Interesting knife, HIGONOKAMI

jzmtl · **on:** March 30, 2009, 06:10:23 AM

I came across these knives today, which is basically a japanese version of working knife. Simple friction folder with brass handle and laminated white or blue steel (high carbon, not stainless) blade that's hardened to 62~64 HRC. Decent price too, the 4" blade blue steel is only $27 shipped, and 3" white steel is $15 shipped. I thought they are pretty interesting and you guys would like to see.

There are a few more blade patterns not listed right now but should be up soon. I want the katana shaped blade, so I'm going to wait till they put that up.

http://stores.shop.ebay.com/BluewayJapan__W0QQ_armrsZ1QQ_fsubZ512764017

I'm Still Bison · **Reply #1 on:** March 30, 2009, 06:18:35 AM

I recall reading a thread on a forum a few years back that talked about those knives.The general impression was that they were very well built,wicked sharp,and a great bargain for such a low price.

Sean · **Reply #2 on:** March 30, 2009, 06:32:04 AM

Here is one similar from Lee Valley Tools.

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=51165&cat=1,51222

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #3 on:** March 30, 2009, 07:24:38 AM

Damn that Rockwell's high

Benner · **Reply #4 on:** March 30, 2009, 12:41:57 PM

Those are pretty popular with guys in the UK as they are legal to EDC and relatively cheap too. I would be tempted to get one, but I have visions of it feeling like a Douk-douk which isn't exactly my favourite folder.

Sean · **Reply #5 on:** March 30, 2009, 04:44:26 PM

Quote from: Benner on March 30, 2009, 12:41:57 PM

Those are pretty popular with guys in the UK as they are legal to EDC and relatively cheap too. I would be tempted to get one, but I have visions of it feeling like a Douk-douk which isn't exactly my favourite folder.

Well, at least if you pull something like the above or the Douk out of your pocket you can pretty much rest assured it isn't likely to be duplicated by someone else in the vicinity. They are not that common. I don't think I've ever seen anyone carrying a douk or carpenters knife.

Benner · **Reply #6 on:** March 30, 2009, 05:17:39 PM

Quote from: Sean on March 30, 2009, 04:44:26 PM

Quote from: Benner on March 30, 2009, 12:41:57 PM
Those are pretty popular with guys in the UK as they are legal to EDC and relatively cheap too. I would be tempted to get one, but I have visions of it feeling like a Douk-douk which isn't exactly my favourite folder.

Well, at least if you pull something like the above or the Douk out of your pocket you can pretty much rest assured it isn't likely to be duplicated by someone else in the vicinity. They are not that common. I don't think I've ever seen anyone carrying a douk or carpenters knife.

Any knife in the UK is unlikely to be duplicated with todays laws and media hype.

Mike · **Reply #7 on:** March 30, 2009, 07:35:42 PM

Looks like it could make a nice shaving razor, if the blade is thin enough.

Mike

Anthony · **Reply #8 on:** March 30, 2009, 11:55:16 PM

I had my eye on those knives for a while..I really like the large old technology folders I own (Douk and Mercator), and the blade shape on this Japanese knife is something I've never used.

american lockpicker · **Reply #9 on:** March 31, 2009, 02:51:29 AM

Is it made in Japan?

jzmtl · **Reply #10 on:** March 31, 2009, 03:10:16 AM

As far as I can tell yes. There are even less knife listed on that ebay store now, not sure why, maybe he'll put them up later.

Here's the composition of white/blue steel if anyone is interested, 1.3% carbon! Lots of tungsten too in blue steel.

Shirogami (Hitachi White Label (paper) or Hitachi White Steel):
C=1.3 Mn=0.2 P=0.025 Si=0.1 S=0.04
Aogami (Hitachi Blue Label (paper) or Hitachi Blue Steel) - same but with Tungsten and Cromium:
C=1.3 Mn=0.2 P=0.025 Si=0.1 S=0.04 Cr=0.2-0.5% W=1-1.5%

american lockpicker · **Reply #11 on:** March 31, 2009, 04:57:59 AM

I think I may get one of those, I always thought they looked interesting.

Anthony · **Reply #12 on:** March 31, 2009, 05:25:24 AM

Quote from: jzmtl on March 31, 2009, 03:10:16 AM

As far as I can tell yes. There are even less knife listed on that ebay store now, not sure why, maybe he'll put them up later.

Here's the composition of white/blue steel if anyone is interested, 1.3% carbon! Lots of tungsten too in blue steel.

