Nagao Kanekoma Higonokami Folding Knife – VG10 Warikomi

Description:
Nagao Kanekoma originates from Miki City, Hyogo Prefecture, a birthplace of traditional Japanese blacksmithing techniques that emerged around the 20th year of the Meiji Era. During this period, iron forging developed into the craft of knife-making, pioneered by artisans such as Murakami-san and Komataro Nagao-san.

In 1897, a merchant named Tasaburo Shigematsu returned from Kagoshima with a folding knife featuring a tail-like lever. Inspired by this design, blacksmiths in Miki, including Nagao-san, began producing similar folding knives. Unlike the common single-bevel blades of the time, these knives were crafted with a double bevel edge, a significant innovation.

The folding knife became widely known under the name “Higonokami Knife”, quickly rising in popularity throughout Japan. Even Emperor Taisho owned one, cementing its cultural status. In 1902, the Higonokami Knife Association was established, at its peak comprising around 40 companies and over 200 craftsmen.

However, by the mid-1950s, sales and popularity began to decline due to the influx of cheaper imitations, new imported knives, and the rise of modern tools like electric pencil sharpeners. As a result, nearly all Higonokami makers went bankrupt or moved to other trades, leaving only Nagao Kanekoma Seisakusho as the sole remaining licensed craftsman legally permitted to use the “Higonokami” trademark today.

Specifications:

• Material: VG10 “Warikomi” (clad steel construction)

• Blade Length: 70 mm

• Blade Thickness: ~2.8 mm

• Handle (Scabbard): Stainless Steel

• Saya Length: 100 mm

• Saya (Flip Cover): Sora Blue Wood

Usage & Significance:
The Higonokami Knife is a legendary piece of Japanese craftsmanship, valued both as a practical folding knife and as a cultural artifact. Compact, razor-sharp, and steeped in history, it continues to be cherished by collectors and knife enthusiasts worldwide as a symbol of traditional Japanese ingenuity.