Using Yojimbo2 as utility knife? anyone??

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boki_zca

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I love yojimbo2's b;ade shape and planing to use it as utility knife.What are your thoughts on it?
 
I don't have one yet, but as a utility knife I cannot see why it would fail to deliver. If you think about a standard utility knife, or box cutter it is also a straight edge. My thoughts are that a lot of people are hung up with a peconception that a utility knife needs to have copious amounts of belly to be good. The Wharncliffe blade style is one of the all time easiest to sharpen and maintain, it also provides more accuracy when cutting if you place to the point on what needs cutting.
 
I don't own one but personally I prefer wharncliffe style blade for utility work. I am more accustomed to them and find them easier to work with. The only concern I would have concerning the Yojimbo would be whether the tip isn't too brittle. I do own a PPT and a Boker Plus Trigonaut which sport quite similar blades and are wonderful for utility work.
 
It's a big, tough wharnie. It should be able handle cardboard cutting, package opening, etc. with aplomb.
 
I've been carrying yo2 for a month or so and it will serve you well in a utility capacity. I guess it's no coincidence that throughout history, blades that were designed for utility eventually would also be quite capable of serving a self defense role as well.

I remember reading a thread on these forums about a guy who owned a business and bought Yojimbo 1's for his employees to use in place of box cutters. He felt that the ergonomics of a yojimbo made the knife a safer utility option than the box cutters thus preventiung accidents. What an awesome boss.

I searched for that thread, but to no avail. I did, however, find a thread about the original yojimbo being used in utility capacities.

here is the thread for those who wish to see the discussion. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/397059-Yojimbo-as-utility-knife?

Here is Michael Janich's response:

"The original custom Mike Snody versions of each were chisel ground. The Spyderco versions of both the Ronin and Yojimbo are full double flat grinds.

To provide the definitive answer to the utility question: Much of my research on blade shapes for short knives was based on cutting tests, primarily on meat and foam targets covered with clothing. I tried many different blade styles and used everything from high-end custom tactical knives to -- quite literally -- box cutters. The performance of a Stanley utility knife in cutting tests is amazing. When I learned more about why this is often a weapon of choice on the street, I came to consider the wharncliffe to be an ideal all-around blade shape.

The Ronin and Yojimbo designs both pre-dated 9/11, but were not comercially released until well after it. Out of respect for the victims of that tragic date and their families, I did not want any reference to box cutters in the early product descriptions. Now that some time has passed and it's easier to consider the blade function more objectively, I'll admit that the wharncliffe design of the Ronin and Yojimbo was very much inspired by utility knives and box cutters.

The other aspect of the wharncliffe design that many people fail to appreciate is its function as a thrusting weapon. The physics of the design allow it to puncture as well as any dagger, but typically prevent it from binding.

Adding these aspects of cutting and thrusting performance to the handle of the Yojimbo, you have even more advantages. The handle is designed to fit the anatomical structure of the hand and provide an ideal compromise for fans of hammer, saber, and Filipino grips. The deep finger choil is also as effective a guard as one could possibly want. The closed knife is designed to provide both focused and blunt impact surfaces and pressure-point and point-compression capabilities. The tapered design also guarantees a snag-free draw, and the radius and leverage points of the Spyderco hole support exceptionally quick openings.

If you consider a Stanley utility knife a good EDC tool, the Yojimbo is even better. And all the features that make it a good MBC tool also enhance and support its utility use. After all, cutting is cutting.

Stay safe, "
 
I personally think utility is what is excels at. In spite of what Mr. Janich has to say about it, I really don't see how it's any more of a self defense knife than any other locking knife on the market. It's more like a perfect utility EDC IMO.
 
Mine has seen action against 3/4" Christmas tree branches, and some nice cured Bosnian sausage:D
Worked great, but had to get sap off the g-10

Bill
 
Sorry, I'm not a great photographer. Hell,I'm not even a good one ;)

but here ya go.

pptyo2.jpg
 
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I've been cutting boxes, paper, tape, and the simple whatnot for weeks now and the blade is a simple pleasure to use in these tasks. I think the ergonomics lend itself very kindly to use as such.
 
I think one of the points of the knife is for it to be usable as a utility knife, since it's a knife which is made to be carried all the time. That way you might always find use for it and it will also always be available in case you'll be forced to use it for self defense.
 
I would get the Perrin. I have the Yojimbo 2 and the Perrin. The blade design on the Yojimbo 2 is great. However, I have found that if you squeeze the Yojimbo 2 very tight when you deploy it. The compression lock can give you an annoying pinch to the bottom center of your middle finger. I don't have any problems with the Perrin since it uses a modified "Reeve frame lock".
 
I use my PPT for utility. My biggest complaint is in S30V's ability to lose its razor edge very quickly (that and it is somewhat of a pain to sharpen back to that razor-edge). The working edge is good enough for cardboard and plastic binding-straps though. I love the ergonomics of the PPT specifically in use as a utility knife - its shallow choil and deep lock-bar recess (and curved pistol-grip handle) somehow pushes your hand slightly forward and makes for very good dexterity (its also got a swedge on the spine that makes stabbing into cardboard and what not very smooth).
 
Anyone else care to compare the Yo2 and PPT? Does one have advantages over the other?
 
mines been carried since the day it came in the mail. so about a month of daily use, no thoughts of switching
 
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