Thanks, jhillas, for the opportunity to participate in the pass-around use of the Ronin! I've been intrigued by this knife since its announcement - and I'm grateful for the hands-on opportunity.
If I properly understand the history of this knife, we owe credit to Mike Janich for the design concept, credit to Mike Snody for development and refining of the concept, and of course credit to Sal Glesser for providing a commercial version of the knife.
First Impressions:
Clearly, the Ronin blade combines great piercing efficiency and slicing efficiency with an elegant handle that seems to provide good control, but:
- Is the handle really suitable for both neck- and belt-carry?
- How well will this knife/sheath combo conceal when neck-carried?
- Is the blade suited for typical varied-task EDC use?
- Is that blade-tip as fragile as it looks?
- Is this knife/sheath combo truly suitable for both neck- and belt-carry?
- This is a pass-around knife, so NIB sharpness can't be judged.
Neck-Carry Concealment and Handle Design:
The really critical area of our anatomy, with regard to neck-carry concealment, is the diaphragm area, since the butt of the handle may ride up on our diaphragm and not only 'print' but also cause discomfort. Typical cures for this problem:
- Shorten the handle (three-finger grip, anyone?).
- Provide the knife with a rudimentary steel 'handle', perhaps wrapped, perhaps with thin scales.
Mr. Snody's brilliant handle design provides:
- An elegant taper-down to reduce 'printing' over the diaphragm area.
- A nicely-rounded and smooth butt for comfortable neck-carry.
- A hand-filling grip with sufficient length for full-hand control.
- A nice forefinger cutout, enhancing control and reducing the hazard of the forefinger slipping onto the blade edge.
This excellent handle design accomodates control, concealment and comfort, making this knife suitable for both concealed neck-carry and belt-carry.
The Sheath Design for Neck-Carry Concealment:
The sheath designer COULD HAVE helped us to conceal the Ronin by reducing the length of the sheath and providing necklace-attachment points that elevate the knife as much as possible. The supplied sheath fails miserably in this regard. About an inch of possible carry-elevation is lost with this sheath design. The concealment benefits gained by the elegant Snody handle are trashed by the low-carry neck sheath design!
The widely-spaced sheath necklace-attachment points do succeed in preventing the Ronin from twisting in neck-carry.
Crude/temporary sheath modification would seem to be a simple matter: Simply cut the upper portion of the sheath back nearly to the blade-tip and use the TekLok holes for cord-attachment points to elevate knife suspension. Replacing the sheath is a better solution, but the necessity for additional expense is unfortunate.
Ordering A Custom Sheath For The Ronin:
I spoke with a sheath designer/maker about buying a custom sheath for the Ronin, and was advised that there's a problem with just ordering a sheath. Ronin dimensions vary a bit - enough that it's advisable that the sheath be formed around your specific Ronin for best fit.
Two approaches to fitting your Ronin for a custom sheath:
- Buy your Ronin, order the sheath, ship your Ronin off to be fitted, then wait for your Ronin+Sheath to be shipped back, or;
- Ask the sheath-maker if he offers a Ronin+Sheath 'package' - one purchase - one shipment.
Blade Shape and Grind:
Piercing, push-cutting and slicing seem effortless. Fine-cutting control is enhanced by the excellent forefinger accomodation of the handle design and thumb-serrations on the spine of the blade.
For varied-task EDC use, the high straight-grind profile will perform any task suitable for any Wharncliffe-style blade, probably with less cutting effort.
I didn't bother with an edge-retention evaluation. From my experience with the Temperance and Persian, I know Spyderco VG-10 edge-retention is outstanding, so I didn't bother confirming a known property.
I sliced and push-cut wood, cord, cardboard, etc., only confirming that the Ronin blade is an outstanding cutting tool - but I intentionally avoided any hard-use testing that might stress the Ronin blade-tip - 'cause it ain't my knife!
Getting Right to the Point - Blade Tip-Strength:
Search these forums, using 'ronin' as search-phrase, and you'll find:
- Many posts expressing concern about Ronin blade tip-strength.
- No posts actually reporting a broken Ronin blade-tip. None at all.
We hear stories about how robust the Ronin tip is. Mike Janich wraps a slab of meat around a thick wooden dowel, wraps fabric over the meat, ties it together, slashes completely through the meat and leaves a deep cut in the dowel - and the Ronin tip survives. Or the one about Fred Perrin stabbing a Ronin into a pig skull - and the Ronin tip survives. Don't you just love stories with happy endings?
The Ronin blade-tip is a lot more robust up close and in person than it appears in profile photos. There's no way to quantify tip-strength without testing it to fracture. The Ronin is obviously not suitable for camping, (wilderness) survival, any task requiring blade-belly, screwdriver-substitution and opening paint cans - but this knife absolutely excels in concealability, carry-flexibility, piercing, point-cutting and slicing. If those excellent properties appeal to you more than robust blade-tip strength, the Ronin is a fine knife.
But - what if I DID snap off the Ronin blade-tip in hard use?
