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Higo no Kami Knife Review
- Pros: Affordable handmade knife. Traditional Japanese design with a rich history. Develops a unique patina and wear over time. Can take a razor-sharp edge. Unique and cool-looking. Conversation starter. Suitable for light tasks like opening letters or boxes.
- Cons: Prone to rusting if not properly maintained. To some this is a good thing. Requires frequent sharpening due to potential edge damage from handle interior. Two-handed deployment, with blade rubbing on the handle. Lack of a locking mechanism (friction folder). Potential imperfections due to handmade nature. Brass handle picks up fingerprints and grime easily. Also could be a plus? Handle edges have a distinct feel that might require sanding for comfort. Not fidget-friendly.
A few years ago, I was on kick buying budget, unique traditional knives under 50 US dollars. The Higonokami came up in a lot of searches, so I thought why not. It is a popular, unique traditional style knife noted for its signature looks.
But like any other knife bro, once I received it, I quickly forgot about it, threw it in a junk drawer, and bought other knives to replace it. I even made a preview about it and attached it to the end of another video, which means I must have been serious about shooting it. Maybe.
Key Takeaways:
- The Higonokami is a traditional Japanese friction folder handmade by Nagao Seisakusho.
- It features a “blue paper steel” blade, a variety of carbon steel that rusts easily but can take a razor edge.
- The brass handle develops a unique patina and wear over time.
- Expect a two-handed deployment and potential imperfections due to its handmade nature.
- At around $30 USD, it’s an affordable, cool-looking handmade custom knife suitable for light tasks.
Knife Specifications
First, let’s take a look at some specifications. Please note the Higo No Kami is available in different quality grades and sizes. There are some knock-offs floating around out there as well, so keep in mind the dimensions can vary. Below is the one I purchased, which can be seen in the video.
Specification | Metric (mm/g) | Imperial (in/oz) |
Steel Type | Carbon Steel | |
Steel | Unclassified (Carbon Steel) | |
Handle Material | Iron | |
Hand Orientation | Ambidextrous | |
Total Length | 170mm | 6.69 in |
Edge Length | 73mm | 2.87 in |
Handle to Tip Length | 75mm | 2.95 in |
Blade Height | 13mm | 0.51 in |
Thickness | 2.4mm | 0.09 in |
Handle Length | 95mm | 3.74 in |
Weight | 41g | 1.45 oz |
Higonokami Background
Internet lore states that one dude named Nagao Seisakusho makes all the Higonokamis. In any case, these are a traditional Japanese friction folder first made in 1896. Like any classic knife with a storied history, some of the information is murky and passed down via forums and blog posts. They are available from reputable and sketchy sites all over the web.
![holding a closed Higo no Kami knife and it's box](https://knifeinformer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/HigoNoKami_KnifeandBox-1024x576.jpg)
The ones in the blue and gold box like mine are the legit—made-in-Japan—a.k.a. “the real ones” that Amazon sells. They’re easily identifiable by their brass handle and what they call a “blue paper steel” blade.
Blue Paper Steel Blade
Let’s look closer at the blue paper steel blade, which is a rare paper and steel alloy. I’m just kidding. I did get an angry comment years ago on the video because a viewer thought I was misinforming viewers about paper being part of the steel composition. It’s very carbon steel-like, as in it rusts easily, and it has what can best be described as a Scandinavian grind.
![holding an engaged Higo no Kami pocket knife](https://knifeinformer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/HigoNoKami_KnifeSpecs_BluePaperSteel-1024x576.jpg)
It’s not exactly like it, but it sharpens like one because there is no micro-bevel at the bottom. Expect the blade to take a razor edge easily but need sharpening often. Even during its limited use, there’s some edge damage.
Brass Handle
The handle is brass, meaning it’ll pick up finger filth quickly and change color, even if you throw it in your junk drawer after using it for 10 minutes or so. On my handle, you can actually see outlines of my fingerprints. Hmm, wonder what I used it for?
It’s one piece of brass, probably folded by a machine, with a lanyard hole in the back. The edges aren’t sharp, but they have a distinct edge. If you want to use this often, maybe take some fine-grit sandpaper to it to touch it up.
Deployment and Locking (?)
The deployment of the knife can best be described as two-handed unless you’re a show-off. You could possibly open it one-handed, but it ain’t easy. The blade does rub on the inside of the handle, so it might give some people a new appreciation for Benchmade centering.
It is a friction folder, meaning there is no lock. You can depress your thumb on the tab up top, and that helps, but basically, the downward force of cutting is the only thing keeping it from folding.
Handmade Characteristics
Like I said earlier, these knives are allegedly handmade by one dude on old machines. I have read some reports on well-centered, blemish-free knives, but good luck with that.
Expect the blade to rub when opening and closing, and when folded, expect the blade to be stopped by the inside of the handle. Close it carefully.
Allure and Potential Uses
I think the allure of this knife is its quick ability to pick up wear from the individual user and to look like something that’s old. For example, you could put it on your desk in a jar as a letter opener, and when someone eventually asks about it, you could say your great-great-grandfather picked it up in World War II in Japan, and they would probably believe you. I joke but I have seen this on the internet over the years. Someone will post a knife their grandpa told them they carried in Vietnam, and the knife will be dated to 1992.
Video Review
Conclusion
Should you buy this? Again, it might make a great around-the-office letter opener or box opener. Let’s put it this way: if you hate the refinements of modern knives and have never once complained about an uneven grind or blade centering issue, then this is probably a good fit.
It kind of looks cool, but the handle isn’t all that comfortable, and it’s not fidget-friendly. But it is a handmade custom that only costs about $25.
So, there you have it—the Higonokami knife review you didn’t know you needed. If you’re looking for a unique, affordable, and handmade friction folder with a rich history, the Higonokami might just be the knife for you. Just don’t expect perfection, and be prepared to embrace the patina and wear that comes with owning a piece of Japanese cutlery tradition. Also the Wikipedia page is a good starting point for understanding the history of this knife, and variations on this traditional often copied pattern.