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Higonokami friction folder builds
Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2020 12:12 am
by 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.

Re: Higonokami friction folder builds
Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2020 1:51 am
by FRJ
I think these knives are terrific.
This must be very enjoyable and obviously successful work.
They look very well designed and made.
Re: Higonokami friction folder builds
Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2020 12:13 pm
by Tony_Wood
FRJ wrote: ↑Sun Apr 12, 2020 1:51 am
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.
Re: Higonokami friction folder builds
Posted: Thu May 07, 2020 12:44 pm
by Rossr
Nice and unique work! Looks like a fun build too. Are the handles folded or bent metal?
Ross
Re: Higonokami friction folder builds
Posted: Thu May 07, 2020 4:58 pm
by Tony_Wood
Rossr wrote: ↑Thu May 07, 2020 12:44 pm
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.
Re: Higonokami friction folder builds
Posted: Thu May 07, 2020 5:44 pm
by 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
Re: Higonokami friction folder builds
Posted: Thu May 07, 2020 6:16 pm
by Sharpnshinyknives
Tony, your work is always impressive.
Re: Higonokami friction folder builds
Posted: Thu May 07, 2020 6:52 pm
by Tony_Wood
Rossr wrote: ↑Thu May 07, 2020 5:44 pm
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.
Thank you sir.
Re: Higonokami friction folder builds
Posted: Thu May 07, 2020 6:57 pm
by Tony_Wood
Forged and ready to grind.
Processing copper for handle material.
Folding the copper.
Ready for pinning.
A new batch.
Re: Higonokami friction folder builds
Posted: Thu May 07, 2020 8:32 pm
by muskrat man
Love a good friction folder, very nice work
Re: Higonokami friction folder builds
Posted: Mon May 11, 2020 1:26 pm
by 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!

Re: Higonokami friction folder builds
Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2020 10:44 pm
by 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!
Re: Higonokami friction folder builds
Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2020 2:29 am
by Tony_Wood
muskrat man wrote: ↑Thu May 07, 2020 8:32 pm
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.
Meridian_Mike wrote: ↑Mon May 11, 2020 1:26 pm
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.
Reverand wrote: ↑Sat Jun 13, 2020 10:44 pm
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.”
Re: Higonokami friction folder builds
Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2020 3:13 am
by Tony_Wood
And a new one...1084 and hammered copper.
Re: Higonokami friction folder builds
Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2020 3:39 am
by Colonel26
Those are very neat Tony.
Re: Higonokami friction folder builds
Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2020 11:26 am
by Sharpnshinyknives
Tony_Wood wrote: ↑Sun Jul 26, 2020 3:13 am
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.
Re: Higonokami friction folder builds
Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2020 5:25 pm
by Tony_Wood
Colonel26 wrote: ↑Sun Jul 26, 2020 3:39 am
Thanks you sir.
Those are very neat Tony.
Thank you sir.
Sharpnshinyknives wrote: ↑Sun Jul 26, 2020 11:26 am
Tony_Wood wrote: ↑Sun Jul 26, 2020 3:13 am
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.
Re: Higonokami friction folder builds
Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2020 5:59 pm
by Doc B
Re: Higonokami friction folder builds
Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2020 11:55 am
by Meridian_Mike
Interesting knife Tony!
I'm not that familiar with that style of knife but your looks very artistic and well executed.

Re: Higonokami friction folder builds
Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2020 12:36 pm
by Tony_Wood
Doc B wrote: ↑Sun Jul 26, 2020 5:59 pm
Thanks Doc.
Meridian_Mike wrote: ↑Mon Jul 27, 2020 11:55 am
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.
Re: Higonokami friction folder builds
Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2020 10:35 am
by Benton629
I’ve got two of these. Damn good knife and nothing cuts like them.