KATSU Handmade Damascus Steel Japanese Razor Pocket Folding Knife with Genuine Deer Antler Handle

INITIAL REVIEW AFTER 24 HRS:THIS KNIFE IS JUST AMAZING! ! ! INCREDIBLE ENGINEERING, SUPERB CRAFTSMANSHIP, QUALITY MATERIALS AND BEYOND AN EXCELLENT VALUE. Katsu is a new emerging superstar that deserves a detailed review, is outstanding for low to mid range budgets and it's value is well beyond it's MSRP. I have quite a few folders, but I just wanted something that wasn't like any of my other knives with a Japanese flair and this perfectly fit my current prefs. This knife is very classy and will be a perfect gentleman's carry. It arrived extremely quickly - just two days to Hawai'i, it was razor sharp out of it's box and deployed very nicely using my thumb or index finger. With only 24 hrs of receiving this beauty, it's quality quickly placed it up there with higher end folders like Cold Steel, CRKT, Kershaw, SOG, Mcustas and others IMO. Once Katsu really becomes known - I'm guessing their prices may quickly increase or at least they should. Not that I'm not pleased with paying under a hundred dollars for it, but this $90 model (including tax and shpg) could very easily sell for $200 - $300 once the word gets out. I mean. . . REALLY - Solid Genuine Japanese Folded Steel ('Damascus') for under $90. I have two Japanese Folded Steel folders, two other Damascus folders and a San Mai Tactical that were each, well over $100 and the 'Damascus' patterning on Katsu's Modernized Higo Warikomi is more than acceptible - very similar to my Mcusta. I'll update this review after I'm better acquainted with this new pup in a few days.UPDATED AFTER 100 HRS:KATSU'S HIGO STYLE WARIKOMI - ICHIBAN DESU! WITH THIS PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN COMPANY - I took a chance and I'm beyond glad that I did. Japanese materials and styling with it's unique Higonokami style deployment mechanism greatly intrigued me. I bought the KATSU (roughly translated: Victory) Titanium Carbon Fiber VG-10 FOLDER about a week ago and it quickly became my favorite piece. I liked that knife sooo much that I decided that I needed to get this All Japanese Folded Steel ('Damascus') Model sooner than I had planned. I was going to EDC the TiCF Model three months before getting another model. That decision quickly changed after just three days of getting acquainted with my first piece. This precision engineered knife deserves a comprehensive review.I AM ABSOLUTELY & IRREVOCABLY BLOWN AWAY BY THE QUALITY OF THIS AMAZING FOLDER! IT IS DEFINITELY WORTH MUCH MORE THAN IT'S MSRP. After nearly 100 hours of getting acquainted with this Katsu, I've decided that it's value is just "MORE"! In fact, everything about this Japanese Folded Steel "Damascus" Warikomi Baby Beast is MUCH MORE than I expected. There is a difference between San Mai (sandwiched-like layering) vs. Warikomi (taco-like layering) where the outer layers are folded over the spine of the blade. The blade's spine apparently doesn't reveal the VG10 core as it does on the tang / Higo mechanism of the blade. My first attempt at this cool deployment mechanism went very smoothly without any hitches. I can see myself playing with my new tool / toy for many years to come - absolutely no BS or hype. It's a gorgeous, fully functional and a fun cutting tool / fidgeter!When I first saw the Katsu about a week ago, I was drawn to it's unique Higo style deployment mechanism with it's modified drop point reverse tanto blade shape. Whoever originally came up with the idea of merging Eastern and Western influences by adding a liner lock to the traditional Higonokami is brilliant. I've been selectively collecting knives for more than 25 years now and I keep asking myself the same question. . . why another knife? Simple answer - excellently engineered with fine craftsmanship, genuine quality materials, VERY cool styling, reasonably priced along with more than 400 good reviews. Near Zero Tolerance Specs! For my tastes, this knife is near perfect! I really love 'Damascus' steel, sleek innovative designs, superb engineering and well executed craftsmanship. This knife is certainly all of that and more. In it's traditional styling, this Classy Higo is a beautiful example of Warikomi Japanese Folded Steel ('Damascus') that 'tacos' a very sharp VG10 core.This knife arrived extremely quickly - just two days to Hawai'i. It was razor sharp out of it's box, but the deployment mech was very tight. That was easily fixed. I became very quickly addicted to fidgeting with my new knife as soon as I got it. After about 500 flips and a very lite coat of Tsubaki / Camellia Oil, the pivot wore just enough to rectify the fresh out of box stiffness. At a 1000 flips, it now operates as smooth as silk. I've found this issue in several of my $200+ knives. The genuine leather sheath and Hessian cloth sack that came with it will be useful whenever this folder is not in use, but it's new permanent home, at home or work, will normally be in my pocket. These are folders that I'll be proud to whip out whenever the need arises, even if it's just to open a letter or box, but it is very capable of doing much more and at it's price point, it won't bother me at all to use them often.Whether Katsu Knives were made in