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Nagao Higonokami Brass Friction Folder
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Nagao Higonokami Brass Friction Folder
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Product Description
Done in traditional Japanese style, this Higonokami friction folder features a design that dates back to the late 19th century. Made with a thick san mai white paper steel (Shirogami) blade, it has no lock Read More
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keyboard_arrow_downHangbot
33
Dec 2, 2017
As a Higo collector, I can say this price is actually decent, considering it’ll be close to what you’d pay for it in Japan.
This model that Massdrop is selling is a higher end version of the much less expensive and common tanto, which can range from $15 (SK Steel) to $35 (Blue Steel or White Steel). The model for sale is White Steel and considered to have a “leaf blade style” or more commonly known as a drop point, and is personally my least favorite (which is why I haven’t gotten one yet:D).
Quick note: 1. SK Steel is the least expensive with the most impurities and similar to American 1080 Steel. 2. Blue Steel holds an edge better, easier to forge, and is what made Zoolander an icon. 3. White Steel can have a sharper edge and needs more skill to forge.
These are handmade by Nagao Higonokami - the only official manufacturer allowed to use the name “Higonokami”. Hugo’s are made in Miki, Japan which isn’t very far from Seki City - where some really good blades come out of, including some Spydercos. They make awesome additions to your EDC, and I carry one (pictured with the paracord & bullet) as my secondary knife everyday.
This model that Massdrop is selling is a higher end version of the much less expensive and common tanto, which can range from $15 (SK Steel) to $35 (Blue Steel or White Steel). The model for sale is White Steel and considered to have a “leaf blade style” or more commonly known as a drop point, and is personally my least favorite (which is why I haven’t gotten one yet:D).
Quick note: 1. SK Steel is the least expensive with the most impurities and similar to American 1080 Steel. 2. Blue Steel holds an edge better, easier to forge, and is what made Zoolander an icon. 3. White Steel can have a sharper edge and needs more skill to forge.
These are handmade by Nagao Higonokami - the only official manufacturer allowed to use the name “Higonokami”. Hugo’s are made in Miki, Japan which isn’t very far from Seki City - where some really good blades come out of, including some Spydercos. They make awesome additions to your EDC, and I carry one (pictured with the paracord & bullet) as my secondary knife everyday.
Hangbot
33
Dec 6, 2017
Two other great knives with history to look into are the Black Cat by Mercator (Germany) and a Douk Douk (France). Also beautiful examples of knife history.
bdpf
233
Jul 9, 2019
So a year later is this still a Blue Steel Higonokami advertised as a White steel, or will we actually get a White steel version?
Would be nice to know for sure.
Kavik
5531
Jul 13, 2019
It's hard to see in those low res pics, and they aren't always stamped so cleanly
Here's a closeup of the one I have that matches the one pictured here, it's the first symbol at the top
(Edited)
kennedyzero
193
Sep 14, 2017
Picture of mine, again from a different site, but same producer ( supposedly one man) the on the left is a mirror polish that I did myself, the right us as it came
awk
1600
Sep 13, 2017
Higo's can be made with different blade shapes (and as well as different sizes, handle materials, and blade steel). The pictures in this drop show the "leaf" blade (I think that's what they call it), which is a drop point.
I have maybe 6-8 of these in different sizes, shapes, materials, etc.. I didn't pay more than $25 for any of them. Most of them I got from Japanese seller 330mate_com on eBay. There are a lot of copies out there (called higonaifu) but apparently the "official" Higonokami are made by a single elderly man. The one in this drop looks like one of those. If you buy a random one from eBay or Amazon you may get a copy. I bought two from Amazon from different sellers and one was a copy.
Here are the other blade shapes :
At the top of the photo is the reverse tanto, the most common one you'll find for sale. The middle one is like the one on this drop. The last one is the "sword" (tanto) shape. Also the bottom two are white paper steel and the top one is blue paper steel.
The guy who makes these also makes different sizes, including a tiny one (with or without a little jingle bell), one with "longitudinal fold" where the handle is folded at the back instead of the top, and some fixed-blade knives. I've seen ones with damascus blades. Once I tried to make a spreadsheet of all the variations but gave up after a while.
