Ability to purchase Spyderco Knives in Tokyo?

Q

qwikkota

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Sep 7, 2006
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I am trying to stay for a few days in between flights in Tokyo and I was wondering if knives were available to the public for purchase in the country like they are here. Also, if I were able to buy, is it an issue to put them in checked baggage before going through security? I figure knives may be cheaper there or have some unique models not available stateside. If anyone has any info that would be great.
 
Not sure the laws there, but was in Tokyo in '05 for three months and I didn't see any folders like Spydercos.....Saw quite a few non locking traditional Japanese folders though.

Like these

35997d1262920191-higonokami-traditional-japanese-pocket-knife-lexmarkaioscan61.jpg
 
if i were you i'm pretty sure the last thing i'd try to buy would be a spyderco.

have a look at tsukiji fish market there are quite a lot of kitchen knives shops. look for traditional outdoor blades too. some are pretty neat looking. higo no kami (the friction folder pictured above) are fun too and some are fairly high quality (steel, ht and grind wise, f&f is crap)
 
Thanks for the input, guys. I am definitely going to the fish market. Sushi is a passion of mine. I am trying to get a hotel in the Ginza area which is not too far from the market and what looks like a really neat park surrounded by water nearby. Fixed blade knifes such as kitchen knives may be a little harder to get back in good condition or without being removed by sticky fingers at security. I just figured it would be neat to find a store that sold Spyderco's at a rate lower than we can get them here for.
 
Ginza is nice, there's that sword store, but prices are going to be in the $50K+ range.

For knives, handmade, kitchen, outdoors, survival, wood tools as well as other totally awesome gear that only the Japanese can dream up, you need to go to Tokyu Hands. The best one is right outside the Shinjuku Trainstation. Times have changed, but I used to buy fireworks there and bring them back in my luggage pre 9/11.

http://shinjuku.tokyu-hands.co.jp/en/index.html

Believe me, you need to see this place. You should also walk around Shinkuku and look at the people, this is what most Westerners think Tokyo is all about.

And yes, you can bring in knives inside checked luggage.
 
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There is a knife store in Shibuya that carries alot of spyderco knives and many other production knives. They also have custom knives too. The name of the store is Ohyasuya. They have paramilitary2 with s90v blade and carbonfiber handles. It's only a few miles from Ginza. I think you should go there. I think it's the biggest knife store in Tokyo. Google search Ohyasuya and you will find it. Good luck.
 
Awesome, thanks a lot for the specific info, guys.

At the Ohyasuya store the prices look almost double that of US prices when converting at current Yen values. Any idea what's up with that? I figured they would be at least a few bucks cheaper.
 
Ironically, Japan is about the most-expensive place to buy Japanese-made knives like (most) Spyderco. Have a look, but you'll want to wait until you back to buy anything (or get your hair cut!).

The Tsukiji fish market is the real 8th wonder of the world. Go ahead at eat sushi at 6AM--you'll be jetlagged anyway and might well be want your dinner then.
 
qwikkota said:
Awesome, thanks a lot for the specific info, guys.

At the Ohyasuya store the prices look almost double that of US prices when converting at current Yen values. Any idea what's up with that? I figured they would be at least a few bucks cheaper.
Click to expand...

There are a lot of middlemen in the Japanese distribution system. Prices get hiked quite a bit and *everything* is more expensive there. The only reason to buy there is if it is something you can't get elsewhere, like a Japan-market exclusive.
 
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