Higonokami friction folder builds

[Tony_Wood]

I purchased a couple of these last year at a swap meet. They are common fleabay variety knives, mass manufactured in Japan.
I buy knives for patterns and ideas, at least that is what my wife believes.
The higher quality Higo knives from Japan are made from a laminated steel. These are made from simple carbon steel, 1084, because I can heat treat that with consistency.
Handle materials are from various metals including mild steel, bronze, and copper.
I’m still working on the pattern, and this has been a fun project.

Happy Quarantining.

[FRJ]

I think these knives are terrific.
This must be very enjoyable and obviously successful work.
They look very well designed and made.

[Tony_Wood]

I think these knives are terrific.
This must be very enjoyable and obviously successful work.
They look very well designed and made.

Thanks Joe.
They are certainly easier to build than a slipjoint! Part of their success is the price point I can sell them at.
Most younger guys do not want to spend much money on a pocket knife.

[Rossr]

Nice and unique work! Looks like a fun build too. Are the handles folded or bent metal?

Ross

[Tony_Wood]

Nice and unique work! Looks like a fun build too. Are the handles folded or bent metal?

Ross

Thanks Ross

The handles are hammer folded metal: bronze, molded steel, and copper. The copper is plumbing copper pipe that I cut, flatten, and fold.

[Rossr]

Thanks for the reply. I've made a couple small friction folders out.of antler and one with wood. But copper pipe etc is a cool.concept. Thanks for sharing

Ross

[Sharpnshinyknives]

Tony, your work is always impressive.

[Tony_Wood]

Thanks for the reply. I've made a couple small friction folders out.of antler and one with wood. But copper pipe etc is a cool.concept. Thanks for sharing

Ross

Absolutely. I enjoy the processes of knife building. A few years ago I was building to sell. That got old. Now I just build to build. I build what I see in my mind.
I will post up a series of photos from my last build set.

Tony, your work is always impressive.

Thank you sir.

[Tony_Wood]

Forged and ready to grind.

Processing copper for handle material.

Folding the copper.

Ready for pinning.

A new batch.

[muskrat man]

Love a good friction folder, very nice work

[Meridian_Mike]

I have been wanting to try a friction folder for a long time now. They are such an older and interesting design.
Those are some real nice ones Tony! Thanks for letting us see 'em!

[Reverand]

It looks like a simple design Tony, but it cannot be easy to give them such an elegant sweep, instead of looking clunky. Yours look almost like miniature katanas!

[Tony_Wood]

Love a good friction folder, very nice work

Thank you sir. I saw a photo of one you built recently. Was very nice as well.

I have been wanting to try a friction folder for a long time now. They are such an older and interesting design.
Those are some real nice ones Tony! Thanks for letting us see 'em!

Go for it! These are simple enough to build. The only tricky thing is getting the pivot in the correct spot for the thumb tab to lie flat when in the open position.
Build a few from cardboard, then transfer that to metal.

It looks like a simple design Tony, but it cannot be easy to give them such an elegant sweep, instead of looking clunky. Yours look almost like miniature katanas!

The sweeping look is what appeals to me here. I have built a few that were straight, but the gently arch is my favorite. I need to start carrying two, because carrying one means that I come home with an empty pocket often.
These are easy enough to build that I have given several away. It seems that every time I give one away I get an order for a couple more. It could almost become a “job.”

[Tony_Wood]

And a new one...1084 and hammered copper.

[Colonel26]

Those are very neat Tony.

[Sharpnshinyknives]

And a new one...1084 and hammered copper.

ACA22DAD-877A-45D6-B8B1-8AE42930771C.jpeg


30EF2C95-7C84-4A89-92E3-FA0B5E3E0B09.jpeg

Very nice Tony. Love that copper on that one.

[Tony_Wood]

Thanks you sir.
Those are very neat Tony.

Thank you sir.

And a new one...1084 and hammered copper.

ACA22DAD-877A-45D6-B8B1-8AE42930771C.jpeg


30EF2C95-7C84-4A89-92E3-FA0B5E3E0B09.jpeg

Very nice Tony. Love that copper on that one.

Thank you Mark.

[Doc B]

[Meridian_Mike]

Interesting knife Tony!
I'm not that familiar with that style of knife but your looks very artistic and well executed.

[Tony_Wood]

Thanks Doc.

Interesting knife Tony!
I'm not that familiar with that style of knife but your looks very artistic and well executed.

Like a metal palette. Thanks Mike.

[Benton629]

I’ve got two of these. Damn good knife and nothing cuts like them.