Moki, Mcusta, Al Mar and other Seki Made Knives

[Sharpnshinyknives]

A.G. Russell's Loveless Gentleman's Folder.
This knife, history & design as described by A.G. :
"In the mid 1980s, Bob Loveless designed two knives for me: a lockback folder and an integral hunting knife. A few years ago I had our engineer, Phil Gibbs, create proper cad drawings. I sent the drawings to Moki, the best folder maker in Seki City, Japan, planning to send Bob a set of the knives. Sadly, Bob passed away before they were ready.

This lockback measures 3-1⁄2" closed, with a classic Loveless 3" semi-skinner blade of 11⁄16" wide and 1⁄8" thick VG-10, hardened to 60-62 Rc. "

KJ

Forgot to say, I really like that pearl. Always have liked where they put the nail nick and the shape of the blade.
SSk

[RalphAlsip]

[quote="philco"][/quote]
I am easily influenced to buy a knife (lol) and one day Mr. Philco was talking up a Moki Kronos in a post somewhere here on AAPK so guess what -
I have a large Moki Kronos lock back in stag that I carry occasionally with a high degree of satisfaction. It is well made with attention to detail, super sharp, and works impeccably to open, lock, unlock, & close.

A highly enlarged (at least 20x) picture is included that compares the blade to tang fit of the Moki with a Case Tony Bose Collaboration 3 blade cattle knife. It is difficult to even find the edge where the Moki blade abuts the spring. The Case/Bose cattle knife is a very fine knife, but is significantly more expensive that the Moki Kronos.

[Sharpnshinyknives]

I am easily influenced to buy a knife (lol) and one day Mr. Philco was talking up a Moki Kronos in a post somewhere here on AAPK so guess what -
I have a large Moki Kronos lock back in stag that I carry occasionally with a high degree of satisfaction. It is well made with attention to detail, super sharp, and works impeccably to open, lock, unlock, & close.

A highly enlarged (at least 20x) picture is included that compares the blade to tang fit of the Moki with a Case Tony Bose Collaboration 3 blade cattle knife. It is difficult to even find the edge where the Moki blade abuts the spring. The Case/Bose cattle knife is a very fine knife, but is significantly more expensive that the Moki Kronos.

Ralph, So glad you posted those two side by side, that really makes my point. While the fit and finish on the TB collaboration is good, and a huge step up from the high production Case knives, it still isn’t as good as Moki. Again, for a whole heck of a lot less money.
Like that Kronos, I have one coming soon. I’m pretty sure the red one I posted is also a Kronos in red. Can’t remember if it had a different name.
Thanks for posting, that ones is a beauty.
SSk

[robbobus]

Us the red boned version the Aries? Beautiful knives everyone.

[Sharpnshinyknives]

Us the red boned version the Aries? Beautiful knives everyone.

It could be, I am not sure. I didn’t put that in my notes when I bought it and haven’t seen it come up for sale in a long time. Seems like they had one called that a while back.
Thanks,
SSk

[Sharpnshinyknives]

These Japanese knives are knocking my socks off. SSK your Master Imai knife is profoundly beautiful.The Red Moki is merely superb.

Quick Steel, here is another from Seki. It’s a tradional folder. The difference in this one from a more traditional Hikari is that this one has a liner lock. A.G. Russell had these modified for his customers. W/ out the lock, these knives fold up awfully easy, it was really all about safety and not keeping w/ tradition. If you want one that folds easily, you can still buy these elsewhere.
This knife is razor sharp, like a scalpel. The blade has a slight sweep to it for making slices and the near sheeps foot end is great for cutting boxes and hard objects. Although it’s not made for cutting anything too hard, I think you could damage this blade pretty easily if you put it to a hard test.
Hope you enjoy this one. I only have 3 or 4 more to photograph, so I hope others will post theirs.
SSk

[Quick Steel]

Impressive!

[gino]

My Moki Kronos has the best fit and finish of any knife I have owned and that’s a lot

[Sharpnshinyknives]

My Moki Kronos has the best fit and finish of any knife I have owned and that’s a lot

Gino, I agree w/ you about that. The only knife I have seen that has that kind of fit and finish was from custom maker Eugene Shadley. But his knives while they aren’t the most expensive by any means, start at about 600 and go up quickly from there. For the money you can’t beat a Moki on quality.
I still wonder why US makers can’t make these this way?
Thanks for posting the photo, I love these Kronos.
SSk

[Quick Steel]

I still wonder why US makers can’t make these this way?

