CRKT Yukanto...

tatsu · Aug 30, 2015

A James Williams design. Anyone here own the Yukanto? If so, please share your thoughts. I was wondering how aggressive the g-10 is? Also wondering if there are any pics of the tang?

Thanks

Cosmic Superchunk · Sep 15, 2015

tatsu said:
A James Williams design. Anyone here own the Yukanto? If so, please share your thoughts. I was wondering how aggressive the g-10 is? Also wondering if there are any pics of the tang?

Thanks

I have one. The G-10 handle slabs are grippy and comfortable. Like the Hissatsu and other derivative knives of James Williams' designs, it's sole purpose is to inflict severe tissue displacement. The powder-coated AUS-8 blade is a little over 4.5 inches (about the same as the blade on the Otanashi Noh Ken). The sheath is a simple molded plastic affair with a j-clip intended to be attached on Molle gear.

The point is quite effective at piercing, but out of the box the edge on the Yukanto was not as sharp as I would have liked. I had to break out the Spyderco Sharpmaker to improve the edge. By comparison, my Hissatsu came quite sharp out of the box, and my Otanashi Noh Ken came extremely sharp.

Here's a crude shot of the tang.

Size comparisons:
Hissatsu
Otanashi Noh Ken
Yukanto
Obake

Hissatsu and Yukanto

I will say that the sheath on the Yukanto is a letdown. It feels rather cheap and it's got no means to attach the knife to a belt, unless you get crafty and modify it or rig it up for belt carry. Whilst the knife snaps into the sheath (there's a soft audible click when you insert it into the sheath) and can be easily attached to a Molle vest or pack, the knife retention is not that great. The knife rattles a bit in the sheath, and can easily fall out of the sheath if worn inverted. CRKT really needs to consider improving the sheath (and include a means to attach it to a belt for civilian clothes carry). In the meantime, you'll have to get creative and work out a way to best carry the knife. When I do carry it, I ditch the j-clip, attach some paracord through the hole and wear it inside the waistband the way the CRKT Obake was designed to be carried.

tatsu · Sep 15, 2015

Cosmic Superchunk,

Thank you very much for taking the time to share your thoughts. The comparison shots are great and very helpful. Good to know that the tang goes all the way to the butt of the handle.