- It's a simple task to grind a third facet on the blade-spine, blending in a new tip shape and retaining the straight edge.
- Losing/removing 1/8" or 1/4" of the blade tip would dramatically improve tip-strength.
- The designed piercing efficiency would be reduced, but still quite good - still a formidable defense weapon.
- The more robust tip-shape increases suitability of the knife for varied-task EDC use (Sort of a Leek-to-Random Leek tip conversion).
My advice:
- If you really like the Ronin - just buy it and use it - with common-sense respect for the blade-tip.
- If the tip does go, blend in your new tip-shape and carry on. It'll still be a superior knife, with enhanced tip-strength.
Belt-Carry:
The flexibility of the TekLok device is convenient for vertical, horizontal or even tilted carrying, but some will prefer the firmer hip-hugging carry of a sheath with belt-loop or hook adaptor. TekLoks space the knife about 1/4" away from the belt, making TekLok carry a bit 'floppy'.
The 'Other' Belt-Carry Mode:
The inherently-concealable design of the Snody taper-down handle design also makes the Ronin very suitable for inside-waistband concealed carry, with an IWB hook adaptor for the sheath.
Summary:
I find the Ronin to be uniquely suitable for both concealed neck-carry and belt-carry, with these reservations:
- The low-carry-suspension sheath fails miserably for concealed neck-carry. Plan on replacing or modifying it.
- Decide for yourself if you could tolerate losing the Ronin blade-tip in hard use.
If you do buy a new sheath for this knife, consider including an IWB carry-adaptor for concealed IWB carry.
Any task suitable for a Wharncliffe-style blade is probably accomplished with less effort by the Ronin, due to the high straight-grind of the blade.
Spyderco VG-10 edge-retension is excellent.
Best comfort-and-control grip was with four fingers around the handle and thumb placed on the blade-spine.
I'm certain that I'm not the only forum member who's found that a certain knife just seems to 'speak' to you. You gotta have it! That's how I feel about the Ronin. I accept the cost-penalty of buying a replacement sheath from a competent sheath designer/maker and I also accept the risk of losing the Ronin blade-tip in hard use.
I ordered my Ronin with sheath and carry-adaptor for concealed neck-carry, IWB concealed carry and belt carry. The knife and sheath system were ordered as a 'package' from Mike Sastre at River City Sheaths - one order - one shipment - priced at $165 delivered.
The standard Spyderco Ronin (standard sheath) package is available for about $100 from on-line vendors.
If I properly understand the history of this knife, we owe credit to Mike Janich for the design concept, credit to Mike Snody for development and refining of the concept, and of course credit to Sal Glesser for providing a commercial version of the knife.
First Impressions:
Clearly, the Ronin blade combines great piercing efficiency and slicing efficiency with an elegant handle that seems to provide good control, but:
- Is the handle really suitable for both neck- and belt-carry?
- How well will this knife/sheath combo conceal when neck-carried?
- Is the blade suited for typical varied-task EDC use?
- Is that blade-tip as fragile as it looks?
- Is this knife/sheath combo truly suitable for both neck- and belt-carry?
- This is a pass-around knife, so NIB sharpness can't be judged.
Neck-Carry Concealment and Handle Design:
The really critical area of our anatomy, with regard to neck-carry concealment, is the diaphragm area, since the butt of the handle may ride up on our diaphragm and not only 'print' but also cause discomfort. Typical cures for this problem:
- Shorten the handle (three-finger grip, anyone?).
- Provide the knife with a rudimentary steel 'handle', perhaps wrapped, perhaps with thin scales.
Mr. Snody's brilliant handle design provides:
- An elegant taper-down to reduce 'printing' over the diaphragm area.
- A nicely-rounded and smooth butt for comfortable neck-carry.
- A hand-filling grip with sufficient length for full-hand control.
- A nice forefinger cutout, enhancing control and reducing the hazard of the forefinger slipping onto the blade edge.
This excellent handle design accomodates control, concealment and comfort, making this knife suitable for both concealed neck-carry and belt-carry.
The Sheath Design for Neck-Carry Concealment:
The sheath designer COULD HAVE helped us to conceal the Ronin by reducing the length of the sheath and providing necklace-attachment points that elevate the knife as much as possible. The supplied sheath fails miserably in this regard. About an inch of possible carry-elevation is lost with this sheath design. The concealment benefits gained by the elegant Snody handle are trashed by the low-carry neck sheath design!
The widely-spaced sheath necklace-attachment points do succeed in preventing the Ronin from twisting in neck-carry.
Crude/temporary sheath modification would seem to be a simple matter: Simply cut the upper portion of the sheath back nearly to the blade-tip and use the TekLok holes for cord-attachment points to elevate knife suspension. Replacing the sheath is a better solution, but the necessity for additional expense is unfortunate.
Ordering A Custom Sheath For The Ronin:
I spoke with a sheath designer/maker about buying a custom sheath for the Ronin, and was advised that there's a problem with just ordering a sheath. Ronin dimensions vary a bit - enough that it's advisable that the sheath be formed around your specific Ronin for best fit.
