Higonokami

[gb6491]

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
"A higonokami (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higonokami) (肥後守 (https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E8%82%A5%E5%BE%8C%E5%AE%88)? (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Installing_Japanese_character_sets)) is a type of folding pocket knife originating in Miki, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan in 1896. The knife has no locking system, but is a friction folder or "penny knife",[1] using the friction of the swivel or the pressure of the user's thumb on a protruding tang to prevent the knife from folding during use."

While my folding box cutter is a excellent knife, it lacks in the cool department. Being a disciple of Bawanna's in regards to the importance of the looking cool factor, I decided to buy myself a higonokami. I was introduced to them during a visit to a small hardware store in Iwakuni Japan during the mid 70's and think they have a "cool" look. While searching for a traditional one, I came upon this ...let's say...loose interpretation of one. I'd would have liked the stag to match better and I'm not totally convinced it's real Damascus, but darn if I don't like it. I'd say it exhibits nice workmanship, with good grind lines and solid lock up (liner lock). The blade is 3.25" with a 4.25" handle. It came with a sheath and, while it is not top quality, it will suffice for the moment
http://i68.tinypic.com/14scksm.jpg
http://i67.tinypic.com/11j0xuc.jpg
http://i65.tinypic.com/2wdn1aa.jpg

I know Bawanna has a traditional higonokami, so perhaps he'll post some photos of it here as well:)

For that matter, I wouldn't mine seeing what any of you all use to open boxes, cut line, or perform any of the myriad everyday tasks we ask of a blade. Looking cool while doing so would be a plus:cool::yo:

Regards,
Greg

[jeepster09]

Wow those are very cool. I have that Gerber and carry in my pocket, I removed the clip, it is nice to always have a sharp knife that is small with you.

[Bawanna]

I will shortly. Grand Kids inbound. Priorities don't cha know. But a bit later I will for sure.

I love that knife too, way high on the cool factor.

[340pd]

I have a couple dozen knives laying around the house but I find this little fella does most of the daily cutting work plus it fits in the watch pocket of my jeans.
Spyderco Dragonfly

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t320/gnystrom_photos/20150824_173914_zpssvovbbfo.jpg

[desmobob]

For that matter, I wouldn't mine seeing what any of you all use to open boxes, cut line, or perform any of the myriad everyday tasks we ask of a blade. Looking cool while doing so would be a plus:cool::yo:

Regards,
Greg

That is a beautiful knife!

I don't have any photos handy, but my work edc knife for the last ten years or so is a Benchmade Mini-Barrage assisted opener. For a Benchmade, it has a cheap, plastic feel to it, but the Osborn design and decent blade steel (CM154) make it a good tool. I carried a Benchmade Mini-AFCK for many years before that one. Outside of work, I'm an Emerson carrier. I got hooked (no pun intended) on Emerson's "Wave" opening feature and have a nice rotation of Emersons I carry: a Commander, a Horseman, a CQC 7V, and a Roadhouse.

Like a lot of gun guys, I guess I'm also a knife guy. :D

Tight groups,
Bob

[Bawanna]

Here's my traditional Higonokami, allegedly made by Higo himself. He's getting pretty old but still pounding them out. Story goes they are quite popular in Japan and school children have them to sharpen their pencils.

I took a shot of it next to my Douk Douk which Greg sent me. It's very similar but the Douk Douk is a slip joint so it actually lock open a little bit. The Higo one must be careful with as it will close on you very easily. Still a very handy little knife.
We both chuckled as I used the Higo to open the package that the Douk Douk was in. The Douk Douk is French and allegedly a favored tool of assassins back in the day. They would open it and hammer the metal shut so it couldn't close making it a dagger.

