Don't listen to comments nonsense, if you like these knives and they do what you want them to, they're right for you. I picked up a Douk Douk as a kid and still have one. I got similar criticism because the back spring will take off your fingers if you're not careful and the steel handle isn't as comfortable. I managed to keep my fingers at age 13 so a grown up should be alright. It's a great blade and highly useful. Isn't that what they're supposed to be?
Mate, you’re absolutely right. I own several modern knives, but those knives have soul, douk-douk, higonokami, Mercator those are my absolute favorite knives. Slim in the pocket, and extremely useful. Anyone who has ever said anything bad about those knives never owned them
You shouldn’t have to be posting a video justifying your choices, or proving safety. If others can’t see the Higonokami for what it is, that’s their problem. I remember a time when folding knives were called pen knives, and non of them locked open! Great video. Keep em coming 👍
I use these as well. They are safe! They are functional! The quality is unsurpassed! Don’t listen to idiots! Because why? They are idiots!!!! I’ve collected and have made knives and swords for 50 years. My experience is real experience. NOT AN ARMCHAIR EXPERT THAT WATCHES THE COMPUTER FOR KNOWLEDGE! Thank you for your video!
I've just got a higo. I think it's the same make as yours but with a brass handle. I bought it out of curiosity at the same time as buying a Spyderco and I absolutely love it. I love the simplicity and the roughness of the hand-forged blade, and the fact that it is uk legal. Great knife to play with, might even use it for something one day!
I love mine too. Got it shortly after getting a kansept knife and a Civivi before that and a sak before that. I think I paid more than other ppl for some reason but I friggin love it. Only had it for just shy of a month but such a cool knife. My centring wasn’t great but it doesn’t bother me surprisingly. The knife has so much character. I need to put it to more use
This was an interesting video to watch, I appreciate the insights. I’ve never owned or even seen one of these in-person, but for a while have had some curiosity about them. It was very cool to hear how they are in routine use from someone who legitimately has experience with em. For the last seven years I’ve carried a Buck 119, ever since I bought it when I was 16 years old. Whether it’s work, gardening, woodcarving, bushcraft, cooking/eating, or hunting, the 119 is nearly all I use. Stays on my belt 24/7. It’s much different than these Higonokami knives, so it’s intriguing to hear the experience of such an unfamiliar tool. One of the biggest questions I had was about the blade closing during use. I pretty much exclusively use a fixed-blade, which is what my buck knife is, so having a non-locking folder seemed strange, but the way you describe and demonstrate it, this sounds like it’s completely functional. Thanks again for the good video. Perhaps one day I’ll buy one of these!
I’m doing a little planning before making a video of my Higonokami collection. I’ve only 10 or a dozen as a sub collection of my Japanese section of my folding knife collection. Anyway, I saw this as I was looking around CZcams for hints and tips. Great video. Hopefully mine will be up in a week or two.
Thank you for the good video👍 I also love this knife😍 The kanji for "守" written on the sheath is "protect" in English. I think this knife will protect you. Kanji is a single character and has different meanings and readings, so it is difficult for even Japanese people 🇯🇵 But I think the design of the kanji shape is cool👍
Genuine Higonokami by Nagao also makes a kiridashi style blade but they are made very rarely for sale. I managed to snag one last time they were available by him, only 25 or so we're up for sale. Just wanted to get that info out since you included the different blade style comment in the beginning of the vid.
I love mine--one with a brass handle. The quality is superb! The only way you can hurt yourself with one of these is if you are doing something dumb--like attempting to open a can with it when you have lost your can opener! I must admit, though--that I prefer my Peasant Knife as my constant pocket knife. It is less exquisite and you don't mind abusing it. I'm inclined to leave my Higo No Kami with my chisels and planes. I am a professional builder of wooden boats and I class this knife with top quality wood working tools. Something to used appropriately and with respect. I bought my Peasant Knife with a plastic handle and replaced it with purpleheart. I feel that it is more of a general purpose tool. I don't fear chipping the blade in rough use.
I always have the victorionox spirit on me fe for other stuff, staring to carry a lot of redundancy again half of the tools on the victorinox i have of the key chain lol
Cased knives were used in the U.K too, in medieval times and the example Tod Cutler makes has an extended tang that curves up and sits the thumb tab above the body of the knife. This allows for reverse as well as forward holds. I often wonder why this 'flying tab' went out of fashion as it really increases the knifes utility. I don't know if Tod Cutler's is typical of what was around at the time, but it's beefy too, compared to a Higo. I'd say beefier than the french, german etc versions too.