Two approaches to fitting your Ronin for a custom sheath:
- Buy your Ronin, order the sheath, ship your Ronin off to be fitted, then wait for your Ronin+Sheath to be shipped back, or;
- Ask the sheath-maker if he offers a Ronin+Sheath 'package' - one purchase - one shipment.
Blade Shape and Grind:
Piercing, push-cutting and slicing seem effortless. Fine-cutting control is enhanced by the excellent forefinger accomodation of the handle design and thumb-serrations on the spine of the blade.
For varied-task EDC use, the high straight-grind profile will perform any task suitable for any Wharncliffe-style blade, probably with less cutting effort.
I didn't bother with an edge-retention evaluation. From my experience with the Temperance and Persian, I know Spyderco VG-10 edge-retention is outstanding, so I didn't bother confirming a known property.
I sliced and push-cut wood, cord, cardboard, etc., only confirming that the Ronin blade is an outstanding cutting tool - but I intentionally avoided any hard-use testing that might stress the Ronin blade-tip - 'cause it ain't my knife!
Getting Right to the Point - Blade Tip-Strength:
Search these forums, using 'ronin' as search-phrase, and you'll find:
- Many posts expressing concern about Ronin blade tip-strength.
- No posts actually reporting a broken Ronin blade-tip. None at all.
We hear stories about how robust the Ronin tip is. Mike Janich wraps a slab of meat around a thick wooden dowel, wraps fabric over the meat, ties it together, slashes completely through the meat and leaves a deep cut in the dowel - and the Ronin tip survives. Or the one about Fred Perrin stabbing a Ronin into a pig skull - and the Ronin tip survives. Don't you just love stories with happy endings?
The Ronin blade-tip is a lot more robust up close and in person than it appears in profile photos. There's no way to quantify tip-strength without testing it to fracture. The Ronin is obviously not suitable for camping, (wilderness) survival, any task requiring blade-belly, screwdriver-substitution and opening paint cans - but this knife absolutely excels in concealability, carry-flexibility, piercing, point-cutting and slicing. If those excellent properties appeal to you more than robust blade-tip strength, the Ronin is a fine knife.
But - what if I DID snap off the Ronin blade-tip in hard use?
- It's a simple task to grind a third facet on the blade-spine, blending in a new tip shape and retaining the straight edge.
- Losing/removing 1/8" or 1/4" of the blade tip would dramatically improve tip-strength.
- The designed piercing efficiency would be reduced, but still quite good - still a formidable defense weapon.
- The more robust tip-shape increases suitability of the knife for varied-task EDC use (Sort of a Leek-to-Random Leek tip conversion).
My advice:
- If you really like the Ronin - just buy it and use it - with common-sense respect for the blade-tip.
- If the tip does go, blend in your new tip-shape and carry on. It'll still be a superior knife, with enhanced tip-strength.
Belt-Carry:
The flexibility of the TekLok device is convenient for vertical, horizontal or even tilted carrying, but some will prefer the firmer hip-hugging carry of a sheath with belt-loop or hook adaptor. TekLoks space the knife about 1/4" away from the belt, making TekLok carry a bit 'floppy'.
The 'Other' Belt-Carry Mode:
The inherently-concealable design of the Snody taper-down handle design also makes the Ronin very suitable for inside-waistband concealed carry, with an IWB hook adaptor for the sheath.
Summary:
I find the Ronin to be uniquely suitable for both concealed neck-carry and belt-carry, with these reservations:
- The low-carry-suspension sheath fails miserably for concealed neck-carry. Plan on replacing or modifying it.
- Decide for yourself if you could tolerate losing the Ronin blade-tip in hard use.
If you do buy a new sheath for this knife, consider including an IWB carry-adaptor for concealed IWB carry.
Any task suitable for a Wharncliffe-style blade is probably accomplished with less effort by the Ronin, due to the high straight-grind of the blade.
Spyderco VG-10 edge-retension is excellent.
Best comfort-and-control grip was with four fingers around the handle and thumb placed on the blade-spine.
I'm certain that I'm not the only forum member who's found that a certain knife just seems to 'speak' to you. You gotta have it! That's how I feel about the Ronin. I accept the cost-penalty of buying a replacement sheath from a competent sheath designer/maker and I also accept the risk of losing the Ronin blade-tip in hard use.
I ordered my Ronin with sheath and carry-adaptor for concealed neck-carry, IWB concealed carry and belt carry. The knife and sheath system were ordered as a 'package' from Mike Sastre at River City Sheaths - one order - one shipment - priced at $165 delivered.
The standard Spyderco Ronin (standard sheath) package is available for about $100 from on-line vendors.
I have had one for about a year now and love it. I do not attempt to use it as a necker though. I carry it with the teck lock on my left side, with the handle almost touching my belt buckel. It is a great little using knife. Well designed and executed. I agree with Sal on chisel grinds, in general. I like the Spydie standard grind personally.