We don’t often delve into the world of pocket or folding knives. But when we were offered this little beauty we thought it might be a nice addition to the store…and our customers' kitchen drawers or tool boxes.
The higo folder is made in Miki City by a very small shop that specializes in knives of this type. Higo is an abbreviation of higonokami, which is a type of folding knife that originated in Miki, Hyogo Prefecture, in 1896. The term "higo no kami" means "Lord of Higo" in Japanese, in honor of the Lord of the Kyushu area of Japan, where the knife originated. Higos are abbreviated from the original name because the actual higonokami word is a trademark owned by a Miki Knife Guild that has granted sole use to just one maker.
The higo knife has no locking system. Rather, it is a friction folder or "penny knife." These knives work with the friction of the swivel and the pressure of the user's thumb on its lever or chikiri. This arrangement prevents the knife from folding during use.
This is a great little higo that stands out due to the good looking speckled handle that adds some bling to the package. The handle is also printed with some nice kanji which also appear on the blade face.
Weight: 1.5oz
Cutting Edge Length: 71mm
Total Length, Blade Open: 170mm
Total Length, Blade Closed: 98mm
Spine Thickness: 3.13mm
Blade Height: 13mm