Probably not the only reason, but the Japanese imo have a more highly refined aesthetic sense than us which, on a quality product, translates into greater attention to detail. Anyway that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[Sharpnshinyknives]

I still wonder why US makers can’t make these this way?

Probably not the only reason, but the Japanese imo have a more highly refined aesthetic sense than us which, on a quality product, translates into greater attention to detail. Anyway that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

I haven’t been to Japan, but from the knives and the cars they make, I think you are right.
SSk

[Cletus Awreetus]

my 1 and only of each Mcusta and Al Mar. Both are absolutely fantastic.

[Sharpnshinyknives]

my 1 and only of each Mcusta and Al Mar. Both are absolutely fantastic.

Cletus, both of those are beautiful. I really like that Mcusta. They have so many interesting handles, some that look like bamboo and this one that you have to name a few. Wonderful knives.
Thanks for sharing.
SSk

[Cletus Awreetus]

I've gotta tell you SSK, this pic is nearly criminal in that it in no way does justice to that Mcusta, my lack of photography skills not withstanding.. Looking at it in my hand vs the pic is like night and day.
I've been looking at Mokis and G Sakais for quite some time but just haven't pulled the trigger, for no particular reason. I think your thread here has put me over the top and it won't be long now. Thank you for that!

[Sharpnshinyknives]

I've gotta tell you SSK, this pic is nearly criminal in that it in no way does justice to that Mcusta, my lack of photography skills not withstanding.. Looking at it in my hand vs the pic is like night and day.
I've been looking at Mokis and G Sakais for quite some time but just haven't pulled the trigger, for no particular reason. I think your thread here has put me over the top and it won't be long now. Thank you for that!

Cletus, I am sure that knife is gorgeous. I think I have seen that in person once and you are correct, it is incredible.
I’m glad that you are inspired to buy more of these knives, you really can’t beat the quality, beauty and price.
I’ve got to take some more pictures of my remaining Japanese knives. These won’t look near as good in photos as they do in person. Will get to it tomorrow or the next day. Stay tuned...
SSk

[Sharpnshinyknives]

Here is another in the other Seki made knives. Made by Master Hattori. This knife is incredible for the money. I think you can still buy these on Japanese Knives Direct for about 130. It’s a light and very narrow knife. The pins are are beautifully done in the handle. And as you can see it’s full tang construction and the blade tang is tappered for balance.
I didn’t photograph the sheath that came w/ it, it’s very nice too.
Just FYI anyone thinking about buying a Moki, Mcusta or other Japanese knives, at the website http://japaneseknifedirect.com/ they tend to offer Christmas specials of 10 to 20% off, but you wouldn’t know that unless you are on their list.
SSk

[Quick Steel]

Just spent a lot of time on the referenced web site. Amazing. Being a long time admirer of the late Bob Lum, the first thing I clicked on was His name and what should come up but one of his that I have, a great favorite I've shown before.

Many magnificient knives sold out throughout the site, but I will be making frequent visits. Thanks so much for posting the site. And here is a little Mucasta I have.

[Sharpnshinyknives]

Just spent a lot of time on the referenced web site. Amazing. Being a long time admirer of the late Bob Lum, the first thing I clicked on was His name and what should come up but one of his that I have, a great favorite I've shown before.
001.jpg

Many magnificient knives sold out throughout the site, but I will be making frequent visits. Thanks so much for posting the site. And here is a little Mucasta I have.

004.JPG


005.JPG

There is that bamboo looking handle they have. Mcusta has incredible variety of handles and artistic appeal. Not sure that any other knife compares to these at this price point.
Love the blade too.
Nice.
SSk

[Sharpnshinyknives]

my 1 and only of each Mcusta and Al Mar. Both are absolutely fantastic.

Hey Cletus, do you know if Mcusta still makes that knife?


