Earlier this year I bought an XL Higonokami off Amazon in the hopes I would review it
eventually- and like any good American I quickly forgot about it- threw it in a junk drawer-
and bought other knives to replace it.
I even made a preview video about it- which means I must have been serious about shooting
it.
Maybe.
So lets look at the overall length and weight while we ponder what it means to be a good
consumer.
The blade size and cutting edge- is it buying only the things we need.
The handle size and grip area.
Ok you know what I dont want to talk about it any more.
Spine thickness and handle thickness- I dont have a problem.
And the tallness closed.
While I find it hard to believe since these are all over Amazon is that one dude
named Nagao Seisakusho makes all the Higonokamis.
Internet lore states these are a traditional Japansese friction folder first made in 1896.
And while this is a particular style of knife that has been copied the ones in the blue
and gold box like this are the legit made in Japan real ones that Amazon hawks.
Theyre easily identifiable by their brass handle and what they call a blue paper steel
blade.
They could probably charge more if they put the world Bohler in front of it.
So lets look closer at the blue paper steel blade, which is a rare paper and steel alloy.
Lets just say its very carbon steel like- as in it rusts easily as you can see here,
and it has what can best be described as a Scandinavian grind.
Its not exactly like it, but it sharpens like a Scandinavian grind because there is no microbevel
at the bottom.
Expect the blade to take a razor edge easy, but need to be sharpened often.
Even during its limited use theres some edge damage.
Apparently there are some higher end versions of this knife- but this is the standard XL
version with a 3.5 half ish blade.
There are smaller variants too.
I got most of this information from some random blade forum threads, Wikipedia, Amazon product
reviews, a few sketchy websites, a Vimeo video, and an email forward.
So its a typically well researched video youve come to love.
Ok maybe not an email forward.
The handle is brass, meaning itll pick up finger filth quick and begin to change color
even if you throw it in your junk drawer after using it for 10 minutes or so.
A blueish color means fecal matter.
On my handle you can actually see outlines of my finger prints hmm wonder what I used
it for?
Its one piece of brass probably folded by a machine with a lanyard hole in the back.
The handle is pretty bare the edges of it arent sharp but they have a distinct edge-
if you want to use this often maybe take some fine grit sand paper to it or just be a man
for once.
Or lady.
Since I have the XL version its long enough for my hand.
The deployment of the knife can best be described as 2 handed- unless youre a show off.
You could possibly open it one handed, but you have to do it like this.
The blade does rub on the inside of the handle- so it might give some people a new appreciation
for a Benchmade.
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.
The blade pivots on a rivet and is not adjustable.
Likle I said earlier these knives are allegedly hand made by one dude on old machines.
I have read some reports on well centered blemish free knives, but good luck there.
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.
I think the allure of this knife is its quick ability to pick up wear from the individual
user- and to look like something thats old.
Like 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 I in Japan- and they would probably believe you.
Except for that one person who says.. then oh I didnt know the US was stationed in Japan
in World War I. And at the point you probably need to take a call or something.
Or start lying more.
And while I wrap it up lets do a few shots of my hand holding other knives you might
be familiar with, so you can get a good idea of its size, and also you can look at my hand.
Should you buy this?
Again it might make a great around the office letter opener or box opener.
Lets 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 on a knife you maybe that wasnt you that complained
about the slightly off center $15 Ganzo was it?
Not you.
It kind of looks cool, but the handle isnt all that comfortable, and its not fidget friendly.
But it is a hand made custom that only costs about $20?
If you like this review subscribe to my channel give it a thumbs up, leave a comment.
Check the description for links to the video of the guy making knives, and a link to a
repost of the Higonokami story which I have no way of verifying.
Thanks for watching.