Why was the Spyderco Yojimbo discontinued?

J

Juramentado

Joined
Aug 23, 2003
Messages
185
I've always been curious as to why Spyderco stopped making this model. Reviews I've read have been mostly thumbs up on the design.
 
Because it was so ugly? :-D





*I realize this is COMPLETELY missing the point of the Yojimbo. It was discontinued for the same reason ANY production folder is discontinued - it wasn't making Spyderco any money.
 
Perhaps the average knife buyer thought it was too expensive and specialized.
 
Nobody wanted it when they could have it and now everybody wants it and will pay 3x what they could have gotten it for, when Spyderco had it in the line. Like everything it's only missed when it's gone.
 
jill jackson said:
Nobody wanted it when they could have it and now everybody wants it and will pay 3x what they could have gotten it for, when Spyderco had it in the line. Like everything it's only missed when it's gone.
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A typical collector mentality - of which I have sometimes too . . .
 
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I think the reason the Yojimbo was discontinued was because it looked like a glorified box-cutter for over 100 times the price of one.

Not a good combination.
 
jill jackson said:
Nobody wanted it when they could have it and now everybody wants it and will pay 3x what they could have gotten it for, when Spyderco had it in the line. Like everything it's only missed when it's gone.
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+1 on that. I keep putting off buying knives that are in production, when I really should just buy them.
 
Spyderco discontinues designs quite frequently (with the exception of their main designs which they update every so often). On the one hand it is a good thing because it allows them to redirect their attention and resources toward new designs and steels, but in some cases it can be highly frustrating when they discontinue a knife that you've been waiting anxiously to get your hands on but couldn't for one reason or another. :mad:
 
I think the Yojimbo went the way of the Dodo (hah!) because of its radical design--much like the BM Gravitator (see pic of one like mine below). Those who recognize its great utility will jump on the design, but to the general public it just looks weird and expensive. I think the current market, which is much more wharncliffe-friendly, would support the Yojimbo better than it did at the time.

3896-1.jpg


I own number 73 of this guy, and it's a great knife...but also a discontinued model from around the same time of the Yojimbo. Coincidence?
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
3896-1.jpg


I own number 73 of this guy, and it's a great knife...but also a discontinued model from around the same time of the Yojimbo. Coincidence?
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That knife and the Yojimbo (partially) were both designed by Mike Snody. Michael Janich came up with the idea, but Snody made the prototype of the Yojimbo, IIRC. I have both- they are great designs, but I agree that they were perhaps a few years ahead of their time.

I lament the passing of the Yojimbo as well. It's one of my favorites- I wish I'd had the sense to order a black one before they were discontinued. It's definitely a knife you need to handle to appreciate. Pictures on the web do not do it justice- which might have a little something to do with it going away.
 
I love Spyderco and Benchmade, and I love Wharncliffes.
Having said that, That is a butt-ugly knife.
 
well spyderco discontinues alot of there models when they come up with more designs but most designs last a few years before they stop making them or maybe if the sales weren't good
 
The Yojimbo, I think, is one heck of a knife. :thumbup:

Excellent S30V stainless, great edge geometry, beautiful aesthetics with grippy G10 handles, the compression lock, and designed by Michale Janich, who knows what he's talking about. It's a shame they're discontinued, but I got mine for just over eight bucks from Savson before they were gone for good. :D
 
i would imagine it was disco'd for the same reason most things are disco'd, they didnt sell well enough.
 
moonwilson said:
That knife and the Yojimbo (partially) were both designed by Mike Snody. Michael Janich came up with the idea, but Snody made the prototype of the Yojimbo, IIRC. I have both- they are great designs, but I agree that they were perhaps a few years ahead of their time.

I lament the passing of the Yojimbo as well. It's one of my favorites- I wish I'd had the sense to order a black one before they were discontinued. It's definitely a knife you need to handle to appreciate. Pictures on the web do not do it justice- which might have a little something to do with it going away.
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Michael Janich designed it; not Snody. It is important to keep that straight.
 
"...Why was the Spyderco Yojimbo discontinued?..."
- Juramentado


I'm thinkin' it's because the first launched production models of the Yojimbo came in that awful shade of "blue" g-10 for scales.
Come on! sky Blue makes it blend with denim???!
I can't help but think that if the first lot came in all black and tactical (it's a martial blade afterall) things might have picked up better initially.
 
GIRLYmann said:
"...Why was the Spyderco Yojimbo discontinued?..."
- Juramentado


I'm thinkin' it's because the first launched production models of the Yojimbo came in that awful shade of "blue" g-10 for scales.
Come on! sky Blue makes it blend with denim???!
I can't help but think that if the first lot came in all black and tactical (it's a martial blade afterall) things might have picked up better initially.
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Whatsamatta? You don' like the Smurf blue? :D

Seriously though, it had the black handle as well, and sold for a few years. Black goes with blue jeans no better than smurf blue IMO.
 
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Would have done well with Gargamel types. maybe?!
Come to think of it, orange g-10's would have been just the ticket.
 
GIRLYmann said:
Would have done well with Gargamel types. maybe?!
Come to think of it, orange g-10's would have been just the ticket.
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OUch. Not back then. Orange is much more popular now.

My guess it was thin when everyone wanted the proverbial sharpened prybar.
 
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