Koji Hara Yana 3" Abalone Liner Lock

Folding knife liner lock from Koji Hara with mirror polished Cowry-Y stainless steel blade and abalone inlayed 316 stainless steel frame, also mirror polished. Thumb stud is inlayed with black-lip pearl. The mechanism is smooth and the lockout is firm.  Comes with stitched cloth sleeve.

Koji Hara, born in 1949 in Imari City, Japan, has promoted his work across Japan, the United States, and Europe. He began making knives in 1988, initially crafting interpretations of Bob Loveless designs. By 1991, he held his first solo show in Seki City, Japan’s cutlery hub, which inspired him to focus on his own original concepts. In 1994, Koji became a Probationary Member of the American Knifemakers Guild and achieved Voting Member status in 1997. Throughout the 1990s, he exhibited at numerous American and European shows while maintaining a strong presence at Japanese events, including small community-based one-man shows designed to introduce custom knives to wider audiences.

A specialist in folding knives, Koji is renowned for his innovative designs and technical mastery, often carving handles into terraced landscapes to create his signature “Air-Step” style. He primarily works with Cowry-Y powdered stainless steel from Daido Steel, prized for its exceptional edge retention and mirror polish, and also produces blades in ATS-34, D-2, 440C, and other steels. His preferred blade-making method is stock removal, and his work has earned accolades such as “Best in Show” and “Most Innovative” at international knife shows. Koji’s dedication to artistry, materials, and craft has made him a respected figure in the global custom knife community.