Higonokami Kengata Pocket Knife 75mm (3.0")
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✔︎ No import fees & duties - worldwide |
- Description
- Specifications
- Knife Care
- Shipping
The Higonokami Kengata Pocket Knife 75mm is a small, lightweight, and durable pocket knife renowned for its simplicity and versatility. Crafted from high-carbon Shirogami steel, with a hardness of approximately 62-63 HRC, it offers exceptional strength and sharpness.
The term "kengata" specifically refers to the tanto tip of the knife, paying homage to the iconic katana and adding an eye-catching element to its overall design. With its visually appealing aesthetics and reliable performance, the Higonokami Kengata Pocket Knife 75mm is a must-have for knife enthusiasts seeking a blend of traditional inspiration and practicality.
Aogami #2 is one of the best in the high-carbon class, with added elements such as chromium (Cr) and tungsten (W) for improved corrosion and wear resistance, all while having an awesomely fine sharpness and being able to get resharpened easily.
BLADE SHAPE:
Higonokami is the most famous Japanese pocket knife. It enjoys the same kind of fame in Japan as the Swiss army knife does in Switzerland and around the globe.
The shape of the Higonokami pocket knife is based on the katana, which is not a coincidence, since knife manufacturing is deeply embedded in the samurai tradition. The knife first appeared in 1896 in response to reforms in the 19th century, which banned the production of weapons, so blacksmiths began to produce knives, among others also these small pocket Higonokamis. The Higonokami is produced by Kanekoma, a company with over 100 years of experience in forging knives.
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As Higonokamis started being produced in Miki, the renowned knife manufacturing hub, their popularity quickly spread across Japan and the United States. These versatile small pocket knives found various uses, including the popular practice of pencil sharpening among their many functions. |
STEEL:
Shirogami #2 is a traditional high-carbon steel in Japanese knife manufacturing, and #2 is the most frequently used Shirogami steel. Due to its high carbon content, it can reach a hardness of over 60 HRC, which means that blades forged from it will have excellent edge retention. The blades will sharpen easily and will be able to achieve a very fine sharpness, owing to the steel’s very pure composition. For the same reason, the steel isn’t corrosion resistant and the blade will develop a protective patina over time. Therefore, it’s recommended you wipe the blade dry between and after use and oil it regularly.
Traditional Japanese knives are made from steels high in carbon content, and this is mainly for two reasons:
- due to the steels’ pure composition, the blades are able to achieve an extremely fine sharpness,
- for the same reason, once they get dull, they can be easily resharpened back to optimal shape.
KNIFE CARE:
The steel will gradually acquire a patina, which only endows this knife with more charm. Do not wash this knife in a dishwasher, but rather wash it by hand and wipe it with a dry cloth. The advantage of having a blade made of high carbon steel is the fine sharpness, ease of sharpening, and long edge retention. We recommend the occasional coat of knife maintenance oil to protect the blade from external influences.
→ Read more about patina on our blog.
→ Read more about how to take care of high carbon knives and patina in our Knife maintenance blog post.
LAMINATION:
The core layer was sandwiched between 2 layers of softer steel. This technique is called san-mai damascus and is used to protect the hard (but delicate) core from outside factors and physical impacts, which could lead to breakage.
GEOMETRY:
It has a double bevel (symmetrical) blade.
BLADE FINSIH:
The blade has a high polish finish (also called migaki) and features a beautiful wavy line, marking a point where different layers of steel meet and seamlessly blend into each other.
HANDLE:
Higonokami has no locking system, it uses friction to keep the blade securely in place. The blade can be extracted from its brass handle by pushing down on the iconic level, called chikiri. During use, we should keep a thumb on the level to prevent the knife from folding.
Blade shape: Higonokami
Steel type: Shirogami #2
Blade construction: San-mai / V-edge, scandi / migaki
Hardness (HRC scale): 62–63
Overall length: 170mm (6.7")
Blade length: 75mm (3.0")
Blade height: 14mm (0.6")
Spine thickness: 3.3mm (0.13")
Weight: 50g (1.8 oz)
Handle length: 98mm (3.9")
Handle type / wood: brass
Kanji on the blade:
Blacksmith: Kanekoma
Location of the smithy: MIKI / Hyōgo Prefecture / Japan
☝️ Japanese kitchen knives in our store are handmade from natural materials. Slight variations in color, texture, weight and other dimensions are possible. We try to give a good photographic representation of our products, however computer screen resolution and colors do vary, so products might not look exactly as they are seen on screen.
