This pair of knives are quite special. The one on the left is a Gen 1 Subaru tactical flipper by Japanese Master Kiku Matsuda. Kiku started a run of these knives in 2016 but production issues halted production after a very short run. These Gen 1 knives haven’t been available for quite some time, this one was purchased from Kiku’s private collection.
Blade: OU-31 semi-stainless PM steel with a non-reflective disruptive acid finish and a compound grind.
The second is even more rare, even though it is a Gen 2 knife. Below is the original text from his site.
SUBARU Gen.2
Kiku's first Folder "SUBARU" is back with improved function! "SUBARU GII" (Generation II) in Limited quantity of 200 Since releasing small quantity of the first "SUBARU" folders in 2016, we have been receiving many requests to revive the folder. To comply, Kiku was working hard to improve the functions, and finally came up "SUBARU GII" 2nd Generation Folder. He did not change the total design and dimension, but now has a smoother Flipper action, solid one-piece Titanium handle and hidden screw clip.
KM-610 "SUBARU GII" Flipper Folder, 3-3/4" Kiku's famous compound multi-ground M390 blade with recurved hollow ground body extended Hamaguri-ba (convex) grind toward to tip with swedge on back, 4-3/4" solid one-piece construction Ti6Al-4V Titanium Blue anodized handle and hidden screw clip, Flipper opening & Frame locking blade, Comes with Nylon pouch.
This is a limited edition of total 200 pieces in glove and engraved with "1/200 Made in Japan" on end of the handle. Due to a small capability to produce, Kiku will release in 10 pcs. lot at one time starting in January, 2022, and hopefully complete all 200 pcs. by end of 2022.
Despite the intention to complete a limited run of 200 knives, it is believed he only completed 10. This knife is from the first (and almost certainly) only 10 ever made.*
His website hasn’t been updated for ages and there’s nothing available to purchase.,
I’m not sure how well the photographs depict the quality of these knives, but they really are very special.
I do have high-res photos of the action and other detail for anyone interested.
This is a link to his website. https://kikuknives.com
I have done a search for Kiku Matsuda Subaru and can't find anything available anywhere.
These knives are available as a pair for AUD5,000, I will consider trades to the value.
* It is very difficult to get a response from Kiku Knives, I wrote to Jimmy asking for a Gen II but got no response. If any of the above information is incorrect I will make corrections.
Blade: OU-31 semi-stainless PM steel with a non-reflective disruptive acid finish and a compound grind.
The second is even more rare, even though it is a Gen 2 knife. Below is the original text from his site.
SUBARU Gen.2
Kiku's first Folder "SUBARU" is back with improved function! "SUBARU GII" (Generation II) in Limited quantity of 200 Since releasing small quantity of the first "SUBARU" folders in 2016, we have been receiving many requests to revive the folder. To comply, Kiku was working hard to improve the functions, and finally came up "SUBARU GII" 2nd Generation Folder. He did not change the total design and dimension, but now has a smoother Flipper action, solid one-piece Titanium handle and hidden screw clip.
KM-610 "SUBARU GII" Flipper Folder, 3-3/4" Kiku's famous compound multi-ground M390 blade with recurved hollow ground body extended Hamaguri-ba (convex) grind toward to tip with swedge on back, 4-3/4" solid one-piece construction Ti6Al-4V Titanium Blue anodized handle and hidden screw clip, Flipper opening & Frame locking blade, Comes with Nylon pouch.
This is a limited edition of total 200 pieces in glove and engraved with "1/200 Made in Japan" on end of the handle. Due to a small capability to produce, Kiku will release in 10 pcs. lot at one time starting in January, 2022, and hopefully complete all 200 pcs. by end of 2022.
Despite the intention to complete a limited run of 200 knives, it is believed he only completed 10. This knife is from the first (and almost certainly) only 10 ever made.*
His website hasn’t been updated for ages and there’s nothing available to purchase.,
I’m not sure how well the photographs depict the quality of these knives, but they really are very special.
I do have high-res photos of the action and other detail for anyone interested.
This is a link to his website. https://kikuknives.com
I have done a search for Kiku Matsuda Subaru and can't find anything available anywhere.
These knives are available as a pair for AUD5,000, I will consider trades to the value.
* It is very difficult to get a response from Kiku Knives, I wrote to Jimmy asking for a Gen II but got no response. If any of the above information is incorrect I will make corrections.