Higo no Kami Dai?

[Ten4leader]

These knives have become super popular on Reddit, any of you guys have one? Should I get one?

 

[Goosey]

I got one and it was super hard to sharpen with diamond or ceramics. I couldn't put an edge on it. Brittle edge. Finally got it okay-sharp after some effort but must use Japanese waterstones for best results. It has no lock or spring and opens in the pocket easily, not a good slicer with the sabre grind, blade wasn't centered, felt kinda flimsy... Meh... if you get one get the super blue because at least the steel will be a good point. I was not much taken with it and only carried it once or twice. But it looks cool.

 

[Matador]

I really dig mine. Fun knife to own and the sheeple really dig it and they are even more intrigued by the history and origin. Mine also didn't come very sharp (working edge) a few swipes on the white stones and a quick strop and it shaves, though not for very long.

 

[caleb31]

I've used an Arkansas novoculite stone with repeatable success .salute .

 

[Yo Mama]

I got an edge on mine with the Sharpmaker, but also had to give it a tip as it came bent to the side. I didn't expect a perfect blade though, for the price I was ok with a few minutes of work on my end. It does look centered when open, closed it rests on one side of the handle, this doesn't bother me though as it holds it closed in place.

Higos are nice knives for what they are. It's an easy knife to add to the collection. The tang is only big enough for one thumb, so the "lockup" makes it a light use folder. If you like friction folders you also may want to check out the Svord Peasant.

 

[turtle13]

I have a white steel medium higo. I love it for its sheer simplicity. I can get it to keep a decent edge on the sharpmaker considering the already brittle core steel hits the brass when closed, and when freshly sharp it gets crazy hair popping sharp. Just dont expect it to have almost any "build quality" to it, it is just for all intensive purposes a bent piece of brass, a pin and a blade...
I try to keep a small rubber band on it when in my pocket to hold the blade in since mine is pretty loose. For 10-15 bucks its a fun knife to have around just for the sake of having in the collection.

 

[Bob6794]

I have a white steel medium higo. I love it for its sheer simplicity. I can get it to keep a decent edge on the sharpmaker considering the already brittle core steel hits the brass when closed, and when freshly sharp it gets crazy hair popping sharp. Just dont expect it to have almost any "build quality" to it, it is just for all intensive purposes a bent piece of brass, a pin and a blade...
I try to keep a small rubber band on it when in my pocket to hold the blade in since mine is pretty loose. For 10-15 bucks its a fun knife to have around just for the sake of having in the collection.

I've heard of people using pieces of cork in other knives so the blade won't contact the metal and dull so you might want to give that a try so it stays sharp.

 

[mtangent]

Sounds like a failed design.

 

[dogstar]

Sounds like a failed design.

I don't think so. Every school kid once carried one to sharpen their pencils until knives were banned from schools. I think looking from the perspective of a Western knife nut, you may feel that way, but for the average Japanese student or carpenter, this knife got the job done. Keep in mind, every house had a water stone to sharpen kitchen knives, so touching up the edge was no big deal.

 

[G. Scott H.]

For a similarly simple and unique knife that's more functional, I'd go with a Douk Douk. The Douk's strong spring means no pocket opening and good strength when open, and it's thin FFG blade is nice and slicey. It uses 1070-ish steel at 50-ish HRC, so edge holding is "meh," but it's easy to touch up on just about anything handy (brick, curb, rock, whatever). The Douk comes in a couple styles, sizes and finishes too.

 

[mtangent]

I don't think so. Every school kid once carried one to sharpen their pencils until knives were banned from schools. I think looking from the perspective of a Western knife nut, you may feel that way, but for the average Japanese student or carpenter, this knife got the job done. Keep in mind, every house had a water stone to sharpen kitchen knives, so touching up the edge was no big deal.

Are they still made the same way?
I like simple designs like this.
It seems that the design could be improved, adding a kick to the ricasso, for instance. Why persevere with a design that has many minor problems?

 

[Squashfan]

Do any of the BF dealers carry these? I have been interested in them but can't find a source for them.

 

[billym]

Never seen one of quality. The blades are completely loose, no friction to help keep them open or closed.
The one I bought for $25 seemed to chip even on soft woods.
Better off with a Douk Douk or something else.

 

[dkb45]

They are the most traditional style of knife easily available. Blade steels are great, and although the f&f is a little rough on some of them, they are kind of supposed to be that way. They are ripe for modifications.

 

[G. Scott H.]

They are the most traditional style of knife easily available.

I'd say they share that position with Opinel. Take an Opi #8 in carbon, pop off the locking ring, and you pretty much have the same knife that was put out in the 1890's (about the same vintage as the Higo). :thumbup:

 

[brownshoe]

Per "The blades are completely loose, no friction to help keep them open or closed." You can make them tighter by hammering on the pivot. You can also make a simple sheath to keep it closed in your pocket.

Until the internet made them more popular, they went for about $10-15. At that price they are a great buy.

Sure get one if you are a collector, every knife knut needs at least one friction folder...but one is enough Since they do not lock closed, they are not really "handy" and since they do not lock open they are not "safe."

 

[dkb45]

Per "The blades are completely loose, no friction to help keep them open or closed." You can make them tighter by hammering on the pivot. You can also make a simple sheath to keep it closed in your pocket.

Until the internet made them more popular, they went for about $10-15. At that price they are a great buy.

Sure get one if you are a collector, every knife knut needs at least one friction folder...but one is enough Since they do not lock closed, they are not really "handy" and since they do not lock open they are not "safe."

A fictional statement. If friction folders were unsafe, how come mankind used them for thousands of years (I know they date back to at least Roman times)? They aren't unsafe, you just can't be an idiot using them. A well designed friction folder is as strong as the handle and pivot pin, and most friction folders use an extended tang making the knife closing impossible while you hold it. Modern folders are safer to use and stronger designed, but traditional friction folders are NOT unsafe.

 

[shecky]

I've found them to be great users.

Just peen the pivot a bit to tighten them up, if necessary. I've never come across one that was loose, but its an easy thing to fix. I also wedge a piece of synthetic wine cork in the handle to keep the edge from bumping against the handle. No problems with them opening or closing unintentionally. Just doesn't happen. Laminated blades can have extremely hard edges. They are also available with non laminated blades which I prefer, for the same reasons I prefer common lower end steels to modern super steels. They can still be found in the $10-$15 range on ebay. Never handled a fancy one, though I do own a modern G Sakai low end higo knife with a plastic handle and stainless blade, engineered like a modern, if simple, folding knife.