Ohta Knives: handmade higonokamis

Reasons to buy an Ohta knife

A knife from Ohta is a knife that carries with it generations of craftsmanship and innovations. Each knife is unique, and made by hand by Ohta. Besides traditional craftsmanship, the selection of materials also sets Ohta Knives apart from other brands. These include the high-quality D2 steel grade for the blade and refined woods and materials such as carbon fibre and micarta for the handles. Besides brilliant and perfect materials, cutting performance is also impressive. An Ohta knife delivers reliable and outstanding performance time and again. With this knife, you not only add a tool to your collection, but also an heirloom valued by professionals and enthusiasts around the world.

Ohta Knives: the blade

The blades are made from D2 steel. This is a tough type of steel which has been popular for a really long time. It retains its sharpness well and is also easy to sharpen with the right means. You do, however, have to be careful around acids, salt and moisture: D2 is not completely stainless. Please be sure to clean the blade after use.

Ohta Knives: the handle

The handles are made of refined materials such as wood, micarta or carbon fibre. These materials add to the sophisticated appearance of these knives. Please keep in mind that wood is a natural product, so the markings may differ from the knife in the pictures on our product page.

Ohta Knives: series

Ohta Knives has a few series in their range; the FK, the OFB and the OLF. Each series contains a variety of knives.

FK series

The Ohta KF series is a collection of minimalist, functional pocket knives that are suitable for experienced users and new knife fans alike. This collection was inspired by traditional Japanese higonokami knives. These knives are designed to be functional and stylish, with a focus on simplicity and efficiency.

OFB series

The Ohta OFB series consists mainly of modern EDC knives with blade lengths ranging from 50mm to 90mm. They are super handy fixed knives for camping, a hike or just everyday cutting tasks.

OLF series

You can legally carry these lightweight gentleman's knives almost anywhere in Europe. You open the knife with two hands and a slipjoint provides resistance when you close it. It's a stylish pocket knife for everyday use.

Original Higonokami?

The design is reminiscent of the well-known traditional style of Higonokami knives. The name Higonokami is a contraction of ‘Higo no Kami’. This means 'lord of Higo' in Japanese. An honorary title for samurai from the Higo region in Japan, and also the place where the knives come from.

Strictly speaking, only one producer is allowed to use the term Higonokami. However, we think the Ohta Knives pocket knives are perfectly entitled to bear this name. They are just as distinctive. Made of high-quality steel, finished with beautiful materials and because the knives are handmade in Japan, each knife has the unique character you expect from a Higonokami. That is also what makes these knives so special.

Simplicity in design and function

The perfect simplicity of the Higonokami knife shape and its non-intimidating character make these knives particularly suitable for office environments and other locations where carrying a pocket knife is convenient but not usual. Because the knives have no locking mechanism and can sometimes only be opened with two hands, in many countries they also comply with local laws and regulations on carrying folding knives.

History of Ohta Knives

Ohta Knives was founded in 1998 by Hiroaki Ohta. This knife maker taught himself how to make knives using nothing more than books and photographs. It's Ohta's mission to create high-quality knives that remain affordable. All work is done by hand, from heat treating the steel to sewing the leather sheaths.

Ohta Knives produces knives that combine Japanese and Western styles. Hiroaki Ohta's work started with Sheffield-style knives and evolved into traditional western slipjoints when he started selling his knives in America. Now he also makes American slipjoints and his FK series is inspired by the traditional Japanese higonokami, a pocket knife from the 19th century. Ohta received training from Yoshimi Kotoh, a pioneer of modern higonokami knives.

Before he became a full-time knife maker in 1998, Ohta was a semi-professional bike racer. His passion for craftsmanship and commitment to perfection make his knives a great choice for knife fans across the world.