Japanese higo knife with hammered blue steel handle and open blade on white background
1 / 9

Tomita San White Steel Higo Pocket Knife with Tsuchime Handle 75mm

$130.00

Small-batch Higo pocket knife handmade in Miki City, Japan by Shigeru Tomita san. 75mm White Paper steel blade, iron tsuchime handle and wooden box. A compact traditional friction folder for light workshop, parcel and precise cutting tasks. Ships from Perth.

East West Tools Quality Guarantee

We stand behind the quality of our tools with a 30-day return policy and support for exchanges or repairs when needed. Read the full policy here.

Shipping

We dispatch every weekday from Perth. Orders over $250 ship free Australia-wide, with free local shipping over $100. Regular shipping is $12.50 and express shipping is $19.00. Read the full shipping policy here.

Product Care

Japanese carbon steel tools stay at their best when they are wiped dry, kept clean of sap, sharpened before they become blunt and oiled before storage. Read the full guide.

 

    Every order plants 1 tree and removes 1 plastic bottle from the ocean.
    Leave a review and we’ll plant another tree in your name.  

Description

Small-batch Japanese Higo knife from Miki City

This Higo pocket knife is handmade in Miki City, Japan by Shigeru Tomita san. It is simple, compact and practical, with the forged texture and quiet presence that make traditional Japanese knives very different from modern factory-made folders.

Shigeru Tomita san worked together with his older brother, Mr Osamu Tomita, for around 60 years. Osamu Tomita san passed away a few years ago, and Shigeru Tomita san now continues making these knives himself using the same traditional method.

What it is best for

  • Opening parcels and packaging
  • Trimming cord, paper and light workshop materials
  • Sharpening pencils and marking timber
  • Small precise cuts where a clean carbon steel edge matters
  • A gift for someone who appreciates Japanese tools and small-batch making

What to understand before buying

This is a traditional friction folder, not a modern locking knife. The blade does not lock open. It should be used with controlled pressure, with your hand clear of the closing path, and it should not be treated like a heavy-duty outdoor knife.

The 75mm blade uses White Paper Steel in warikomi construction. It takes a very fine edge, but it is carbon steel, so it can rust if left wet or dirty. The iron tsuchime handle gives texture and character, and each knife is supplied in a wooden box.

Who should not buy this

  • Do not buy this if you need a locking work knife for hard use.
  • Do not buy this for prying, twisting or heavy outdoor cutting.
  • Do not buy carbon steel if you want a knife you can leave wet without rust risk.
  • Do not buy this as a children’s gift or casual toy. It is a sharp hand tool.

Care expectations

Wipe the blade clean after use, keep it dry and apply a light coat of camellia oil before storage. Do not fold it away wet or leave it dirty after cutting sap, food or anything acidic.

For oil, stones and rust removal, browse Japanese tool care and sharpening. For related small edge tools, browse Japanese carving knives and spoon tools or Japanese woodworking tools and saws.

Specifications
  • Maker: Tomita-san
  • Style: Traditional Higo pocket knife
  • Blade steel: White paper steel
  • Construction: Warikomi laminated construction
  • Edge format: Double bevel
  • Blade length: 75mm
  • Handle material: Iron
  • Handle finish: Tsuchime hammered finish
  • Packaging: Wooden box
Maintenance

This is a carbon steel knife, so basic care matters. Wipe the blade clean after use, keep it dry and apply camellia oil before storage. Do not fold it away wet or leave it sitting dirty after cutting sap, food or anything acidic.

For stones, oil and rust removal, browse the Japanese tool care and sharpening range.
🌱 Share your experience — every review plants another tree.

Frequently Asked Questions

What steel is used in this knife?

This knife uses white paper steel, a traditional Japanese carbon steel known for taking a very keen edge.

What does warikomi mean?

Warikomi is a laminated blade construction where the cutting steel is combined with a softer outer body. It is a traditional Japanese method that balances cutting performance with durability.

Is this a locking knife?

No. This is a traditional friction-folding Higo-style knife, so it does not use a modern lock.

What size is this knife?

This is the medium size with a 75mm blade, which makes it a practical option for everyday utility and small precise cutting jobs.

What is tsuchime?

Tsuchime refers to the hammered finish on the handle. It gives the knife extra texture in hand and adds to its forged, workshop-made character.

Is this stainless steel?

No. This is a carbon steel knife and it will rust if neglected, so it should be kept clean, dry, and lightly oiled.

What is this knife best used for?

It suits everyday cutting tasks such as opening parcels, trimming cord, sharpening pencils, light woodworking, and other small precise jobs.

Does it come boxed?

Yes. Each knife comes in a wooden box, which suits both storage and gifting.

You may also like