You could say this knife left Nick feeling bamboozled.

@dgrantreiter

11 ай бұрын

or you could say Nick doesn't understand a traditional Higonokami and is confusing it with a modern front flipper...this is not supposed to be one..

The reason why there's a tang is because it resembles higo no kami(肥後守 ひごのかみ), so a lot of custom makers and production companies in Japan have kept this feature have kept this feature in their design, though it's not necessary in a locking folder. You can make it ride on ball bearings and shorten the tang to make it fire extremely fast and smooth, but then it looks nothing like a higonokami, it's just another run-of-the-mill front flipper. The "useless" tab (chikiri チキリ)is the Japanese answer to open the blade ambidextrously, while securing the blade in a friction folder. And Japanese take their tradition way more seriously, everything with a name has to form and function in a certain way or it's something else. Also people who doesn't live in America doesn't really care that much about opening action, some even require two hand deployment. Personally I have one made by another manufacturer and it doesn't even come with a pocket clip , so I put it in a pouch and carry it like the Japanese has done for ages, and the ergo is fine. It's not a front flipper, not a friction folder(in an European sense where the tang sits flush with the handle after deployment), it's a higonokami, so the chikiri should be there as it is and it's perfectly fine. Some modern higo-styled knives do have detent, in fact two(the other one is at 90 degree so the opening pause halfway) because they don't want the blade to drop free on the finger while closing, so there goes your front flipper out of the window. Personally I would not buy a higo that have a shortened tab just so that I can front-flip it open, it's like buying a katana with a crossguard so I can use murder-stroke as a technique. Rockstead Higo might be the only exception but I believe it has nothing to do with the higonokami but for the place's namesake(Higo as a place that was famous for cutlery in the past).

Nick did this review like he was a student presenting on a topic he was assigned and doesn't care about

@NickShabazz

6 жыл бұрын

Yeah, sometimes it's hard to give enough of a crap even to review something. And this was before I was willing to tweak the format to make my life easier.

I actually bought this knife at the beginning of my knife collecting sickness. Purchased through Amazon and actually sent it to Michael Emler along with a bunch of other knives for sharpening. It came back razor sharp and actually holds an edge for a long time. There are several other knives available that are much better in the same price range That’s the great thing about collecting knives. Everyone has different taste I didn’t receive a belt pouch with mine. It came with a type of burlap drawstring pouch that had Japanese writing on it

Love your reviews, Nick. There are issues with virtually every knife made. You simply state the facts, and from there it's up to the viewer to decide if the pros outweigh the cons. Reviewing as it should be!Thanks.

Wait, the things you hate about the tang being there, no detent, not front flipable are the same things I'd like! I used to carry a higo no kami for YEARS, and used to open it by pressing the tang against my leg then wrist flinging it open... sounds like this does that, has a slicier grind, AND a lock... I'm sold!

Awesome selection, I’ve seen this so many times on Amazon. Thanks

Hey Nick, the company that makes this knife is now making a new version with titanium and carbon fiber scales, it’s more expensive ($120 ish). But it seems to correct many of the things you disliked on this one, seems more ergonomic, lighter, fit and finish should be better, frame lock, it’s on bearings, VG-10, no big friction folder tab, it’s got a detent and it looks slim and comes with a branded leather pouch. Maybe you should give it a try

Jeez...thanks for stepping on this land mine for us, Nick. Saved me about the hundred bucks that I was gonna spend on the Ti+CF one lol.

Wow...you are killing me Nick...I emailed you about this series of knives maybe a year ago...I liked it so much I bought the more expensive version as well as this one.... I love them both...BUT... I am not a professional knife reviewer, I am just an admirer and a user... you are right about the carry option...I found other uses for it though. THANK YOU for the in depth analysis. Bill

@SNE4KZ

6 жыл бұрын

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellipsis

@bradleyh8044

6 жыл бұрын

Honestly, this is still light years better than the most common pocket knife out there: the tactical gas station special. In other words, statistically speaking, I think you're doing pretty good.

@kanekidaedric30

6 жыл бұрын

The majority of this review is just Nick not liking the style of this knife, it's not a super edc oriented knife it's about the style and feel of it. I think this is would be easy to buy over the rat if you prefer the look rather than the vanilla rat.

