Kawaii kiridashi

[Mecha]

In Japanese, kawaii = cute, and kiridashi = to carve out. A kiridashi is, of course, also a common little knife used for carving and utility purposes, and one of my favorites to make. These are little cute mini versions!

Made of hardened VT23 titanium alloy, they're about 3.5" in length, with blade edges of about 1.25" and about 1/8" thick. They're like little 2-finger backup utility blades, with a big lanyard hole for adornment and extra grip. With their leather slip sheaths, they're so small and flat they can discreetly fit into the coin pocket of a pair of jeans. They're also ideal for hat or sock carry, or perfect for a small tackle box since they're rust proof.

I never knew that extra pocket was for coins until, years back, Charles Roddenberry nighthaxan here on Bladeforums was making little knives he called "coin pocket knives!" Nighthaxan was doing some amazing stuff experimenting with laminated steels combined with other metals, finding obscure info from old documents detailing how the business ends of industrial tools were made before the proliferation of more advanced tool steel alloys.

Anyway, here are the kawaii kiridashis after being marked:

Here they are when finished, retaining the oxides from heat treatment:

And here is one in its leather coin pocket sheath:

Thanks for looking!

 

[Locutus D'Borg]

FYI, in Japanese kawaii is pronounced ka wa ee.

 

[Bobthebrewer]

Mecha, those are amazing as alway. Both of mine are doing great, working in a pharmaceutical company with lots of aggressive chemicals and no issues. Some of these chemicals are so aggressive they use vessels made out of hastelloy as they even corrode 316 L stainless.

 

[Mecha]

Mecha, those are amazing as alway. Both of mine are doing great, working in a pharmaceutical company with lots of aggressive chemicals and no issues. Some of these chemicals are so aggressive they use vessels made out of hastelloy as they even corrode 316 L stainless.

Good to hear.

See, this is why everyone needs a titanium machete-sword-kiridashi: for when a Chemical Beast or Acid Monster attacks, and it dissolves your normal blade. On such occasions only a titanium blade will do, it's like a silver bullet for a werewolf. Sure, maybe it doesn't happen every day, but you know what they say: better to have it and not need it, than vice-versa!