Are you sick of your low-quality pocket knife that can’t even open a box or a mail? Then it is time to get yourself a best Japanese pocket knife!
Japanese style pocket knives are the best EDC knives on the market so far. They offer various sizes, materials, prices, and functions.
Check out the products and pick up the Japanese knife that’s gonna meet your needs.
List of Best Japanese Pocket Knives 2024
- Higo no Kami 10 Japanese Pocket Knife-Best Overall
- Yoshiharu Hamono Penanto Japanese pocket Knife-Premium Choice
- Aogami-Honwarikomi Tokudai Nagaokoma Japanese Pocket Knife-Great Value
- Higo no Kami 7 Japanese Pocket Knife-Warikomi steel
- KATSU Handmade Damascus Japanese Razor Pocket knife-Antler Handle
- Katsu Handmade Full Damascus Steel Japanese Pocket Knife-Bamboo Style
- KATSU Handmade D2 Japanese Pocket Knife-G10 Handle
- Rejawece Wood Carving Japanese Kiridashi pocket knife-Right Hand
- Katsu Handmade Bolster Japanese Pocket Knife-Snakewood Handle
- Yoshiharu Kiridashi Left Hand Japanese Pocket Knife-Wharncliffe Handle
Best Japanese Pocket Knives
1-Higo no Kami 10 Japanese Pocket Knife
- Blade material: Alloy Steel
- Handle material: Brass Satin
- Color: Steel
- Single-hand opening mechanism
- Reverse tanto shape
Our first pick comes from the Higo no Kami brand. this model comes with a folded sheet of brass metal for the handle, providing more strength and durability.
Higo no Kami 10 Pocket Knife comes with a very sharp blade. Making it such a very helpful tool in your pocket.
You can use it to open envelopes and boxes or even sharpening pencils. In fact, this higonokami model is easy to open with one hand because of the single-hand opening mechanism.
However, Higo no Kami 10 Japanese Pocket Knife comes with no locking system.
To prevent it from folding, All you need to do is to apply pressure on the thumb stud. This will provide more stability and security to the knife.
Due to its lightweight and sharp Japanese blade, this higonokami Japanese pocket knife is a perfect tool to use around your house, shop, garage, camping, garden, and more.
Plus, this handmade knife has a nice gentle curve design that is great for cutting items such as food. When it comes to knife sharpening, this one is easy to be sharpened due to its very wide and flat bevel. (wanna know how to sharpen your knives?)
The blade is a reverse tanto shape, making it is ideal for slicing, not stabbing. Therefore it is not the perfect choice for hard-use EDCs
Although it is a small-sized knife, it has a relatively thick spine of 3.2mm. this thickness makes it a super durable pocket knife
The design has no pocket clip. But there is a hole at the end that you can slip your keychain ball through, making it easy to transport.
To protect your Higo no Kami 10 survival Knife from rusting, you need to keep it dried and oiled frequently.
Pros And Cons
- It can be hanged on the key chain
- Very sharp
- Reasonable price
- Relatively thick spin
- Lightweight
- Easy to open with one hand
- Made in Japan
- Rust easily
Do I recommend Higo no Kami 10 Pocket Knife?
Yes! I definitely do. It is perfect for those looking for a high-quality knife, for home or office tasks at a low price point. It will also help you prepare food while camping.
You can also read our forged knife VS stamped knife comparison
2-Yoshiharu Hamono Penanto Japanese pocket Knife
- Blade material: Carbon Steel
- Handle material: Brass
- Ultra-compact design
If you need a thin pocket knife to use for woodworking, leatherwork, and papercraft, Yoshiharu Hamono Penanto Japanese pocket Knife will be your best option.
For a razor-sharp tip and precision cut, the knife features a slim profile
Yoshiharu Hamono folding knife has a single bevel blade that has only one sharpened side.
Although this Straight Back blade is relatively thin, it is quite stiff. Reduces the risk of bending or flexing in case of cutting heavy leather.
