Ridge Mountain Gear Higonokami Micro Knife
SPEC
Material:
Blade--SK Steel, Sheath--Brass (plated finish)
Color: Black / Silver
Size: Blade Approx. 40mm × Sheath Approx. 55mm × Thickness 23mm
Weight: Approx. 15g
Country of Origin: Japan
Manufacturer: Kanekoma Seisakusho Co., Ltd., Miki City, Hyogo Prefecture
The SK steel used for the blade is widely employed in the production of knives, tools, and molds. Known for its hardness and durability, it’s also used in cutting tools, dies, and even certain gardening tools and kitchen utensils. When properly heat-treated, SK steel can deliver exceptional performance.
However, a key characteristic of SK steel is that it is prone to rust. To maintain its quality and longevity, proper care is essential—be sure to clean and dry the blade after use, and store it in a dry environment.
Introduction
Mr Yusuke Kurosawa used many types of folding knives over the years—OPINEL, LEATHERMAN, VICTORINOX, The James Brand, and more. All of them were made overseas. That got he wondering: Do Japanese-made folding knives even exist? That’s when he discovered the Higonokami knife.
The Higonokami is a uniquely Japanese folding knife, steeped in tradition and history. He was drawn to its minimalist yet functional beauty—a design refined over generations.
When he first started mountain climbing, he often cooked full meals using fresh ingredients, so he needed a larger knife. But in recent years, his hiking style has shifted. He now rely more on freeze-dried meals or enjoy food prepared at mountain lodges, which has made a large knife unnecessary.
These days, he find that a compact knife is more than enough. Though the occasions for using a knife may be rare, this small size handles those moments perfectly. It's also easy to carry as a sort of good-luck charm—compact, unobtrusive, and always there when you need it.
The Origins and Evolution of the Higonokami Knife
The Higonokami knife is said to have originated around 1894 (Meiji 27), when a hardware wholesaler named Tazaburo Shigematsu returned from Kagoshima with a knife that inspired the design. To make it portable, he devised a foldable structure with a protruding lever called a chikiri (tail), allowing the blade to fold into the handle.
Because many of Shigematsu’s trading partners were located in southern Kyushu—particularly in Kumamoto—the knife was named the Higonokami knife (after the historical Higo Province), and it quickly gained popularity in the region. Sales grew significantly due to its positive reception.
The blades have traditionally featured a double-bevel edge (V-shaped cross-section), differing from the single-bevel kiridashi knives. Over time, the blade shape has also evolved—from a pointed, narrow “bamboo leaf” (sasa-ba) design to a more squared tip. Handles once came in both vertically and horizontally bent styles, though vertical bends are no longer part of standard production today.
In 1911 (Meiji 44), at the First Kobe Trade and Industry Fair, the future Taishō Emperor visited the exhibition and was so impressed by the displayed Higonokami knife that he personally purchased one. This royal endorsement greatly elevated the reputation of the Higonokami knife throughout Japan.
The Higonokami Knife Association was established in 1899 (Meiji 32). At its peak, the industry boasted around 40 registered manufacturers and over 200 craftspeople involved in production, making it a major local industry.
However, the knife's popularity led to the rise of poor-quality imitations being produced across the country. To address this issue, in 1910 (Meiji 43) the name “Higonokami” was officially trademarked, restricting its use to members of the Miki Western Knife Manufacturers Association.
As time went on, the rise of utility cutters, electric pencil sharpeners, and a broader anti-knife movement in the 1950s (Showa 30s) severely impacted the production and sales of traditional knives. Many craftsmen were forced to change occupations or close their businesses altogether.
Today, only Nagao Kanekoma Factory retains the right to use the Higonokami trademark—preserving the legacy of this historic Japanese knife.
Credit: photos and description from Ridge Mountain Gear official website (https://www.ridge-mountaingear.com/)
*Product information translated by morimori
SPEC
Material:
Blade--SK Steel, Sheath--Brass (plated finish)
Color: Black / Silver
Size: Blade Approx. 40mm × Sheath Approx. 55mm × Thickness 23mm
Weight: Approx. 15g
Country of Origin: Japan
Manufacturer: Kanekoma Seisakusho Co., Ltd., Miki City, Hyogo Prefecture
The SK steel used for the blade is widely employed in the production of knives, tools, and molds. Known for its hardness and durability, it’s also used in cutting tools, dies, and even certain gardening tools and kitchen utensils. When properly heat-treated, SK steel can deliver exceptional performance.
However, a key characteristic of SK steel is that it is prone to rust. To maintain its quality and longevity, proper care is essential—be sure to clean and dry the blade after use, and store it in a dry environment.
Introduction
Mr Yusuke Kurosawa used many types of folding knives over the years—OPINEL, LEATHERMAN, VICTORINOX, The James Brand, and more. All of them were made overseas. That got he wondering: Do Japanese-made folding knives even exist? That’s when he discovered the Higonokami knife.
The Higonokami is a uniquely Japanese folding knife, steeped in tradition and history. He was drawn to its minimalist yet functional beauty—a design refined over generations.
When he first started mountain climbing, he often cooked full meals using fresh ingredients, so he needed a larger knife. But in recent years, his hiking style has shifted. He now rely more on freeze-dried meals or enjoy food prepared at mountain lodges, which has made a large knife unnecessary.
These days, he find that a compact knife is more than enough. Though the occasions for using a knife may be rare, this small size handles those moments perfectly. It's also easy to carry as a sort of good-luck charm—compact, unobtrusive, and always there when you need it.
The Origins and Evolution of the Higonokami Knife
The Higonokami knife is said to have originated around 1894 (Meiji 27), when a hardware wholesaler named Tazaburo Shigematsu returned from Kagoshima with a knife that inspired the design. To make it portable, he devised a foldable structure with a protruding lever called a chikiri (tail), allowing the blade to fold into the handle.
