Higonokami is a traditional Japanese folding knife originating from Miki, Hyōgo Prefecture, in 1896. Renowned for its minimalist design, the Higonokami features a friction-folding mechanism without a locking system, relying on the pressure of the user's thumb on its iconic lever (chikiri) to keep the blade open during use. The handle is typically made from folded metal and stamped with the maker's name and the type of steel used. Crafted with high-carbon steels like Aogami (blue paper steel), Higonokami knives are celebrated for their sharpness and edge retention. Today, Nagao Kanekoma Factory is the sole licensed manufacturer preserving this century-old tradition.