@Pew7070

6 жыл бұрын

I’m glad you find pleasure in this knife. But please stop with the “pro reviewer” BS. He still makes rookie mistakes.

I agree with all of it .... but I do like the friction folder thumb tab to keep the look of a friction folder... i like it actually makes a good thumb rest

Hi Nick, I bought the pricier titanium camping version after considering the bamboo version. I have to say that I am impressed with the camping version. They did a much better job with the ergos. Anyway, great review as always!

I’m sorry but the pouch is hilarious! 😂

I was looking at this knife on Amazon. I almost got it but then I saw your review of the CRKT LCK. I like to see this type of lesser known, lesser reviewed stuff.

The bamboo style would be unique to this knife, if not for the damascus fully steel version of this knife, also by Katsu. i.e. including very thick damascus scales. That knife is almost all damascus and solid as a rock. The only thing I come up a bit short on is being able to open it in one smooth one-handed motion, without cutting a finger off!

I think a lot of the commenters here aren't remembering that Nick's review is trying to answer the question of "would nick (or someone with his tastes) find this suitable as an edc blade?"

@JustIn-op6oy

2 жыл бұрын

It doesn't come across as him saying the higonokami is an objectively bad cutting tool so much as it's not checking the boxes relevant to his needs & taste in a knife. And most of his major criticisms are regarding the poor execution which, after I got to handle a friend's, I think are pretty spot on. There are good ways to go for this sort of style/aesthetic but this particular folder isn't one of them.

Im glad you posted this video because this is on my amazon list. Now no way ill go the bestech way or another ruike for the same money

I have that knife. I love it. Edit: Mine has brass washers, not teflon.

@jayweast1306

6 жыл бұрын

I think the best part of the review is when Nick said "I don't get it." I don't think this is such a bad knife, just a knife that's not for everyone. If you're into fusion traditionals you're probably OK with things like the opening tab and you might even be drawn to it. It clearly has some flaws but given the price you're not expecting Lionsteel Roundhead quality.

I kinda like it...

Do you have a video on how to add or remove links on the casio oceanus watch band

I owe it to this knife for getting me interested in [actual] high quality production knives. I disassembled the katsu and have left it disassembled because...yeah. The jump from $45 to $200 to $500 can happen quick.

@SuperSteelSteve

6 жыл бұрын

Erik Richards preach brother

I think you're dead wrong about the tab. A large part of the reason I bought the knife was because of that unusual tab. It's not like anything else.

Oh, and I would love to hear your take on one of the EnZo folding knives, such as the Birk 75. It comes in several variations, for around $130.

Not a front flipper, but a friction folder with a locking liner. It may make sense, in a certain way, at a different place. Had my eyes on a similar knife on Ebay a year ago, but did not buy. At some level that makes me (feel like a) brilliant man.

Gym sock full of legos and broken pottery 😂

@Keith_the_knife_freak

6 жыл бұрын

Sharp Grail the addition of broken pottery just raises the bar!! 😂😂🤣🤣😂😂😂😂🤣

@sharpgrail9506

6 жыл бұрын

keifer225948 😂

" im here to take bad so you guys dont have to " God bless you Mr Nick Shabazz God bless you .

It may be a pain in the neck when viewed coldly, i.e. it may not be as useful or practical as Western knives. but this Katsu latter day Higonokami-style knife has a certain emotional appeal, especially the all damascus version. It's the evolved traditional Japanese folding knife (Higonokami). I just bought one of these by accident, by putting a low bid on it expecting not to win and then winning it! I'm not SO excited by this one as I also own the all damascus steel version of this knife. It is very heavy but solid as a rock and real damascus, and very well made. It gives the impression of great quality. It is PLENTY sharp, and a really cool knife, which makes up for some deficiencies.

