Takahashi Hamono, the maker of Hikari-in's Hikari-Tomo knives, has gone out of business, making these knives valuable. This knife is thin and flexible, a product made by a blacksmith who carefully hammered and stretched the steel. Takahashi Hamono, also known for the original knife name Hikari-Tomo, seems to have made knives as an OEM for several other brands, and this one appears to be a version released under the Hisamoto brand. It cuts well with its steel blade.