Moki, Mcusta, Al Mar and other Seki Made Knives

[Quick Steel]

There are some indications that it is difficult to get San Mai. Don't know the reason why.

[Sharpnshinyknives]

There are some indications that it is difficult to get San Mai. Don't know the reason why.

When the core is VG-10 on both, it really doesn’t matter what jackets it’s in. It would take a lot of sharpening to get past the core and into the other materials. I do like the looks of the Damascus better. Wonder what the problem is with getting San Mai?

[Sharpnshinyknives]

Here is a new model Corian handled Mcusta. These are priced lower than most Mcusta's.
Also is a black Micarta handled Mcusta. This was a model I thought I was buying last year and when it came it was the same as the one they are now calling blue Micarta which is the last picture put up. I like this black bamboo motif.

[Quick Steel]

Mark, I saw an interview with Lynn Thompson and he was explaining that he could no longer get enough San Mai for particular models requiring him to change some of the steel used. No explanation as to the cause.

[Sharpnshinyknives]

i Thought I would post some information about some new product from Mcusta. I’ve been asked before about Mcusta’s and a hole instead of a thumb stud on the blade. The MC-12 series is the Mcusta that offers both a version with a hole and a thumb stud. New are the two exotic wood handle materials. Here is the description from the website;
The MC-12 Series Tactility Elite Folders are elegant yet functional tactical knives with anodized ambidextrous thmb studs or thumb hole. They use a locking liner for a secure lock and are available with a variety of exotic handle materials. The blades are SPG2 Powder steel San Mai with Tsuchime finish or VG-10 core forged with 33 layers Damascus stainless steel and have a special oiled washer system for smooth action. The MC-12 series comes with a decorative pocket clip that is reversible and is designed to allow the knife to be carried low in your pocket with the tip-up for quick deployment.

3-1/2" Hollow ground SPG2 San Mai or 33 layer Damascus steel forged with a VG-10 core with long false edge on back and thumb opening studs (both sides) or thumb hole, 4-1/2" Hand contoured Exotic handle with Stainless steel liners and Pocket clip on back, Each in a gift box

SPG2 San Mai or VG-10 Damascus blade in 3.0mm thick, 93mm blade, 205mm in open, Weight 110g

[Quick Steel]

I studied these two knives for a while trying to decide which I favored. Finally gave up. Both have great appeal.

[Sharpnshinyknives]

QS, these are all nice. I haven’t seen a Mcusta I wouldn’t want to have.
Here is another new addition. These are two new additions to the MC-7 Series. First is an addition to the bamboo motif done in exotic hardwoods that they call “Shinra emotion”. The second is also a hardwood addition to the “Tsuchi” line. Here is the description from the website: "SHINRA Emotion" The SHINRA Emotion Damascus Folder series is inspired by traditional Japanese design elements. The blades are made from a VG-10 core forged with 33 layered nickel Damascus steel, The Exotic Wooden handles are hand shaped motif of Japanese Take Bamboo and Tsuchi with an anodized pivot pin and special oiled washer system. Each has an ambidextrous, one hand opening mechanism with liner lock. Each knife comes with a decorative woven Nishijin pouch with tassels.
Personally I really like the bamboo motif whatever the handle material is made from. They have the bamboo in stainless, exotic hardwoods and Micarta.

[Sharpnshinyknives]

Here is an auction I found for one of these in the Bamboo motif. FYI, not my knife or auction. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mcusta-MC-74D- ... SwPMpdGXcc

[kennedy knives]

i Thought I would post some information about some new product from Mcusta. I’ve been asked before about Mcusta’s and a hole instead of a thumb stud on the blade. The MC-12 series is the Mcusta that offers both a version with a hole and a thumb stud. New are the two exotic wood handle materials. Here is the description from the website;
The MC-12 Series Tactility Elite Folders are elegant yet functional tactical knives with anodized ambidextrous thmb studs or thumb hole. They use a locking liner for a secure lock and are available with a variety of exotic handle materials. The blades are SPG2 Powder steel San Mai with Tsuchime finish or VG-10 core forged with 33 layers Damascus stainless steel and have a special oiled washer system for smooth action. The MC-12 series comes with a decorative pocket clip that is reversible and is designed to allow the knife to be carried low in your pocket with the tip-up for quick deployment.

3-1/2" Hollow ground SPG2 San Mai or 33 layer Damascus steel forged with a VG-10 core with long false edge on back and thumb opening studs (both sides) or thumb hole, 4-1/2" Hand contoured Exotic handle with Stainless steel liners and Pocket clip on back, Each in a gift box

SPG2 San Mai or VG-10 Damascus blade in 3.0mm thick, 93mm blade, 205mm in open, Weight 110g

Hi Mark the Desert Ironwood I was Told at the Blade show is 1 of 100

[Sharpnshinyknives]

i Thought I would post some information about some new product from Mcusta. I’ve been asked before about Mcusta’s and a hole instead of a thumb stud on the blade. The MC-12 series is the Mcusta that offers both a version with a hole and a thumb stud. New are the two exotic wood handle materials. Here is the description from the website;
The MC-12 Series Tactility Elite Folders are elegant yet functional tactical knives with anodized ambidextrous thmb studs or thumb hole. They use a locking liner for a secure lock and are available with a variety of exotic handle materials. The blades are SPG2 Powder steel San Mai with Tsuchime finish or VG-10 core forged with 33 layers Damascus stainless steel and have a special oiled washer system for smooth action. The MC-12 series comes with a decorative pocket clip that is reversible and is designed to allow the knife to be carried low in your pocket with the tip-up for quick deployment.