I think the spur looks nice. I feel it compliments the style of blade and handle. Awesome review though!

still surprised you havent done a bestech review. Arguably more up an coming than Katsu

Recently, I bought the Damascus version of this knife. Some changes have been made, and I think there seems to be a higher effort on quality. The Damascus version runs on PB washers. The left-right grind on the blade seems to be more uniform, compared with what was being done back in 2018. The knife came with a leather pouch, but the back of the snap is exposed, and I think it's a good opportunity to scratch the knife. This slim knife is far too heavy at 5.4 ounces. I think Katsu should have milled out some of the steel scales. The pocket clip is insanely stiff. Overall, I would say that the quality of workmanship has improved since 2018 - at least on the Damascus version.

thank nick--a great in depth review. looks like it weighs a lot too....might make a good letter opener, but can't see carrying this thing. i do like the looks of it--that bamboo handle is nice . maybe a second iteration will help it.

@harmsc12

6 жыл бұрын

I have one of these myself, and some of the points in the bad don't seem to exist in mine. Mine has brass or bronze washers on it and what I think is a decent detente. I kind of agree about the pocket clip, but since I lost one of the screws holding it on, I don't have the clip on my knife. Nick is probably right that you can do better for this price range, but they all have flipper tabs on the front of the blade or thumb studs. I personally dislike those features, so this was the only knife in my budget range that I found appealing enough to buy.

I just remembered you never reviewed the Feist when it came out because of the machining issues. Looking forward to it.

@steveman751

6 жыл бұрын

Brad Hutchison It's amazing in my opinion, has so many things that the slysz bowir has, like crowned spine, reflective stonewash blade and countoured scales.

@bradleyh8044

6 жыл бұрын

Bob Mc big mac I have one too. I actually think about mine as a modern traditional. It has a lot of the hallmarks of traditional knife design that companies like Spyderco tend to miss with their slipjoints: very low profile blade, extremely compact, neutral handle, friendly looking, and a smooth, river stone feel to the whole package.

Bought one of these a year ago. Will say mine is better machined than yours. Also, my Katsu came with bronze washers and the action is smooth. I can do a little side thumb flick to snap it open every time, a tad awkward, but nothing terrible. Overall, I like it, It cuts well, its reliable, I dont have any issue with the ergos, and I like the style.

Disappointed this one was’t great quality. I have one of their Ti framelocks and it was impeccably built. Drop shut action, and the best value 100$ I have ever seen in a knife. Only complaint is there was abit much “air” on either side of the closed blade between the blade and the inside of the scales. Great front flipper.

Nick. Open it with your index finger. Personally i appreciate the knife as a novelty

I'm not sure what you're looking at, but mine came with phosphor bronze washers.

@NickShabazz

6 жыл бұрын

This was filmed a year or so ago. Maybe they've seen the light.

This is a perfect knife for mail calls.

Hell yeah Nick you got the feist!

is this gem one by Coüs Tom, or his friend Ousah

I like it but hey im weird lol

I have the titanium version. I find that the handle isn’t long enough. That’s my only gripe. If you’re opening it properly with your pointer finger I can’t get a good grip with my pinky and palm to easily open it effectively. I do appreciate the tang tab myself as a lefty.

Thanks for explaining it to me Nick, I thought it was a poorly designed shaving straight razor!

Carry a buck 110 in a belt pouch and the first thing you will notice is that your knife doesnt have lint and dust all in it, it basicly stays completly clean.

What's great about this knife is that you don't have to buy one! There are lots of other great choices for that price and even cheaper.

Probably just in the first second of this video I thought "ok Nick is gonna hate that long blade tang."

A lot of the bads and uglyes are probably kept to resemble the original.

@rhythmtreble7311

6 жыл бұрын

yeah. he's kinda nitpicking the original design in a way too

@NickShabazz

6 жыл бұрын

To be fair, the original drove me crazy too. But at least it was a cheap knife.

I wonder if that pouch will hold that knife and a small flashlight?

I have a smaller modern Higo No Kami knife in peel ply carbon fibre and damascus steel. It's a pretty little thing, but I have the same complaint. Once the liner lock is introduced, the friction folder tab becomes pointless. I consider mine more of a dress knife and it's much smaller than this one so it's okay, but it still irritates me. I'd like to see Spyderco make a modern Higo with a Spydie hole or flipper and no extended tab. It would still look traditional but would be functional and modern. I'm surprised nobody has really done this. I think the blade shape and the Japanese design cues are what makes Higo's distinctive. Not that tab.