The sheath and grip are manufactured from brass. They are simply a sheet crimped and folded on a single edge. offering you elegant and safe storage.
Yoshihara Japanese pocket Knife is available at an excellent price. And, it is a very lightweight tool that is easy to use and carry.
Make sure you clean and dry it after each use, and oil it from time to time, to protect the carbon steel blade from rusting.
Pros And Cons
- Japanese razor-sharp knife
- Black and white steel
- Lightweight
- Thin
- Fit in your wallet
- Easy to sharpen
- Reasonable cost
- Made in Japan
- Easy to rust
What makes Yoshiharu Hamono Penanto Japanese folding Knife so special?
Unlike Higo no Kami 10 Knife that is a multipurpose tool, this one is a specialty knife. It is thin and lightweight to help you through woodwork or leather crafting.
Read more , Best Egg Frying Pan
3-Aogami-Honwarikomi Tokudai Nagaokoma Japanese Pocket Knife
- Blade material: Stainless Steel
- Handle material: Brass
- Single-hand opening system
- Color: Blue Steel
Aogami-Honwarikomi has a very sharp stainless steel knife blade. You can use it for opening mails and boxes and for light kitchen tasks. (also check our best Japanese kitchen knife sets list)
Moreover, this Wharncliffe blade can remain sharp for a long time. And it is also easy to be sharpened when needed. This ensures achieving your optimum knife performance all the time.
Nagao Seisakusho Japanese pocket knife has no locking mechanism. So it may be potentially dangerous to make it razor sharp. It would help if you used it with care.
Another thing, it does not have a pocket clip. But it has a slim and lightweight design, so you can keep it in your pocket without being bulky. It is a whole day carry knife.
when it comes to the knife handle, it is from brass, while the blade is from blue paper steel. The blue paper steel material is known for its durability and has a wear resistance feature.
For easy usage, the design comes with a traditional Japanese-style single-hand opening system.
To keep the blade open, just press with your hand on the thumb lever. This will help you to cut through stiffer items without the knife getting folded.
Unlike Yoshiharu Hamono Penanto pocket knife that can easily rust if not taken care of properly, this knife is so hard to form rust.
Pros And Cons
- Blue paper steel blade
- Extremely sharp
- Made in Japan
- Easy to open and close
- Lightweight and slim
- Wear-resistant
- Durable
- No locking mechanism
- No pocket clip
Should I consider buying Nagao Seisakusho Higo no Kami Aogami Honwarikomi?
If you want a lightweight Japanese folding knife to carry all day long without being bothered. then you should consider buying this versatile knife. it also comes with wear resistance and durability features.
Also read , How to Hone Your Knife? | Easy Guide
4-Higo no Kami 7 Japanese Pocket Knife
- Blade material: Alloy Steel
- Handle material: Parkerized black satin
- Single-hand opening and closing system
- Blade Shape: Wharncliffe
Higo no Kami 7 pocket knife has a Wharncliffe blade shape with a blade length of about 3 inches, and a handle of 4 inches long.
What sets this knife apart is the unique parkerized black satin finish. so when it comes to the look, this knife is way more elegant than Higo no Kami 10 Pocket Knife.
you will love the sharp blade. It is made from carbon steel material. So you need to take care of it properly to protect it from getting rusted.
This Japanese EDC folding knife is very sharp. And its blade can remain sharp for long years. And if it ever needed to be sharpened, it won’t take more than a couple of minutes.
A bonus feature is that this higonokami knife is easy to open. as the design comes with a single-hand opening and closing system. But the design has no lock, so you have to be smart with it.
To prevent your knife from getting folded while using it, keep pressing on the thumb stud. It is relatively thin and can sit in your pocket well for random everyday tasks.
Well, this edc knife has no pocket clip. But it comes with a hole at the end, to hang it in your keychain.
