KOTOH (Japan) Higonokami Friction folder

[Sundog Knives]

My friend OLDE CUTLER was gracious enough to snap a few pictures of my latest acquisition which I am sharing below.

I bought this pocket knife two weeks ago in Tokyo at a cutlery shop in Kappabashi ("kitchen town"), a street lined with stores packed of any and every imaginable item for your kitchen or restaurant.

Yoshimi Kotoh is the maker of this knife. The handle material is Chinese quince wood. It is extremely lightweight.

From what little I know - chime in if you have information to add - this particular knife is called higonokami style given the arrangement of the lever/flipper and absence of a locking mechanism. The Case Russlock pattern is similar in design.

[XX Case XX]

Although the blades are entirely different, the opening mechanism reminds me of a Case Russlock. I must admit I like the Japanese one better.

___________
Mike (Photo from Blade HQ)

[OLDE CUTLER]

When I handled the knife to take some pics for Sundog, I was shocked at how light this knife is. The only pieces of metal in it are the blade and one brass pin. It weighs almost nothing.

[OLDE CUTLER]

Although the blades are entirely different, the opening mechanism reminds me of a Case Russlock. I must admit I like the Japanese one better.

___________
Mike (Photo from Blade HQ)

A couple of side by sides for comparison. Also compare the Russlock at 2.7 ounces to the Kotoh at .6 of an ounce (that's 6/10ths)!!