Kacper Hamilton has designed a collection of tools influenced by the traditional Japanese ‘Higonokami’ for the Swiss ski company zai. Native to Japan, Higonokami is a folding pocket knife described as a ‘living fossil’ within the world of knives due to its unchanged design and production technique since its creation in the late 19th century.
Taking inspiration from this legendary Japanese knife, the ‘HIGO’ tools designed by Hamilton follow the same ideology as the Higonokami; keeping their function pure and to one specific purpose. HIGO (46.42.0.N) is a folding tool containing two different screw driver heads specifically designed for adjusting ski bindings and HIGO (8.52.0.E) is a folding pocket knife for everyday mountain life. Due to their efficient design they can easily be opened, locked and closed with one hand; providing the utmost practicality in challenging mountain conditions. The tools have an automatic locking mechanism aided by hidden magnets ensuring safe handling and storage, whilst the slim profile provides extra safety when carried around the body during skiing. The unibody encasing is made from anodized aluminium whilst the tools bits and blade are made from steel.
The name of each HIGO tool is a reference when placed together to the coordinates of the home of zai in Disentis, Switzerland – 46° 42′ 0″ N, 8° 52′ 0″ E