Honestly, it's a pretty crappy knife, though the steel is good and arrives very sharp. You buy them for the handmade character and the history.
I have maybe 6-8 of these in different sizes, shapes, materials, etc.. I didn't pay more than $25 for any of them. Most of them I got from Japanese seller 330mate_com on eBay. There are a lot of copies out there (called higonaifu) but apparently the "official" Higonokami are made by a single elderly man. The one in this drop looks like one of those. If you buy a random one from eBay or Amazon you may get a copy. I bought two from Amazon from different sellers and one was a copy.
Here are the other blade shapes :
At the top of the photo is the reverse tanto, the most common one you'll find for sale. The middle one is like the one on this drop. The last one is the "sword" (tanto) shape. Also the bottom two are white paper steel and the top one is blue paper steel.
The guy who makes these also makes different sizes, including a tiny one (with or without a little jingle bell), one with "longitudinal fold" where the handle is folded at the back instead of the top, and some fixed-blade knives. I've seen ones with damascus blades. Once I tried to make a spreadsheet of all the variations but gave up after a while.
Honestly, it's a pretty crappy knife, though the steel is good and arrives very sharp. You buy them for the handmade character and the history.
Benzo
370
Jul 24, 2018
I have several Higo friction folders, and the one I got from MD is the ONLY one that didn’t come w box and paper. Makes me think we got knock-offs.
Fuckenjames
17
Jul 25, 2019
Just received mine with order date 7/15/2019. First kanji character on the blade is "blue". I should have listened to the comments here. I will be requesting a refund. Also the action is very stiff as was commented, requires two hands to unfold the blade.
(Edited)
Kavik
5531
Jul 28, 2019
If you mean anything to do about the stiffness : because of the rivet for the pivot, about the only option for loosening it up is to play with it a bunch.
If you mean about being unhappy with the purchase : go to your transactions, find this on your list, click contact support and tell them that what they sent you isn't what they advertised.
Get a full refund and have them pay for return shipping.
Or get $10 back like they did the last time they screwed up this drop and still haven't fixed it.
2bluekazoo
0
Jul 25, 2018
the one I purchased is the same imported knife that my JP knife shop purchases from overseas made of folded aogami steel.
bsastor
779
Dec 7, 2017
Fuzz
396
Jul 23, 2018
I had the same issue with mine, but I did the wrong thing, I tried to tighten the pin instead of the handles, and now mine won't lock at all... :(
Pandemos
421
Sep 17, 2017
What's the difference between this and this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003UOEDW4/ref=asc_df_B003UOEDW45174316/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=395033&creativeASIN=B003UOEDW4&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198076847952&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14221156190396406695&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9023910&hvtargid=pla-348563807746
It's a $34 difference, so I'm interested why $54.99 is a better deal than $19.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003UOEDW4/ref=asc_df_B003UOEDW45174316/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=395033&creativeASIN=B003UOEDW4&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198076847952&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14221156190396406695&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9023910&hvtargid=pla-348563807746
It's a $34 difference, so I'm interested why $54.99 is a better deal than $19.
thewisewill
8
Sep 18, 2017
PandemosThe knives in this drop are made with Shirogami, or "White Paper Steel", which is an amazingly pure alloy (the purest commercially available forging steel) and can achieve incredible sharpness. This type of steel requires a very highly skilled blacksmith and is more expensive than other steels. The knife on Amazon is probably a lower grade steel.
Also, the blade shapes are slightly different. The one in this drop is more refined. Notice the spine of the blade has a smooth, finished curve all the way to the tip. The one on Amazon has a more unfinished look with sharper edges on the spine of the knife.
Also, the blade shapes are slightly different. The one in this drop is more refined. Notice the spine of the blade has a smooth, finished curve all the way to the tip. The one on Amazon has a more unfinished look with sharper edges on the spine of the knife.
Alee.G
223
Jul 11, 2019
So will no one from mass drop confirm that this is actually white steel now?
I’ve literally been holding off ordering one until massdrop confirms that this is the case and theyre not simply failing to update the description.
Alee.G
223
Jul 26, 2019
FuckenjamesYikes I guess massdrop is actually becoming criminally negligent at this point.
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