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Knife Information

1894- Mr. Tasaburo Shigematsu, a hardware wholesaler, introduced a new pocket knife with its blade and sheath folded by installing a small handle “Chikiri (tail)” on the blade, while inspired by the knife he brought back from Kagoshima.

He named it “Higonokami Knife” because many of his customers were in Kumamoto area (formally Higo country), which turned out to dramatically increase his sales. The blades have gradually changed their shapes. Unlike single-edged knives, the double-edged blades (V-shaped cross section) were in those days considered common. The earlier blades had a sharper tip (shape of a bamboo leaf), but now they have square shapes. The sheaths had a vertically folding style and a cross folding style, now the vertical one has to be custom made.

In 1911, at the First Kobe Export Articles Competitive Exhibition, Crown Prince (later Emperor Taisho) liked Higonokami on display very much and bought one, which is said to have helped its fame further spread.

The Higonikami is a fantastic traditional utility knife at a low cost. 

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165mm Blue Super Core, Tsuchime Stainless Clad Bunka Knife

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Knife Information

Takeshi Saji has perhaps one of the widest ranges of blade finishes and stylistic creations of any blacksmith in Japan. He works with all Japanese Carbon Steels, as well as R2, VG10, and others. He crafts his own Damascus in Rainbow, Diamond, and Black Nickel finishes, and fits a wide range of handle types. He can truly do it all, and all at the ripe young age of 73. To this day he produces functional works of art out of the Takefu Knife Village in Japan, surrounded by other like-minded craftsman. 

Best paired with a camellia oil, wooden saya and a 1000/6000 whetstone

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Yu Kurosaki is now one of the most well-known blacksmiths in Japan. He experienced a rapid rise to fame through his beautiful knife aesthetics, his thin grinds, and use of exotic steels like SG2, HAP40, and stainless-clad Blue Super. The Fujin was among one of the first lines of his that contributed to this fame. The striking Tsuchime finish is now instantly recognizable and is truly a piece to be experienced first-hand. 

Best paired with a wooden saya and a 1000/6000 whetstone

Steel Breakdown

SG2 is a powder stainless steel made by The Takefu Special Steel Company in Takefu, Japan. It is, in our eyes, the ultimate combination of edge retention, stainless properties, and ease of sharpening. Having more carbon than the Carbon Steels like White and Blue, yet more stainless elements than VG10, knives using this steel are the best of both worlds without the downsides.

Knives with an SG2 core are becoming more prevalent in Japan due to these reasons. Their overall cost may be higher, but is well justified in our opinion.

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Tadafusa manufacture their knives in the city of Sanjo, well known across Japan as the ‘town of blacksmiths’. The likes of Yoshikane, Hinoura, and Kawamura all hail from the same city. Tadafusa was founded in 1948 by Sone Torasaburo, who began making sickles, knives, and other bladed tools using traditional forging methods, but then began to specialise in kitchen knives, which has culminated in the immaculate pieces you see here.

Best paired with a camellia oil, wooden saya and a 1000/6000 whetstone

This knife is great for:

✅ Those wanting a fairly easy knife to maintain, but don't mind carbon steel maintenance

✅ Those who like slightly thicker and heavier knives with comfy western style handles

✅ Pinch grip cutters

✅ Larger cutting (larger meats etc)

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An adorable porcelain rest for your chopsticks.

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