Because many of Shigematsu’s trading partners were located in southern Kyushu—particularly in Kumamoto—the knife was named the Higonokami knife (after the historical Higo Province), and it quickly gained popularity in the region. Sales grew significantly due to its positive reception.
The blades have traditionally featured a double-bevel edge (V-shaped cross-section), differing from the single-bevel kiridashi knives. Over time, the blade shape has also evolved—from a pointed, narrow “bamboo leaf” (sasa-ba) design to a more squared tip. Handles once came in both vertically and horizontally bent styles, though vertical bends are no longer part of standard production today.
In 1911 (Meiji 44), at the First Kobe Trade and Industry Fair, the future Taishō Emperor visited the exhibition and was so impressed by the displayed Higonokami knife that he personally purchased one. This royal endorsement greatly elevated the reputation of the Higonokami knife throughout Japan.
The Higonokami Knife Association was established in 1899 (Meiji 32). At its peak, the industry boasted around 40 registered manufacturers and over 200 craftspeople involved in production, making it a major local industry.
However, the knife's popularity led to the rise of poor-quality imitations being produced across the country. To address this issue, in 1910 (Meiji 43) the name “Higonokami” was officially trademarked, restricting its use to members of the Miki Western Knife Manufacturers Association.
As time went on, the rise of utility cutters, electric pencil sharpeners, and a broader anti-knife movement in the 1950s (Showa 30s) severely impacted the production and sales of traditional knives. Many craftsmen were forced to change occupations or close their businesses altogether.
Today, only Nagao Kanekoma Factory retains the right to use the Higonokami trademark—preserving the legacy of this historic Japanese knife.
Credit: photos and description from Ridge Mountain Gear official website (https://www.ridge-mountaingear.com/)
*Product information translated by morimori
SPEC
Material:
Blade--SK Steel, Sheath--Brass (plated finish)
Color: Black / Silver
Size: Blade Approx. 40mm × Sheath Approx. 55mm × Thickness 23mm
Weight: Approx. 15g
Country of Origin: Japan
Manufacturer: Kanekoma Seisakusho Co., Ltd., Miki City, Hyogo Prefecture
The SK steel used for the blade is widely employed in the production of knives, tools, and molds. Known for its hardness and durability, it’s also used in cutting tools, dies, and even certain gardening tools and kitchen utensils. When properly heat-treated, SK steel can deliver exceptional performance.
However, a key characteristic of SK steel is that it is prone to rust. To maintain its quality and longevity, proper care is essential—be sure to clean and dry the blade after use, and store it in a dry environment.
Introduction
Mr Yusuke Kurosawa used many types of folding knives over the years—OPINEL, LEATHERMAN, VICTORINOX, The James Brand, and more. All of them were made overseas. That got he wondering: Do Japanese-made folding knives even exist? That’s when he discovered the Higonokami knife.
The Higonokami is a uniquely Japanese folding knife, steeped in tradition and history. He was drawn to its minimalist yet functional beauty—a design refined over generations.
When he first started mountain climbing, he often cooked full meals using fresh ingredients, so he needed a larger knife. But in recent years, his hiking style has shifted. He now rely more on freeze-dried meals or enjoy food prepared at mountain lodges, which has made a large knife unnecessary.
These days, he find that a compact knife is more than enough. Though the occasions for using a knife may be rare, this small size handles those moments perfectly. It's also easy to carry as a sort of good-luck charm—compact, unobtrusive, and always there when you need it.
The Origins and Evolution of the Higonokami Knife
The Higonokami knife is said to have originated around 1894 (Meiji 27), when a hardware wholesaler named Tazaburo Shigematsu returned from Kagoshima with a knife that inspired the design. To make it portable, he devised a foldable structure with a protruding lever called a chikiri (tail), allowing the blade to fold into the handle.
Because many of Shigematsu’s trading partners were located in southern Kyushu—particularly in Kumamoto—the knife was named the Higonokami knife (after the historical Higo Province), and it quickly gained popularity in the region. Sales grew significantly due to its positive reception.
The blades have traditionally featured a double-bevel edge (V-shaped cross-section), differing from the single-bevel kiridashi knives. Over time, the blade shape has also evolved—from a pointed, narrow “bamboo leaf” (sasa-ba) design to a more squared tip. Handles once came in both vertically and horizontally bent styles, though vertical bends are no longer part of standard production today.
In 1911 (Meiji 44), at the First Kobe Trade and Industry Fair, the future Taishō Emperor visited the exhibition and was so impressed by the displayed Higonokami knife that he personally purchased one. This royal endorsement greatly elevated the reputation of the Higonokami knife throughout Japan.
The Higonokami Knife Association was established in 1899 (Meiji 32). At its peak, the industry boasted around 40 registered manufacturers and over 200 craftspeople involved in production, making it a major local industry.
However, the knife's popularity led to the rise of poor-quality imitations being produced across the country. To address this issue, in 1910 (Meiji 43) the name “Higonokami” was officially trademarked, restricting its use to members of the Miki Western Knife Manufacturers Association.
As time went on, the rise of utility cutters, electric pencil sharpeners, and a broader anti-knife movement in the 1950s (Showa 30s) severely impacted the production and sales of traditional knives. Many craftsmen were forced to change occupations or close their businesses altogether.
Today, only Nagao Kanekoma Factory retains the right to use the Higonokami trademark—preserving the legacy of this historic Japanese knife.
Credit: photos and description from Ridge Mountain Gear official website (https://www.ridge-mountaingear.com/)
*Product information translated by morimori