Description
About the Higonokami knife
The Higonokami knife is a Japanese cutlery legend, the fruit of a century-old tradition. This distinctive folding knife was born in Kanekoma, in the Higo region of Japan, from which it takes its name. Each authentic Higonokami knife represents a perfect blend of minimalist design and extreme functionality. The Ken-Gata model embodies the essence of Japanese craftsmanship, with its hand-forged blade in white Warikomi steel, a composition renowned for its sharpness and durability.
White steel blade features
The blade of this knife is hand-forged from Warikomi white steel, a material prized by Japanese craftsmen for its ability to maintain a razor-sharp edge. Compared to stainless steel, white steel offers an efficiency that rivals most modern knives, while still requiring regular maintenance. The blade is approximately 3.2 mm thick. Its length is 7.5 cm. These reduced dimensions make it an ideal pocket knife, easily transportable without taking up too much space.
The Ken-Gata shape is distinguished by its tapered blade (Nagao style), which concentrates cutting power on a precise cutting edge. This traditional Japanese design enables precise, efficient cutting for outdoor, camping and survival tasks. The higonokami knife deploys and closes instantly, thanks to the Warikomi system that creates a natural fulcrum for opening.
Steel handle and Ken-Gata design
The steel handle ideally complements the blade, providing good grip and balance. At 10 cm long, this handle-to-blade ratio (10 cm / 7.5 cm) ensures a comfortable grip for a standard hand, with sufficient surface area for optimal control. The knife’s overall length is 17.5 cm. The Ken-Gata design features a tapered profile that reduces weight while retaining strength. The steel handle develops a patina over time, creating a vintage aesthetic prized by collectors.
Knife dimensions and weight
- Total length: 17.5 cm
- Blade length: 7.5 cm
- Handle length: 10 cm
- Blade thickness: approx. 3.2 mm
- Material: white Warikomi steel (blade), steel (handle)
Handcrafted in Japan
This Higonokami knife is handcrafted in Japan, respecting traditions handed down for generations. Each blade is hand-forged by master cutlers who perpetuate Japanese know-how. The artisanal manufacturing process requires precise expertise and meticulous workmanship. Unlike mass-produced industrial knives, this Japanese knife benefits from personal attention at every stage: selection of the white steel, meticulous forging, sharpening of the razor-sharp edge and verification of the grip.
When you choose a genuine higonokami knife, you’re investing in a tool that will last for decades, a reliable companion for your outdoor adventures. The higonokami pocket knife has established itself as one of the world standards in portable cutlery, appreciated by military personnel, hikers, campers and survival enthusiasts for its unbeatable performance/weight/price ratio. It’s a piece of Japanese craftsmanship you’ll want to carry in your pocket.
