Higo No Kami Knives - Just so simple and I am truly confused about them

[@herovandiejen1479]

hi george, I thought I might clear something up on your blades. These higonokami were indeed a protected design and could only be manufactured by a small group of people. Right now the only master bladesmith that can make true higonokami knives is Motosuke Nagao. He is getting old and his succesion is not set so he might be the last master bladesmith to make true traditional higonokami right now. He usually inscribes his makers mark and the type of steel used in the blade. The traditonal design featured blue paper steel with softer iron cladding but there's also sk-5 and s55c carbon steel knives and some white paper steel options. he makes them all by hand but with the demand and them being utility blades in japans he is struggling to keep up with quality control all by himself. he believes the knife is only finished when the owner finishes them to their personal liking. all in all a really cool piece of history.

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Nice, thank you. Love knives with history, for me just adds to the value for me. Be safe out there as always

[@rooknado]

George, love the video and your polite demeanor! All love your way@@2ndchancegeorge

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Thankyou, back at you

[@wqsnsr8]

So $25 Higonokami knife on Amazon, is it authentic knife? in description it says Made by Nagao Seisakusho in Japan...need some info on this plz

[@2ndchancegeorge]

@wqsnsr8 see above comment.

[@rooknado]

Youve made a sad guy laugh and a sad guy smile. Thanks, George

[@saldomino1639]

Great Video George ! I love these knives !

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Yes sur. Very nice. Live em. Be safe and happy holidays

[@mikebohling2280]

I've been looking at these for awhile. Well done George !

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Yep. Definitely different for sure. Take care my friend.

[@hawleyfromhell]

All this time I wondered why I like knives so much and you helped me realized that it was because they were sharp and shiny. 👍

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Lol..its a guy thing...and girl thing..diamonds and what not, you welcome. Appriciate the support. You be safe out there

[@2ndchancegeorge]

These knives....truly amazed at them. But have to stop looking them up...so much info about them that conflicts.....oh well...Hey they work and that's all I care about 😂😂😂😂

[@jaredrobertson1217]

Amazing review George, thanks for taking the time to explain the details of the steel and build in such detail!

[@2ndchancegeorge]

My pleasure! Be ssfe

[@km4946]

Hello, I enjoyed your video. What you got are all original, real McCoys, but their grades differ. The maker makes various Higo No Kami with different material, different size, different shape, and sometimes different making process. The mark on the blade is not the maker's mark, which is on the sheeth, but it shows the steel material used for that particular blade.

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Thankyou, good information 👍. Appreciate your support

[@ianbruce6515]

I don't think of myself as a collector of 'sharp and shinies--but sometimes I just can't help myself! I bought a plastic handled Peasant knife and relaced the scales with Purpleheart. I just love it! The Purpleheart has aged in my pocket and picked up a lovely patina--totaly suited to the design. I just couldnt resist the Higo No Kami and ordered the brass handled version with the laminated steel blade. I can't wait for it to arrive! The look of the Higo No Kami matches the Japanese esthetic. Some of their hand tools come unfinished. It's traditional to work on a new tool to adjust it to your preference. Some of the highly prized Tea Ceremony cups, even by famous makers, are deliberately rustic looking and imperfect--so that each piece is an individual. I like that way of thinking. They have handcrafted items that are utterly perfect and beautifully finished--and also plain utilitarian items that have the perfection only in the functionality. Great video, as usual George! I'm so glad that you are doing this!

[@2ndchancegeorge]

I couldn't agree more. Personalizing a piece anything just makes it better. The Japanese have that down. These are probably going to be a favorite if not the knife of choice. The opinel is a great knife with it being almost perfect in the handle design....but it's impersonal. That's why you see so many mods they are easy to do and choices endless. I might try some this with these..... thanks for watching always appriciated 👍

[@MrPocketfullOfSteel]

*haha* Me too!!!

[@menkiboj]

mine arrived 5 day ago 45€, but i used a cheap one from ebay for 2-3 years and i love them, very simple knives but amazing to use

[@TheHitman-]

I can awnswr any question you may have about these knives. I collect them. 😂 $20 to $1500

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Lol...out of my price range...

[@TheHitman-]

@@2ndchancegeorge Naaaaa

[@evanwright2372]

Thanks for the fun video

[@2ndchancegeorge]

You welcome, thanks for the support

[@JoseGonzalez-yx6vm]

Interesting info on these knives, George, thank you.

