Anyone own a japanese higonokami !

Hickory n steel

Hickory n steel

Gold Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2016
Messages
19,949
I here quite a bit about the opinel ,douk douk, and other regionally traditional knives but not much about the Japanese higonokami. They look like a great slim lightweight utility blade and I wouldn't mind having one.
 
No, but ive been looking into them too. I cant seem to find any sites that sell legit ones. Hopefully somebodys got some info
 
Why thank you! The big river and auction sites are dubious at best when inquiring about a products origin.
 
I bought one at a local shop, as a gift for my brother-in-law, when he married my sister. The fit and finish on the knives varied widely, I looked over several before I found one I was happy with. I would recommend buying somewhere you can see them and handle them, otherwise, a site that is reputable and has a good exchange policy. The Bladeforums user, FortyTwoBlades sells them on his website, I have not purchased from him before, but he has a good reputation here.
 
I have bought a couple, keeping one, giving one to my son. I think the ones I have are the genuine article, made by Mr. Nagao. It has been several months, so I forget what the indicia of a genuine Higonokami are, but the information is readily available on the 'net.

The laminated blade came extremely sharp. I have not tried to sharpen it.

The big river site has both the genuine ones and some off brands. I have read some criticism of the blade geometry, but I don't really know enough about the subject to judge it. It does the typical EDC tasks quite well. I haven't tried it as a vegetable slicer, however. The wedge-shaped cross section may keep it from slicing as well as, say, an Opinel.

It is quite slim, and shorter than my other folded-metal knives, so it is quite unobtrusive in the pocket.

I like it.
 
I have this one, given to me by a friend a couple years ago. I think they're interesting knives, and out of this box this one came very sharp, but I don't really find it practical to carry. It doesn't open particularly easy one-handed (functions similarly to a Svord peasant knife, but not nearly as well), and it's tough to open two-handed because the blade sits so low down in the handle.

CD6890B3-4FAB-477E-9947-468EE0BB5608.jpg


ABEDBA4A-77DD-4262-BF99-063F73AE3C57.jpg
 
Last edited:
image_zpstb22hy4e.jpeg
[/URL][/IMG]This one is made in Japan with modern materials and technology. D2 blade liner lock. No pocket clip
image_zpsqrzx66lg.jpeg
[/URL][/IMG]
 
Neat deceptively simple historic knives that take a heck of a sharp edge. If you go with a brass/carbon steel model the handle will develop a patina along with the blade.

 
I've owned few, but only one right at this moment.

EsLMtxc.jpg

(old pic)

Higonokami tsuchime. It has thicker handle (steel I assume) with slightly bigger lever as well. I really like it.
And I agree, they take one helluva edge!
 


While it doesn't see lots of pocket time it puts a smile on my face when it comes out for a cutting task.
Also it came extremely sharp, tasks an scary edge and always seem to have people ask about its origin.

Really like that Tsuchime A.L. :thumbup:
 
Thanks Dan!
I agree, I carry mine occasionally as well. I have made myself a nice pouch for mine so that it is easier to carry. It's bit tricky as is with the lever and all.
 
Hiroaki Ohta makes some very nice looking ones that are available a number of places. there's also a wide variety of prices and handles; his more "economy" ones use d2 pretty commonly, if not all the time. A.G. Russell carries several modern interpretations as well. they're(ohta's) on my list of gotta have at least one, plus they are a traditional carpenters marking tool.
thanks, Neal
 
Sosa said:
Click to expand...

Not Higo No Kami. A modern day liner lock with a thumb flipper device on the tang. That is the only similarity between the two.
The only genuine Higos are made by Nagao Motosuke in Miki city, Kyushu province in Japan. There are other makers of course but what they produce is termed higo naifu, a knife similiar to a Higo. Real Nagao Higos come in a nice gold and blue box as shown above.
Here is a link to the history of the Higo No Kami knife:
http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?87498-Higonokami-story
 
Anybody have one of the xs ones? The tiny one with the bell. If so, could you post a picture of it next to a peanut or similar knife for size comparison?
 
Arathol said:
Not Higo No Kami. A modern day liner lock with a thumb flipper device on the tang. That is the only similarity between the two.
The only genuine Higos are made by Nagao Motosuke in Miki city, Kyushu province in Japan. There are other makers of course but what they produce is termed higo naifu, a knife similiar to a Higo. Real Nagao Higos come in a nice gold and blue box as shown above.
Here is a link to the history of the Higo No Kami knife:
http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?87498-Higonokami-story
Click to expand...
Well they call it one. Champaign sparkling wine sort of deal. Thanx for the info interesting read.
 
I bought one of the tiny ones. I'll try to remember to get a pic of it with it's bigger brother, and a peanut to compare.

I like the larger one, and it will sit around with me when I'm home, but I rarely take it out of the house. It is a bit loose, and I'm afraid of it opening in my pocket.

I had to take a ceramic rod to mine, to fix some finish issues, though they were minor.

Mine was a gift from a generous gentleman who sometimes hangs around here, and has a colorful name with some musical undertones.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top