Far as I know, these were created to provide a legal trade for swordsmiths after the de-weaponizing of japan. Anyone that thinks it'll close on your hand is doing something stupid for a folder like stabbing. These are essentially historic utility knives, pocket knives, like a swiss army. They're incredibly thin and fit well in jeans pockets without sticking out. You can hammer the rivet to stiffen the opening so they can't open without trying. The basic ones use 1085 grade steel either solid or laminated with soft iron, and the nicer ones use paper blue steel. Both are harder than most generic western cheap blades and so can hold an edge for a bit longer. These, opinel, and Mora make the best inexpensive pocket and fixed blades that do what you need from a knife. And all not made in china despite the inexpensive for the quality.
I think the people who call these knives unsafe, are the same people who need their lawn mower blades to stop cutting when they go in reverse. Nice video.
Unless there is a defect of manufacturing all knives and tools are safe. The individual using the tool maybe unsafe. People should use and bear whatever tool best suits them. The lesson is, "know your limitations.".....I think Socrates or Dirty Harry said that. Approach life with an intention to learn by observation and action and accept responsibility for your own behavior. Protect yourself at all times despite the bullshit we are fed the natural order of life is a gauntlet.
every knife was outlawed in japan except for this knife until they banned these too so for a period they were designed to be impossible to use as a weapon and they had to have the makers mark on it or it wasn’t a government approved knife so you couldn’t thin the blade to gets them really sharp. most of the modern versions which are all the same company are better than the ones people had during this knife restriction period so you will see them slicing but if you take a close look you will see what i mean. this would eventually happen if they took our guns everyone would carry a knife and then eventually the government would restrict them and after the restriction period in japan they did ban them completely…. so it’s important to know the history of these knives because they were never designed to be effective.
I love my Japanese knife great review very true what you say too but did you know that if your knife falls open by gravity it becomes a gravity knife becomes illegal to carry I noticed with mine sharp cutting edge gets ruined because edge touched bottom of handle so I put bit of a chopstick inside handle so edge touches wood not the metal I too made a neck pouch for mine Greetings from Essex I subscribe 👍🇮🇹🐾🦊
That’s not correct if a knife simply has a loose screw and opens with the force of gravity because of the simple hanging of the blade that is not the same as a gravity or gravity knife is something that opens with a mechanism relying on gravity that’s different than gravity acting up a piece of metal That said these days, I don’t think you’re really allowed to carry much of anything over there which is too bad
Best place is direct from Japan: www.musashihamono.com/en/search?type=product&q=higonokami Licenced Uk sellers: www.knivesandtools.co.uk/en/ct/higonokami-pocket-knives.htm www.moonrakerknives.co.uk/manufacturer/folding-knives/higonokami www.niwaki.com/pocket-knives/ EU seller: www.mukama.com/en/higonokami
Each time you use it for anything other than sharpening a pencil, opening a package, or cutting a bit of string, wipe the blade over with an oily rag. Any oil will do. To maintain the edge as a razor blade, get yourself a fine ceramic rod and give the edge half a dozen light swipes on each side. Then get a bit of leather and strop the blade with a smudge of toothpaste as a polishing compound.
Don't listen to comments nonsense, if you like these knives and they do what you want them to, they're right for you. I picked up a Douk Douk as a kid and still have one. I got similar criticism because the back spring will take off your fingers if you're not careful and the steel handle isn't as comfortable. I managed to keep my fingers at age 13 so a grown up should be alright. It's a great blade and highly useful. Isn't that what they're supposed to be?
Mate, you’re absolutely right. I own several modern knives, but those knives have soul, douk-douk, higonokami, Mercator those are my absolute favorite knives. Slim in the pocket, and extremely useful. Anyone who has ever said anything bad about those knives never owned them
You shouldn’t have to be posting a video justifying your choices, or proving safety. If others can’t see the Higonokami for what it is, that’s their problem. I remember a time when folding knives were called pen knives, and non of them locked open! Great video. Keep em coming 👍
I use these as well. They are safe! They are functional! The quality is unsurpassed!
Don’t listen to idiots!
Because why? They are idiots!!!!
