Higonokami Pocket Knife BLACK 65mm (2.6")_1
Higonokami Pocket Knife BLACK 65mm (2.6")_2
Higonokami Pocket Knife BLACK 65mm (2.6")_1
Higonokami Pocket Knife BLACK 65mm (2.6")_2

Kanekoma

Higonokami Pocket Knife BLACK 65mm (2.6")

€25,00 Save • Save

🚩 Carbon steel develops a patina with use. This is normal, but the blade must be dried well to prevent rust.

Only 0 left in stock

✔︎ No import fees & duties (US tariffs excluded)
✔︎ All taxes included
✔︎ Express worldwide shipping
✔︎ 30-day return policy

  • Description
  • Specifications
  • Knife Care
  • Shipping

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.

Higonokami is a small, lightweight and durable pocket knife of simple design, suitable for versatile use. The BLACK version is a made of a more affordable, but still very good high-carbon SK-5 steel, hardened to around 59 HRC. SK-5 steel is a carbon steel alloy which makes Higonokami ⚠️ not stain resistant ⚠️, but easy to resharpen. This knife needs good maintenance and the blade will develop a light patina over time and use. After the use rinse it well and dry it, we recommend oiling the blade regularly in order to prevent the development of rust. Read more about how to take care of high carbon knives and patina in our Knife maintenance blog post.

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.

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.

When Higonokamis began to be manufactured in Miki, the knife manufacturing metropolis, it spread rapidly throughout Japan and the United States, where it was mostly used for pencil sharpening - just one of the many functions of this versatile small pocket knife.

Fun fact: 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).

Blade shape: Higonokami

Steel type: SK-5

Lamination: San-mai

Cladding: Reactive / Carbon

Blade finish: Migaki

Hardness (HRC scale): 57-60

Overall length: 156mm (6.1")

Blade length: 65mm (2.6")

Blade height: 12mm (0.5")

Spine thickness: 2.3mm (0.1")

Weight: 30g (1.1 oz)

Handle length: 94mm (3.7")

Handle type / wood: Folding / metal

Kanji on the blade: "Registered Trademark" 登録商標 / "Higo No Kami [Lord of Higo]" 肥後守 / "Kanekoma" 駒

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.San-maiReactive / Carbon

Bunka knife dimensions diagram Japanese kitchen knife

☝️ 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:
See our Shipping page for more details.

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

Based on 3 reviews
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(1)
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J
Jm3969
Its a great poket knife

I just dont give 5 start, because in my opinion need too be more sharp

Hello João,

Iva from SharpEdge here. Thank you for your honest review.

I’m really sorry to hear that the sharpness did not meet your expectations. We understand how frustrating it can be when a premium product doesn’t perform as expected.

I’d like to address a few points that might help clarify the situation:

Most traditional Japanese blacksmiths intentionally do not finish the edge to absolute maximum sharpness at the workshop. This is so the user can personalize the “secondary bevel” to suit their needs, whether it’s for left- or right-handed use, or their particular cutting style. It’s a common practice in the world of high-end Japanese knives.

Additionally, all knives, including higonokamis, will gradually lose their sharpness with regular use. Even after just a few uses, you may notice a drop in cutting performance, especially if slicing tomatoes or other delicate ingredients. Regular sharpening is necessary to keep any knife at its peak performance. That is why Japanese knives will generally keep their sharp edge longer compared to most Western knives, thanks to the use of harder steel and a finer edge geometry.

I'll reach out to you by email to resolve this matter.

Warm regards,
Iva

F
Franjo Šajnović
The knife is ok .

The knife is ok but the handle is a piece of sheet metal so the knife is only for decoration.

Dear Mr. Franjo,

Thank you for your time and review.

The Higonokami is a traditional Japanese friction-folder that has been made since the late 19th century. The blades are made of real knife steel (e.g. SK carbon or Aogami #2), and the housing is intentionally bent brass or steel – a simple solution that is durable and easy to maintain.
It is intended for everyday cuts such as opening packages, cutting cardboard and ties, and small works on wood/plastic. Since it does not have a mechanical lock, it is not intended for levers or very heavy operations – which is in accordance with its original purpose.
Although it can also be used as a decoration, it is primarily intended as a very useful, small tool.

If we can be of any further assistance, please feel free to contact us.

Best regards,
Ernest

M
Marko Barković

Excellent, beyond all expectations

Included with every knife

  • INSTRUCTIONS

    Knife care and maintenance guide.
  • Band-Aid

    Just in case. These knives arrive very sharp. 
  • CAREFUL PACKAGING

    Original box wrapped in Japanese newspaper.

Special occasion? Add Japanese washi gift wrapping for an additional €10. Select this option above the Add to Cart button.

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Express Worldwide shipping

10€ flat rate with DHL Express.
Free on orders over 300€.

Some exceptions apply.

No Duties & Fees

We cover all import fees, worldwide*.
All prices are final, tax included.

*US tariffs excluded.

Easy Returns

Something not OK?
You have 30 days to return it, no questions asked.

Attentive support

Get in touch, we usually respond within a few hours.

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