Many people would question whether one has any use having a pocket knife with you at all times. I would say you only realize how useful it is when you actually do it. The Art of Manliness writes about why every man should carry a pocket knife. And for me personally, it’s the perfect survival companion for my survival strap.
Some of you EDC fans might have notices the stunning Japanese Higo Knife at Best Made Company, which collaborated with Miyamoto Manufacturing Co. to create their version of the traditional Higo knife with a custom stamp.
Knowing me, I am never going to be satisfied by a US collaboration, when what I really needed was the original. It wasn’t easy going through all those Japanese commerce sites and my search in Kappabashi Dori yielded no results, but I finally found a eBay knives dealer who carries the Miyamoto Musashi Higo Knife by Miyamoto Manufacturing Co.
Miyamoto Manufacturing Co. has been producing Higonokami knives from the early Showa period (late 1920s). The Higo knife was originally created around 1894 (Meiji 27) by a hardware wholesaler, Tasaburo Shigematsu in collaboration with Sadaharu Murakami, a blacksmith. The knife became wildly popular for a period till a movement to ban blades in 1961 reduced the 50-strong number of manufacturers drastically. Miyamoto Manufacturing Co. is one of those remaining companies continues to preserve traditional forging skills as well as the history of the Higo knife in developing new products like this knife, inspired by the internationally beloved Kensei Miyamoto Musashi.
While Best Made Company carried only the 195mm (opened) version of the Higo Knife, Blueway Japan carried the longer 220mm version as well as a brass version and one with a blue steel blade. I got my knife (the longer black version) within a week of my order. I loved everything about the knife, however it was a little hard to open at first, something which I’m sure would ease over extended use.
If you are going to carry it around all the time, why not invest in one that’s made to last and proud to carry. Get it here.
Noah
December 7, 2011
Interesting – I like the BestMade one but this is pretty cool.