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HIGONOKAMI KNIVES

In 1876 the Emperor of Japan essentially outlawed the Samurai and the carryin g of swords. This would open the door for the sword guilds to evolve or fade into history. The Miki guild would take up the challenge and develop first, the Hirata Knife which by 1894 would evolve into what is the current Higonokami Knife.

The Higonokami is a handmade knife and as such it is not perfect, like Karate, there is always room for improvement and no two are identical. it is even intended that its owner may customize or modify them. They are a practical utility knife that in time and with use will develop its own character and patina, like its owner. It is not a passive use tool, its use requires active engagement, focus and attention.

The Higonokami is a knife that can be appreciated for its purity, simplicity, minimalist and primitive appeal. .

SPYDERCO KNIVES

Spyderco Salt Series knives are the ultimate marine knife, and for that matter may be all around knife because of the corrosion resistance, anywhere the conditions call for wet...offering Reliable, High-Performance in any environment where corrosion is a concern. Made of H1, LC200N or CPM MagnaCut blade steel Salt Series knives are incredibly corrosion resistant. These 3 picks are our go to knife in harsh (and not so harsh) wet environments where we live; kayaking, fishing on the water anywhere in general. And although the Native 5 is on the upper limit of what we would want to spend on a Knife that does more than pocket duty, we feel that its ability to stand up to corrosion makes this added expense worth it!

NATA JAPANESE KNIVES 

NATA is a Japanese camping and bushcraft knife. It is a hard working traditional tool for working, hunting, camping and general bushcraft. Ideal as a tool for pruning, shaving trees, cutting off weeds, making firewood, and self-defense. Made in Japan by Japanese craftsmen. It is often referred to as an ax or hatchet neither of which is technically correct, but it is used as such...if a hatchet and a machete had a baby it would be the Nata.

OPINEL KNIVES

An iconic simple knife,

Made in France since 1890 and famous for the simple collar locking mechanism called Virobloc. If you ever imagined yoursef on a picnic with grapes, wine, cheese and aged meats this is the knife for you..

Value with real provenance and a cult following.

DOUK DOUK

Another iconic "primitive folding" knife, the Douk Douk a French-made pocket knife of folded sheet-metal construction. It has been manufactured by the M. C. Cognet cutlery firm in Thiers, France, since 1929. It also shares an extensive cult following like the Higonokami and Opinel knives. The image on the handle is a representation from the mythology of Melanesia which encompasses New Guinea, the Torres Strait Islands, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Fiji, and is often considered the spirit of reincarnation or Chaos. This Douk Douk, will definitely be a conversation starter and get you into the knife snob club.

TOP GRAIN LEATHER SHEATH

Leather Sheath. You could spend more, but why? These are a great, versatile sheath, rustic looking and hold up well. I usually buy several at a time, if I need 1, I buy 3, they are not always perfect., with some slight variations...but always a great value. I use them for my "primitive" knives and many others..

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