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Welcome sir. Thanks for watching 👍

[@mikemakesmusic]

Fascinating video! Never heard of Higo No Kami. Thanks for this! Glad you pushed through and finished the vid. Well done mate.

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Interesting knives gotta say that blade....wow. thanks again for your support. Be safe

[@lorenray9479]

Lol such fun!

[@puzzlering1]

Thanks George, a really great vlog very informative and interesting for a nice looking wee knife. Take care Sam

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Yep certainly has alot of history, and that blade....thanks for watching always appriciated 👍. Be safe

[@TheShahofBaltimore]

I think it’s from one of the most beautiful knives to be honest! I don’t know who you are, but I’ve enjoyed this video so much 😅

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Lol...that's OK. I'm just George who.likes knives. Glad you enjoyed the video. Appreciate you watching. Be safe out there.

[@LoreTunderin]

Fascinating knives! Looking at their website I noticed not all of models have a makers mark on the blade, and not all models use the laminated steel. The Zenkou model doesn't look to have a maker's mark, for example. I think perhaps the laminated steel ones are a higher end model that would have a makers mark of the smith that forged the laminated billet, whereas the more economical models use a more mass produced and less labour intensive blade that doesn't have a maker's mark.

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Ahhh that's probably so. I hitvso frustrated with the info out there...the horror. Thanks 😊

[@jimmy66603]

The ones without any markings on the blade are made from SK-5 carbon steel. SK-5 Higonokami's are the cheapest version. Extremely sharp but they need a lot of edge maintenance to keep them sharp and the cheaper steel tarnishes easily. Whereas the ones with markings on the blade are made from blue paper steel which is made up of two different steels. A high carbon steel inner core that's wrapped in a outer layer of softer steel. The inner core is the sharp one. The softer outer layer adds flexibility and it has a greater resistance to corrosion. The blue paper steel Higonokami's are roughly 3 or 4 times more expensive than the ones in SK-5. But it's worth paying the extra. Anyone who's got a SK-5 will be amazed how sharp it is and quite rightly they might assume that you couldn't possibly get a sharper Higonokami. But they'll soon change their mind about that if they got the blue paper steel version. The difference between the two......? Basically a dullish looking razor blade up against a highly polished light sabre on steroids 👌

[@71simonforrester]

My best friend bought me one with a Damascus blade, as it's so slim and the blade is so interesting with it's pattern it's my EDC when I'm dressed up!

[@2ndchancegeorge]

That is perfect for the dress up edc. So slim you don't feel it. And of course that blade helps...lol. thanks for watching appriciate your support

[@jamesflener6889]

A first for me! Like the idea simple and functional. Thanks 2cg

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Lol. Me too. But wow that blade...got me..lol. be safe 😁

[@doobydootoo]

Great video. I've got a couple higonokami. One has no stamp and I cant see the folded steel in the blade. The other I bought from Australia and delivered to Scotland. Titanium handle and the blade has makers mark but is coated in black over the whole blade right down so can't see if it is folded steel

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Yep lovebem. Nice and simple. It will wear and show the fold eventually. Be safe out there and appreciate your support

[@doobydootoo]

@2ndchancegeorge actually I've had a better look. The knife with the black coating. You can still see the fold between the 2 steels even under the coating. I want to get it on a stone but not sure how to go about it. I'm thinking the stone is going to take a lot of the coating off and it's intended to be there. But it might still look good. Thanks for your reply. I'm going to subscribe

[@2ndchancegeorge]

@doobydootoo thankyou. My advice is if you going to take it off, then use VERY fine sandpaper...tallest 1000 grit. The coating is to stop rust. The outer folded metal probably carbon steel with the inner stainless. The Carbon with giveth blade some flex and protect the stainless which is more brittle but Hols a better edge. Appreciate the support.

[@michaelgeorge5197]

Watched whole video and you know about as much as I. So happy I have a nokami. I really should buy another while I still can. Let me know if you have any sharpening tips to the multi steel blade. Was cool to watch a good video on one of my favourite knives

[@2ndchancegeorge]

I believe in a comment someone said no need to sharpen only need to strop...time will tell. Glad you enjoyed the vid. Much appriciated. Oh gonna have to look at the the others out there....

[@skcamerican]

Interesting! Thanks for all your research, GB. I’d heard that it was difficult to tell the real ones from the imitations. No, it ain’t pretty, except in a simple form-follows-function way. Interested in seeing your new handle onthe bigger one.