☝️ THIS KNIFE MAY DEVELOP PATINA
Knives made of carbon steels can, due to their low chromium (Cr) content, discolor and develop patina. The knife is the most sensitive when it is still new and a patina had not developed yet, but later, patina will protect the blade. These types of knives require a touch more care:
✔ Wipe it regularly with a clean and dry cloth (you can also do this during use).
✔ After use, rinse it with lukewarm water and wipe it dry.
✔ Coat it regularly with knife maintenance oil or plain refined sunflower oil.
✔ Store the knife by wrapping it in paper which will absorb moisture and protect the blade.
A patina is a thin layer that forms on the surface of oxidized steel and protects it from further oxidation. The patina should not be confused with rust. Patina protects the blade, while rust causes corrosion and deterioration of material, so it should be removed (see Rust erasers).
→ For in-depth information about patina, read our dedicated post on patina.
GENERAL KNIFE CARE TIPS:
Blade wear depends on the quality of steel, usage and maintenance of the blade. Japanese knives are made of high-quality steels. Follow these tips to keep your Japanese knife in top-notch shape:
✔ Use a wooden, plastic or rubber cutting board.
✔ After use, wash the knives and wipe them dry.
✔ For storage, use a knife holder or a protective knife sheath (saya).
✔ A good cutting technique is your best bet to prolong sharpness.
✔ Use sharpening stones to sharpen the knife.
❗️Don’t leave the knife in the sink. Wash it by hand.
❗️Don’t wash the knife in the dishwasher.
❗️Don’t use the knife on glass, ceramics, marble or steel surfaces.
❗️Don’t scrape the food off the cutting board with the edge of the blade. Use the spine of the knife instead.
❗️Knife is a tool intended for specific use - cutting food. It is not a can opener, screwdriver, trowel, wire cutter, hammer etc.
→ For more details, read our guide
on Maintenance of Kitchen Knives.
🤙 Contact us if you need some help. We reply within 1 business day.
SHIPPING RATES:
- €10 - flat worldwide rate with DHL Express (express delivery, 2-5 business days).
- FREE - all orders over €300 (DHL Express).
EXCEPTIONS:
- United Kingdom - shipping to UK costs €15. All orders are shipped with UPS Express (2-3 business days). Free shipping on orders over €300.
- Russia (currently not available) - shipping to Russia costs €40. All orders are shipped with EMS postal service.
DUTIES AND IMPORT TAXES:
We ship all orders DDP (duties & taxes paid). This means you will not be charged for any import fees and taxes (including VAT). All our prices are final. The price you see at checkout is the final price, no hidden costs.
DELIVERY TIME:
- Europe: 1-2 business days
- US & Canada: 2-4 business days
- Rest of the World: 3-5 business days
RETURNS:
Our return policy lasts 30 days. If more than 30 days have gone by since the day you received your order, unfortunately we can’t offer you a refund or exchange.
→ Read our SHIPPING & RETURNS policy for more info. We strive to solve any issues fast and with as little hassle for you. If you have some additional questions, please contact us.
Customer Reviews
Navaja de bolsillo para sentirte como un auténtico samurai del siglo 21
Nice and handy EDC with iconic design and blade shape. Recommended to buy.
It's my first Japanese knife I have to say that I'm pretty impressed by it's performance & quality. I'm afraid that I'll have to buy a set of Japanese knives for my kitchen. Thanx to Sharpedge shop. Stay sharp as always you do
Each knife comes with:
✔️ Instructions and knife care leaflet.
✔️ A preventive Band-Aid – the knives are very sharp! 😉
✔️ Original box from the blacksmith, which we wrap in an old Japanese newspaper sheet – so every knife is ready to be passed on as a gift as soon as it hits your doorstep!
✔️ We also offer a special gift wrapping option with the traditional Japanese washi paper.
Customer Reviews
Navaja de bolsillo para sentirte como un auténtico samurai del siglo 21
Nice and handy EDC with iconic design and blade shape. Recommended to buy.
It's my first Japanese knife I have to say that I'm pretty impressed by it's performance & quality. I'm afraid that I'll have to buy a set of Japanese knives for my kitchen. Thanx to Sharpedge shop. Stay sharp as always you do
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