Yojimbo 2 questions, thoughts

D

dfarm

Joined
Feb 21, 2008
Messages
251
I recently gave in to my years long lust for a yojimbo 2. I had never seen or held one before I bought this one.

When I first opened it and held it in my hand, my first thought was a solid, meh. I was disappointed. The knife looks so sharp, angular, dare I say, sexy? I love the wharncliff blades, and that was what drew me to this knife originally. It is also what I consider my first spyderco (I have a couple of mules that I got a couple of years ago). I was really impressed with the build quality, but the handle bothers me.

First, the taper from the blade to the end of the handle almost feels like I'm supposed to hang onto it with an edge out, ice pick grip, as the thing melts into my hand when I hold it that way. I understand that this knife is geared towards self defense, so I can't be too mad. I also think that the angle of the handle/blade would make it difficult to do much utility/edc knife work. Again, self defense knife, not it's fault.

My current favorite wharncliff folder is a kershaw needs work with g10 handles. As you may know, the angle of the handle/blade on the needs work is much different than the yojimbo. I had purchased the yojimbo hoping to have a bigger, nicer brother to the needs work. It is bigger and nicer, but it is clearly designed for a different task.

So, with all of that out there, I'm find myself at a crossroads. I can keep the knife as is, keep the knife and mod it to try and make it what I want, or sell it to fund something different and closer to what I'm looking for.

If I keep it as is, it'll end up at the bottom of my knife drawer, rarely seeing the light of day. (And I'm not a fan of safe queens, tools are built to be used)

My idea for modding at this point is to start with a custom back spacer to bring the rear of the handle up, to try to duplicate the feel of the needs work, and if the feel is ok with the back spacer, making a new set of scales to match.

As for selling, I'm not sure what other blades are out there that are close to what I want. I really love the quality of this knife, so another comparable spydie would be awesome. I've seen the delica with the wharncliff blade and may look into that, but I'd really like a US made knife.

Thanks for any thoughts or suggestions.
 
My thoughts on your post:
Did you watch ANY YouTube / video reviews of the thing in all this time you've lusted for it? You're not at all the first to feel that way... Nearly word for word.

Carry it, USE IT, see how you actually like it before you go modding anything, you may grow to like it. If nothing more atleast you'll get to experience its different features to help you better learn what you want you want in your next purchase (good points or bad points)
 
Jamesh Bond said:
Try the Blackhawk Be-Wharned. By far my favorite.
Click to expand...


That is close to the same grip angle a the NeedsWork.


As for the Y2.
It is a purpose built knife.
[video=youtube_share;1BZYPPDApj0]http://youtu.be/1BZYPPDApj0[/video]
 
I have one, and I'm still torn...it's obviously made for combat but is actually pretty practical for many EDC tasks ... amusingly I have found the Matriarch and the Yo 2 to be the single best tools ever for opening those hell spawned clamshell things, which were made to prevent product theft but also prevent the honest buyer from enjoying said product!

The straight edge is very useful in many ways and also easy to sharpen, there is something to be said for a belly though.

I also wish it had a lanyard hold, I know MJ doesn't like them but I disagree.
 
I absolutely love the Yo2.

It's tied for my favorite Spyderco with the Ti Military.

I do wish they'd make a Yo2 XL. And a ti frame lock version.
 
I really like my Yojimbo 2, I added a little jimping to the scales where the jimping was on the liners.
I have very big hands and would love an XL model. Might have to find a Ronin to hold on to.


Sent via telegraph by the same fingers I use to sip whiskey
 
Cereal_killer said:
My thoughts on your post:
Did you watch ANY YouTube / video reviews of the thing in all this time you've lusted for it? You're not at all the first to feel that way... Nearly word for word.

Carry it, USE IT, see how you actually like it before you go modding anything, you may grow to like it. If nothing more atleast you'll get to experience its different features to help you better learn what you want you want in your next purchase (good points or bad points)
Click to expand...

Now that you mention it, no. I guess I haven't watched any videos about it.

It was more an emotional purch,if that makes sense. If I was buying knives solely on function, I'd have a drawer full of opinels and moras. Lol. I was ,and still am attracted to the knife visually.

I'm hesitant to carry it if I'm still thinking about selling it, because I'd want to be able to get as much of my money back as possible.

I think my next spydie folder will be a military or a paramilitary. Are they the same quality as the yojimbo2?
 
