Japanese Slipjoint

[qUICK3558]

So I recently moved to Japan and have started getting into collecting knives again, but the Japanese knife laws are very different than in the US, so it started getting me interested in traditional slip joints. I have gotten a couple GEC knives but it can be hard to find sellers that will sell/ship to Japan.

So I was wondering if anyone knew of any Japanese brands that do small traditional Slipjoint? Since I'm here in Japan, might as well find some Japanese knives to add to the collection

Thanks!

 

[miso2]

Welcome to Japan.
Be careful carrying a knife here.
Even a tiny friction folder can be considered illegal depending on the LEO.

Slip joint knives are not really popular among Japanese manufacturers.
They mostly make friction or back lock knives.

Moki used to make a few, but I believe they ceased the production.
G. Sakai makes some as OEM and a few for themselves.

Hiroaki Ohta makes slip joints.
Google Ohta Knives.

 

[Wowbagger]

might as well find some Japanese knives to add to the collection

. . . I was going to say; you are living where they actually know how to make edge tools and you are buying that funny American stuff ? ? ? ? ? ?
Why ?
I would say walk into a cutlery store and pick up some knives and buy what you like.
I don't know Japanese brands but I have many, many, many Spydercos etc that were made in Seki City and I can't put up enough thumbs to express my pleasure in owning them not to mention my kitchen knives and my super fantastic, expialidociously, great woodworking edge tools.
Dude you are in heaven and you are asking we, who are somewhere between The Vestibule and Dis, for directions to Michael's throne.
You tell us what you find. I want to see !
Here you go . . . some pics of what I am talking about.

 

[KenHash]

I think Mcusta make some slipjoints.

 

[miso2]

Some of MCusta knives listed as slip joint in dealer web sites are actually friction folders.
It is said in their Japanese web page.

 

[BeyondTheBox]

Don't Spyderco make Slip joints? Aren't they Japanese? What about Byrd?

 

[dakine]

You can try to find some nice Higonokami. I'm sure there's some there.

 

[SVTFreak]

Ryuichi Kawamura.

Tozaki (unsure his first name)

Ohta.

Some very good Japanese custom slip joint makers. Some of the best.

 

[miso2]

Shigeru Tozaki.
His and Kawamura's knives are quite expensive and in the range of >$1,000.
Ohta knives are around $300~400.

 

[qUICK3558]

Welcome to Japan.
Be careful carrying a knife here.
Even a tiny friction folder can be considered illegal depending on the LEO.

Slip joint knives are not really popular among Japanese manufacturers.
They mostly make friction or back lock knives.

Moki used to make a few, but I believe they ceased the production.
G. Sakai makes some as OEM and a few for themselves.

Hiroaki Ohta makes slip joints.
Google Ohta Knives.

Thank you miso2, I like your name!

I actually contact Ohta-san directly and asked if it's possible to buy directly from him. He said he won't be able to and I will have to by from a dealer....who are all from the US...so I'm in Japan and have to buy a Japanese knife from the US lol

 

[miso2]

Wow.
I thought about contacting him to get his knife.
It is just absurd that you have to buy his from the US.

I found one dealer listing his slip joints and have contacted them if they are still available.
I will let you know when I get a reply.

 

[qUICK3558]

Thank you! It's ashame because I really like his design!

 

[miso2]

OK. They have this model only but with three wood cover options (birch, iron wood, and burl?).

They are a bit different from his traditional models but cheaper (around $100).
I will PM you more detailed info.

 

[miso2]

Q qUICK3558

OK.
PM is not an option for you.
I wrote on your profile page.

 

[qUICK3558]

Thank you miso2!

 

[brownshoe]

Moki is my favorite Japan maker. Small pretty knives to substantial EDC knives.

 

[herisson]

There are many or at least several :
Moki (brand)
McCusta (brand)
Rockstead (brand)
Kansei Matsuno (knifemaker)
Hiroaki Ohta (knifemaker)
Junpei Makari (knife maker)
And enjoy the locally crafted Higonokamis...