Hiroyuki Nagaike — who takes the craftsman name Kohsetsu when working at the forge — is one of only two remaining kogatana blacksmiths in Miki City, a region that once supported dozens of makers working this tradition. Born in 1939, Nagaike has spent his life producing these compact utility blades at Mikisyo Hamono, one of roughly 80 registered traditional blacksmith workshops still operating in the area. The kogatana format has been a fixture of Japanese craft and daily life for centuries, and finding one made by a craftsman of this caliber and background is increasingly rare.
This 65mm kogatana is built using ni mai construction — an Aogami (blue paper steel) #1 core clad in soft iron — the same layered approach used in single bevel Japanese kitchen knives. Aogami #1 sits at the top of the blue paper steel family, capable of reaching exceptional hardness and holding a fine, precise edge through sustained use. The chisel grind is relieved for right-handed use and produces a blade that is remarkably thin for its size, at 2mm at the spine and 28mm blade height. At just 1.1 oz the knife is light enough to carry in a pocket without noticing it, and at 68mm the blade covers a surprisingly wide range of utility tasks — opening packaging, cutting cord and twine, detail work, and any task where a controlled, precise cut matters more than brute force.
What Customers Are Saying: The one reviewer on this page carries this kogatana as an everyday pocket knife and describes the thin profile as ideal for pocket carry when paired with a blade guard. Day-to-day utility tasks — opening boxes, cutting butcher twine, cryo bags, and cheesecloth — are all covered without issue, and the reviewer notes it as a genuinely fun knife that punches well above its price. The Blue #1 steel and the quality of the grind make a strong impression for a tool at this size and cost.
Care Instructions: Aogami #1 is a reactive carbon steel that will rust quickly if left wet. Wipe and dry the blade thoroughly after each use. A light coat of camellia oil before storage will protect against oxidation. Hand wash only. Sharpen on the bevel side on quality water stones; the flat side requires only light lapping to maintain its geometry.
This 65mm kogatana is built using ni mai construction — an Aogami (blue paper steel) #1 core clad in soft iron — the same layered approach used in single bevel Japanese kitchen knives. Aogami #1 sits at the top of the blue paper steel family, capable of reaching exceptional hardness and holding a fine, precise edge through sustained use. The chisel grind is relieved for right-handed use and produces a blade that is remarkably thin for its size, at 2mm at the spine and 28mm blade height. At just 1.1 oz the knife is light enough to carry in a pocket without noticing it, and at 68mm the blade covers a surprisingly wide range of utility tasks — opening packaging, cutting cord and twine, detail work, and any task where a controlled, precise cut matters more than brute force.
What Customers Are Saying: The one reviewer on this page carries this kogatana as an everyday pocket knife and describes the thin profile as ideal for pocket carry when paired with a blade guard. Day-to-day utility tasks — opening boxes, cutting butcher twine, cryo bags, and cheesecloth — are all covered without issue, and the reviewer notes it as a genuinely fun knife that punches well above its price. The Blue #1 steel and the quality of the grind make a strong impression for a tool at this size and cost.
Care Instructions: Aogami #1 is a reactive carbon steel that will rust quickly if left wet. Wipe and dry the blade thoroughly after each use. A light coat of camellia oil before storage will protect against oxidation. Hand wash only. Sharpen on the bevel side on quality water stones; the flat side requires only light lapping to maintain its geometry.
- Maker: Mikisyo Hamono
- Blacksmith: Hiroyuki (Kohsetsu) Nagaike
- Location: Miki City, Japan
- Construction: Hammer Forged, Ni Mai
- Edge Steel: Aogami #1 (Blue Paper Steel #1)
- Cladding: Soft Iron
- Edge Grind: Single Bevel, Right-Sided
- Blade Length: 68mm
- Total Length: 195mm
- Spine Thickness at Heel: 2mm
- Blade Height: 28mm
- Weight: 1.1 oz (52g)
Reviews
1 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) Mikisyo Blue #1 Kogatana 65mmPosted By: Kristopher Lee
54 people found this review helpful
It's a beast! I purchased this to use as a everyday carry utility. It does an awesome job! With a cover on, it fits in my pocket nice being so thin. I use it to open boxes/bags, cut butcher twine, cryo bags, cheesecloth and just random jobs. I even went as far to turn a potato with it (just stick with the birdbeaks!). Just a fun knife for a great price, I feel like everyone should have one! I would be really curious to see once with a 50/50 grind on it.....maybe awesome?!
Cheers!
Kris
54 people found this review helpful
It's a beast! I purchased this to use as a everyday carry utility. It does an awesome job! With a cover on, it fits in my pocket nice being so thin. I use it to open boxes/bags, cut butcher twine, cryo bags, cheesecloth and just random jobs. I even went as far to turn a potato with it (just stick with the birdbeaks!). Just a fun knife for a great price, I feel like everyone should have one! I would be really curious to see once with a 50/50 grind on it.....maybe awesome?!
Cheers!
Kris
