Higo no Kami 10 Pocket Knife by Nagao Seisakusho, Brass Finish

Overall, it’s not a bad knife - it came duller than expected and it didn’t hold an edge (at first) - I think this is because it folds into a cheap brass sheath (probably brass). I bent the sheath so it laid straight (inline) with the knife blade and added a rubber spline (window screen spline) into the handle (sheath). I think this protects the blade a bit so it keeps an edge better. After sharpening, it seems to hold the edge. The metal is raw (not chrome plated or anything), so it’ll rust. But it’s a simple knife with a low profile, so I’m happy with it. It will cut. I don’t know that I agree with the “authenticity” of this knife (being some old world Japanese design) because it does feel cheap, but 15 minutes of googling made me think it might be a legit Japanese folding knife. I liked the simplicity and low profile (I’m not a fan of thick EDC knives because I work in an office where I don’t need all that). This knife has a small profile and I do like the simplicity of it. It does loosen up with use and it may open in your pocket (it opens in mine) - a Google image search of the knife implies that it’s legitimately made by a Japanese knife company - TBH, I was looking for a cheap knife that I’d probably lose, so genuine Japanese folding knife or cheap Chinese knockoff wasn’t an issue for me. Regardless, I like the knife - I’ve used it daily for a month and have been happy with my purchase.

The write up said "Japanese blue paper steel" I doubted that, but it sure seems so. Real Japanese craftsmanship, "cheaply" made? Not by my standards. It's made with no emphasis at all on flash, all your money is in the steel and pure function. It's a heavy, well shaped blade of 3 layer steel in a simple but sharp looking brass cover, a simple (but incredibly easy to use) tang on the back of the blade allows easy opening. The blade itself was impeccably shaped, but had fine grinding marks on the surface and some small burrs on the "as forged" tip. I took an hour or so and polished out the blade flats with a Cerax 1000 grit waterstone, and finished with a Chosera 3000 to polish. After that onto Roo leather with green emery. The result is a mirror polish where you can clearly see yourself, and see the different color steels in the blade. The blade easily push cuts thru magazine paper. It holds it's edge very well, even after cutting a couple dozen cardboard boxes into strips. (finally cleaned up my recycle pile and actually enjoyed it) After a little stropping and it edge came right back to magazine slicing sharp, although it was still more than sharp enough for any real work just as it was. Blade tension as it arrived is perfect, I do not know if I was lucky, or if they fuss over that, but it's as tight as you would want it for easy opening. In use, there is no feeling it's going to close on you or do anything unexpected. With time it may loosen up, but a couple of taps on the rivet will fix that. I don't see the lack of a lock as any disadvantage. This is a great piece, I recommend it highly, despite the price. (there are cheaper ones on Amazon, but read the fine print and reviews, they ARE NOT the same, and are often Chinese copies) You most certainly DO get your money's worth IF you are the sort of person that appreciates what this knife is, and enjoy caring for your blades. If you want a effort free cutter with a locking blade, get a good folding carpenters knife and a pack of the carbide coated blades (they're incredible), but if you want something a little different to make work a little more enjoyable, this is it. You'll be happy when you need to pull it out. Once finished out, a little oil and a little stropping once and a while is all that's needed to keep this knife in tip-top shape. Unless you hit a nail or something, it won't need regular stoning. It works well for carving too if you enjoy that sort of thing. It's every bit as good as a Mora 106 with so much more style.... OK, the handle isn't as comfortable for long term carving, but it's good enough for a quick project by the fire. If you DO want to use it for a carving project, a little tape would make the handle more ergo. These are a unique piece, that I'm glad I ran across. I plan on getting a couple for my sons while they are still available.

In my opinion this is a must have for any knife collector, or anyone who appreciates the history of the knife itself, handmade Japanese craftmanship and blade steel. Is it EDC'able? Maybe. Modern folders will take hard use better but this just has a "cool" factor and will bring you joy having it. For me it's my gardening knife, but it does slice like a demon when sharpened right and I can see this easily being used for fishing, light wood work, light edc around the house, etc. The break down: Pros: +Piece of Japanese tradition and culture, knife history, and art +Can get SCARY sharp relatively easily +One handed opening and closing using the special extended tang "tab" +Friction folder but can "lock" it by placing thumb on the extended tang tab while using it +Super thin and lightweight at only 49 grams, disappears in your pocket. Cons: -As is well known and should be expected, it doesn't come finished, have to finish/sharpen/polish it yourself. Sharpening took me 10 minutes on a stone. -"Thumb lock" makes it that the knife has no lock at all with a full fist grip (you CAN move your fist up towards the blade and have the tab just under your fist but that places your hand way too close to the edge for serious work, in my opinion) -Handle is thin metal and so not comfortable for extended hard use So no, this won't be your everyday beater at the construction site, but that's not what its meant for. Get yourself a $30 Ontario Rat 1, Kershaw, etc. in that price range if that's what you're looking for. This is a keepsake.