It's very handy too and I've been carrying it in my little front pouch.

http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n538/hopke5/DSCN6918_zpsq96oucqi.jpg (http://s1138.photobucket.com/user/hopke5/media/DSCN6918_zpsq96oucqi.jpg.html)

http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n538/hopke5/DSCN6919_zpsbl8sqk2c.jpg (http://s1138.photobucket.com/user/hopke5/media/DSCN6919_zpsbl8sqk2c.jpg.html)

http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n538/hopke5/DSCN6920_zpsvplvn1eb.jpg (http://s1138.photobucket.com/user/hopke5/media/DSCN6920_zpsvplvn1eb.jpg.html)

Now I gotta find one of them stag handled models so I can keep up with Greg, like that's gonna happen.

[Armybrat]

I'm not a knife guy, but that is a gorgeous blade, gb.... and the handle is pretty special too.

[gb6491]

Thanks for the comments and photos folks!

I sure like that Dragonfly 340pd posted.

I also like Bawanna's traditional higonokami, so one of those is probably in my future.

Bob, I had to look up the Benchmade Mini-Barrage. It looks like a dandy knife. My wife has a BM710 that she has carried for years. That axis lock is tough. I was on a Russian site a while back where they tested various mid to low end, folding knives locking mechanisms. That test was to failure for many of the knives they tested, but the axis lock held and worked as advertised afterwards...top of the heap in their test.


Wow those are very cool. I have that Gerber and carry in my pocket, I removed the clip, it is nice to always have a sharp knife that is small with you.
Aren't those little Gebers a neat package:cool: Mine sure see a lot of use.

Thanks Armybrat :)

Regards,
Greg

[yqtszhj]

Here's my traditional Higonokami, allegedly made by Higo himself. He's getting pretty old but still pounding them out. Story goes they are quite popular in Japan and school children have them to sharpen their pencils.

I took a shot of it next to my Douk Douk which Greg sent me. It's very similar but the Douk Douk is a slip joint so it actually lock open a little bit. The Higo one must be careful with as it will close on you very easily. Still a very handy little knife.
We both chuckled as I used the Higo to open the package that the Douk Douk was in. The Douk Douk is French and allegedly a favored tool of assassins back in the day. They would open it and hammer the metal shut so it couldn't close making it a dagger.

It's very handy too and I've been carrying it in my little front pouch.

http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n538/hopke5/DSCN6918_zpsq96oucqi.jpg (http://s1138.photobucket.com/user/hopke5/media/DSCN6918_zpsq96oucqi.jpg.html)

http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n538/hopke5/DSCN6919_zpsbl8sqk2c.jpg (http://s1138.photobucket.com/user/hopke5/media/DSCN6919_zpsbl8sqk2c.jpg.html)

http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n538/hopke5/DSCN6920_zpsvplvn1eb.jpg (http://s1138.photobucket.com/user/hopke5/media/DSCN6920_zpsvplvn1eb.jpg.html)

Now I gotta find one of them stag handled models so I can keep up with Greg, like that's gonna happen.

now those are cool.

[desmobob]

Bob, I had to look up the Benchmade Mini-Barrage. It looks like a dandy knife. My wife has a BM710 that she has carried for years. That axis lock is tough. I was on a Russian site a while back where they tested various mid to low end, folding knives locking mechanisms. That test was to failure for many of the knives they tested, but the axis lock held and worked as advertised afterwards...top of the heap in their test.


I have a Benchmade 710D2 and I consider it one of the finest folders of all time. I carried it for many years and it now has a safe "retirement" spot in my knife roll. The Axis lock is a wonderful thing, for sure!

Here are the Emersons I mentioned:

http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww41/desmobob900ss/Bladeforums%20photos/Emersons%203-1-12_zpscttyibdv.jpg (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/desmobob900ss/media/Bladeforums%20photos/Emersons%203-1-12_zpscttyibdv.jpg.html)



My favorite fixed-blade is a Busse BAD. I have a bunch of Busse knives. Although I consider them over-priced, there are some pretty neat designs available.
http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww41/desmobob900ss/Bladeforums%20photos/BADandsheath1.jpg (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/desmobob900ss/media/Bladeforums%20photos/BADandsheath1.jpg.html)


http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww41/desmobob900ss/Bladeforums%20photos/kinves-greatestthingsince_zps2327003a.jpg (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/desmobob900ss/media/Bladeforums%20photos/kinves-greatestthingsince_zps2327003a.jpg.html)


Tight groups,
Bob

[gb6491]

Thanks for sharing those Bob!

