Born in Banshu Miki, the town of blacksmiths. The palm-sized folding knife "FEDECA Yamame Knife" is a piece that anyone who loves mountains or rivers will want to have.

Yasushi Hisatomi

4 years ago

As the snow melts, the season has come when the refreshing sounds of rivers can be heard again in the mountain streams. Many people are probably looking forward to encountering new life

Today, I'd like to talk about a knife that I would highly recommend to anyone who is excited about preparing for the new season

Leaving aside the simple meals you might have when climbing mountains, such as boiling water, if you like to cook slightly more luxurious mountain meals from scratch, or if you enjoy mountain stream fishing while climbing streams like me, you'll definitely want to carry a ``usable'' knife with you

The sharpness is sharp, it's easy to use for mountain climbing, and the design is uncompromising. The FEDECA Yamameshi Knife is a knife that perfectly matches my requirements. I started using this folding knife last year, and it's sure to be a heavy rotation this season too, so I'll introduce it in as much detail as possible.

table of contents

Features of the FEDECA Yamameshi Knife
Summary: Enjoy the pleasure of "killing, cutting and cooking" even when hiking or solo camping

Features of the FEDECA Yamameshi Knife

Excellent sharpness, cultivated in Banshu Miki, one of Japan's leading blade-producing regions

It goes without saying that a knife is a tool for "cutting" things, so when it comes to knives, the most important thing to consider is whether they "cut well."

However, there is absolutely no need to worry about that, and the reason for this is of course the manufacturer of this knife and the materials used

The brand that produces this knife, "FEDECA," is developed by Kanzawa Iron Works, which has been honing its craftsmanship for over a century in Banshu Miki, one of Japan's leading cutlery production areas. The material used is a stainless steel called "Gingami No. 3." Among the various types of stainless steel, this material is particularly resistant to rust, as well as having high hardness and sharpness, making it a favorite among professional chefs and craftsmen (according to the official website)

I've written a lot of good things about it, but what's the truth? So, I'll show you a video of me cutting a flyer with the knife I just got. It's amazing. As you can see, it cuts so well without any pressure. If you've ever cut something with a high-quality knife or other extremely sharp blade, you'll understand the pleasure

As an aside, this isn't my first encounter with FEDECA. It was two years ago when I was looking for a saw to use mainly for camping, and I fell in love at first sight with their "Bushcraft Saw" and bought it. I was so impressed with their sharpness and ease of use at the time, that when I was actually introduced to this knife, I had nothing but high expectations. This saw is also incredibly useful, so I highly recommend it

Lightweight and compact, perfect for carrying to the mountains

Of course, the world of knives is endlessly deep, and I'm sure there are plenty of other knives and blades with even sharper edges if you look hard enough. However, the reason I find myself wanting to take this knife to the mountains isn't just because it's sharp, but also because it has many features that make it perfect for mountain climbing and river climbing

For example, it's lightweight and compact . It weighs just 328g, and because it's a folding knife, it fits in the palm of your hand when folded. It's compact enough to fit easily in a shallow cooker, which is great for carrying on a hike. Of course, a larger blade would certainly make it easier to cut, but with my current fishing skills, I don't need a larger, thicker blade to fillet any fish, so it's not necessary.

The end of the grip has a loop, which is useful for mountain knives, and can be used to carry a thin rope or a small carabiner

A well-designed design that makes cutting and use as easy as a kitchen knife

Just because it's a small knife doesn't mean it's difficult to cut with. This knife is a compact version of FEDECA's "folding kitchen knife," which was originally based on the concept of a "foldable kitchen knife." Its shape features a unique curve that combines the versatility of a knife with the ease of cooking with a kitchen knife. It may not be obvious at first glance, but it becomes clear when you compare it with a regular knife. You can see that the Yamameshi knife has a curved shape that floats from the blade to the handle (bottom of the photo below)

This curve, combined with the jaw at the base of the blade similar to that of a kitchen knife, not only makes it easier to cut vegetables and other items on a cutting board without your index finger touching the handle, but also makes it easier to apply force because the handle is higher than the cutting area (see photo below)

The blade is about 2mm thick, so it's sturdy enough to easily fillet a fish up to the size of a char from the headwaters of a river. I tried filleting a horse mackerel at home, and it worked without any problems. In fact, it's sharper than the knife I usually use at home, making it easier to fillet (see photo below)

Of course, it was also extremely useful when killing a char I caught on site (see photo below). Now that I've discovered it's easy to fillet a fish, my next goal is to use this knife to prepare char sashimi while I'm there!

