Today there is a single solitary smith working under the traditional Higonokami handle.

Hi guys, I just got my new Nagao Seisakusho Higonokami knife, figured I'd share some pictures. “The Japanese believe their soul goes into our knives once we start using them. One such knife is the Higo no Kami, a traditional Japanese pocket knife currently seeing a resurgence among everyday carry culture. The douk-douk can be considered one of the most famous tactical knives in recent history.

You wouldn't put your soul in a dishwasher!” – Masaharu Morimoto. Traditionally made in Japan, these styles offer simple yet effective knives that have a great edge and are well made. The Higonokami knife is an amazing gift for anyone who loves history, exotic gadgets or knives. About our factory Name: Nagao Kanekoma Factory Adderss: 311 Hirata, Miki-city, Hyogo 673-0405, JAPAN Establishment: in 1894. Only the tiniest higo no kami, too small to even slice an apple, can be carried in their own country today.

The Higo no Kami folding knife has a long history in Japan dating back to the late 19th century. Some more Swiss Army Knife trivia: the first Swiss (made) Army knives were made by Karl Elsener, and known as the Modell 1890.

(img) 1896. The name "Higonokami" was trademarked by a Miki guild, and today only the maker KaneKoma (Nagao) is legally allowed to use that name. The term “Swiss Army Knife” is now a registered trademark by Victorinox, although Wenger also made them before Victorinox bought them out in 2005. Founded by Komataro Nagao. A blacksmith is said to have added a simple lever to a minimally designed pocket knife to aid in opening and closing the blade and to set it apart from other knives.

It's Warikomi steel, so it has a hard inner layer and a soft outer layer. In 1899 a knife maker’s guild was created in Miki and in 1907, the name “Higonokami” was trademarked. Modell 1890 was crafted with a blade, reamer, can-opener, and a screwdriver, and was distributed to Swiss Army soldiers.

This type of knife is one the the oldest traditional knife styles in production today.

This colonial knife was widely utilized in terms of lethal application, giving it a bloody history and reputation. The term “Swiss Army knife” was created by US soldiers returning from WWII, but the knife was actually developed back in 1891. While there are many makers of this style of knife in Japan today, only members of the guild may use the name.

With even greater constraints on knife making and ownership, the Higonokami guild dwindled.

Douk-Douk knife production started around 1929, and still takes place in Thiers, France. The rest, as they say, is history. The second photo shows the layering better. The brass-handled knife shown above has a … With a rich history dating back as far as 1896, the Higonokami knife is to Japan what the Douk-Douk is to France. Comes sharp enough to effortlessly cut paper and to terrify some of my co-workers who aren't used to friction folders. History.

Shop our Higonokami collection In 1907 a guild was established and the name "Hignokami" was trademarked. Sadly, a sword-based national tragedy brought knife sales and use to a grinding halt in the 1960s.

The tale of the Higonokami changed into a success story. For some, the Higo no Kami–also spelled as higonokami, or referred to as just a Higo–is an old stand-by.

Only the members of the corporation could manufacture the knife. The Japanese higonokami knife was invented in 1896. Since the passage of draconian knife laws in 2009, carrying a knife with a blade longer than 6 cm (2.3 inches) is a crime in Japan. The knife first appeared in 1896 as a result of smiths struggling with the lowering demand for swords with the decline of the samurai under the reforms made by Emperor Meiji in the late 19th century.. Nagao Higonokami knives have been made for generations. But for many, Higos are emerging from obscurity thanks to their unique design and history.