I've always liked the lines of CQC8

I do like that Busse :)

Regards,
Greg

[AJBert]

Neat not so little knives!

I carry just a plain ol' Case with two blades. About 3" long when folded up with the longer blade about 2 1/2" and the smaller about 1 3/4". I've got another Case for a backup in case/when I lose this one. I think they call it some "state" tooth pick. Both hold the edges very well and come outta the box razor sharp, plus very easy to get that edge back.

[desmobob]

Thanks for sharing those Bob!

I've always liked the lines of CQC8

I do like that Busse :)

Regards,
Greg

Always happy to show off some knives!

Here's a nicer "glamor shot" of the little Busse BAD:

http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww41/desmobob900ss/Bladeforums%20photos/BusseBAD01DSC01027_zpsf7277023.jpg (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/desmobob900ss/media/Bladeforums%20photos/BusseBAD01DSC01027_zpsf7277023.jpg.html)

Most of my Busse knives (the last three on the bottom -- Cultellus, BAD and Game Warden-- do see some regular carry)...
http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww41/desmobob900ss/Bladeforums%20photos/Busse%20family%20photo_zpsvu76kxst.jpg (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/desmobob900ss/media/Bladeforums%20photos/Busse%20family%20photo_zpsvu76kxst.jpg.html)

Tight groups,
Bob

[gb6491]

Darn nice photos and collection Bob :)
I like all three of those last three on the bottom.
I've kind of migrated to the inexpensive end with the fixed blades I carry now. So far, I'm getting the service I need from these two older style Mora 511 knives;
http://i64.tinypic.com/24gq3bn.jpg
Still, one of those small Busse knives might sway me from that path.
Regards,
Greg

[gb6491]

Neat not so little knives!

I carry just a plain ol' Case with two blades. About 3" long when folded up with the longer blade about 2 1/2" and the smaller about 1 3/4". I've got another Case for a backup in case/when I lose this one. I think they call it some "state" tooth pick. Both hold the edges very well and come outta the box razor sharp, plus very easy to get that edge back.
Nothing wrong with those...nothing at all:) I've have a Case slimline trapper that has filled in nicely for a dull steak knife and didn't raise many eyebrows when doing so.
Regards,
Greg

[desmobob]

Darn nice photos and collection Bob :)
I like all three of those last three on the bottom.
I've kind of migrated to the inexpensive end with the fixed blades I carry now. So far, I'm getting the service I need from these two older style Mora 511 knives;
Still, one of those small Busse knives might sway me from that path.
Regards,
Greg

Greg,

Funny you mention the Mora knives... of all the Busses I have, only a handful are what I consider generally useful because most have overly thick blades with steep edge bevels. My favorite backpacking/camping knife is a custom made with a Scandi-style blade like on a Mora.

http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww41/desmobob900ss/Bladeforums%20photos/in%20the%20woods%204-12-09h_zpssjgxyusw.jpg (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/desmobob900ss/media/Bladeforums%20photos/in%20the%20woods%204-12-09h_zpssjgxyusw.jpg.html)

I also love this one:

http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww41/desmobob900ss/Bladeforums%20photos/Brian%20Andrews%20bushcraft_zpsvzetsrlm.jpg (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/desmobob900ss/media/Bladeforums%20photos/Brian%20Andrews%20bushcraft_zpsvzetsrlm.jpg.html)


Each of my hiking, camping and hunting packs has a Mora stashed in it (either a Classic, Clipper or Companion; around ten bucks each). You can't beat those knives for five times the price!

