Why should I get a Yojimbo?

R

RickyBobby

Joined
May 3, 2018
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Getting interested in the Wharncliff blade design for utility/work, which never really appealed to me, based on esthetic and lack of understanding of its purpose. After reading some about its specialized applications, I think it would be a good fit for what I do for a living.
Admittedly a Syderco fan boy, the Yojimbo caught my eye, compression lock/single hand operation, relatively light. I think its pitched as a martial blade, handle shape concerns me.
Thank you
 
While intended for SD, it is easily a knife that can transition to daily EDC roles. I think the handle ergonomics are fantastic and it's easy carry if you like larger blades for day to day carry.
 
I say get one. it has a tapered handle at the back and a wide shoulder up front. its very ergonomic in the standard forward grip though it looks a bit odd it works. the blade grind is beautiful and I never tire of looking at mine . thick blade spine which is nice but very very pointy and would be a wicked stabber. . if you plan to use as a general EDC be aware the tip is relatively delicate. like with almost all spydercos it is insanely sharp with a hollow grind. opens easily even without the big spydie hump.
its one of their better designs and fit and finish are great. I will never get rid of mine.
 
You should get one because it is awesome.:)

My wife bought me one for a birthday/Christmas/anniversary (I forget which one now).
It makes a great utility knife.

Notice how the blade looks like a utility knife? Notice how utility knives are useful for cutting things?
The Yojimbo 2 is useful for cutting things.
 
Number one reason, mine has the thinnest behind the edge thickness of any of my spyderco's. My manix's, pm2's, delica, endura, chaparral, etc. All come in between .024" to .030" where my yojimbo 2 was .018". Quite the difference, especially when most spydercos seem to be closer to .030 of an inch thick behind the edge.
 
It is a decent self defense blade that may work in other ways. It is not a stabby blade and I think Spyderco and Janich designed it that way. If you look at Mr Janich's videos you can see he is more concerned with using the defensive weapon to slash attackers vital areas.

I have two of them, an S30V and 20CV. I've dabbled in approx 10 martial arts, and what Mr Janich teaches seems legit to me, so I bought the knives.
 
Appreciate everybody's feed back.
I do carry large pocket knives, my work knife for the last 2-3 years has been a Pacific Salt SE. PM2 mostly when I am off. Delica Wharncliff looks like a good contender too, lighter for sure.
Stabman, you're a lucky man, my wife keeps on buying me blades with a butterfly on them..
 
stabman said:
Nothing wrong with that...unless you mean knives bought off TV with a butterfly painted on the blade. :D
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I know..
Just not my speed,
stabman said:
Nothing wrong with that...unless you mean knives bought off TV with a butterfly painted on the blade. :D
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LOL
No, genuine article.
Any particular sharpening technique that applies to this type of blade shape? I use the Spydie tri-angle kit for everything.
 
I've had one Yojimbo 2. The ergos are fantastic. I agree with stabman; it is quite stabby. I was disappointed in the slicing ability. The blade grind makes it super thin behind the edge, which is fantastic. But the shoulder gets very wide very abruptly. When using it to break down cardboard, I was pretty disappointed. Wharncliffe blades can be great for a lot of task, but can be limited in some roles. One of my favorite carries is a Large Sebenza 21 Insingo. It adds a little belly to the blade that makes it good for pretty much everything. With no belly, some cutting tasks can be a pain, but you can usually modify your approach to make it doable.

Also, if you look at the specs of the Yojimbo 2 and look at the blade, you should realize that it might not be the best slicer on the planet. I think my expectations were probably a little unrealistic.
 
cashville said:
I've had one Yojimbo 2. The ergos are fantastic. I agree with stabman; it is quite stabby. I was disappointed in the slicing ability. The blade grind makes it super thin behind the edge, which is fantastic. But the shoulder gets very wide very abruptly. When using it to break down cardboard, I was pretty disappointed. Wharncliffe blades can be great for a lot of task, but can be limited in some roles. One of my favorite carries is a Large Sebenza 21 Insingo. It adds a little belly to the blade that makes it good for pretty much everything. With no belly, some cutting tasks can be a pain, but you can usually modify your approach to make it doable.

Also, if you look at the specs of the Yojimbo 2 and look at the blade, you should realize that it might not be the best slicer on the planet. I think my expectations were probably a little unrealistic.
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Thanks for the input.
Cutting large cardboard boxes is one of the tasks I have in mind, mostly cutting synthetic straps that bundles lumber, framing material, trim excess of expanding insulating foam. I gather you would want to cut cardboard with the blade section ahead of the grind to spine shoulder, if controllable
 
It makes a great utility knife ... I found it to be a great slicer and very comfortable to use ... sharpening it is simple ... much easier than say a recurve by far ... if it appeals to you I'd say get it ... I think you'd be pleased with how it performs.
 
My only complaint like with a Pm2 is depending we’re the lock up is on the compression lock and your finger is It can be a finger pincher when opening the blade which is not a deal breaker to me just annoying .
 
JParanee said:
My favorite prouduction knife

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Awesome vid and collection
Thank you sir for taking the time to post
Altough i am not a martial artist, i appreciate seeing the blade alive in hands demonstrating how the grip was intended to be used.

My Dojo is an Irish pub..
 
RickyBobby said:
Thanks for the input.
Cutting large cardboard boxes is one of the tasks I have in mind, mostly cutting synthetic straps that bundles lumber, framing material, trim excess of expanding insulating foam. I gather you would want to cut cardboard with the blade section ahead of the grind to spine shoulder, if controllable
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Personally, for some things I really prefer other tools. I paid around $2 for my go-to utility knife and cut 30 peices of R30 insulation with one disposable blade while my $200 ZT was blunt after two cuts. Although I prefer a utility blade for cardboard, I often use whatever knife I'm carrying at the time. Someone on the forum suggested when cutting cardboard with a thicker HG blade, to cut it at a 45 degree angle... worked for me with my Buck.

I like the Wharncliffe style blade for certain utility tasks, but I would be concerned of the tip getting worn much faster than the rest of the blade for general utility status (also a benefit to the disposable blades on the box cutters). One last opinion, when you are making a lot of hard cuts, I find that thinner handle knives (like the Spydercos) have more hot spots than thicker handled knives. Although thick cardboard (e.g. > 1/3" thick) is one example, I often have to cut down styrofoam coolers, where I really notice the thickness/thinness of the handle.
 
Scott321 said:
Personally, for some things I really prefer other tools. I paid around $2 for my go-to utility knife and cut 30 peices of R30 insulation with one disposable blade while my $200 ZT was blunt after two cuts. Although I prefer a utility blade for cardboard, I often use whatever knife I'm carrying at the time. Someone on the forum suggested when cutting cardboard with a thicker HG blade, to cut it at a 45 degree angle... worked for me with my Buck.

I like the Wharncliffe style blade for certain utility tasks, but I would be concerned of the tip getting worn much faster than the rest of the blade for general utility status (also a benefit to the disposable blades on the box cutters). One last opinion, when you are making a lot of hard cuts, I find that thinner handle knives (like the Spydercos) have more hot spots than thicker handled knives. Although thick cardboard (e.g. > 1/3" thick) is one example, I often have to cut down styrofoam coolers, where I really notice the thickness/thinness of the handle.
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Point taken, there are good reasons why tradesmen use disposable blade utility knives.
The tasks I described would be occasional, I have traded all manner of tools for a cell phone and laptop years ago.
Really appreciate everybody's experience and opinions.
 
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