Yes, they have great build. The compression lock seems easier for me to access on the PM2 and the milly is a beautifuly made liner lock. Both milly and PM2 fit my hand well too. I would have to recommend those two blades.

Sent from my F5321 using Tapatalk
 
I have never had any issues using the Yojimbo as a utility blade. It is a box cutter on steroids. No, it is not a good food prep knife and no it is not a good bushcraft knife but yes, it is a great utility knife that makes a great EDC knife.

The way I see it you have two options. First is to stick with the presumptions you have and sell it and never really understand it's potential. The second is to put it to use and figure out what makes it such a clever design. You really need to put most Spydies to use before you really understand them.

As to your second question, yes, the other knives made in Golden are just as nice.
 
I like the rakish lines of the Yo2 but realize its a specialty tool.

One has to do ones research prior to buying IMO.

I certainly understand the 'problems,' the Yo would present, if one thought it a utility knife.

Lycosa said:
Very good advice, here.^
I still prefer the Y1.
rolf
Click to expand...
Why?

(not disputing - I like both models of the Yo - merely interested)
 
What bearfacedkiller said above ++

and I would say, mod it to how you believe it would perform the tasks YOU are interested in.

You can always put it up for sale, along with all the factory parts (scales, back-spacer, etc., etc.) and I am sure it would sell easily, so long as the mod's are well done.

I have known a number of peep's who have bought a Yo2, only to sell it shortly after (because they bought on hype, without consideration for what the knife is on the design merits). First & foremost it's a Wharncliffe, with a very fine tip and designed purposefully (somewhat easy to break that tip with careless or inconsiderate use), and extremely functional of its design purpose. Consider what & how a Wharncliffe excels at (other tools that use this geometry, and why they use it). It is a wonderful evolution of its earlier design roots (functional features of the original fixed-blade Ronin, with the kinetic opening of the Gunting ;-) Many of these peep's wind up buying a Yo2 again later, after they come to realizations that they were not initially prepared to understand.

I have a stock one, and a modified one.
I for one, believe it is a beautifully executed design.

EDIT:
dfarm - If you have interest in handling a modified Yo2, or interested in personal discussions on the subject, drop me a PM (we are possibly within a half-hour of each other :-) I have a number of personal folders & fixed blades in various configurations that you might find some enlightenment on your quest through first hand handling. And, yes I have a number of Millies & PM2's (including custom mod's I do for my personal use and carry).
 
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dfarm said:
First, the taper from the blade to the end of the handle almost feels like I'm supposed to hang onto it with an edge out, ice pick grip, as the thing melts into my hand when I hold it that way.
Click to expand...

The Yojimbo was designed to be held in a filipino grip. Janich shows how to hold it in the above video. If this knife isn't comfortable for you in that grip then I am surprised. The Yojimbo melts into my hand in a filipino grip but we do all have different hands.
 
I felt the same about my Yo2 and my Pm2 when I got them but after a week of carrying my yo2 I fell in love. Are you holding it with your thumb on the spine, I believe it's called a Filipino grip. Took me a whole month of solely carrying my pm2 to fall in love with it. But yes it not a good prep knife but I find it amazing for most edc tasks.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Spey-I'm out of town for a while, but thanks for the invite. If I haven't figured something out by the time I'm back, I'll send you a message.

I carried the yo2 a couple of times, and I'm still not liking it. The shape of the handle makes it difficult to get out of my pocket. I haven't tried flipping the clip over to tip down though, which would probably help with that.

I do find myself sitting and opening and closing it a lot though. I'm still impressed by the fit and finish of this knife. I'm thinking that I'm going to try to trade or sell this thing to get a paramilitary or military. I'm going to research those a bit first though. Lol

Thanks for the discussion so far.
 
I still carry mine but it is a little wide in the pocket...the blade is actually pretty useful for cutting and slicing.
 
I can't make myself part with the yo2. It's too cool. I still haven't cut anything with it though. Lol. I enjoy mindlessly flicking it open while watching tv, or just sitting around. I'm impressed by the fit and finish every time I get it out.

I just received a pm2 today, and I'm really liking it. It doesn't feel like it's going to take any getting used to like the yo2. It doesn't flick open as easily as the yo2, but it's silky smooth and will flick open.

I wasn't a fan of the compression lock at first, but after playing with the yo2 a bunch and looking at how it works, I'm a fan.

Overall, I'm very impressed with my first two spyderco folders. I have a feeling that there will be more.

Thanks for all the help!
 
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