KATSU Camping Pocket Folding Japanese Knife, Titanium & Carbon Fiber Handle, Frame Lock, Stonewashed Cleaver Razor Blade with CPM S35VN Steel, Leather Sheath

I bought this knife because I wanted a heavy duty, more modern version of the higo no kami japanese pocket knives. I never thought I'd find exactly what I was looking for, until I found this knife. It's basically a higonokami (its even got the old thumb lever the higos have), but it's larger, it's got a titanium handle, a pocket clip, and a frame lock. It's freaking awesome. So if you loved the higonokami knives, I'd definitely recommend this knife.As for my experience using it. It is a very beefy, exotic knife that will endure through some pretty tough conditions. I immediately started using it for work when I got it (ripping up carpet, slashing through cardboard, the usual wear and tear for my EDC) and it performed very well. The edge held up despite the consistent wear. And after wiping it off it still looked freakin' cool. Seriously, the oriental design with the kanji engraved on the blade makes this guy stand out among other pocket knives.As for where it fails? The pocket clip is made of titanium. That means it hugs your pocket very tightly. It's kindof hard to pull it out of your pocket very fast unless you get it at a certain angle. Mildly annoying, but not a deal breaker in my opinion. Also, Personally I don't have a problem with it, but it's pretty big so its got a bit of a weight to it while its in your pocket. So if you don't like that then you might want to buy a lighter knife.The company that makes these knives has made a very weird decision by NOT stating anywhere on the product box, the sheath, or the knife itself that the knife is "Made in Japan". This, combined with the oddly low price of the knife leads a lot of people to believe these knives are made in China. (Katsu's website openly states their kitchen cutlery is made in China, though they don't state where their other products are made). If you call them up and ask where this knife is made though, they'll insist that it was made in Japan. Honestly, this knife is so good that I could care less where this thing was made, but if you care about that stuff, then I guess you'll have to live with the supreme mystery of whether or not this knife is true nippon steel. It is VG-10 though, so the fact it's a Japanese steel alloy is reassuring.To sum it up, I'd say this knife is a lot of quality, selling for relatively cheap. It's a GOOD knife, with a traditional design that's been revamped to work well in a tougher environment. It's like the muscle car of higo no kamis. Buy it man, for real. It's worth it.

I've wanted this knife for about a year, it was hard justifying to myself it was worth spending $120 on a edc knife. But after finally buying one... I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS KNIFE. The build quality is top tier. Feels great in the hand. The pocket clip is stiff and thick, I dont see any issues coming from daily use. The blade gets SCARY sharp... I can cut through construction paper like a hot knife through butter. I can even cut SLOW. Which, if u ever did the old paper test, u know u normally have to put some speed behind ur cut.The front flipper design is very easy to use and feels cool flipping open. It took very little practice to figure out how the front flipper flips open (Ive never had a front flipper before). It feels great in my pocket. The sheath is very well made. I usually toss sheaths like this aside and go for pocket carry but this one makes me WANT to use it.Overall, I am beyond impressed. Worth every penny. It looks gorgeous, its different, feels different (in a good way). My only regret is i wish i didnt wait a year to buy it...But Katsu... give the knife a name... please and thank you.

The media could not be loaded. Overally, I love this thing and don't think I'll be switching it out for a long time. When I first got it, it was quite difficult to open, but it got easier once the tolerances loosened up a little bit. Plus the way you open it is slightly different than other "flpper" knives. See video for how I do it.It holds an edge decently well. If you're cutting a lot of cardboard, you'll want to hit it with a honing rod and then a leather strop just to keep the blade sharp enough to shave your arm hair.I love that the whole aesthetic gives of Japanese quality product vibes, and less like something a fedora tipping, neckbeard mall ninja would be interested in.One thing, though, directed at Katsu. Why is this marketed as a camping knife? Far be it for me to question your marketing team, but I'm not really feeling it, bros. It would be like using a nice kitchen bread knife to cut sheetrock. You can... but why would you? In my opinion, y'all should lean into the quality construction and materials, and how the blade holds an edge if you take care of it. No way we're gonna go chop wood with this.Pros:- Unlike any other folding knife I've ever seen.- Cool design with beautiful lines.- Solid, smooth construction. They put some effort into the quality department!- Durable, not cheaply made.Cons:- Very heavy- It opens differently than most other flippers. Don't expect to be able to do it with your index finger. The back needs to be grasped with your palm, and you press down on the tang thing with your thumb.- Not assisted opening, so a flipping motion is usually helpful.