Simple and rustic pocket knife forged in the latest official Japanese cutlery Nagao Kanekoma. In its brass version the double-edged San Mai blue steel blade can ...+
adapt to both hands. Paper blue steel is a steel that is highly rich in carbon, which gives it a hardness that is resistant to wear. Sharpening can therefore be very thorough. Be careful, there is a risk of oxidation if you do not wipe it after each use on damp areas (kitchen, gardening).
12 cm San Mai blue steel blade • Engraved steel handle bearing the name of the artisan cutler • Made in Japan • Not dishwasher safe
Detailed description:
This simple and rustic Japanese pocket knife has the distinction of being one of the oldest registered trademarks still in production. Almost unchanged since its creation ...+
in 1894 it is among the least expensive on the market. The traditional Higonokami has a folded brass handle stamped with characters detailing the name of the cutler. The blade, often with a dropped point, is made of forged steel called "Sanmai", namely made up of several layers of carbon steel in order to ensure good cutting life. A "lens" allows the "Piedmontese" blocking and even one-handed opening. Nowadays intended for the size of goose feathers used for calligraphy, it is also widely used in various crafts or as an everyday knife.
History of Higonokami:
The Higonokami was born in 1894 in Japan when a hardware merchant Tasaburo Shigematsu brought back a knife from the Kagoshima region and suggested to Tejii Murakami, a craftsman from Hirata in the Miki region, to mass produce it. ...+
The latter improved the original version by installing a "Chikiri" (lens in Japanese) to block the blade when opening. It took its name from the old name of the Kyushu region (Higo). "Higo no Kami" means "Lord of Higo" in Japanese, in reference to the last samurai lord of the region. The history of the knife is linked to that of Japan, where in 1877 the last battle between the Samurai and the modern army of the Emperor took place. Defeated, the Samurai were deprived of their privileges, including that of carrying a sword. As a result, many blacksmiths had to find other outlets, converted to cutlery production and settled in the Miki region. In 1899, "Higonokami Knife Union" was created and the brand "Higonokami" was registered in 1910 to protect against poor quality imitations. After World War II, the introduction of utility knives, electric pencil sharpeners, and the social campaign against knives in the 1960s dealt a severe blow to the industry. More and more manufacturers changed jobs or ceased operations. As a result, Nagao Kanakoma Knife became the only manufacturer allowed to use the "Higonokami" brand. Today, Mitsuo, the 5th generation of Nagao, succeeds Motosuke.