Japan or China makes no difference to me depending on specifically "where" in China. This incredible piece of engineered craftsmanship is a high quality piece. It does have the Japanese Kanji for Katsu laser engraved on the blade without any indication of the Country of Origin. Because of the way the engraving was done on the folds of the steel and how the lines shine where the engraving is, it's tell-tale that the verbage isn't just lightly laser etched like many other reputable companies mark their pieces. On some of my knives, in an effort to regain a mirror finish, I've tried to hand buff the blade and the verbage is too often, easily removed. According to Katsu's Website, they openly state that their KITCHEN knives are made in Yangjiang - China's world renowned Knife Capitol, similar to what Seki City is in Japan. So again, IMO, so what if it's made or assembled in China. . . ?! I'm not Chinese. I am part Japanese (Samurai Descent), so it has nothing to do with national preferences. I was just open minded enough to get a grip and not let this fact be a deal breaker for me and I'm beyond happy! Remember, China has a lot of history for producing pretty incredible weaponry and they do outsource their blade steels from Japan!http://www.yangjiang.gov.cn/english/AboutYangjiang/Special_Yangjiang/Knives_Scissors/201203/t20120315_56822.htmlUnlike it's big brother, the KATSU TiCF VG-10 FOLDER, this model sports a stainless steel (instead of a titanium) pocket clip which makes it much more pocket friendly since ss is more flexible. There's no need to add a lanyard on this model. The more than adequate jimping at the back of the blade on the Higo mechanism and the outer edge of the liner lock with the ergonomic handle design will prevent your fingers from slipping onto the razor sharp edge. You just need to be careful of your thumb while deploying the blade, just as you need to be with thumb stud assisted openers. IMO, The 'Damascus' blade is appropriately thinner and very similar in thickness to my $750 Custom Titanium Devin Thomas Damascus Folder - very nice. The patterning is very similar to my Japanese Mcusta which sports Japanese Folded Steel. It's not as thin as a folding razor and is more than sufficient for normal light to medium duty. I tested the edge on thigh hairs and with virtually no pressure, the area was shaved clean. Once you get used to it's Higo style mechanism, you can choose to deploy your blade with a nice, slow and smooth movement with your thumb or very aggressively easily whip it out using the right side of your index finger. Part of the fun will be to figure out how / what's best for you. IMO, once you figure out exactly where to place your index finger on the stud, deployment can be compared to an assisted opener and is more effective as compared to using your thumb. This is a gravity / friction mechanism. It can be a little hard on your finger, but you'll toughen up, LOL. The TiCF Model is easier to deploy because of it's heavier blade, but it's little brother is also very capable. Either piece will be an excellent EDC for normal use depending on my plans for the day, but when I need something tougher, my Kydex sheathed Custom CPM-3V Field Knife will be at the ready.IMO, this folder is currently the Best Value for pocket knives on Amazon - I'd go as far to say that it's a been hidden gem. Did I mention how sexy it is? Any hotter and it would be smoking, LOL! If you're reading this and are on the fence regarding this Modernized Higo, now's the time to take the plunge - buy it, you won't regret it. I used to sell high quality name brand knives for years, this could easily sell for at least 2 - 3 times, maybe even up to five times more (as a custom knife) than their MSRP. My cheapest Ti Folder is $300 and my most expensive is $750 - All American Made. I actually really like this Higo Warikomi more than I like my $750 Custom Titanium Damascus Folder. This is more than likely assembled in China which explains how this incredible piece is selling so inexpensively on Amazon. Made in America = $300, Made in Japan = $200 and Made in China = $100! I'm just being real. I'll always prefer American Made because our quality is generally a lot better, but our prices are just too often, ridiculous for comparable materials and specs. The tight tolerances, perfect balance, ergonomics, great materials and innovative design could easily warrant an appropriately higher price.Some argue that this knife is too heavy, but I do own other solid steel folders and this isn't any heavier than any of those - proportionately. IMO, this has an excellent weight for it's size, but this pup is not for the light handed since it's Solid Steel, so if you're looking for something not quite substantial, I'd recommend Katsu's model with G10 scales. Personally, I like heavy folders that let me know that they're still with me through the day. I've lost a very good knife before because it was so light that I couldn't even tell when it fell out of my pocket.FYI, I have absolutely no affiliations with Katsu and have not received anything in exchange to write this unbiased review - this model deserves someone to tell it like it is. As I warned at the beginning - comprehensive review, lol. Hope this helps someone.

