KATSU Handmade Full Damascus Steel Bamboo Style Japanese Razor Pocket Folding Knife with Pocket Clip

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.

Initial impressions:The Katsu D2 knife is based on an older pocket knife design - the Higonokami. It takes the older design and gives it a modern overhaul so it wouldn't feel too out-of-place.Ergonomics:It's a folding pocket knife. It's relatively compact though its a bit tall. It doesn't really feel too uncomfortable in the pocket.The handle scales are a little interesting - they are bamboo-shaped and I can see how some might view it as a little awkward, however, with enough use, it shouldn't be too bad.Aesthetics:The knife looks really nice! I really like the blade shape as well as the overall handle design. It's a razor that is both striking and subdued.Operation:The metal tab on the blade acts as your thumb-stud or opening tool. It is a little stiff on initial openings and requires a little more force than other assisted-opening knives. In my experience, it is best use your thumb to open the knife. This will most likely get better with time.The locking mechanism is a familiar liner-lock that will keep the blade firmly in place. It offers nice gimping and is easy to disengage when needed.The blade shape is a reverse tanto or razor-like profile and it comes razor sharp out of the box, easily being able to cut up paper and cardboard with ease!EDIT - Final Impressions:After carrying this for a couple months, the knife still holds up extremely well. Opening and actuating the knife is really smooth now after breaking it in over the course of a couple days. It still maintains a razor sharp edge. And pocket carry with it isn't half bad with its tall yet slim profile. The only criticism that I have is that the pocket clip is a bit tight, but it's understandable to have a secure fit over something loose.Considering that it's made of a durable steel and that the knife is based on a fairly old yet reliable design, I think that this is a solid purchase for the price.

My friend has a Peasant knife but it was well over $200 (Citadel Yaku Saku). What I liked was the unique method by which this genre opens. So I searched through various knives until I saw these deer antler handles. Respecting the culture of indigenous tribes, American Indian and Native American people, I have grown to appreciate the use of every part of an animal so that nothing is wasted.These handles are smooth and radiused with a unique blend of browns and ivory. It uses a liner lock to secure the blade in the open position. It has a latch at the end of the blade for one handed opening. I use my index finger to flip the latch down as I flick my wrist which opens the blade. The handles have no clip so it isn't a pocket carry knife.The blade is a sheep foot blade style with a nice Damascus or layered steel look. It's gorgeous to behold. Out of the box, it isn't very sharp but I used a sharpener to make it significantly sharper. I actually cut a thin branch with it (3-4 mm thick) with ease.Overall length: 7.5 inchesBlade: 4.5 inchesCutting edge: 3.5 inchesThere is a nice drawstring canvas storage bag. It is also supplied with a smooth leather snap button holster for the upright position.Overall it is a beautiful style, and it's a more cost effective version of my friend's knife. This will make a great utility blade and everyday carry for general use. I'm glad I took the chance of purchasing it. It has exceeded my expectations for a utility one handed opener.