{"product_id":"tomita-higonokami-kengata-shirogami-2-75mm","title":"Tomita Higonokami Kengata Shirogami #2 75mm (3\")","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis \u003cstrong\u003eJapanese Higonokami folding knife\u003c\/strong\u003e is all about straightforward design. The hand-hammered \u003cstrong\u003eTsuchime\u003c\/strong\u003e handle adds subtle texture and grip, while the Shirogami #2 steel offers easy maintenance and excellent sharpness retention.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eForged by the late \u003cstrong\u003eMaster Tomita Osamu\u003c\/strong\u003e, the knife blends traditional craftsmanship with clean, minimal form. Each piece comes in a \u003cstrong\u003epaulownia wood box\u003c\/strong\u003e, hand-signed by the maker—a thoughtful detail that makes this knife feel extra special.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor everyday use or as a \u003cstrong\u003emeaningful gift\u003c\/strong\u003e. It’s the kind of knife you’ll enjoy carrying with you, using for small daily tasks, or giving to someone who appreciates quality and tradition. Over time, the blade will develop a patina.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eBLADE SHAPE:\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHigonokami is the most famous \u003cstrong\u003eJapanese pocket knife\u003c\/strong\u003e. It enjoys the same kind of fame in Japan as the Swiss army knife does in Switzerland and around the globe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe shape of the Higonokami pocket knife is \u003cstrong\u003ebased on the katana\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eSTEEL:\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/knives-101\/steel-heart-of-japanese-knives\" title=\"Shirogami steel\"\u003eShirogami #2\u003c\/a\u003e is a traditional high-carbon steel in Japanese knife manufacturing. 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 \u003cstrong\u003ewipe the blade dry between\u003c\/strong\u003e and after use and \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/knife-maintenance-oils\"\u003eoil\u003c\/a\u003e it regularly.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eLAMINATION:\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe core layer was sandwiched between \u003cstrong\u003e2 layers of softer steel\u003c\/strong\u003e. This technique is called \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/knives-101\/blade-construction-lamination\" title=\"San-mai damascus\"\u003esan-mai\u003c\/a\u003e and is used to protect the hard (but delicate) core from outside factors and physical impacts, which could lead to breakage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eGEOMETRY:\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt has a double \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca title=\"Geometry\" href=\"\/blogs\/knives-101\/blade-construction-geometry\"\u003ebevel (symmetrical) blade\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eBLADE FINSIH:\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe subtle tsuchime hammered texture extends toward the spine, completing the aesthetic of this Higonokami.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHANDLE:\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe handle of the Higonokami knife is traditionally made from folded metal, most commonly brass or steel, with no additional coverings. In Tomita Higonokami versions, deliberate hammer marks highlight the handcraftsmanship, giving each knife a unique character. The handle also features kanji characters: the larger characters spell Higonokami, while the smaller ones indicate the registered trademark and the maker’s name, Kanekoma.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eLOCKING MECHANISM:\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHigonokami has \u003cstrong\u003eno locking system\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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 \u003cem\u003echikiri\u003c\/em\u003e. During use, we should keep a thumb on the level to prevent the knife from folding.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tomita","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54813806821722,"sku":"060129022076","price":135.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2077\/0683\/files\/60129022076-Tomita_Higonokami_Kengata_Shirogami_2_75_mm-2.jpg?v=1791807852","url":"https:\/\/sharpedgeshop.com\/products\/tomita-higonokami-kengata-shirogami-2-75mm","provider":"SharpEdge","version":"1.0","type":"link"}