The blade can do well in slicing. So it is a beneficial tool if you want to prepare food for camping and fishing trips. (check the best hunting knife sets)
Pros And Cons
- Very sharp
- A single-hand opening system
- A great tool for daily uses
- Made in Japan
- Reasonable price
- A hole to be hanged in your keychain
- About 3 inches blade length
- Rusts easily
- No pocket clip
- No lock back mechanism
Is Higo no Kami 7 Japanese Pocket Knife worth buying?
Yes, it is. It is a razor-sharp knife of high quality, that you can use for your daily uses. and comes at a low price point.
5-KATSU Handmade Damascus Steel Japanese Pocket Knife
- Blade material: Alloy Steel
- Handle material: Parkerized black satin
- Traditional Japanese-style thumb lever design
- single-hand opening system
KATSU Handmade Damascus Steel Japanese style pocket knife comes with an overall length of 4.5-inches and 7.5 inches long when closed. Keep reading this Katsu knife review to know how amazing it is.
This handmade small Japanese pocket knife features a razor-sharp blade, that is functional for wood carving, leatherwork, and papercraft.
KATSU Handmade Japanese-style folding knife is less prone to rust. And your blade will remain sharp for a long period of time.
One more notable feature is that it comes with a thickness of 3.5 inches. So it is stiff enough to go through hard items.
The drawback is that the Damascus Steel is relatively heavyweight. As a result, it will make this Japanese edc knife a little heavy to keep in your pocket all day.
The design has no pocket clip. But the knife comes with a nice leather pouch. You can use it to hang your pocket knife in your belt.
For safe storage, the pocket knife has a nice cloth little bag with a good design.
Plus, it is easy to open and close with only one hand. The design comes with a traditional Japanese-style thumb lever -a single-hand opening system.
Pros And Cons
- Made in Japan
- Japanese razor-sharp knife
- Cloth and leather sheath
- Easy to resharpen
- Closed and opened smoothly
- Less prone to rust
- Damascus Steel blade
- Little pricey
- A bit heavy
Is Katsu damascus steel higonokami Japanese razor knife a good selection?
It is one of the best Japanese folding knives. It is a stiff, sharp knife that is less prone to rust. With proper care, this knife can serve you for a long time.
If you love doing many forays into the woods, this knife is a great option.
Read more , How to shuck oysters without an oyster knife
6-Katsu Handmade Full Damascus Japanese Pocket Knif
- Blade material: Damascus Alloy Steel
- Handle material: Bamboo Style Damascus Steel
- Traditional Japanese Style Thumb design
- One-Hand Opening Lever mechanism
- Blade shape: Clip Point
Katsu Handmade Japanese pocket knives come in a nice bamboo style. Their overall length is 4.5-Inch when closed and 7.5 inches when opened, with a blade length of 3 inches.
Unlike the previous product KATSU Handmade knife that comes with an Antler handle, this one comes with a Damascus handle.
Since the blade and handle both are made from Damascus steel, this Japanese EDC knife is a little heavy to carry everywhere.
However, IT features a very razor-sharp edge, and that is very handy and will provide you with a smooth cut.
Although this EDC knife is less prone to rust, it still can get rusted. It would be best to clean it when done and then dry it using a clean microfiber. (take a look at the best oils for folding knives)
You will love the bamboo style. It features some grooves that your fingers can rest on while using. Giving you Japanese knife more stability and control.
For easy carriage, Katsu Japanese Pocket Knife comes with a pocket clip, so you can hang it in your pocket.
One more thing you will definitely love is that you can easily open it with one hand. its design comes with a traditional Japanese-style single-hand opening system.
You won’t have a lock-back mechanism. But you can keep the automatic knife blade open by pressing on the thumb lever. This feature is helpful when you cut through tough items.
You will like the cloth and leather sheath, which will be helpful for hanging in your belt.
