Hi Rich,
Thank you for the clarification - I was hoping you might spot this thread. I now better understand Jose's reply as well. Any idea what the kanji represent on either knife?
As mentioned in my OP, I'm still happy to have acquired a Japanese knife that is neither a tanto nor a military pattern dagger/dirk... While lacking the historical affiliation or importance one associates with a tanto, these are more closely related to the utility knives I myself often carry on my belt or clipped to my pocket.
Are older examples of these considered scarce by Japanese blade collectors? As many knives as I've encountered at flea markets, estate sales, shows, and auctions, these are the first examples I have encountered...