Opinions re: 1970s-1980s Japanese Lockbacks?

AFAustin

AFAustin

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I am curious what the opinions are on small-to-medium size Japanese lockbacks from the 1970s and 1980s. I see quite a few still available and a number of them are nice looking, from the pics at least, with attractive bone or wood scales.

Any brands that are especially good, and which should be avoided? Some are AUS8, some are 440 or 440C, but some are simply marked "stainless"---what steel are those likely to have?

Any other opinions, advice, or experience with them would be appreciated.

If this is the wrong forum to ask, mods please move it, but I think I've seen mention of these here in Traditionals.

Thanks,

Andrew
 
There was a huge variety of lockbacks made back then, and quality ranged from excellent to atrocious. You have to consider them on a case-by-case basis. Moki and G. Sakai both made some excellent knives.
 
The Gerber Silver Knight series were/are very nice knives.
SK1.jpg
 
I honestly don't remember if I've ever seen a really sub-par Japanese-made blade, in terms of steel quality. A lot of older ones were 420/440 series or similar, or AUS-6/8, as you've seen. In spite of some of these steels being looked down upon, I think the Japanese blades have had good or better-than-many heat treat, and usually a good/excellent edge grind too. This last point was significant, because I bought these knives before I'd learned how to sharpen very well; they came with wicked edges on them, and I didn't have to fret too much about maintaining them. That made an impression on me. :)

Hard to say what steel they may be, regarding the non-specific 'stainless'-marked blades. But I wouldn't necessarily rule them out. I've never had any issues with any Japanese blades, so far as I can recall. I always had the sense they took some pride in craftsmanship, for the most part. Maybe nothing to get overly excited about, but for the money, I don't think any I've seen were a disappointment. I think the oldest Japan-made blade I can recall, was a Sabre brand fishing knife my dad used to use, with one of those 'generic' stainless blades. It always sharpened up fairly easily (my Dad used a file for this), and it gutted & cleaned a lot of trout over a span of ~20 years or so (1970s and later), before it was unfortunately 'misplaced' one day, and gone forever.

Edit:
Those Kai-produced Kershaws in Fester's post above remind me, I have a couple of similar stainless & wood interframe folders like he's pictured, and they are indeed excellent. Very good fit and very tight lock-up, excellent edges. Don't know exactly what vintage, maybe '80s or later (I bought them in early '90s).
 
Last edited:
Obsessed with Edges said:
I always had the sense they took some pride in craftsmanship, for the most part.
Click to expand...

I've never owned a Japanese knife but "pride in craftsmanship" definitely describes their bike components and frames from the 70s and 80s. They produced really amazing stuff that in retrospect has to be considered among the best in the world. Cultural and economic factors.
 
Obsessed with Edges said:
I honestly don't remember if I've ever seen a really sub-par Japanese-made blade, in terms of steel quality. A lot of older ones were 420/440 series or similar, or AUS-6/8, as you've seen. In spite of some of these steels being looked down upon, I think the Japanese blades have had good or better-than-many heat treat, and usually a good/excellent edge grind too. This last point was significant, because I bought these knives before I'd learned how to sharpen very well; they came with wicked edges on them, and I didn't have to fret too much about maintaining them. That made an impression on me. :)


Edit:
Those Kai-produced Kershaws in Fester's post above remind me, I have a couple of similar stainless & wood interframe folders like he's pictured, and they are indeed excellent. Very good fit and very tight lock-up, excellent edges. Don't know exactly what vintage, maybe '80s or later (I bought them in early '90s).
Click to expand...

They were discontinued in 1987-88. FES
 
Gentlemen, thanks for the helpful comments and great pics. You are further motivating me to give some of these a try, as finances permit. They do seem to be nice quality for the fairly modest prices many go for.

Andrew
 
pinnah said:
I've never owned a Japanese knife but "pride in craftsmanship" definitely describes their bike components and frames from the 70s and 80s. They produced really amazing stuff that in retrospect has to be considered among the best in the world. Cultural and economic factors.
Click to expand...

Same with their mechanical watches. I'd put a Grand Seiko up against just about anything except maybe a Patek Phillipe (>$10K) and that's only because I haven't handled one.

I've been very happy with my Japanese Kershaws, and especially my AG Russell's. My Pinched Peanut and Spire are flawless.
 
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