One major downside, this clip point blade knife has a thickness of 3.5 mm. it may occupy a lot of space if you keep it in your wallet.
Pros And Cons
- Grooves for more stability
- One-hand opening system.
- Cloth and leather sheath
- Very sharp
- Damascus Steel handle and blade material
- Bamboo shape pocket knife
- Made in Japan
- Little pricey
- A bit heavy
Bottom Line
If you are a fan of classic, traditional Japanese pocket knives, look no further than Katsu Handmade Knife. Its strong Damascus steel structure is a beneficial tool for home and office simple tasks.
7-KATSU Handmade D2 Japanese Pocket Knife
- Blade material: Alloy Steel
- Handle material: Fiberglass
- Bamboo Style G10 Handle Knife with Pocket Clip
- Traditional Japanese Style design
- Thumb Lever One Hand Opening System
- Blade shape: Clip Point
- Blade edge: Compound Bevel
Unlike Katsu Handmade Full Damascus knife that is a single bevel knife, KATSU Handmade D2 is a double bevel blade.
What sets this Japanese style folding knife is the grooves it features for your fingers to rest in. So no matter what position you’re holding your knife, it will remain stable, providing more safety and control.
For easy usage, the knife comes with a traditional, Japanese-style thumb lever and, single-hand opening system.
KATSU Handmade D2 Knife comes with a pocket clip. And enough curves for making it easy to slip over your pocket.
However, It will stick out a good 1/2 inch out of your pocket, making it easy to grab. But it is definitely not the ideal one for a deep-pocket carry knife.
For providing a strong tip to work with, KATSU knife is made with a reverse tanto shape blade.
The blade is sharpened all the way down to the sharpening choil. Making it a good tool for opening mails and packages.
Also, those EDC knives can offer a lot of help if you love to do a lot of forays into the woods. as the knife-edge can remain sharp for a prolonged period.
You will love the elegant cloth pouch that the pocket knife features.
KATSU Handmade D2 Japanese Pocket Knife has a closed length of 4.5-inch and a total length of 7.5 inches when opened. This unit is available at an excellent price.
Pros And Cons
- 3-inch blade length
- Very reasonable budget
- Made in Japan
- sharp blade
- Easy to hang and to grab from your pocket
- Includes grooves for more stability
- Bamboo shape
- Two pouches
- A single-hand opening system
- The pouch is a bit large
Bottom Line
Do you like double bevel blades? Then this one is for you. it comes at a surprisingly affordable price and a nice sharp blade.
Read more , How to Care for Your Paring Knife?
8-Rejawece Wood Carving Japanese pocket knife
- Blade material: Brass
- Handle material: Brass Satin
- Blade type: Right Hand
- Color: Gold & Silver
Rejawece Wood Carving knife is a lightweight tool designed especially for right-handed people. with a total length of 130mm and 22g in weight.
What sets this knife apart is the very thin model. Making it easy for you to keep it in your wallet all day.
Rejawece pocket knife is a multi-purpose tool with an extremely sharp blade. You can use it for wood carving, paper cutting, opening a boxed item, scoring wood, cutting leathers, and light-duty crafts marking.
You will really appreciate the sheath that fits snugly on the blade. It protects your blade from external factors like moisture and keeping your blade sharp for a long time.
Despite its slim design, the blade is wide enough to be sharpened when needed easily. So you can always maintain your optimum knife performance.
The grip and the handle are made of brass. And with long use, you might leave fingerprints on it. It is essential to wipe it as it can lead to further corrosion.
Pros And Cons
- Multi-purpose unit
- Very sharp
- Lightweight
- Thin to fit in your wallet
- Easy to sharpened
- Low budget
- Made in Japan
- Too short handle
Bottom Line
Rejawece Japanese pocket knife is made for right-hand people. It is a multi-purpose, sharp unit that you can get with a very low budget.
You can choose between golden and silver colors.