If the tree branch is not too thick, you can even carve it into skewers (see photo below). Of course, it cannot be used with the same power as a hatchet, but it can be used safely for cooking

It's great for crisping vegetables and fruits. Its small size makes it easy to peel apples like a paring knife (see photo below). However, I think it would be safer if it had a stopper to prevent the blade from folding back when extended. It's not a problem when used normally, but for someone like me who is a bit of a scaredy-cat, it's more reassuring to have that

Easy-to-maintain structure

When used in the mountains or mountain streams, where dirt is difficult to wash off immediately and where the knife frequently comes into contact with running water and fish blood, frequent maintenance is essential. In this regard, the Yamameshi knife not only has a rust-resistant stainless steel blade, but is also incredibly easy to maintain, as all of its parts can be disassembled simply by unscrewing them (see photo below). You can also adjust the tightness of the blade opening and closing to your liking by tightening the screws. I mentioned earlier that I was worried about the blade breaking back after opening it, but I adjust the screws to make it as difficult to bend as possible

This is also easy to use and designed with outdoor use in mind. What's more, if the blade becomes dull, it can be sharpened with a simple knife sharpener, so even beginners needn't worry (FEDECA also offers a "free blade sharpening service")

A design that matches the outdoors and a choice of handle materials that go well with the Japanese forests and valleys

So far we have focused on the rich functionality of this item, but the appeal of this item is not limited to its ease of use; its stunning design is also something that will instantly capture your heart. You can choose from three beautiful and unique handle materials, so you can basically choose the one that suits your taste

The board I chose was "Naguri Ipe" (center of the photo below). Native to South America, "Ipe" is a wood used in places that require strength and durability, such as wood decks at ports and quays, and is treated with a unique surface pattern called "Naguri" that has been passed down in Japan since ancient times. The finely textured pattern is not only beautiful to look at, but also functional, providing a non-slip grip

I liked the uniform geometric pattern when I first started using it, but I've also enjoyed the changes in its appearance that emerge the more I use it

Summary: Enjoy the pleasure of "killing, cutting and cooking" even when hiking or solo camping

The FEDECA Yamameshi Knife is based on the familiar Japanese concept of a kitchen knife, but also combines the ease of use of an outdoor knife with a compact design that makes it easy to carry to the mountains. It's the perfect knife for a mountain enthusiast like me who enjoys the mountains, streams, and occasional cooking. The simple texture of the natural wood and sophisticated design make it an irresistible fit for activities in Japanese forests and streams, unlike Western-style knives for bushcraft or hunting. It's something I can't help but love.

This is a product that is sure to be useful for a wide range of activities, from mountain climbing and stream climbing to solo camping and everyday use. Experience the reliable quality of this Japan-made product

Finally, it's important to be aware that carrying any bladed weapon, not just for mountain climbing, requires careful consideration of the Swords and Firearms Control Law (Act on the Control of Possession of Firearms and Swords). Article 22 of the Swords and Firearms Control Law stipulates that "No person shall carry a bladed weapon with a blade length of over 6 cm, except for business or other legitimate reasons." Furthermore, even if the blade is less than 6 cm long, Article 1, Paragraph 2 of the Minor Offenses Act states, "Any person who, without legitimate reason, carries a concealed bladed weapon, iron bar, or other instrument capable of being used to endanger the life or cause serious bodily harm to another person, shall be subject to detention or a fine." Be sure to exercise extreme caution when carrying a knife to avoid suspicion of these offenses.

Yamameshi Knife Naguri Ipe (Stainless Steel/Ginpa No. 3) Official Online Store