This is a beautiful knife. Especially if you like Damascus steel. There is no wiggle or looseness in the knife. The blade is a little tight, but that's because it's new. The only con is the knife is a little on the heavy side. But considering the knife is all steel, I knew this from the get go. Also the price is right. It certainly isn't Benchmade quality, but it's not Benchmade price either.I'm happy with what I received.

I'm 50yo in the construction trades all my life. Carried a knife since my Grandfather gave me at the age of 7. I have all kinds of knives and they all get used, they don't sit in display cases, when they stop being useful to me I give them to someone they will be useful for. Musashi said, "Do not collect weapons or practice with weapons beyond what is useful." I follow that advice. So when I say I use this knife, I do.I've been using this knife as a daily on and off the last year or so but every day now for the past 6 months.For a living I'm a maintenance director doing commercial building maintenance and repair, high end stuff. To be fair. I spend about 80% of my time behind a desk and in meetings. I'm at that age where I can get away with carrying a nice folder because when I bring out tools, I bring out big kits on wheels and have what I need. So this knife is used for what it was made for, cutting, slicing and shaving things. Something it excels at. I rarely take out my various razor and other knives unless I am cutting a lot of materials. For the small day to day I need to open this, cut that, sharpen this pencil, etc. This is the unit.Its carried on my belt with the supplied sheath. The sheath is ok and its holding up and thats enough. Its important you understand this is not a good pocket dwelling knife. The sheath is a must. The opening tab is a pocket ripper to be sure. I won't even put it to the test.The knife is a pure pleasure to work with. Its sharp and stays that way. Opens and closes easily, a bit awkward to get used to at first, the tab is a Japanese thing I first encountered when I had a Japanese Biz partner doing construction another lifetime ago, so I knew I would like the uniqueness of it. You might not. If you're used to the side thimb peg you're probably going to fumble this knife a lot at first if opening one handed. Just be aware.Its very well made. Fittings are tight, smooth, grind is done well, handle fits correctly. It feels good in the hand. It wants to cut.On top of all that, Its realy damn beautiful. You can see the lamination in the spine. After a used it a month and then gave it a little oil the grain seemed like it deepened and the knufe settled in a bit or maybe I just got more used to it.... either way, Its just pretty and every time I take this knife out a small part of my brain get a little dopamine hit.Because of this I only use it for what its made for. I carry a quality multi-tool to do the rest and take abuse if my roll-aways are not around. Like I've said, I use it for what it was made for.As for those of you in the field 100% of the time beating the hell out of your knife. THIS IS NOT THAT KNIFE. Personally I'd go with a tanky design by a company like Benchmade. Yeah, you'll drop some dollars. However, the Osborne I bough way back when for $200 ($280 now) has gone to the very pit with me and back again. Scarred, beaten, finish worn, edges grooved from beer bottles, sharpened so much the blade is even with the hilt but no matter what it has never let me down. If you used you knife for things it shouldn't be used for. Don't get this one. You'll only make it ugly.For the rest of us older guys that have young men with strong backs to do the heavy lifting. If you want a reasonably priced knife that is attractive, useful and don't mind wearing it on your belt. This could be a good choice. I love it.