9-Katsu Handmade Bolster Japanese Pocket Knife
- Blade material: Alloy Steel
- Handle material: Natural Snakewood
- Color: Wood, Steel, Natural
- Traditional Japanese Style
- Thumb Lever One Hand Opening System
- Handle with Damascus bolster
Katsu Handmade Bolster knife comes in an overall length of 7.5 inches and 4.5-Inches when closed. Featuring a Damascus Steel blade and Snake Wood and Damascus Bolster handle.
You will love the is razor-sharp blade, which is very handy to cut, slice, and shave things. It is 3.5 mm thick. So it is stiff enough to handle your daily task without being bent.
When it comes to sharpening, you can sharpen this model easily. But it is recommendable to use a good sharpening stone with high grit for this one once it starts getting a little bit dull.
However, the design has no pocket clip. And due to the Damascus Steel material, this knife is a bit heavy to keep in your wallet.
For easy storage and safety, Katsu Bolster Japanese Pocket Knife comes with a nice leather pouch. You can use it for hanging your knife easily on your belt.
For easy opening and closing, it has a traditional Japanese-style thumb lever and single-hand opening system.
Pros And Cons
- Japanese Razor-sharp edge
- Damascus blade
- Leather and cloth pouches
- Stiff blade
- Easy to be sharpened
- Made in Japan
- Beneficial for cutting
- Slicing
- And shaving things
- Japanese style single-hand opening system
- A little expensive
- No pocket clip
Bottom Line
Katsu Damascus Bolster Japanese Pocket Knife has a stiff razor-sharp blade that you can use for indoor and outdoor tasks. It is available in brown and silver color. But it needs a relatively high budget.
10-Yoshiharu Kiridashi Left Hand Japanese Pocket Knife
- Blade material: Alloy Steel
- Handle material: Brass
- Blade shape: Wharncliffe
- Blade edge: Chisel
- Brass sheath
Do you know that about 10% of the population are left-handed people? Yoshiharu Kiridashi is made with this 10% in mind!
For a unique portability and cutting experience, the pocket knife comes lightweight.
You can easily carry the knife in your wallet, as it comes in 130 mm in length and 1mm thick. So it won’t occupy too much space.
In addition, The blade is very sharp; you can use it for woodwork, open boxes, paper working, and leatherwork.
Yoshiharu Kiridashi Japanese Pocket Knife has a brass sheath that covers the blade perfectly. So to protect yourself and the blade, cover it when not in use. to prevent any reaction between the blade and any environmental factors like humidity.
This model comes with a carbon steel knife blade that can rust easily. So make sure you dry and oil it frequently.
Pros And Cons
- Made in Japan
- Sharp edge
- low cost
- Very lightweight
- 1 mm thick
- Multiple uses
- Rust easily
Bottom Line
Yoshiharu Kiridashi Pocket Knife is designed for left-handed people. It is very sharp; and functional to use in your office and home.
Finally, this Japanese Pocket Knife comes in a nice golden color and at a low price.
Check also, Best Bread Knife
Comparison Table
| Product | Dimensions | Pocket Clip | One-Hand Open | Handle Color | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Higo no Kami 10 Japanese Pocket Knife | 6.75 x 0.63 x 0.25 inches | No | Yes | Gold | check Price |
| Higo no Kami 7 Japanese Pocket Knife | 6.75 x 0.63 x 0.25 inches | No | Yes | Black | check Price |
| KATSU Handmade Damascus Japanese Pocket knife | 5.91 x 3.23 x 1.34 inches | No | Yes | Brown | check Price |
| Katsu Handmade Bamboo Style Japanese Pocket Knife | 5.9 x 3.2 x 1.4 inches | Yes | Yes | Silver | check Price |
| KATSU Handmade D2 Japanese Pocket Knife | 4.5 x 1.1 x 0.7 inches | Yes | Yes | Green | check Price |
| Rejawece Wood Carving Japanese pocket knife | 5.51 x 1.97 x 0.2 inches | No | No | Gold | check Price |
| Katsu Handmade Bolster Japanese Pocket Knife | 5.9 x 3 x 1.5 inches | No | Yes | Brown & silver | check Price |
| Yoshiharu Hamono Penanto Japanese pocket Knife | 5 x 0.63 x 0.06 inches | No | No | Gold | check Price |
| Yoshiharu Kiridashi Left Hand Japanese Pocket Knife | 5.12 x 1.18 x 0.04 inches | No | No | Gold | check Price |
| Aogami-Honwarikomi Tokudai Nagaokoma Japanese Pocket Knife | 4.3 x 1.1 x 0.5 inches | No | Yes | Gold | check Price |
Read also , Things to Consider When Buying an Electric Knife Sharpener
FAQ About Best Japanese Folding Knife
1-How to Choose the Best Japanese Folding Pocket Knife?