If you are looking for a fast action, corrosion resistant single hand opening lock back blade for survival or self defense, then the Higo no Kami will be sure to disappoint you in every way. It's none of those things. It never was intended to be. What it is, is an old Japanese workman's knife. Hand made. By an old dude with a hammer and anvil. Literally. Some old guy in Japan used a forge, heated some steel, and then banged out this knife on his anvil. It is carbon steel, not stainless, so it will rust if not properly taken care of. Ok, it's an old Japanese technology blade- when these were made it was not even in question that men knew how to properly take care of a knife. If you abuse it, it will rust. Take care of it, and it will take care of you. It's a friction folder, meaning there is no locking mechanism other than the friction of the blade in the handle. There is a thumb tab for extra security. But truth be told, I've used this knife fairly regularly over the last 2 months and the fact that there is no lock doesn't seem to be a problem at all- but then again I'm not trying to batten wood or build a log cabin with it. Like any tool, it should be used within the limits of it's design. The blade is three layers, the center is hard steel, the outsides are soft- and yes, you can see a hamon line. The non-cutting parts of the knife are rough, in the Japanese tradition of knife making. If the owner wished for a better finish, then they would do that themselves or take it to a knife polishing specialist. That part is up to you. The important part, the edge, is finished out of the box. Now, with all of that said, it is a very fine blade. Razor sharp and very tough. It's designed to be used for slicing, not stabbing. I ended up carrying this for EDC in my wallet. It seems to fit very nicely right where the wallet folds. It rides very nicely and unnoticeable- I forget I have it, but since it's in my wallet, I always have a blade with me even if I forget my normal EDC. Bottom line, don't buy a $20 old tech Japanese blade when what you really wanted was a $200 Fallkniven- and certainly don't expect it to perform like one. But do buy the Higo no Kami if you want a really groovy old school vibe knife. For the price, it's worth every penny.

This is a genuine Higo no Kami, definitely made in Japan. It is 3-layered steel as you can see a wavy line within a few mm of the edge where one lamination changes to the next. I have owned this for two weeks and carried it in my pocket most days. It has been used daily for things you would use any other pocket knife for. The knife is extremely dangerous with no locking device. Mine came fairly loose and got looser with use so I did tighten the rivet. A rubber mallet didn't work, but a regular hammer just took a few hits to tighten it sufficiently. Other maintenance includes polishing and oiling the steel blade. I used it to slice cheese once and didn't wash it right away. When I did there were some very slight discolorations like water spots that would not wash off with soap and water. So I found some polishing creme (mine was left over from a headlight restorer kit, but Brasso or the like would be ideal). Just some slight polishing with a Q-tip or folded paper towel corner has been working fine. Another time I used it to cut steak and the inch or so of the blade that came in contact with the steak was blued slightly. No matter it polished out easily. Of course the brass handle tarnishes if it gets damp and not dried right away. It also polishes out easily. The blade is sharp and fine for average use. I have sharpened mine a few times and as long as you aren't too aggressive it is easy to put a fresh edge on this knife that is even better than the original. In the attached pictures you can see I added a lightweight lanyard. This makes it easier to pull out of my pocket and if I am going to use the knife extensively I put the loop around my wrist so I don't drop it. In summary this is a unique, high-maintenance, dangerous knife. But you will love owning it and looking at the hand craftsmanship and Japanese markings. Get yourself one and a few more as gifts for those knife collecting friends of yours.

Great little knife. Very sharp, well made, safe and easy to open. I'm ordering more like it for stocking stuffers for next Christmas.

Pretty nice, some minor scratches on the blade in my example, not the most sharp (had some odd spots which hanged up on paper) but sharpened up real easy with my Spyderco sharpmaker. Would recommend getting brass polish and flitz/steel wool to make it look extra nice but overall makes a great conversation piece. When I show people my collection of inexpensive folders they always gravitate to this one. My german mercator knife is still my favorite knife but this is a nice little beauty. Wouldn't consider it and EDC knife, maybe a really nice letter opener? It is carbon steel so wipe blade at end of day if you used it and keep oiled routinely. I recommend those lens clothes you get with glasses/at the optometrist, they work even better than cotton shirts, ballistol works great as an oil or tuff glide.

In a time when every folding knife is marketed to have a lock that can hold the weight of a man or keep a rock solid lock up when whacked spine first into a pine board, there is something refreshing about a simple knife that just cuts The Higo No Kami is just that. A well crafted carbon steel blade pinned to a folder brass handle and secured open by nothing more than a very tight fit and the pressure one would put on the back of the blade holding the tab tightly. There is no back spring, no half stop, and certainly no lock. However, it serves it's purpose. The blade is sharp and surprisingly stout. The action is VERY tight, but that keeps the knife from flopping open and will wear in as the steel polishes the brass it is mates up to. It is about as simple of a folding knife as one could make. The quality seems very well done. Lots of care was put into the steel which sports a fairly obtuse edge that will scrape hair out of the box but can be made crazy sharp easily. The engraving is clean and well done on both the blade and the handle. My only ding against them is that the tab is a bit mangled and the spot where the tanto was cut is not straight at the back of the spine. However, it is important to remember that these a very function over form knives. Much like an Okapi or Svord Peasant, it just has to cut and not worry about looking pretty. So for the price, you can do way worse if you are looking for a very simple old school knife that is useful yet nonthreatening and will turn heads in a good way. I highly recommend it as long as you know what to expect.