Tight groups,
Bob

[gb6491]

Greg,

Funny you mention the Mora knives... of all the Busses I have, only a handful are what I consider generally useful because most have overly thick blades with steep edge bevels. My favorite backpacking/camping knife is a custom made with a Scandi-style blade like on a Mora.

http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww41/desmobob900ss/Bladeforums%20photos/in%20the%20woods%204-12-09h_zpssjgxyusw.jpg (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/desmobob900ss/media/Bladeforums%20photos/in%20the%20woods%204-12-09h_zpssjgxyusw.jpg.html)

I also love this one:

http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww41/desmobob900ss/Bladeforums%20photos/Brian%20Andrews%20bushcraft_zpsvzetsrlm.jpg (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/desmobob900ss/media/Bladeforums%20photos/Brian%20Andrews%20bushcraft_zpsvzetsrlm.jpg.html)


Each of my hiking, camping and hunting packs has a Mora stashed in it (either a Classic, Clipper or Companion; around ten bucks each). You can't beat those knives for five times the price!

Tight groups,
Bob

Bob,
Once again excellent knives and photos of them!

As I had made a couple knives at about the same time, I remember when Daniel Koster first started making knives. Back then, he used to post quite regularly on the HI forum at bladeforums and I had sent him a smaller khukuri for his father's use (or maybe it was for father in law:confused:).
Anyway, I enjoy seeing your knives, keep'em coming (if you are of a mind to). :)
Regards,
Greg

[downtownv]

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
"A higonokami (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higonokami) (肥後守 (https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E8%82%A5%E5%BE%8C%E5%AE%88)? (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Installing_Japanese_character_sets)) is a type of folding pocket knife originating in Miki, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan in 1896. The knife has no locking system, but is a friction folder or "penny knife",[1] using the friction of the swivel or the pressure of the user's thumb on a protruding tang to prevent the knife from folding during use."

And here I thought it was folding paper into cool stuff like swans... :)

[desmobob]

Bob,
Once again excellent knives and photos of them!

As I had made a couple knives at about the same time, I remember when Daniel Koster first started making knives. Back then, he used to post quite regularly on the HI forum at bladeforums and I had sent him a smaller khukuri for his father's use (or maybe it was for father in law:confused:).
Anyway, I enjoy seeing your knives, keep'em coming (if you are of a mind to). :)
Regards,
Greg

Thank you, Greg. I'm glad you enjoy the knives and photos. I used to spend a lot of time over at Bladeforums. I photographed my knives when I first got them and they may not look as pretty today...

The Dan Koster knife you identified in my photo is from a run of knives he made for Bladeforums members.

http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww41/desmobob900ss/Bladeforums%20photos/Koster%20Bushcraft_zpstlqwgpgu.jpg (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/desmobob900ss/media/Bladeforums%20photos/Koster%20Bushcraft_zpstlqwgpgu.jpg.html)

I love that knife, but... it is just a tad too small to be comfortable for my big hands. If that knife was about ten or fifteen percent larger, it might be perfect for me. The Brian Andrews knife pictured below it is also a favorite of mine and though there are some changes I would like it to have, it has seen the most woods time of all my knives.

The Andrews knife has a handle-heavy balance that doesn't feel quite right to me. I wish the blade didn't have that slight belly to it. And I wish the sheath was as compact as the JRE sheath that came with the Koster. But despite these niggles, it's almost always the knife I bring when backpacking.

I'd feel secure heading into the woods with either of these knives, though. They are wonderful!

http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww41/desmobob900ss/Bladeforums%20photos/Bushcrafters%20a_zpsykfie12z.jpg (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/desmobob900ss/media/Bladeforums%20photos/Bushcrafters%20a_zpsykfie12z.jpg.html)

Here's the first knife I ever bought: a 1975 Schrade Stockman I bought when I was in junior high school. It was lost for a year on the bottom of a local lake but I eventually found it with SCUBA, got the rust cleaned off and got her back in working order.

http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww41/desmobob900ss/Bladeforums%20photos/Schrade%20stockman%20-%201975%20a_zpsjldmyhmd.jpg (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/desmobob900ss/media/Bladeforums%20photos/Schrade%20stockman%20-%201975%20a_zpsjldmyhmd.jpg.html)

Tight groups,
Bob