[@2ndchancegeorge]

The research just made it worse to figure out. Lol. Gotta love the internet. Working on an idea for the handle...in my mind anyway. Hope all is well. Be safe my dear

[@brianlurten3028]

I've thought about buying one but haven't yet. Have a great day

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Yep. The blades are worth the price. Be safe 😁

[@alanaliyev456GT]

Chinese Aliexpress copy are under 5$ .. .ofter quality is really great but most notable difference is Aluminium alloy grip (true Higo grip is 8n brass or iron)

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Yep. I sawvthat. Appriciate the support and be safe out there

[@kacperjurczyk5500]

Thank you very much, I bought one today

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Welcome. You wont be dissapointed. Very cool blade. Be safe

[@ryonaicorp]

Oh also, Nagao has said these are made to be customised by the owner also, I find when the bevel is worked into a proper flat scandi grind they’re a weapon

[@tonynapoli5549]

What can I say ! For the price they are good , I’m sure you will jazz them up lol take care George

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Yep...just screaming for some bling....lol.

[@michaelgeorge5197]

Great video

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Thankyou sir be safe and always appriciate the support

[@ROE1300]

👍 First things first. 1) two #1s in a row means your die might be loaded; 2) there is no way you are like everybody else. 🤷🏻‍♂️ I have 2 fixed blade knives from a Japanese company (Toyokuni) and they are excellent hunting and utility knives. Not as Spartan as the knives in your video, but not fancy by any means. Once again I very much enjoyed your review of these knives. Where will the die take us next?

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Lol...you maybe right about the dice....maybe I will have balance it. Time will tell. These knives were impressive 👏. Thar blade is splendiferous. Be safe out there

[@keithblume5159]

Please give link for the damascus knife

[@youravantgarde]

The small four Kanji characters on the handle of the Higonokami mean Registered Trademark. The first three big characters translate to Higonokami (the name of the knife), and the last two are the name of the maker (Kanekoma).

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Ahh, thankyou for the info. Appriciate the support. Be safe

[@outdoorlife8870]

The laminated steel is aogami bluepaper. The knives without lamination are made of s55c at 60 hrc and sk5 steel (61hrc). The aogami bluepaper steel i believe is 65 hrc rockwell. Thats extremely hard. Take care of it with japanese camelia oil because its non chemical and best for knives. All steels mentioned are carbon steel that will rust. Theres not enough chromium. Since the original blacksmith that makes this knives in in the 4. generation of his family has no one to hand it over they may disappear. Greetings from germany

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Thanks for the good info. Loving these knives. Appriciate the support

[@loboptlu]

Sorry but the sanmei or triple layer is not blue papersteel thats another model and the nonmarked one is carbon steel and they dont bother to put a marker stamp on it. Have the 3 models and prices are carbon cheapest , sanmei second and blue paper the most expensive one.

[@outdoorlife8870]

Well i would call it a rising reversed tanto. Because trailpoint means that the tip of the blade is higher than the spine. Thats not possible on a reversed tanto because the tip is down since its reversed. A real trailpoint is seen at the spyderco bow river.

[@2ndchancegeorge]

True story, be safe

[@michaelgeorge5197]

I only have one nagao higo nokami buti love itboth in looks and use haha. But I am not looking forward to sharpening it. I’m a noob at sharpening. I def want a second one eventually

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Yep sharpening...hmmm. they say you just need to strop

[@michaelgeorge5197]

Mine wasn’t so much from a factory but the last in a line of blacksmiths. Get nagaoif those aren’t already

[@2ndchancegeorge]

All three said was from last smith...who knows these days. Thanks for watching

[@michaelgeorge5197]

.., I might buy another right now.. I think you got yours much cheaper. Just went back, you definitely did.Also sometimes you gotta trust the dice

[@2ndchancegeorge]

True

[@erikramaekers63]

Higonokami is the name of the city where they make the knives,and the name of the city is on the knife

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Aash. Thankyou

[@stickboyy]

Is Chromium mistaken for Carbon here??

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Good question,maybe. I don't know enough about metals to be sure.... there are apparently aor of different higos out there. Thanks for watching always appreciated

[@michaelgeorge5197]

I think the markings label the steel but not entirely sure

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Ahhh ok.

[@slick_slicers]

Ugly?! Far from it! I’ve shown a few of these on my channel and I love them. Higonokami means governor of Higo (a province in Japan). Incidentally, they make wooden handled ones toò and use a range of laminated and non-laminated steels, even some "Damascus" steels, but none are folded steels. Enjoyed the video!

