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23YEARS
SKU: 104-000

Ikeuchi Mikihisa Orikoma Folding Knife

Regular price $44.90

Ikeuchi has been making knives in Miki City since 1953. Founded by Shozo Ikeuchi, the business was later joined by his sons, and now his grandson, Hiromi Ikeuchi continues the tradition. Miki City itself has been renowned for its tool making industry since at least the Edo period (it’s like the Sheffield of Japan), and these knives are an excellent example of the high-quality tools and hardware produced in the area. The blade is made of laminated Aogami #2 Steel, with excellent edge retention, extreme sharpness right out of the box, and an attractive tsuchime finish (hammered finish).

Features:

  • Aogami #2 Steel Blade
    • Sometimes called Blue Paper Steel due to the color of the paper the steel comes wrapped in when sent to the blacksmith, Aogami is generally considered the premier Japanese steel for high end knife making.
    • Aogami Steel is a high carbon steel that has very few impurities. Tungsten and chromium added to improve wearability, setting it apart from other Japanese steels such as Kigami (Yellow Paper) and Shirogami (White paper).
    • Of the three types of Aogami steel (#2, #1, and Super) Aogami #2 is considered the “toughest”, if not the hardest, due to its ability to resist chipping, retain an edge, and continue to cut well even as it begins to dull.
  • Large enough for any task, but convenient to carry in your pocket - 9.5 inches when fully opened, 5.5 inches when closed, and perfect for around the house, at the shop, in the garden, or on the go.
  • Chisel Ground - It is beveled only on one side, creating a thinner edge compared to a knife beveled on both sides, which allows extremely fine cuts.
  • Locking Mechanism - blade locks in place when open to prevent unintended closure during use.

*To prevent corrosion regularly wipe the blade with a natural oil such as camellia or jojoba oil

Frequently Asked Questions

What steel is the Mikihisa Orikoma blade made from?

The blade is made of laminated Aogami #2 steel, sometimes called Blue Paper Steel. It is a high-carbon steel with tungsten and chromium added for improved wearability and excellent edge retention.

How big is the knife when open and closed?

It measures 9.5 inches fully opened and 5.5 inches closed — large enough for most tasks yet convenient to carry in your pocket.

What does chisel ground mean?

Chisel ground means the blade is beveled on only one side, creating a thinner edge than a double-beveled knife. This allows extremely fine, precise cuts.

Does the blade lock open?

Yes. A locking mechanism holds the blade firmly in place when open to prevent unintended closure during use.

How do I care for the blade and prevent rust?

Because Aogami is a high-carbon steel, regularly wipe the blade with a natural oil such as camellia or jojoba oil to prevent corrosion. Browse our hand tools for more.

Who makes this knife?

It is made by Ikeuchi, a family business making knives in Miki City, Japan since 1953. Miki City has been renowned for tool making since the Edo period, often described as the Sheffield of Japan.

What is a tsuchime finish?

Tsuchime is a hammered finish that gives the blade an attractive dimpled surface. It is a traditional aesthetic feature of finely made Japanese blades.

Why is Aogami #2 considered tough?

Of the three Aogami grades (#2, #1, and Super), #2 is considered the toughest because it resists chipping, retains its edge, and keeps cutting well even as it begins to dull.

What can I use this folding knife for?

It is a versatile knife for around the house, the shop, the garden, or on the go — suitable for any task that calls for a sharp, precise blade. It pairs well with our carving tools.

How does Aogami differ from other Japanese steels?

Aogami (Blue Paper) contains added tungsten and chromium for wearability, setting it apart from Kigami (Yellow Paper) and Shirogami (White Paper) steels, and giving it superior edge retention.