I’ve collected and have made knives and swords for 50 years. My experience is real experience. NOT AN ARMCHAIR EXPERT THAT WATCHES THE COMPUTER FOR KNOWLEDGE!
Thank you for your video!
I've just got a higo. I think it's the same make as yours but with a brass handle. I bought it out of curiosity at the same time as buying a Spyderco and I absolutely love it. I love the simplicity and the roughness of the hand-forged blade, and the fact that it is uk legal. Great knife to play with, might even use it for something one day!
I love mine too. Got it shortly after getting a kansept knife and a Civivi before that and a sak before that. I think I paid more than other ppl for some reason but I friggin love it. Only had it for just shy of a month but such a cool knife. My centring wasn’t great but it doesn’t bother me surprisingly. The knife has so much character. I need to put it to more use
This was an interesting video to watch, I appreciate the insights. I’ve never owned or even seen one of these in-person, but for a while have had some curiosity about them. It was very cool to hear how they are in routine use from someone who legitimately has experience with em.
For the last seven years I’ve carried a Buck 119, ever since I bought it when I was 16 years old. Whether it’s work, gardening, woodcarving, bushcraft, cooking/eating, or hunting, the 119 is nearly all I use. Stays on my belt 24/7. It’s much different than these Higonokami knives, so it’s intriguing to hear the experience of such an unfamiliar tool.
One of the biggest questions I had was about the blade closing during use. I pretty much exclusively use a fixed-blade, which is what my buck knife is, so having a non-locking folder seemed strange, but the way you describe and demonstrate it, this sounds like it’s completely functional.
Thanks again for the good video. Perhaps one day I’ll buy one of these!
Thanks for the thoughtful video and information.
Well spoken love the blades🙏❤
Great video mate. Cheers!
Excellent video with lots of important informations
I’m doing a little planning before making a video of my Higonokami collection. I’ve only 10 or a dozen as a sub collection of my Japanese section of my folding knife collection. Anyway, I saw this as I was looking around CZcams for hints and tips. Great video. Hopefully mine will be up in a week or two.
Thank you for the good video👍 I also love this knife😍
The kanji for "守" written on the sheath is "protect" in English. I think this knife will protect you.
Kanji is a single character and has different meanings and readings, so it is difficult for even Japanese people 🇯🇵
But I think the design of the kanji shape is cool👍
Thank you for the information! Kanji is very difficult but but i hope to get better at it soon.
Genuine Higonokami by Nagao also makes a kiridashi style blade but they are made very rarely for sale. I managed to snag one last time they were available by him, only 25 or so we're up for sale. Just wanted to get that info out since you included the different blade style comment in the beginning of the vid.
Thank you for the heads up, had no idea there was a kiridashi bladed one and I absolutely love it.
@@anelpasic5232 no problem, it's a beautiful knife and performs so well, and is a dream to resharpen since it's a single bevel zero grind
I love mine--one with a brass handle. The quality is superb!
The only way you can hurt yourself with one of these is if you are doing something dumb--like attempting to open a can with it when you have lost your can opener!
I must admit, though--that I prefer my Peasant Knife as my constant pocket knife. It is less exquisite and you don't mind abusing it.
I'm inclined to leave my Higo No Kami with my chisels and planes. I am a professional builder of wooden boats and I class this knife with top quality wood working tools. Something to used appropriately and with respect.
I bought my Peasant Knife with a plastic handle and replaced it with purpleheart. I feel that it is more of a general purpose tool. I don't fear chipping the blade in rough use.
They are some cool looking knives! Currently prefer the multi functionality of a sak, but I might get one eventually! Thanks for sharing :)
I always have the victorionox spirit on me fe for other stuff, staring to carry a lot of redundancy again half of the tools on the victorinox i have of the key chain lol
Cased knives were used in the U.K too, in medieval times and the example Tod Cutler makes has an extended tang that curves up and sits the thumb tab above the body of the knife. This allows for reverse as well as forward holds. I often wonder why this 'flying tab' went out of fashion as it really increases the knifes utility. I don't know if Tod Cutler's is typical of what was around at the time, but it's beefy too, compared to a Higo. I'd say beefier than the french, german etc versions too.