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Yep. Thankyou. I dud not mean to be disrespectful. The design is basic...Which I prefer. They are carried everyday on me at work or play. Made little leather slips and carry in my pocket. Barely notice them. I am a big fan.

[@roach7191]

I have one as well does anyone know what the markings mean

[@2ndchancegeorge]

The making are an ode to the then governor, the small mark on the blade if it has one is the makers mark. Thanks for watching always appriciated 👍

[@rainman9750]

What’s the deal with the dice? Recently I’ve been basing important decisions on the roll of a die. Amazed to see someone else letting the dice make choices for them…

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Lol..sometimes I just cannit make a decision on what video to do. I will have a couple ideas and I use the duce to choose. I get a little iffy on some days where I am all over the place. Lol. My straighten up guide. Be safe out there

[@ryonaicorp]

These knifes haven’t changed since 1920’s, they were a staple in Japanese life whatever your age or gender and were designed just after the samurai we’re decommissioned as a cheap but reliable cutter. There’s only one member of the JKG left abd they’re the real Higos, Musashi also has a collaboration but easily distinguished by the extra kanji on the handle. A couple of hardware brands make them with different stamping and you also have people retrofitting genuine handles with high end blades on Etsy ect… It’s a bit to take in for something so simple having like 100 variations, I have a small collection but I use them daily from general cutting to denibbing paint 😅 not just a pretty piece 🎉

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Yep true story. Be safe out there, appriciate the support

[@ryonaicorp]

@@2ndchancegeorge No worries friend, it’s nice to have such a historic piece and share knowledge 🤘🏼✌🏼

[@2ndchancegeorge]

@ryonaicorp yep. Live em

[@NoNo-bw5cq]

It has no sandwich lines because the package says Chrome Knife Steel, rust free, not aogami steel, which is not, thats probably why those packages are cheaper too. Basically its even cheaper rust free higo, but i think its real.

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Yep, the sma one with stamp on blade has sandwich lines on it , not the others, thanks for watching, be safe out there

[@nickmac902]

Where can i order one in Canada?

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Good question. I got these on Amazon. Not sure what your regulations are. Let me know what you find. Many thanks for watching

[@2ndchancegeorge]

I did see a post on Reddit that said along as it needs assisting to open its legal...try searching google.

[@garrockwaters304]

I thought this was a joke when I first got it. I had to straighten out the bent metal holder and refine the rough spine and thumb stop thing. A good stropping and off I went. I have since found many uses for it on my work bench. I am always reaching for it for something. Now it is one of my most used tools in my work. It is sharp!

[@2ndchancegeorge]

With you there. Thanks for watching 👍 be safe

[@pete.b4197]

Those all 3 inifes is original higonokamis! Only plate steels are diffrent! One where are text is laminated and two where not are text is garbon steel with two size!

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Ah ha, that makes sense...the info on internet is so damn confusing fir my old 🧠. Thanks for the support

[@TheHitman-]

Man these knives are beautiful what are you saying?

[@2ndchancegeorge]

I love em. The blades are awesome. Nice and simple.v

[@TheHitman-]

@@2ndchancegeorge I'm an expert on all things Japanese metal work and blades.

[@cameronchicken8439]

so at the time these knives were made most knives were illegal in japan so these knives are the “government approved” knives of the time and were the only knives the japanese people were allowed to carry so everyone had that exact same knife and then they were completely banned after that and when they were finally re introduced only one maker was allowed to produce them so now they all have the same makers mark. this knife was designed to be a de-weaponized knife so every part of it is not made to its fullest potential. behind the flipper is cutout so it opens too far for the wharncliffe point to be a tearing weapon and the cutout makes it so instead of the tang of the blade stopping against the handle the actual cutting edge stops against the handle so it won’t hold a fine edge as well. the angle along the spine above the tip is too steep and thick for it to be a good stabbing weapon. they have a stigma about removing the makers marks of “master” blade smiths and so it’s impossible to thin the blade without destroying the makers mark and the steel can delaminate and break if you thin it out too much. there is blade play and zero detente. the grind is typically uneven so it is difficult to sharpen at either end of the blade and is sharpest directly in the middle. the brass handles deform easily so you cannot apply a lot of force and the blade is really thick for how narrow it is so not a great slicer at all…. but japanese people are really inventive and they have work arounds for each of these issues. you can bend the handle to create detente to hold the blade closed in your pocket and peen the pin to remove the blade play and you can thin the blade but without that mark it wasn’t government approved so it was an act of rebellion and alter the spine of the blade so you have a chamfered spine and create more of a harpoon tip which is a stupendously good fullering solution because it creates a larger hole for the rest of the blade to follow through. this knife is a good example of government intervention, like this would eventually happen after they take our guns and when you try to use it out of the box it should be a good enough reminder of that. modern productions vary and some are made better than others, i have the $10 version (same maker) and it is a lot more obvious what it was designed for

