the OG Fujiyama is the original Wide-Bevel knife that's is followed by Kagekiyo, Sakai Kikumori Choyo, Hitohira Kambei/Kyuzo/Etc, OUL. Some of them are made by the same Blacksmith & same sharpener. Different wholesaler means different specs and fits n finish. Also, who knows maybe Hokuto and Kosuke are buddies, they share the same resource for making a similar product.
Agreed with that. I'm just saying to call it a knock off is unfair.
If it is the same level of workmanship, by the same people, which they all in my opinion more or less are, at least the ones which share the same sharpener and smith. The apprenticing system teaches you, to in many ways copy your master and Sakai's not THAT big, and when you talk to Japanese sellers not many people are looking to get into the trade. So you're really dealing with a common lineage, which by design copies itself a lot. On top of that there is variation, even within the old Fujiyama lines. I get the spine and choil polish is a particular part of the knife, that may be somewhat more unique, though I'm not sure its defining good vs better. For example, if I had a choice between the same knife profile, sharpener, smith, and I had a 500 dollar budget, one had a trademark spine polish or a mirror finish, and one though had more the handle and was in a steel I slightly preferred but didn't have those, personally I think I might gravitate to the latter.
Besides at some point, there was a first yanagiba, usuba, deba, etc. Excuse the rant, I just find knock off talk a little bit off putting, especially because it doesn't seem to bother and in fact is in many cases seems encouraged by the Japanese apprenticeship systems, and the Sakai distribution system in particular. ...Granted that may be changing with the newer Western Market obsessing over labels and smith lineage a lot more.