These are advertised as "Japanese" but I could bet this knife is made in China

@arcaneleaf4074

6 жыл бұрын

Johny Ricco The best value knifes in many cases. Not the best

@ratiodealer

6 жыл бұрын

Johny Ricco You're being way too general, brah.

@NickShabazz

6 жыл бұрын

Chinese makers are making some great knives, particularly WE. But it's hard to say *any* country makes the 'best' knives. Best is hard.

@johnyricco1220

6 жыл бұрын

Nick Shabazz: It's not an exaggeration. Look at Rike Thor 6 and tell me there is another manufacturer anywhere in the world that can make that in serial production. There are maybe a handful of custom art knife guys who can do it, if you're willing to pay thousands and wait a couple of years. Not saying there are no bad Chinese makers, but there is simply no competition at the highest end.

@johnyricco1220

6 жыл бұрын

ATech Reviews I think that's an objective observation. When we look at the best factory build knives the best are coming out of China. Like I said to Nick, look at Rike Thor 6. Completely hand tooled non-CNC and serial produced like a Swiss watch. No one else is doing it.

I think Nick likes to show his knife collection.

8:35 what knife is this?

“Grabbing a gym sock full of legos and broken pottery”

you can read a amazon listing name also? the KATSU Titanium & Carbon Fiber Handle vg-10 looks much nicer!

Unique looking knife, but looks very uncomfortable for edc or even occasional use.

nick plz answer me why you dont like soft steels they love you and have a soft spot in their heart for you unlike those hard cold steels that hate everything

You don't use a lot of real traditional Higonokami Knives often do you it's really a 2 hand opening knife with modern safety features...not a flipper. The tang could be a little shorter but Chikiri sticks up on a real traditional version. Also the " Handle/Scales are on a Higonokami considered the protective scabbard or sheath and the edges are not ergonomic at all , Thanks

You could call this knife a... BAMBOO-BOO

carter prime ergos or this things ergos

Whenever you start "the bad" one third in the video i know the knife can only go two ways: Either its an amazing gem with flaws that take you a long time to explain. Or its a complete piece of crap that has so many flaws that they take long to talk about all of them

Hey Nick, ever making a Seiko Samurai review?

@NickShabazz

6 жыл бұрын

Should air within a few weeks.

@ixno3

6 жыл бұрын

Nick Shabazz Thanks Nick!

@The4cp

6 жыл бұрын

I can't wait. I trust you'll know if I'm wasting my money. I seen it a while ago and like it. I've held off on buying one because I know nothing about it.

@ixno3

6 жыл бұрын

The4cp It’s a very good watch for the money. I’d look to see Nick’s opinion on the Samurai. I have really enjoyed the watch.

Bad option for EDC since it was not designed in USA.

@lobotomite9767

6 жыл бұрын

USA DESIGN oh my god

@NickShabazz

6 жыл бұрын

This is my favorite (God I hope it's a) parody account.

@ATechReviewsKnives

6 жыл бұрын

*Designed by Usa

@doukdouk2550

5 жыл бұрын

Lel

They make an all Damascus one... like the handle is Damascus too

I'd like to have a bigger one.

I thought the ZT names were rough.

i have the best friction folder suggestion for ya a damn newzealand svord peasant knife its 10 bucks so its immune to all criticism

Touché to bamboozled!

Maybe your looking at it wrong , this is razor .D2 makes it tough enough to take down Jim Croce 's Big Jim as well as the beard

Flipper knives can’t be carried in Japan

Like a gym sock filled with legos and broken pottery 😂😂

so what you're saying is...its not a gem?

"Vestigial Appendage!"

Can you do that Russian voice again?

Why does your voice sound 1950's

You have to realize thr japanese hand make their knives. Thats why all the knives are different

An attractive enough looking knife but seems to epitomise "all show and no go" design. There's a school of thought that says hipsterism is all shallow cultural appropriation with no substance to back it up. I don't think that's a fair assessment of hipsterism but I do think it makes for a pretty good description of this knife. All of which is a shame.

Ugly started with like 7 minutes left to go 😂

this is just modernized boneless higonokami

Poor little knife..