[@jmproductions7041]

These come in 3 sizes. Small, medium, large. The one without the makers name is made of regular carbon steel. The one with the signature on the blade are made of blue aogami #2 paper steel. Naturally the regular carbon steel models are cheaper. I don't believe any of the ones you have are inauthentic. They're just different models for different price points

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Aha, that makes sense, good info thankyou and be safe out there

[@richardallen6066]

Are you from RSA?

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Zimbabwe

[@Alex_Smit]

one is carbon steel and on his stainless

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Ahhh. Ok thankyou for the info. Be safe

[@jojojeep1]

That’s a very popular Knife because you don’t even feel it in your pocket

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Yep exactly. One of the reasons I like it as a EDC. thanks for watching always appriciated 👍

[@new2survival]

First comment 😂🎉

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Lol.....thankyou

[@micahhawkins-bs9gf]

The Japanese Barlow. Gonna be a sad day when the last master smith is gone. Nearly 130 years of history will end.

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Yep, I am surprised there is no one willing to carry the tradition. Thanks forvwatching, always appriciated. Be safe 😁

[@micahhawkins-bs9gf]

​@@2ndchancegeorgeYou as well. Great video. Best of the Season to you.

[@John-wo5bp]

George that knife I has exactly same knife and a brass version they also do a mini version the knife came about because not allowed to make swords so this was their way to make cash again but what's interesting madexin 1880 there abouts and only one old guy is allowed to make them and has no one to pass skill on them knives are we made exactly same way as the swords same steel too hardened cutting edge is why you not needed to sharpen it I only use a slip strop 👍🦊🐾🇮🇹🇺🇲 as for no makers mark its because you has these knives from dirt cheap to medium expensive to crazy expensive so cheap ones aren't finished as well and are not got makers mark on as for steel I believe its blue paper steel pattern along blade can be caused by clay temper often called a hamon

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Yepthats is about right ✅️ 👌

[@John-wo5bp]

@@2ndchancegeorge I'm a martial artist I practice japanese sword with live blade love japanese culture and history 👍🦊🐾🇮🇹🇯🇵

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Ouch...not fir me swords....I cut myself enough with these little guys...lol. be safe

[@Yellow_Devil_]

Am I the only one who this guy reminds of Mike from Breaking Bad?

[@2ndchancegeorge]

No no...I am way grumppier than Mike....lol. be safe my friend

[@michaelgeorge5197]

Do hickey is “tang” I think

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Lol..you are correct...I was being tongue in cheek with it. Be safe

[@jojojeep1]

That’s not a ugly knife that’s the same as a French duke duke

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Hmmm gonna have to look at it

[@EksNiHil0]

Probably the autocorrect that botched it, but so George can find it more easily, it's spelled douk-douk. Unfortunately amongst french people it's no longer well known but I've met a few guys from Algeria who still know about it and its history! Been offered the small size by my mom over 8 years ago, got a nice patina on it and resharpened a few times, barely lost any blade, it'll probably last me a lifetime, and if it don't then I'll get a second one that will! I've got no idea about the resellers in the US but all over Europe it's very easy to find the legit thing, so much so that I'm not really sure if there are copies. If you ever do a video on it, or are just curious about it and information in english are hard to find or contradictory, this french guy here would be glad to help! Besides that, nice video, and yup the higo no kami also puzzles me quite a bit.

[@2ndchancegeorge]

I'm on it now.....lol. gonna order one love the out of us traditional. Thankyou

[@amitcohen8170]

I just bought 1 for 70 bucks I don’t know wether I bought a high end knife or was just tricked

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Lol...There are different styles and types of steel used. Not sure butvtgey show blue, white and gold type steels. You probably got one of them. And yes they are the high end ones. Hopefully it's mot a copy. Do some research and the blade steel type. It should be in the name. Ie. A blue no 7 or similar. Be safe, and aporiciate the support.