Far as I know, these were created to provide a legal trade for swordsmiths after the de-weaponizing of japan. Anyone that thinks it'll close on your hand is doing something stupid for a folder like stabbing. These are essentially historic utility knives, pocket knives, like a swiss army. They're incredibly thin and fit well in jeans pockets without sticking out. You can hammer the rivet to stiffen the opening so they can't open without trying. The basic ones use 1085 grade steel either solid or laminated with soft iron, and the nicer ones use paper blue steel. Both are harder than most generic western cheap blades and so can hold an edge for a bit longer. These, opinel, and Mora make the best inexpensive pocket and fixed blades that do what you need from a knife. And all not made in china despite the inexpensive for the quality.
Yeah I just got one yesterday and it’s great so far. It’s not for fighting, it’s a tool, and if you’ve half a brain you’ll be ok
I think the people who call these knives unsafe, are the same people who need their lawn mower blades to stop cutting when they go in reverse. Nice video.
Kamisori literally means razor. Higonokami aren't razors, they were more for sharpening pencils.
Unless there is a defect of manufacturing all knives and tools are safe. The individual using the tool maybe unsafe.
People should use and bear whatever tool best suits them.
The lesson is, "know your limitations.".....I think Socrates or Dirty Harry said that. Approach life with an intention to learn by observation and action and accept responsibility for your own behavior. Protect yourself at all times despite the bullshit we are fed the natural order of life is a gauntlet.
I love the handles you have! Which types are they? Did you force patina them?
What you are referring to as reverse tango is called Kiritsuke
Can you show how you bent the frame so it swings open but still is secure when closed
every knife was outlawed in japan except for this knife until they banned these too so for a period they were designed to be impossible to use as a weapon and they had to have the makers mark on it or it wasn’t a government approved knife so you couldn’t thin the blade to gets them really sharp. most of the modern versions which are all the same company are better than the ones people had during this knife restriction period so you will see them slicing but if you take a close look you will see what i mean. this would eventually happen if they took our guns everyone would carry a knife and then eventually the government would restrict them and after the restriction period in japan they did ban them completely…. so it’s important to know the history of these knives because they were never designed to be effective.
I love my Japanese knife great review very true what you say too but did you know that if your knife falls open by gravity it becomes a gravity knife becomes illegal to carry I noticed with mine sharp cutting edge gets ruined because edge touched bottom of handle so I put bit of a chopstick inside handle so edge touches wood not the metal I too made a neck pouch for mine Greetings from Essex I subscribe 👍🇮🇹🐾🦊
That’s not correct if a knife simply has a loose screw and opens with the force of gravity because of the simple hanging of the blade that is not the same as a gravity or gravity knife is something that opens with a mechanism relying on gravity that’s different than gravity acting up a piece of metal
That said these days, I don’t think you’re really allowed to carry much of anything over there which is too bad
Hi. Do you also have such a slight axial play as if the pin on which the blade "goes" is a tad too thin or the hole in the blade too large? Greetings.
Great video! Is there a particular place that you have ordered these to make sure they are authentic?
Best place is direct from Japan: www.musashihamono.com/en/search?type=product&q=higonokami
Licenced Uk sellers:
www.knivesandtools.co.uk/en/ct/higonokami-pocket-knives.htm
www.moonrakerknives.co.uk/manufacturer/folding-knives/higonokami
www.niwaki.com/pocket-knives/
EU seller:
www.mukama.com/en/higonokami
@@JohnGoesWalkabout Thank you!
Hey boss i got one and its rusting like cra😂zy how doni stip that also how do i sharpen it
Each time you use it for anything other than sharpening a pencil, opening a package, or cutting a bit of string, wipe the blade over with an oily rag. Any oil will do. To maintain the edge as a razor blade, get yourself a fine ceramic rod and give the edge half a dozen light swipes on each side. Then get a bit of leather and strop the blade with a smudge of toothpaste as a polishing compound.
I must have got a dud. It's was horrendous. Got sent straight back
Only knife I buy is a higo
How do you care and maintain them?
I just whipe the blades with camellia oil after use and sharpen on waterstones when needed
Oil them and if the pin get loose you can crush the handle like he did or tap the pin with a hammer to tighten it up more
1:15 Some jackass said these are straight razors? Uhh, I guess it could be used as one, but seems to be a pretty terrible design for that purpose
Kusarigama
Ki
Sah
Key
so obviously not for self defense
These suck
Very intelligent comment! Well done you!! 👍🏅🎉