Higonokami knives

[hardheart]

diamonds outcut waterstones, these knives are not advertised at 67 Rc, and you don't get that anyway due to the alloying content.

 

[orthogonal1]

I sharpened mine with ceramics and diamonds, no issues.

 

[Seanski]

this is an old thread but I was curious about how the blade sits in the handle? Does the blade edge stay off the metal handle when closed? It looks like it really doesn't have any portion on the bottom edge of the blade to keep it away from touching? Perhaps the way the handle is shaped in a "u" shape keeps the blade away? Can anyone confirm?

thanks,
Sean

 

[A.L.]

Does the blade edge stay off the metal handle when closed?

How I've gathered, no. You have to close it gently.

 

[orthogonal1]

Yes, the blade edge will contact the handle.

Also, I've noticed a variance in quality in these knives.

Of three, one has an edge that crumbles at an angle a bit greater than 10 degrees per side along a portion of the edge - that one is an SK steel version. Yet, I have another SK steel version and a "blue steel" version that take more acute angles without issue.

 

[fujita yuji]

This is my first real knife.
I learned free-hand sharpening with this blade.
With san-mai construction, it will take a seriously good edge.
Congrats!

this is an old thread but I was curious about how the blade sits in the handle? Does the blade edge stay off the metal handle when closed? It looks like it really doesn't have any portion on the bottom edge of the blade to keep it away from touching? Perhaps the way the handle is shaped in a "u" shape keeps the blade away? Can anyone confirm?

thanks,
Sean

I don't know about modern products but when I was a kid,
it was common to adjust the U shape handle steel with plier or small hammer to make
the blade sits still within the handle and make the edge stay away from the handle.

 

[A.L.]

I don't know about modern products but when I was a kid,
it was common to adjust the U shape handle steel with plier or small hammer to make
the blade sits still within the handle and make the edge stay away from the handle.

Hmm, that's interesting thought!
I only have the regular sizer higos, I'd wanto to get one of the bigger ones too..

 

[dragonhf]

Hi,

The last member of the guild in Miki who can put the trademark Higonokami
on his knives are Motosuke Nagao. He is around 70 years old now.
The amazing thing is that he still makes everthing alone him self.
The knives with yellow and blue paperboard boxes are made by him.
He has a variant of blue boxes too, those knives are made of Blue steel.

Hope this info help someone.

Actually a friend of mine are helping me dealing with Mr Nagao him self right now. I´m trying to buy some knives from him with his signature sign on the boxes. But it won´t be cheap. But anyway, the man is old. And nobody will take over his biz after him. He might be the last man who has the right to make "real" Higonokami.
Let´s see if I will start to sell those knives later.
I live in Sweden, with the extra cost for him to sign the boxes and the shipment, I don´t think it will be such cheap as if you buy it from Japan directly.

Nice to see so old thread coming back.



Can you tell me who is maker xxx?

After 4 years I can add that of course this price does not came for free. Brass handle touch the edge and make it dull, but most important make it corrodes because of bi metal chemestry or something... Some of the blade where over hardened and can be sharpened only with water stones (which all Japanese uses anyway).

But as I understad this is more or less disposable knife with best steel but without everything else - little wrap of brass around does not really make it handle. But if you like tailor and have it all the time on the table like scizlers - it is not a problem.

Thanks, Vassili.