About the Tomita White Steel Kengata Higo Knife — Black Tsuchime L
The Tomita White Steel Kengata Higo Knife combines a hand-forged Shirogami #2 blade with a black hammered iron handle in the traditional Japanese Higo knife tradition. Made at the Tomita Nomi Seisakusho in Miki City, Japan, this friction folder is crafted by Shigeru Tomita, who worked alongside his late brother Osamu Tomita for around 60 years. Today, Shigeru continues the traditional Tomita method in Miki City.
The blade is forged from Shirogami #2 (White Paper Steel), a Japanese high-carbon steel valued for its purity, fine edge, and ease of sharpening. It features a distinctive hammered spine and showcases the characteristic Tomita technique known as Midareba — a wave-like blade pattern created during the forging process. This distinctive treatment, combined with the Kengata (sword-style) profile, gives the blade its individual character.
The handle is made from iron and features a traditional black tsuchime (hammered) finish. The textured surface reflects traditional Japanese metalworking and gives the handle a tactile feel. As a classic friction folder, the knife uses the extended chikiri lever to control the blade without a conventional locking mechanism.
Presented in a traditional wooden box, this Large (L) model combines hand-forged Japanese craftsmanship with the simple construction associated with traditional Higo folding knives. Its Kengata profile, hammered spine, and distinctive Midareba blade pattern give each example its own individual character.
A Note on Handmade Craftsmanship: Each Tomita knife is made through traditional hand-forging and finishing processes, so variations in the blade, hammer marks, finish, colour, and overall appearance are to be expected. The exact tone and appearance of the black finish may vary slightly from piece to piece due to the individual forging, hammering, and finishing process. These are not factory-produced knives, and individual examples may show visible traces of the maker's hand. No two pieces will be exactly alike. If you are looking for a perfectly uniform, machine-finished appearance, this may not be the right knife for you.
