I want to buy a Yojimbo...

T

Trihonda

Joined
Aug 21, 2006
Messages
113
However, I don't exactly know why. can you tell me why I aught to buy one?

Right now, my EDC is a Manix (love the thing). I love the tank-like feel of it, and the ergos. I, like most everyone else here, have a spyderco fetish, and need to feed it from time-to-time. I don't have a ton of cash, but I have some spare coins laying around. I think I can get a Yojimbo for a reasonably cheap price. However, I hate spending a lot of money for a knife that will sit in my safe.

I'm not into MBC, nor do I anticipate doing plunge cuts into a slab of beef (or a person). I do carry for SD, and utility as well.. however, can't think of any SD function the Yo can accomplish that the Manix can't (for my skills).

I've read a lot of posts on the Yo, where people are saying it is a hot item and you "NEED" to get one, etc... Does the knife live up to the hype? Will this make a permanent spot in my EDC rotation roster?

Thanks for any info you can provide that will help me make up my mind.
 
The Yo may not "accomplish "any SD function the Yo can accomplish that the Manix can't ", but it will do them better. Think of the Manix as a "tank" and the Yojimbo as a ferrari.
 
Wasn't the whole point of the yojimbo self-defense -- didn't the designer find the blade shape ideal for SD? You should be able to justify it to yourself that way. :-)
 
I had a Yo and sold it. Ergos felt funny to me. Combination of a deep finger cutout and a raised hump for the ring finger made it feel totally insecure in my hand. If weight doesn't bother you, I'd stick with the Manix.
 
The Yojimbo was based on a prototype by Snody (created for Janich).

If you're not falling in love with the Yojimbo, you might try some of his other designs. I find the gravitator is a uniquely Benchmade flavored Yojimbo.

bm-425S.jpg


Of course, it looks better without those serrations.

pair.jpg


It's got a shorter handle but longer blade than the Yojimbo. Super duper reinforced liner lock to compensate for the loss of the compression lock. Only 154CM as opposed to the S30V, but it's about 10 dollars cheaper.

I'll probably end up buying a Yojimbo and a Gravitator...interesting to see how both companies make ALMOST the same original design all their own.
 
Well... I was outbid (by $1) at the last second (ahhh flea-bay)... I mistyped the bid amount, just after I was outbid, and... well, the end result was the same, I didn't get my Yo! I'll try again. Can't pay full going price, need a bargain! Thanks for the advice all.
 
AM,

That's got to be one of the ugliest knives I've seen...

The Yojimbo is a great knife. For utility, few blades can match it's cutting ability, and it's easy to sharpen. For SD, the blade shape maximizes length, and the pommel is an ideal striking surface.

John
 
I've thought the same thing for a year or so after first noticing it. Then one day I was in love with it. I think it's far more attractive than the Yojimbo, honestly. A lot of the finer points have to be seen in real life, though. The lockbar has grooves, for instance, and there are four shiny backspacers one after the other...the knife has a ton of character.

Ultimately though, if you were using them blind, you'd find that they were very similar in use and feel.
 
Spectre said:
AM,

That's got to be one of the ugliest knives I've seen...

John
Click to expand...


The Gravitator? That's a great knife actually. I have one and really like it (the plain edge version). It's very well made- I think they're underappreciated just because of the looks. It looks like Benchmade is making a more conventional looking version now, because the handle is such a good design, but people are being turned off by the "Power Ranger" wharncliffe blade.
 
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