Shirogami (Hitachi White Label (paper) or Hitachi White Steel):
C=1.3 Mn=0.2 P=0.025 Si=0.1 S=0.04
Aogami (Hitachi Blue Label (paper) or Hitachi Blue Steel) - same but with Tungsten and Cromium:
C=1.3 Mn=0.2 P=0.025 Si=0.1 S=0.04 Cr=0.2-0.5% W=1-1.5%

...so which do you think is a better steel? I know it's all subjective..

jzmtl · **Reply #13 on:** March 31, 2009, 05:47:17 AM

Personally I would choose blue steel because of the tungsten carbide content and corrosion resistance.

Benner · **Reply #14 on:** September 24, 2009, 11:32:28 PM

Did you ever get one of these in the end?

Freudian Frog · **Reply #15 on:** September 24, 2009, 11:44:33 PM

Quote from: Corrugated on March 30, 2009, 11:55:16 PM

I had my eye on those knives for a while..I really like the large old technology folders I own (Douk and Mercator), and the blade shape on this Japanese knife is something I've never used.

Ditto, I've been waiting on funds for the last year.

jzmtl · **Reply #16 on:** September 25, 2009, 12:31:52 AM

Quote from: Benner on September 24, 2009, 11:32:28 PM

Did you ever get one of these in the end?

No I didn't, I wanted the one with clip point not reverse tanto, but it only showed up once in that ebay store and never again.

Sean · **Reply #17 on:** September 25, 2009, 01:27:50 AM

Even though I don't belong to this forum it's excellent! If your interested in the Higonokami knife and it's history
see what this fella's put together on it.

Sean

http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?t=87498

Benner · **Reply #18 on:** September 25, 2009, 01:32:11 AM

I am a member there so had seen that. Very interesting read.

jzmtl · **Reply #19 on:** September 25, 2009, 02:13:58 AM

Wow, in the linked page he say they cost 9 pound in Japan, the ebay seller wants $70 for a brass shell blue steel blade one, what a rip off.

Sean · **Reply #20 on:** September 25, 2009, 02:41:00 AM

Quote from: Benner on September 25, 2009, 01:32:11 AM

I am a member there so had seen that. Very interesting read.

I really like that British Blade Forums. They have quite a neat bunch of reviews and such. I find myself being
referenced there quite regularly.

Styerman · **Reply #21 on:** September 25, 2009, 10:11:07 PM

JZ , if you want to try one , I have one you are welcome to . They cut well but have too many limitations for my taste .

Chris

Sean · **Reply #22 on:** September 25, 2009, 10:26:02 PM

I picked up a few knives from Lee Valley Tools. One of which is the Higonokami or Japanese Carpenters Knife.

jzmtl · **Reply #23 on:** September 25, 2009, 10:33:53 PM

Quote from: Styerman on September 25, 2009, 10:11:07 PM

JZ , if you want to try one , I have one you are welcome to . They cut well but have too many limitations for my taste .

Chris

Thanks for the offer, but right now my days are really chaotic and don't have time to play with knives anymore. I'll keep your offer in mind thou!

John · **Reply #24 on:** September 25, 2009, 11:13:39 PM

Quote from: jzmtl on September 25, 2009, 10:33:53 PM

Quote from: Styerman on September 25, 2009, 10:11:07 PM
JZ , if you want to try one , I have one you are welcome to . They cut well but have too many limitations for my taste .

Chris

Thanks for the offer, but right now my days are really chaotic and don't have time to play with knives anymore.

I need to get a job I have far to much time playing with knives these days hmmm

Nah! maybe I'll play just a little longer

I think I may try one of these to play with if I can fit it in

PyroJames · **Reply #25 on:** September 25, 2009, 11:18:43 PM

Quote from: Sean on March 30, 2009, 06:32:04 AM

Here is one similar from Lee Valley Tools.

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=51165&cat=1,51222

Sweet, time to visit Lee Valley again.

Styerman · **Reply #26 on:** September 25, 2009, 11:30:45 PM

With mine , the cutting performance of the blade was fine . I wasn't too blown away by the shape , and the handle ergo's didn't do it for me .

Chris

Benner · **Reply #27 on:** September 26, 2009, 12:16:29 AM

You tend to hear mixed thoughts on this knife. Due to the legality of the 3" version, I am still keen to try one one day.

Styerman · **Reply #28 on:** September 26, 2009, 12:23:19 AM

I tend to lump it in with a Douk Douk , they work , but not my cup of tea .

Chris

Benner · **Reply #29 on:** September 26, 2009, 12:45:00 AM

Quote from: Styerman on September 26, 2009, 12:23:19 AM

I tend to lump it in with a Douk Douk , they work , but not my cup of tea .

Chris

Douk douks are pretty horrid aren't they. $:-\$

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Interesting knife, HIGONOKAMI

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