Upon first glance, you’ll notice a slightly updated yet still classically-inspired design in the Kagemusha. It balances this tanky, almost over-built design with classy hand-finished wooden handles and brushed stainless steel accents throughout. At 4” closed length and 4 oz, it definitely imparts heft and presence in your hand (which is nice) but also in your pocket. Its included pocket clip doesn’t sit super-stealthy low, but it’s rock solid like the rest of the knife.
Deploying the 3.5” blade with the thumbstud is effortless and buttery smooth. It’s a satisfying action, finishing in a solid, reassuring click from its liner lock. I felt zero blade play or issues with centering. Between the pivot and lockup, the internals of the knife seem to match its exterior fit and finish nicely. Out of the box, its proprietary made-in-Japan XT80 steel is razor sharp (it seems comparable to AUS-8 steel, a Japanese steel that takes a sharp edge but dulls quickly with use). Katz calls their blade a “Ninja Point,” but functions more or less like a clip point blade. 3.5” gives you plenty of usable cutting room. I like the ergos overall, but this knife doesn’t seem to be designed for extreme use. I could see the lack of jimping, finger choil, and the end of the clip being problematic if you need to really grip this thing.
Overall, it’s an interesting design with superb fit and finish, smooth deployment, and usability. At $200+ you’re paying more for the quality and pleasant experience using the knife as opposed to high tech steels and features. If you can handle larger blades, this could be great as EDC or a unique change of pace to rotate into your carry.