Also. Here is another one that is in the “other Seki Made Knives”. This one was made by Master Seizo Imai, Master Imai died in 2014 and his passing got me very interested in collecting what he made. Japaneseknifedirect had several of his knives left in inventory back in January, but since then, it has really been sold off. Now you will have to get his knives from a collector or on eBay.
This knife is made of Damascus stainless steel that is high polished and the handle material is black linen Micarta. The pins are a combination brass and nickle silver.
This is a Bob Lovelace design. I figured that this would be the least expensive way for me to own something like a Bob Lovelace w/ out the high price tag.
One of my favorite features in the last photo, notice that deep tapering on the full tang construction. Perfect balance.
I have another one in stag I will post tomorrow so stay tuned.
Hope you like this one.
SSk

[Cletus Awreetus]

Hey Cletus, do you know if Mcusta still makes that knife?

that's from the Katana series and to the best of my knowledge, yes they do.
I wasn't kiddin SSK, this thread put me over the top. I'm leaning towards that Kronos but anything in the Bullet style Trapper realm'll do it for me. Lockback or slipjoint, don't make me a whole lotta nevermind. I may be messaging you with questions, if you don't mind. also, I know you sell here and I'm almost certain I've spotted you on ebay(?) during my travels. If you've got something from the East I might be interested in I'd surely be glad to have a look. thx again.

[Sharpnshinyknives]

Hey Cletus, do you know if Mcusta still makes that knife?

that's from the Katana series and to the best of my knowledge, yes they do.
I wasn't kiddin SSK, this thread put me over the top. I'm leaning towards that Kronos but anything in the Bullet style Trapper realm'll do it for me. Lockback or slipjoint, don't make me a whole lotta nevermind. I may be messaging you with questions, if you don't mind. also, I know you sell here and I'm almost certain I've spotted you on ebay(?) during my travels. If you've got something from the East I might be interested in I'd surely be glad to have a look. thx again.

Glad to know I’m making a difference. Enthusiasm transfers. Moki’s kindled my passion for collecting. Until I bought one, I never really knew how good a knife can be made. I won’t mention ones I had collected prior to that, don’t want to start a fight here. Plus I still collect a lot of other knives besides Moki’s.
I do sell here on AAPK and on eBay. My preferred place to sell is here on AAPK. In case you aren’t aware of it, eBay charges 10%, paypal 3.5%. AAPK only charges us 3% and of course paypal is the same either place. But that’s a big difference and I can pass along the savings to my fellow collectors, which I am glad to do. Plus I like that this is a place where collectors go and I know my knives will be appreciated more. No offense to eBay buyers, I buy there too, but it’s a much broader market and you just don’t know who you are dealing w/ on the other end.
So, I will PM you in a day or two w/ some that I would be willing to part w/. Don’t hesitate to ask me questions. I guess Japanese knives are kinda my niche.
SSk

[Sharpnshinyknives]

Here are a couple that I don’t own, but wish I owned. I have only seen one count em one of these ever sold on eBay. I didn’t buy it because it was coming from Brazil. JKD only shows the ivory handled one available. I am betting that it’s not available. I have ordered from them when the quantity is this low and often it’s actually out of stock, their system doesn’t seem to update very often. But they are always very nice to give you a personal call and offer something else or a refund.
So if any of you see a bullet knife made by Master Imai, buy it for yourself or let me know.
There is a bigger and fatter version of this that use to be available but it’s been sold out so long that it isn’t pictured any more. That one is on the hit list too.
SSk

[Cletus Awreetus]

oh man! 5 minutes after I'd made the Bullet comment I was on the website and saw those made by the late great Seizo Imai. I'm like, are you kidding me?? I'm all over that. I'll shop around a bit but there are at least a couple of those Mokis that are must-haves. Now, to fight the impulse that this impulse buyer has been known to suffer from...

[Cletus Awreetus]

a late entry. how could I forget this one! ain't she sweet!!
Rockstead KOU-ZDP

[Sharpnshinyknives]

a late entry. how could I forget this one! ain't she sweet!!
Rockstead KOU-ZDP

I like that knife it reminds me of some of the ones that master Koji Hara does. Look below at the photos but beware, looking can make you obsessive until you own one. These are all either by Koji or Dew Hara.
Been wanting one of these for ever.
SSk