Little known fact is...

... that having any type of guns or weapon knives is illegal in Japan, except for those with licenses which is still very restrictive and hard to get. Cooking knives and certain types are exception, of course. To us, those artistic knives, while we appreciate the heritage and tradition, including beautiful Katana should be in the muserum. Sorry, but that is how we were taught and grew up. There may be a perception gap here, but I have never met anyone in Japan who actually likes, talks about it, owns or collects those knives, aside from the Yakuza in the movies or comics . Of course, I have never seen them in a metal outside the museums. I think those are much more popular outside Japan than in Japan.

Besides, it is said that even the legal type of knives - domestic manufacturers, importers, resellers, and past purchasers alike - are under close watch and surveilance of the police and other national security agencies because it IS the weapon of certain percentage of crimes and murders. Unlike watches, people can and do get hurt and killed by these, intentionally or unintentionally.

That is clearer reason for me not want to get involved. I apologize. It is perfectly Okay to have such a hobby, but over here, I wouldn't want to be put on the "black list" of the police by even contacting them!

Ken

Paging Adamska...

By: Carlfa : February 26th, 2011-20:14

Hi there, I was wondering if you had any luck locating the Nemoto knives for sale in So Cal. I placed custom order with the company and never had answer from them. Anybody here can help me place order in Japanese language? Thank you Carl

Hi Carl!

By: AuHavrePro : February 26th, 2011-20:47

I was in fact wondering whether you ever got to placing an order for one of his knives! Sadly, I am not yet able to place one myself and as I previously posted, the only way to acquire one would be to order it through Nemoto's official website which is ex...

Fascinating, Adamska; pray tell....

By: pplater : February 26th, 2011-22:18

...what is the practical application for knives such as these? Cheers, pplater.

Well,

By: AuHavrePro : February 26th, 2011-22:25

if you work on any sort of crafts they can come in very handy, and also if you practice hunting. Other than that they are so exquisitely crafted that I'd be completely content to hang them on a wall as a work of art . Cheers, Filip

No argument with the 'work of art' proposition...

By: pplater : February 26th, 2011-22:31

...but how does one 'practice' hunting? Hunting what? What really motivated the question was the description (in your original post - great post, BTW) of an axe as being a 'tactical' axe. A what ???? What's 'tactical' about an axe???? Cheers, pplater.

Hunting

By: AuHavrePro : February 26th, 2011-22:37

non-endangered animals (legally permitted). This isn't something that I do but I know several people who do so on a frequent basis. Also, I should add all sorts of outdoor adventures (camping etc.). The term 'tactical' in the description most likely refer...

Hunting - hmmmm...

By: dr.kol : February 26th, 2011-23:54

Hi Adamska, Beautiful knives and yes, they can be used for hunting. Like all knives. I have been trained to hunt and guide hunters professionally in Africa and I have hunted nearly everything possible in four Continents. Based what I know about hunting, I...

You know....

By: AuHavrePro : February 27th, 2011-00:13

much more about hunting than I do . Thank you for the educational information, even though I've never been hunting up to this point I plan on going at some time in the future with one of the family friends who practices it regularly (I believe he likes to...

Thanks,

By: dr.kol : February 27th, 2011-00:44

We hunters and divers are crazy! I have some fantastic hunting weapons with unique hand engravings on the (side)locks, gold inlays and incredible wood. But for the bush I am always taking a "field" fifle or shotgun. The same with knives and watches. Have ...

I always thought...

By: BDLJ : February 27th, 2011-16:24

....that 'tactical' was a another term for Black. Never seen anything referred to as 'tactical' that wasn't. Or more cruelly (quote nicked from a dive forum - yes, there's 'tactical' dive stuff, like this 'SEAL' snorkel): "Tactical=Marketing strategy to e...

Funny stuff,

By: AuHavrePro : February 27th, 2011-22:56

of course the term is plastered on to certain products in order to make them sound appealing to specific target groups . As I said, and as you surely know, when it comes to serious items such as high-end blades the term is added to those which have potent...

Yup...

By: BDLJ : February 27th, 2011-23:10

...and that definition is the very reason I steer away from anything with that appellation. [That snorkel doesn't just have a potential military application, it once had an NSN! Snorkels are now open for the unit to choose according to the ANU list]

Do I really have to explain it to you, pplater? . . .

By: Dr No : February 27th, 2011-23:05

. . . ;-) . . .

Hahahaha....

By: AuHavrePro : February 27th, 2011-23:34

funniest thing I've seen in quite some time . Comedy gold!

You have confused...

By: pplater : February 28th, 2011-01:55

... "tactical" with "tactless". Cheers, pplater....

A tactless axe? . . .

By: Dr No : February 28th, 2011-02:14

. . . hmmm . . . I'll have to mull that one over. Tacitly, Art

Don't be so taciturn...

By: pplater : February 28th, 2011-05:21

Hello Adamska, and Carl...

By: KIH : February 27th, 2011-19:34

... about helping you out with this "knives" stuff, actually I DO mind. I do NOT mind helping people in any way for other stuff at all - books, tours, or toys, etc., but these "weaponry", I do not want to be involved. Sorry! I understand that these may be...

Absolutely Ken,

By: AuHavrePro : February 27th, 2011-20:12

not a problem at all, some people find it a sensitive topic and have the right to think so. I am not sure how people in Japan in general view blade craftsmanship, but it is certainly one of the most prominent cultural treasures that your country has so th...

Little known fact is...

By: KIH : February 27th, 2011-22:03

Hi Ken and Adamska

By: Carlfa : February 27th, 2011-22:22

I only admire the modern design, craftsmanship and materials used, when Mr. Nemoto makes his knives, and as a collector of knives I wanted to have one of his pieces in my collection. I don't think that I ever cut anything with any of my knives anyway No s...

Very good information!

By: AuHavrePro : February 27th, 2011-22:41

I know very well about the law that prevents civilian gun ownership there, but don't know about any restrictions in relation to knife purchasing. The only requirement listed on Nemoto's website is that you have to be 18-20 years of age to order a knife an...