In shopping them I've always preferred the Nagao Sada Koma line; and tanto to reverse tanto. I like the brass and the look of the knives.
It's kind of like Sunni and Shiite....my understanding is the only true remaining manufacturer from the original copyrighted guild (only whose members could craft the knife by law) is Motosuko Nagao, fourth generation I believe---the original Nagao sire was supposedly the second blacksmith involved in the origin of the knife---still cranking them out, the guild having been created in 1907 in Miki, Japan.
The current Nagao is quite elderly and may be the last of the manufacturers...another point to consider when buying. The Nagao's may come to an end soon. One thing--the Nagao's are produced rougher than the Musashi higos. With such a small operation sometimes detail is missed. You may end up polishing or sharpening some yourself to end up with the finished look you want.
Then the whole higonokami thing was gradually bastardized through WW II, with a lot of makers selling the knife. Then an event in the 60's (involving a public knife freakout; sound familar?) nearly killed it off; pretty much a ban. Kids couldn't carry them or take them to school anymore, etc. Draconian knife laws resulted. Only reason they're still around is because a couple diehard crafters are keeping them going.
I think reputationally Musashi has more variety, the better F&F and maybe the better product technically.
So if you feel only a trademarked, Miki-originated guild-made higonokami is a real one, and you want one of the "official" line, stick with Nagao, in the blue and gold box. If you find you like the ones in the blue and white boxes better, then buy them. Officially they are NOT higonokamis and cannot use the name...thus "higonaifu" or 'Higo knife.' I can't say they're made any better but are offered in more variety of style, color and design.
IMO both are very nice, I just like the Nagao's. This is just what I think I recall on some of the history. Someone more knowledgeable will come along I'm sure and explain better.
