Banshu Hamono Higonokami Folding Knife - Black

Blade Length: 2.8"
Closed Length: 4"
Open Length: 6.5"
Weight: 1.1 oz.
Blade Material: Blue steel "Warikomi"
Blade Thickness: ~3.0 mm
Handle Material: Black oxide
Carry Style: Ambidextrous
Made in: Japan

• Oiling the blade regularly can help prevent the development of rust. Knife maintenance oil or plain refined sunflower oil will work.
• When the caulking becomes loose after long use, place it on something hard and tap on it with a hammer to adjust.
• When the caulking is too tight to open the blade, hit the knife on the table with the "Chikiri (tail)" faced down.
• Brass will patina over time, but can also be polished back to its original shine using a polish like Brasso.
• As Higonokami knives are handmade, each Higonokami has its own characteristics and its tightness is not always the same.

In 1896, Tasaburo Shigematsu brought back a knife he found from the Kyushu province and asked a knife maker named Teji Murakami from Hirata in the Miki region to manufacture it. With the recent abolition of the samauri class, blade-smiths welcomed the chance to create small tools and knives.

The knife was ultimately named a Higonokami knife. “Higo no Kami” in Japanese means “Lord of Higo”. Higo is the old name of the Kyushu province, where the original knife came from, but “Higo no Kami” is also an aristocratic title historically given to powerful samurais. 

In 2013, the Mujun Company identified an emerging problem. Older expert craftsmen were slowly disappearing as mass-produced cutlery made the market increasingly competitive, and diminishing returns were discouraging the younger generation from learning their ancestors' trade. In response, Mujun collaborated with the Ono Kanamo Association, a local blacksmith association, to establish Banshu Hamono. This label encompasses a collection of items made by various blade-makers in the Banshu region of Hyogo prefecture, the oldest region where the blacksmith industry began in Japan. Banshu Hamono has since become a driving force in preserving the traditional skills of expert craftsmen and nurturing the future craftsmen of Japan.

We ship using USPS and UPS, depending on the destination. All shipments include tracking and up to $200 of insurance.

Complimentary Shipping (Domestic Only):

• USPS Ground Advantage: Complimentary on orders over $100.00.
• USPS Priority Mail: Complimentary on orders over $200.00.

Shipping Times:

• Most items ship within two business days (Monday to Friday, excluding holidays).
• Orders placed by 12 PM Pacific Time often ship the same day.
• We aim to ship on Saturdays whenever possible, but this service is not guaranteed.

Additional Notes: 

• Posters and artwork may ship separately from other items but will be dispatched simultaneously.
• Photographs will ship within two weeks.
• Due to the rise in package theft, we strongly recommend having packages delivered to secure locations or ensuring someone is available to receive them. Gladfellow advises against leaving packages unattended for extended periods. While we offer insurance on your shipments, once a package is marked “delivered,” insurance no longer covers theft or loss.

Shipping Costs:

Shipping costs are non-refundable and are automatically calculated at checkout. Rates vary based on factors such as location, weight, dimensions, and shipping method. We offer various shipping options tailored to your needs for speed and affordability, and we do not profit from shipping—you are charged only what the carrier charges us.

Service Upgrades:

• Depending on shipping rates and logistics, your package may be upgraded to a faster or higher-tier service at no additional cost to you.
• For larger orders, we may include signature confirmation free of charge to deter theft and ensure secure delivery.

International Orders:

• For international orders, customs duties, taxes, and fees may apply. These are determined by your country and are the responsibility of the recipient.

For our full shipping policy, please see shipping policies.

Returns are accepted within 30 days of receipt of your order, provided the merchandise is in its original, unused condition and includes the original packaging. Unfortunately, returns received after the 30-day period will not be accepted.*

Exceptions:

• Lighters: We cannot accept returns for lighters that have been filled with fluid.
• Brass/Copper Products: Items that have had their vacuum seal opened or have been handled and exposed to oxidation are considered used and are not eligible for return.

If the return is due to our shipping error or a defective product, we will refund the non-expedited shipping costs of the return. Otherwise, return shipping costs are non-refundable.

For our full return policy, please see return policies.