Yojimbo

bob7

bob7

Joined
Jan 8, 2003
Messages
264
Hello,

I had been avoiding the Yojimbo because I owned a BM Gravitator. I felt the Gravitator was in the same niche as the Yojimbo. I was wrong. While still being happy w/ the Gravitator, I am blown away by the Yojimbo and its cutting ability (flat grind w/out the odd angles on the spine of the Grav.). I am glad a got the Yojimbo before it was totally out of the supply line. I intend to round off the finger swells on the handle a little bit to make it more comfortable in all grips, and I intend to try to rebend the clip into a deep carry clip. If I fail at that by breaking the clip, I hope STR can fashion a new titanium one for me. Those are the only two drawbacks I can see. Good job Sal, Spyderco Crew, and Michael Janich. Great knife.

bob7
 
This thread just prompted me to hustle over to New Graham and buy a Yojimbo. I got the blue G10. They're getting scarce and I figured if I wanted one, now would be the time. I've been wanting one for a while but kept putting it off. I'm looking forward to it! I love the blade length- it looks to be a serious knife that you can carry in even the most knife-restrictive places. I'm hoping the blue handle will make it even more sheeple-friendly.
 
Moonwilson, we expect a report. I have a feeling it will be a glowing report as I really like my Yojimbo - I am carrying it in my office right now. The nested liners, needle-like point, and buttery smooth action are highlights of this model for me. I wish it was more widely available in black before they disappeared though. I guess I just waited too long before the prices started rising on those.:(
 
I really like my Yojimbo. Full flat grinds work great for me.

I carry mine quite a lot these days although I do find it sits a little awkwardly in my pocket at times. Feels like its taking up more space than it should. Must be the way it tapers out.

Even with this issue it still sees a lot of pocket time though:thumbup:
 
I got my Yojimbo yesterday and I've been playing with it ever since. There's a lot I really like about the knife, but there are a couple of things about it that bug me.

First off is the clip. It's huge, and bright, polished steel, which screams out of the pocket. Combined with a long tail, this is definitely not a combination that makes for discrete carry. The long tail and hole in the clip make it easy to get the knife out, but with the shiny steel clip, you can see that you're carrying a knife from a mile away. I thought the idea behind the Yojimbo was that it is intended as a SD knife, particularly in non-knife friendly areas where blade length is restricted. To my mind, in a knife that is designed to be carried in a knife-restricted place should be discrete. The clip doesn't necessarily have to be a low-rider, but polished steel seems like the worst possible choice. Further, a SD knife should not telegraph itself to anyone you might be confronted by (or pass on the street). SD knives should be stealthy. I feel like a jackass with this thing in my pocket, it's so obvious I'm carrying a blade.

Second is the blue G10. I've been wanting to pick up a blue model for a while to see how the G10 looks in different colors. I'm not too sure if I'm crazy about it, to be honest. I always smooth out my G10 handles, because I've ruined too many pairs of pants with rough G10. Black G10 smooths and polishes out very easily, and looks great. Blue G10, however, starts to turn white and look dusty/dirty when you polish it. Does anyone have any experience in polishing blue G10? Any tips?

I'm going to carry the Yojimbo for a while, and try to get used to it. I like the overall design, the size, the ergos and the blade shape. It functions perfectly, the compression lock is nicely done. But my impression so far is that although I appreciate the "design in the dark" philosophy, maybe somebody should have left the light on just enough to see how blatant a statement the knife makes while in the pocket. I'm not trying to scare anyone or draw attention to myself when I'm walking down the street or standing in line at Target.
 
That's why I walk around most of the time with my shirt tucked out. If in the office I just put it inside my pocket as I don't want to call any attention from anyone.
 
Thank you all for your comments on the Yojimbo and your enthusiasm for it.

With regard to the criticisms, all I can say is that I agree. However, please understand that the original design parameters for the knife specified denim-colored G-10 or Micarta grips and a blue-colored clip. The practicalities of manufacturing took precedence over these design characteristics and you get a great knife that has a higher profile than I wanted it to.

The blue color used on the knife is the default blue--that used by IBM for its G-10 applications in the electronics industry. A custom run of denim-colored G-10 has a significant minumum order and additional cost that would have kicked up the price of the knife. As such, the default blue was used. With that color of blue, coloring the clip to match didn't make sense and it was left shiny.

As for sanding down the G-10, I purposely chose medium textured G-10 to avoid anything too raspy. As for the clip, find a custom maker or a local company that does powder coating or anodizing and have them him bead blast it for you.

The bottom line is that even designers have to bow to production practicalities. The Yojimbo in my mind looked different than the one that ended up in the box, but they both cut better than any other knife I've ever used.

Stay safe,

Mike
 
Mr. Janich,

Thanks very much for your response to my comments. Your overall design is very well thought out, and the knife is a beast of a cutter. With your reputation as a martial artist, I'm certain that it would function magnificently in a SD situation. (A situation that thankfully, for me is extremely unlikely) As a professional designer myself, I'm all too familiar with the often unfortunate effects of production practicality, and I sympathize.

As for modding the knife to suit me a bit more, I spent a little more time working on the G10 and I have it just how I like it. It just takes a little bit more time than the black G10 I'm used to. It looks very nice now, though I'm sure it would have looked great in the denim color as you had originally intended. I'm planning on either simply brushing it to a more subdued finish or gun-koating it.

Thanks and regards,

Andy Moon Wilson
 
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