Happy Birthday!

Ah, but that might be just as good for you as a learning experience. So in the end I don't think it was a bad move at all.

The ones on ebay are either with white #2 or blue #2 steel. Since they are so affordable they aren't handsmithed (when you get it you can check the lamination line, if handmade it's wavy - straight if by machine).

Performance-wise it won't matter very much from getting say, the custom one, the hardness should be at around 62-63 on those, maybe a bit lower if you get a "lemon". But it does come with a very good edge for western standards, so all I can really tell you is enjoy the knife and if you like it then you can start looking for that special one. :)

edit: reposted because of a typo, you have to be very accustomed to Jap steel to tell the difference so it won't make much difference

The steel on those is VG-10 with a Kitaeji lamination (light wood burl look). Personally I would recommend either Cowry-X (zdp-189 a'la Jap talk)

The absolutely "most" classic is a bronze handle design with a white steel core (#2 as with most knives). This maker who is also the only one certified to make "official" Higonokami's has ventured more from the traditional design to the full-on custom look that the first few pics had.

This smith does great work but 30% of the price or so is only for the name. For a first timer I would recommend a nice Kitaeji pattern one.

Itou-san and Hattori-san are probably the ones I would recommend that a first-timer can't go wrong with.

The steel is solid. Hattori has those ties to Seki citywith their VG10 - a steel I know doesn't perform quite up to par compared to Blue or White steel. For performance I would recommend an Itou-san R2 custom Higonokami.

Itou-san has forged them for all his life basically and he has almost entirely switched his production of White and Blue steel to R2 steel which is a very decent one. If not, head for a Cowry-X one or a regular Blue Steel one (called Aogami if you wish to track it down yourself).

Best part about this design is that it is legal pretty much worldwide. And since you use it by thumb pressure on the spine the lockup hardly matters. Many collectors have been amazed by their sharpness also :)

The favorite knife of any Jap kid just starting or finishing school (they use them to sharpen their pencils with).

Good luck with your purchase Robert! If you want help to find the -exact- steel and that traditional shape I'll gladly help you. They are a bit vintage and not really in production now except for bad copies so if you want the 100% traditional kind with bronze handle and Blue or White steel go ahead and contact me and I will start hunting one down.

I won't mind joining your group but I am a bit unsure as to which picture of a Higonokami to post lol. Instead I think I'll leave the decision with you and just bombard you with a few pics instead ;)

1 2 3 and coming next is the traditional type that has been in use for 80 or so years in Japan 4 5 6

Very basic yet surprisingly functional design. You don't need much pressure if it's a properly sharpened one so the lack of lock-up doesn't matter. Hope you like it, it's my no.1 favorite among folders without a lock-up.

I.e. just post a note on my  <My Page> or PM me !!!! 

:D ale

I.e. The Marble's Safety Folding hunter .. 4.25" .. Stag .. is in quite rough shape.

Webster L. Marble's and biz partner/banking partner Cleve purchased the patent .. or the manuf rights .. or ..... anyway, started producing the Marble's Safety Folding Hunter line .. in 3 dif sizes. This is the smallest. Missing the swing gaurd. Both blade 'n gaurd have some healthy rust pits. That's a common NAIL in place of the pivot rivet.

And I noted all those things .. even before I could touchy feely 'n read the attached label .. exclaiming "with self sharpener" .. YES .. I personally exchanged money for that there knife in the picture .. :D 

Robert .. if you are referring to this post

.. the pic is a rough example of the real world implementation of Rowland’s patent .. a Marble’s Safety Folding Hunter.

Tooo coool .. we definately have something in common !!!!!!

I share your interest in unique locking mechanisms .. way cool !!!!