Higonokami question

I'm certainly no expert on higonokami (or anything else for that matter :-)
No, higonokami are strickly friction folders, not detent to closure. Mine is quite tight and doesn't tend to open spontaneously. If you need to tighten the blade I guess (?) just tapping down some on the pivot pin would do it.
Rich

The Japanese Sword Index
http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/nihonto.htm
 
Thanks guys, I was just curious :).

I carry my svord semi-frequently (more when I go camping), so I'm pretty comfortable/familiar with friction folders. I usually right rear pocket carry (keeps the blade against the seem, and leaves the tang out for me to grab it), but I just didn't want to buy one if the blade just swung freely about. I guess I feel that for me, for right now, if I want a sheath for something, I might as well carry a fixed blade, so folders are usually pocket carry for me. So its good to hear that pocket carry for you guys is not a concern.

Thanks again :D.
 
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 :).

There are some new designs that actually include locks, but the traditional design has no bias towards closure, no detent; it's a true friction folder. If you carry it, you should use a sheath. That's one thing about some of the recent customs for sale in the maker's section I don't understand. Why do they provide a friction folder with a clip? Looks like an accident ready to happen.

I have one friction folder from IC Cutlery in san mai V-1. It is a special production run ordered by the custom maker Jeff Goldberg. Even though IC Cutlery does not provide a sheath, he provides one (a serviceable $2 chinese nylon version) as a safety step. I made a smaller sheath out of deerskin that works good and takes a lanyard for pocket carry. The knife I have can be tightened up by re-peening the pivot as you mentioned.
 
There are some new designs that actually include locks, but the traditional design has no bias towards closure, no detent; it's a true friction folder. If you carry it, you should use a sheath. That's one thing about some of the recent customs for sale in the maker's section I don't understand. Why do they provide a friction folder with a clip? Looks like an accident ready to happen.

I have one friction folder from IC Cutlery in san mai V-1. It is a special production run ordered by the custom maker Jeff Goldberg. Even though IC Cutlery does not provide a sheath, he provides one (a serviceable $2 chinese nylon version) as a safety step. I made a smaller sheath out of deerskin that works good and takes a lanyard for pocket carry. The knife I have can be tightened up by re-peening the pivot as you mentioned.

Well, at least on my Svord, I can tighten down the screw near the tip, and get it to "lock" in place quite easily (the scales pinch the tip of the knife well with friction), while the top screw/pivot tension is just the opening/blade play adjustment. I've actually been considering trying to find a clip to put on my svord because this works so well on that knife.

I should have mentioned that before, as it is one of the reasons I was curious about the HigonoKami, because it lacks the adjustment at the tip end of the knife.

Thanks for the info :).
 
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?

While it may not be for everyone, I crimped the handle together slightly at the cutouts so that it's snug against the flats of the blade. Just letting the blade drop closed without pushing provides enough friction that it hasn't swung open on its own - as an added bonus it also prevents the edge from striking the inside of the handle. As mentioned, a pocket slip/sheath is still highly recommended.
 
SK steel contains a lot of impurities but is very easy to temper so its used in cheap knives and tools. not a fan. i have a blue paper and white paper steel higonokami and they take scary sharp edges. in fact i would say they take the best edge of any knives i have.
 
My SK steel higonokami took a razor edge with no problem. For practical purposes I doubt there is significant difference between blue/white paper steel and SK.
Rich
 
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