Hasta La Ideas

The Mikihisa Folding Knife is a cool take on the kiridashi style. Kiridashi (often translated as “to cut out”) are traditionally used for scoring wood, carving, splitting bamboo and small cutting tasks in the shop or classroom. These kiridashi knives are single beveled for an extra fine cutting edge, ideal for super flush cuts in all kinds of crafts. Use with a square for satisfyingly precise lines, and cut paper, plastic, leather, light woods and more with ease. The blade is “blue paper” number 2 steel, a high carbon cutlery steel laminated warikomi style, providing both wicked sharpness and durability.

Kiridashi are usually a single fixed blade with no additional handle—more than a little unnerving to have lying around in a tool box. The Mikihisa adds safety and portability by adapting the style into a folding knife and adding a more ergonomic bubinga wood handle. This thing is pretty large for a folder, more shop tool than EDC pocket knife. It comes nice and sharp, and is super easy to maintain. The lock back is a simple side to side lever. Not the most rugged we’ve ever used, but dependable. Forget the irritation and waste of wimpy little X-Actos, get yourself a traditional(ish) Japanese craft knife that you can count on.

Available now at Hand-Eye Supply.

(more…)