Mina Flipper with Black DLC OU-31, Kuro Urushi Copper, and Crushed Opal

Product Description for Mina Flipper with Black DLC OU-31, Kuro Urushi Copper, and Crushed Opal

Maker: Dew (Ryuichi) Hara (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 103292
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 3.50 in.
Cutting edge length: 3.40 in.
Total length: 8.25 in.
Blade height (at heel): 0.92 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.12 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.12 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.03 in.
Item weight: 6.40 oz.
Shipment weight: 7.0 oz.
Blade: Mirror polished, OU-31 semi-stainless steel with a black DLC finish
Handle: Kuro urushi finished copper scales overlaid on anodized titanium and 420 stainless steel liners
Sheath: Kimono style pouch
Style: Linerlock flipper with caged ball bearing pivot
Description: Dew (Ryuichi) Hara is the son of renowned knifemaker Koji Hara. Dew grew up in a knife family and naturally got involved with the knifemaking by helping his father and learning his techniques. Koji Hara is well known for creating art knives with tremendous precision and detailed inlays. After working in his father's workshop for over 20 years, Dew decided to create his own knives. Dew spent time apprenticing under Anthony Marfione where he learned to build high end tactical knives. He has built a tremendous reputation of his own throughout the knife community!
This Mina flipper is a tactical EDC that shows Ryuchi Hara's tremendous sense of design and skill. This Mina Flipper is in mint condition. It was kept in a private collection since it was made in August 2019. By all appearances, Dew could have made it yesterday.
The clip point blade is formed from ultra-high performing OU-31 stainless steel. The grinds are mirror polished. The flats are hand satin finished. Both feature a black DLC finish that is extremely engaging. Jimping on the spine provides an excellent thumb purchase.
The blade is easily opened using the ambidextrous flipper mechanism. It runs on bearings and has silky-smooth action.
The dramatic handle is formed from copper with a black kuro urushi finish. Kuro urushi is a traditional Japanese style lacquer that dates back to the Jomon Period in Japan, roughly 5,500 years ago. Originally used for adhesive properties, it was later found that this lacquer was able to be painted onto surfaces to preserve the painted item. Innovative applications beyond the original purpose brought about a culture which highly valued the decorative qualities of the lacquer. The lacquer is so strong that it can withstand acid, alkali, alcohol, and high temperatures. Crushed opal moves throughout the handle to give the appearance of a centuries-old traditional Kintsugi technique. Kintsugi is the art of repairing broken pottery using lacquer with dusted gold, silver, or platinum. This technique is believed to date back to the 15th century. According to legend, the craft commenced when Japanese shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa sent a cracked chawan—or tea bowl—back to China to undergo repairs. Upon its return, Yoshimasa was displeased to find that it had been mended with unsightly metal staples. This motivated contemporary craftsmen to find an alternative, aesthetically pleasing method of repair, and Kintsugi was born. This method is praised as being able to celebrate the history of the repaired item, giving it new life, and making it more beautiful then before it was broken. The copper scales are overlayed over bright green anodized titanium that nicely compliments the crushed opal. 420 stainless steel liners are satin finished and jewel polished on the interior. The backbar is formed from stacked 420 stainless steel and green anodized titanium. The pocket clip is mounted for right-side, tip-up carry and is marked with "1 of 1" and his makers mark.
Dew has sucessfully incorporated his rich Japanese culture into this high end tactical folder!
Excellent work throughout!


Availability: Not currently available