Higonokami question

R

Rich S

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Sep 23, 2005
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I finally pulled the trigger and have a black stainless higonokami coming from KC. I like most friction folders.
I have several Opinels (6,7,9) and a MAM friction folder. Never had a problem with any of them coming opening by accident. Even had a Svord, which I really didn't like and gave away.

Just searching websites for higonokami and noticed that they list various steel types:

white paper steel
blue paper steel
Triple Layered SK Steel (no idea what SK stands for)

Is there a difference? Just curious.

I've read that every cutler in Japan can make Higonokami; but many of the knife sites say only Nagao Kanekoma factory can make Higonokami; that the company has the trademark?? Which is correct. Any help appreciated.
Thanks
Rich
 
Google is your friend, sir. This is not a complete answer, but will start the conversation. The Japanese "white" and "blue" steels are named for the color of the PAPER in which the bulk steels are wrapped.
Spyderco does a good job with their SuperBlue line of steels...Aogami...often found in the Caly series, D-fly and others. The "blues" are known for easily forming an attractive "patina," and can take a fine edge. Many folks seem to prefer the SuperBlue blade-steels, and often these are sold at a premium compared to more common steels such as VG-10.

https://www.hidatool.com/image/data/pdf/White Steel vs Blue Steel Chart.pdf
 
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Thanks, Sonny.
Rich- You will love your knife. There is something about them.
rolf
 
As is evident by my avatar, I am also a fan of higonokami. I have several different models from 4 or 5 different makers.

It is amazing to me that Nagao Kanekoma is still around. The craftsman that holds the patent on the name is getting pretty old. The blades produced out of that factory are very function and great for utility purposes. For an upgraded fit and finish you might want to look at hunting down an mid grade one from Miyamoto. It looks like this:

attachment.php
.

They can usually be had in a few different sizes on eBay and sometimes on Amazon for around $50 - $60. It really is quite well made. They also have some super high-end options if you ever go that route.
 
Thanks guys for the info. I googled higonokami, but nothing came up about white or blue paper.Still no idea what SK steel might be.

Rich
 
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Both White Paper (shiro gami) and Blue (Ao gami) steels are madeby Hitachi Metals.
They are named after the color of the paper they come wrapped in.
Both are high carbon steels. About 1.0 to 1.2% carbon, with 0.1 to 0.2% silica and 0.2 to 0.3% manganese.
The blue steel also contains 0.2 to 0.5% chromium and 1.0 to1.5% tungsten.
Never heard of SK steel as a steel type. There's an SK Steel, an Australian Steel Company.
It is true that Nagao is the only remaining member of the original Higonokami Guild of Miki City
now I think in the 4th generation. And while many people/companies produce Higonokamis only
Nagao with the Kanekoma label is authorized to actually use the Higonokami trademark name.
 
But some Japanese tantos did have that straight-edge point, fukura-kareru.
 
See here: the key word is a matter of degree of curvature of the kissaki.

http://www.ncjsc.org/gloss_kissaki-1.html

This is for Nihonto. The really straight point is normally only found now on carpenter's knives which are
considered tools, not swords (a tanto is just a short sword with a length of 1 bu (approx. 12 inches) or less). That carpenter's knife is usually referred to as a kiridashi. Antique tanto rarely had a yokote; those found with a yokote are generally salvage blades made from longer swords.
Some modern Japanese knifemakers do make knives with this type of point. But they are knifemakers, not
licensed sword makers.

We are both correct within our frames of reference. Let's just agree to disagree on this point :-)

Rich
The Japanese Sword Index
http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/nihonto.htm
 
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Hey, quick question for you Higonokami experts.

I've thought about picking one up for a while now, just to see how it compares to other low budget/traditional/historical knives (opinel, svord, etc).

Do the HigonoKamis have any bias towards closure? Any detent (I'm somehow doubting it), or any method to control pivot tension other than just re-peening the rivet?

Thanks :).
 
I like the traditional tang on these, a lot! You can pinch the tang for control or use your thumb. And, I carry mine in a belt pouch, so no worries about the blade coming open.
 
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