Watched it for bias confirmation. Not disappointed. Nick, you’re still pretty much the same. For everybody else: buy it and draw your own conclusions. Just look how many enjoy the damn thing! 🙃😁

@NickShabazz

6 жыл бұрын

What'd I miss here, Mark? Help people understand what I failed to see?

@Pew7070

6 жыл бұрын

Nick, I don’t think it will be of any help to anyone for me to point out (an opinion, mine - not law) what or if you missed anything. That is not my objective. At the end of it all it is your set of preferences. And so, someone’s else difference of opinion cannot necessarily be defined as your miss. Only you can decide if it is a miss on your part. Another cannot priorly call it that. My comment is prompted by the observation that too many got lazy and are letting an opinion formed by another mind, on the basis of its own particular criteria, become their own without personal experience (in this case the knife). This is not a dialogue (strictly referring to the format). It is a scripted presentation based on one’s opinion. And I find taking it for what it is, not more - not less, a healthy approach. I think the best way to draw conclusions is an open dialogue with all interested after everyone had some time with the knife. Not a comment pointing out what one thinks you are missing without even handling the object in subject. And after all we are different individuals. Not members of a hive where all have one mind.

@JanglesPrime999

6 жыл бұрын

Mark Tudor So you are critizing a review channel for doing reviews? As with any review centered channel, I see Nick as more experienced than me as he has handled more knives than I have and I value his thoughts. I don't have the money to try every knife that catches my eye. How I found Nick was when I was looking for a replacement to my Kershaw shuffle and watched his channel amount others. although I don't think he has reviewed the Case russlock that I did and up buying I valued his opinion because it gave me an idea what I needed in a knife. That is pretty much the point.

The Higo would be a good concept for Spyderco's ethnic series.

Please review SOG flash 2

I have seen a few guys on instagram who love this knife. To be honest for a amazon only Chinese made knife I'm surprised it doesn't come with a pair of fake jordans.

I kind of feel like you've been getting too niche with the videos lately. I know you're trying to move away some of the mainstream knives that everyone else is reviewing... But those $50 - $150 mainstream knives are the lifeblood of the industry and what the majority of enthusiasts own and will likely be swayed to purchase by one of your reviews. Your reviews are a cut (groan) above the rest, so your channel is the FIRST I come to any time a new knife is released, and I'm sure that's the case for many others too. I use your videos as the "standard" and then watch other reviews afterwards in case you missed something.

@NickShabazz

6 жыл бұрын

That's true, but it's also kind of difficult to stay interested and interesting as the "consumer reports" of the pocket knife world. And my time is limited. Too many vanilla $50-150 knives, too little unique to say, not enough time.

You bought an over priced Leatherman sheath and they threw in a cheap knife .

So you appreciate the modern take on a classic design, but you hate all the design elements that make is classic...? It’s like reviewing a “modern musket” with a polymer stock and red dot sight, and criticizing that you have to manually load the cap/ball/powder. You are smarter than this Nick

@jakefromstatefarm1405

6 жыл бұрын

TeamWrecMiata Did you watch the video? He literally explained in detail whats wrong with the knife and why...he's not "hating" You should be smarter

@Stahlwerk88

6 жыл бұрын

USA DESIGN your name and profile pic of the Tac Force logo is all the proof needed to know you’re an ignorant moron. He’s talking about the friction folder tang and how it’s present here as a nod to the traditional higonokami design, not part of the functional design as it’s a liner lock. They could’ve gone with thumbstuds or a flipper for all it matters if it was purely function, but leaving the friction folder tang is purely for tradition’s sake, and harder to criticize for it. But then again, I buy gas at gas stations, not knives.

@jakefromstatefarm1405

6 жыл бұрын

Stahlwerk88 😂😂

@NickShabazz

6 жыл бұрын

Nods to tradition are great, but this is akin to saying "traditionally, samurai had bad knees after many years of crawling stealthily, so I've just stabbed myself repeatedly in the knee area to be more like a samurai". There's a limit to how much ugly I'll allow in the name of tradition, and this went way past

@jbeers1234

6 жыл бұрын

USA DESIGN thanks fanboy