3-1/2" Hollow ground SPG2 San Mai or 33 layer Damascus steel forged with a VG-10 core with long false edge on back and thumb opening studs (both sides) or thumb hole, 4-1/2" Hand contoured Exotic handle with Stainless steel liners and Pocket clip on back, Each in a gift box

SPG2 San Mai or VG-10 Damascus blade in 3.0mm thick, 93mm blade, 205mm in open, Weight 110g

Hi Mark the Desert Ironwood I was Told at the Blade show is 1 of 100

Gary, good to know. Any idea if the black one is ebony? I love desert Ironwood. Didn’t realize they were producing some of these in such limited quantities.
The one you posted that is coming out later this year, looks like one of their custom knives and those I know are in very short supply, and priced pretty high too.

[kennedy knives]

Mark the Black one is Micarta In the series 7 there is a Ebony Model MCU 76D

[Sharpnshinyknives]

Just won an auction for this Mcusta, I don’t have it yet. I was the only bidder and the auction started at a price that is about 50 dollars lower than the retail on these. This is from the Kamon Series. Kamon means family crest. This one is the “Sasa”. After doing a little research I discovered that there are over 20,000 family crests in Japan. A tradition that dates back over 1000 years. A tradition that started with the Samurai and nobility in Japan. One of the most well known is the Kamon for Mitsubishi https://doyouknowjapan.com/image/symbols/395.jpg.
Mcusta has a series with family crests on a regular basis, the last picture is the newest line of Kamon with the crests of the Shoguns or Samurai, done on exotic hardwoods.

[kootenay joe]

Great looking blade ! What is handle material ? Stainless steel ? Or ?
I have found that auctions with a high opening bid can often be won at the opening bid price or for just $1 more.
kj

[Sharpnshinyknives]

Great looking blade ! What is handle material ? Stainless steel ? Or ?
I have found that auctions with a high opening bid can often be won at the opening bid price or for just $1 more.
kj

The handle is stainless. The blade is a VG-10 core with 33 layer Damascus. They laser cut the crests into the stainless, there are some pretty complex crests on these.
I’ve found that buying from sellers without a lot of history is also good for picking up bargains. It’s amazing how many Japanese knives I’ve picked up and I am the only bidder. I hope the collectors keep overlooking these Japanese knives.

[philco]

Here's a couple of Seki made SOG knives my wife will be putting in her store soon. Thought I'd share them here before they're gone.

[doglegg]

Good looking knives Philip. I bet they don't last long.

[Sharpnshinyknives]

SOG Knives, in my opinion, are some of the most under appreciated Seki knives out there. They make a fine product with very sharp edges, great fit and finish and extreme usability. I hope they receive the appreciation they are due when you list them, someone will be getting a very fine knife.

[kennedy knives]

Here's a couple of Seki made SOG knives my wife will be putting in her store soon. Thought I'd share them here before they're gone.

Hi Phil what are you asking for them

[Sharpnshinyknives]

Just got an email from JKD. Master Koji Hara has this new knife for sale, blade and handle both made out of R2 nickle Koji-Damascus. Just incredible. Along with several others. But these aren’t cheap , 2200 for the one in the picture. Check them out here: http://www.japaneseknifedirect.com/KojiHara.html

[Quick Steel]

Am amazing collection of knives by the Hara's. Spectacular.

[kootenay joe]

I have always bought a custom because i liked it. I did not consider the future, which for a knife collector includes selling your knives. Even if you 'take 'em with you', your heirs will sell them.
Unless a knife maker has a strong following in U.S.A. selling on secondary market brings a 30%-50% loss. If you only have a few and you have enjoyed owning them, the financial loss is not hard to accept. But if you have a collection of custom knives the loss can be significant.
I think the high end custom Japanese knives are ones that might 'suffer' from too few buyers on the secondary market. Hence only buy what speaks to you and won't stop doing so, i.e. buy for love.
Knives above $20,000 are the ones that hold their value best.
kj

[cody6268]

Anyone ever tried the Japanese Klein Tools knives? I've been looking at them quite a bit lately. Harder steel than the old Delrin scaled designs, and OHO.

[Quick Steel]

kj, I've frequently had the same thought you expressed. That is, I think the market for the Japanese knives in the U.S. is small. I am not a seller, at least not yet, so I have no personal concern about this. Nevertheless, with higher end knives no matter their origin, love should be the determining factor.

[Sharpnshinyknives]

I think that Master Koji Hara and his son Dew Hara are building a following here in the states. They aren’t where Master Hattori is yet but they are coming along quickly. I saw their names on the list of vendors that attended the Blade Show in Atlanta. It’s a good thing I didn’t go ,I would have bought one of their knives for sure. The knives they make are simply elegant, I have no idea how useable they are but they make some of the most impressive knives out there.
Masters Hattori and Imai have very useful knives and made to extreme high quality. Hattori knives bring a pretty penny whenever you see them for sale. Surprisingly Imai knives tend to sit unsold for some unexplainable reason. Since Master Imai died 5 years ago, I expected his knives to appreciate in price, but I haven’t seen that happen yet. Whereas Master Hattori knives sell out quickly and bring top dollar and he is till making knives, although he is in his 80’s and slowing down. It’s so hard to try and outguess where the market is going on Japanese knives. I think Garry is right, buy from love of the knife, because as Roland said it’s probably not going to appreciate in value. I know the Japanese knives I own I bought because I love the knives and not concerned with resell on these.

[Sharpnshinyknives]

Anyone ever tried the Japanese Klein Tools knives? I've been looking at them quite a bit lately. Harder steel than the old Delrin scaled designs, and OHO.

Cody, I haven’t tried one. I had one a few years ago and sold it without knowing much about it. Wish I hadn’t. I think they make fine products. While not up to Moki or Mcusta standards, these knives are very well made and have very good fit and finish. Given the price of these, I say go for it and get yourself one. Please let us know how you like it.