Higo no Kami Aogami-Honwarikomi Tokudai (sizeXL), Nagaokoma, Import from JAPAN

This blue paper steel Motosuke Nagao "authentic" Higonokami. I bought this after giving my not authentic, but virtually identical (not blue paper steel) knife as a gift. The former Higo came in a green plastic sheath; this one came in the gold and blue box. This knife came with a small chip in the blade, the blade had a little wave toward the end, and it wasn't as sharp as the "fake" Higo. However, they are virtually identical. I love these knives for some reason. They are handmade, old method, and not as practical as a modern knife. They look like little samurai swords and the flat grind and high carbon steel means they can really hold an edge. I like the lamination line in the blade. They are all unique and give it a handmade look. I see some people polishing out the lam line and that takes the history and uniqueness away from the knife. If you do that, stop it! These knives have been made with traditional methods since the 1890's. It's part of history; you aren't making the knife better by making it look more modern. Apart from these are the more expensive Higonokamis and will have collector value, I don't see much difference in the cheaper version. The Motosuke Nagao knives are made by a man in his 80's and the last member of the guild that makes these knives. These knives will still be made using the same methods after Mr. Nagao is finished making them. They just won't have the official guild designation. They are just very cool knives, whichever you decide to purchase. Both look vintage, like your grandfather gave it to you when you were a kid, and they have grind marks and scratches on them. They look like tools that work and not like a trophy for your wall. I love these things!!

I love these knives. I shop on Amazon a lot. I am constantly getting packages. I needed a knife to leave by my mailbox because I constantly am forgetting my pocket knife in my other pants. I chose this particular knife because I am a fan of the Japanese blades and can appreciate a good forged carbon steel. I was BLOWN AWAY by this, and ordered a dozen of various sizes and have been giving them to all my friends and family members. I have owned many knives from hundreds-of-dollars hunting knives to cheapy promotional pocket knives and wallyworld kitchen knives to true-pro-quality chef's knives. This thing has steel which is a quality that cannot be found anywhere else under $100. It came sharp, and you can even see the hamon from the tempering process. With the use of my waterstones I have put a mirror finish to the steel and it is beautiful and scary sharp. Now It does not really have a secondary bevel; it goes straight to the edge like a razor. It is a hard carbon steel and it can chip and rust. It is made for slicing, not stabbing, not chopping, and not using as a screwdriver. It should be sharpened with a proper stone, not a quick-sharpener or rod or tacky gimmick device. It should be oiled occasionally and kept dry. Improperly caring for this blade WILL result in chipping the blade or rust. But with proper care and use, you will not find a better cutting edge under $100, probably not under $200. Yes the handle is cheap and yes each one is slightly different. I think it is part of the charm, but some reviewers complain. Understand that what you're really paying for here is the blade edge and you will be happy with it.

Cool knife. No frills, basic, and potentially dangerous... just what I was looking for. The blade is real forged steel.. aogami core with softer cladding. Sharpen it up on some stones and it's blisteringly sharp. I like the simple bevel and the thick spine which gives it a rustic charm. The brass handle I thought was pretty sturdy. Much sturdier than I was expecting. You have to make sure you are using the correct technique and not trying to overburden the blade because there's no locking mechanism so its potentially dangerous given its as sharp as a razor. But for cutting cardboard, opening boxes, trimming a thin branch here or there, cutting an apple open, cutting tape, paper, etc...it's perfect. The steel is real carbon aogami which means it'll rust if not cared for but it also means it sharpens easily and gets crazy sharp. Like hair whittling sharp. Mine came fairly tight too which was nice... the blade stays shut unless and until I purposefully open it. It's elegant in its simplicity and is super cool!