A foldable knife that has been used in Japan since the prewar era. When in use, you can secure the blade by pressing down with your thumb on the protruding tab that extends backward from the rivet on the spine side (this part is called the “chikiri”). Today, “Higonokami” is a registered trademark of Nagao Kanekoma Factory Co., Ltd. in Miki City, Hyogo Prefecture. It is believed that production of knives in this shape began in the 1890s. Because of its simple construction, there is little that can break, allowing it to be used for a long time. From around the late 1950s, it became widely loved among children as a stationery item for sharpening pencils. Later, as pencil sharpeners and utility knives became common, its presence as a stationery tool declined; however, the masterpiece “Higonokami,” a代表的 (iconic) Japanese blade, is still made by craftsmen in Hyogo Prefecture and remains a beloved knife for many people. **Specifications** - Overall length: approx. 170 mm - Blade length: approx. 75 mm - Blade thickness: approx. 2.5 mm - Weight: approx. 4.8 g - Steel: Aogami (Blue Paper Steel) warikomi (laminated construction) - Handle: Brass