
Stu, mine is a little smaller at 75mm. The handle of mine comes in just under 100mm, but with the extended tang the overall length is a little less than 110mm. The blade is right about 3", closed length of the handle is 3 7/8", and the overall closed length with the tang is 4 1/4". I'm pretty sure the closed length that sellers list is just the handle.

That said, the 90mm probably isn't that bad unless you're wearing some pants that are way too tight.:D These knives are so thin and lightweight that you can forget they are even there.
 
a deadly fart said:
The place across from REI right? I picked through a few as some seemed a little stiff and rubbing the sides. Strangely enough I couldn't find anywhere that were selling these in SF Japantown.
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No, in Alameda 1731 Clement Avenue. The place has been there 35 years, and never really noticed it till hunting for Japanese blue paper steel :)
 
If you don't mind me asking but about how much did everyone pay for theres. I'm heading to a knife shop in about 2 weeks and they're selling them for $50 and I was just wondering if that was a good deal or the going rate for one.
 
blazerman, we don't get into pricing and dealers here on the forum but in my opinion that's over double what you can get one for delivered. If you need details send me an email and I'll be happy to provide you with a link.
 
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