Japan produces different types of pocket knives. Each one of them has various features. So to select the best folding pocket knife, there are several factors to keep an eye on.
Blade Shape
It comes in many various sizes and shapes. Some of those types are clip points, Wharncliffe, and straight-back blades.
Each one of them can do well in specific tasks. So before you select your knife, it is better to know what you really need it for. (take a look at the best ceramic folding knives).
Blade Material
The blade can be made from various quality materials. A carbon steel blade and stainless steel blade are the two most common.
They vary in some points as corrosion resistance, toughness, edge retention, and ease of sharpening.
Knives made of a carbon steel blade will need more special care to protect them from getting rusted. Just keep it dry and oiled. In contrast, the stainless steel blade is known for being a rust-resistant metal.
In fact, whatever your blade metal is, it is better to clean it after each use. this will keep it sharp for a longer time.
Handle Material
If you want to get the best Japanese pocket knife, you have to consider the handle material. They are made of different quality materials like aluminum and wood.
Everyone has their own advantages. However, it typically will depend on personal preference. You should select the material that you feel comfortable with, or you feel attracted to it.
Sharp Tip
A knife with a sharp tip can always get the job done. Knives made from a high steel quality tend to be sharper and hold the edge for a long time.
Also, select a knife that is easy to be sharpened. this will help you achieve your optimum knife performance.
Size
Pocket knives for everyday carry come with a compact design. helping you to keep it in your pocket without feeling bulky.
Those with a blade length of 3-4 inches provide a perfect balance of cutting power. It is also easy to carry in most situations.
Opening Style
If you tend to use your knife a lot throughout the entire day, you have to ensure it is easy and quick to open.
Some knives on our guide come with a single-hand opening mechanism. You can use a single hand to open and close it easily.
While you will use the two hands to open others. the best thing about manual-open knives is that they are less likely to open accidentally.
2-What Angle Are Most Pocket Knives Sharpened at?
A kitchen knife uses a finer angle for detailed trimming and slicing. It is mostly from 15 to 18 degrees. In contrast, pocket knives are mostly from 17 to 25 degrees. Therefore they are a little more sturdy and can withstand your daily work.
3-How Often You Have to Sharpen Your Pocket Knife?
Practically, with normal use, you have to sharpen a pocket knife after a single month at maximum. (wanna know how to sharpen your knives without a sharpener?).
This helps you have the feeling of owning a new one. You may want to use a whetstone for this process for the best results. (check the best whetstones sets).
Final Thoughts
The best overall product is Higo no Kami 10 Japanese Pocket Knife. if you need a very sharp, lightweight knife with a thick spin, it will be your best option.
If you want one good quality and reasonable price, look no further than Yoshiharu Hamono Penanto Japanese pocket Knife. It’s lightweight, slim. and will fit well in your wallet.
And the best value in our list of ” best Japanese pocket knife” is Aogami-Honwarikomi Tokudai Nagaokoma Japanese Pocket Knife. It is a high-quality knife that comes in a low price.
