ZPD Yojimbo?

[smcfalls13]

If the ZDP-189 Yojimbo makes it to production, and receives a different color of G-10, I would suggest dark green as opposed to dark purple.

The dark purple is reserved for the Super Tanker Hawkbill :p

[Xlr8td]

What about a LARGER version of the Yojimbo, with a g-10 handle in the same GREEN COLOUR as the Lil' T.
My EDC is a Yojimbo, and even with the rather wedge like profile of the handle, I sometimes have to check and see if it is still in my pocket. It is just that comfortable to carry.

[VultureParade]

Hey Hannibal,

First of all, thanks for addressing my concerns :)

Maybe I'm wrong about the trainer and sales, but I read a post from Sal a little while ago that said the following.

Hi Guys, The Yojimbo trainer is not on the schedule, sorry.

Actually there was some question about going ahead and making one. Sales
on the Yojimbo have softened and there is concern about excess inventory.

The thread is here. Sal's post is number 55
http://spyderco.com/forums/showthread.p ... bo+trainer

I'm just concerned about the Yojimbo trainer project. It seems like the energy here would be better focused over there.

Don't get my wrong, I don't see any harm in asking. I'm just giving my take on the issue :) Ask, ask, and ask some more. But I don't think I would be doing anyone a service if I didn't give my honest opinion on the idea

That's what we are here for, discourse.

Thanks for participating in some with me. :)

And Turner,

There's nothing wrong with making the knife somewhere else. I would just rather see it made here. I'd buy it if it was made over there and I'd buy it if it was made here. I would just rather see it made here.

If you were given the choice between two identical products at identical prices and one was made on US soil by US workers and one was made in another country. Which one would you choose?

My point was that since I don't see a ZDP Yojimbo as much of an improvement over the existing Yojimbo, why out source work and material to make it?


-Bryan

[VultureParade]

Oh yeah. I'd kill for something in dark purple G10


-Bryan

[zenheretic]

Yep it never hurts to ask...some of us have been begging for something in Damascus for some time, then Sal said he was looking into Damasteel. Nothing concrete but at least he heard us.

Aren't all the new steels more expensive at first? With more use we should expect cost to come down...maybe not this month but maybe later. Sprint run sprint run sprint run!

[TurnerIII]

Hey Bryan,

I am with you on this one. Same item, same QA, same price - I am all over the US version. I just do not like the idea of blindly "buy usa" - ONLY because it is made here. Innovation is not just driven by the knidness of someones heart - the profit/loss motovation is what [should] really gets people up in the morning. :) And it helps to bring better products to us for better prices.

But I have nothing against a well made us product. In fact I do have several Golden CO made items. :D :D :D

But if the ZDP is not - can not- be made here, why not outsource it and make it into a variety of knives that - the consumer is asking for? I do not work very hard all day long so that I can help underwrite Crucible Steels' market share or workers - if they are unwilling or unable to give me what I want...

And I really want a Yojimbo in ZDP!

Peace out - :)

[Hannibal Lecter]

My Dear VultureParade,

I'm just concerned about the Yojimbo trainer project. It seems like the energy here would be better focused over there.

As stated, since I saw it in the print catalog I assumed it to be true and in process. Maybe a bad choice on my part? :D

I too see the trainer as being the better focus of energy, but I figured if the trainer was already a done deal... :D

Don't get me wrong, I don't see any harm in asking. I'm just giving my take on the issue :) Ask, ask, and ask some more. But I don't think I would be doing anyone a service if I didn't give my honest opinion on the idea ]

Too true. I am glad you did, as you did make some very valid points, especially concerning increased costs, etc.

That's what we are here for, discourse.

And I love it! :D

Thanks for participating in some with me. :)

Any time, my friend! I enjoy a bit of back and forth kicking things around! This is how new ideas come to light.

My point was that since I don't see a ZDP Yojimbo as much of an improvement over the existing Yojimbo, why out source work and material to make it?

Actually, this seems to be the main difference in opinion - some of us do see the change in blade steel as enough of an improvement to warrant the time, trouble, energy and expenditure.

Truthfully, had you asked me a month ago if I supported pursuing this project I would have said no. After handling a Burgundy Caly Jr. my perspective has changed a bit. :D

--------
Hannibal

[Plowboy]

Lum Chinese would be sweet too, or a big calypso but if I had to pick one for them to make a sprint run of it would definately be the Yojimbo, it's already got the blade shape for serious cutting, it just needs the steel for it too. Dark green G-10, black clip, ZPD-189. I'd buy 2. :cool:
EDIT: As for whether it's profitable, they could charge whatever they like for it and we all know they'd be gone before they hit the dealers. Even if they did a large run of them (like 2000+) they would still all go.

Only a few minutes ago I stated that I perfer black g-10, but I could go for dark green with a black clip. I even like drab green.

[spydersam]

After carrying a yojimbo in my right front pocket and using it on a daily basis I realize just how difficult it is to judge a book by its cover.

Many classics or soon to be classics were not super popular at the time of their original production/sales run. If they were then of course they would be carried forward to another year etc..... with the resultant lack of rarity or the discoverability that drives the psychology of so many collectors.

With that said. The ZDP 189 is the new high tech steel. ANY knife with this steel with average or above average previous acceptance will sell like hotcakes. The question is how quickly or slow is our "thirst" for this technology satiated.

To this end I think we need to look to the car industry for a "flagship" concept and a line extension strategy. Spyderco pros know their stuff. A collaboration between Janich and Spyderco of further refinement of the Yojimbo platform (with ZDP-189) could be a huge flagship product. When you come out with a better idea/design, there is such a huge inertia to overcome in the limited imagination of the knife public. I remember when the glock came out and was trashed and abused to no end. That was a tough gun and it took all the abuse and won the market over. If the yojimbo endures with the latest and greatest steel, I predict it will do the same. Even without huge sales, the PR and the aura the company derives would be phenomenal. Especially useful in a market glutted with gimmicks and poor quality coated with marketing hype.

I have no idea which way the market is going, what is hot or not but right now it looks like the chinese folder will get the ZDP steel. While that is fantastic, there is just no comparsion in functionality, cutting ability,utility range, and handle design between a lum chinese folder and a yojimbo. The very creation of the ZDP lum clearly shows that the spyderco pros are listening very carefully to what people THINK they want.

If I was going to trust a knife to help me with daily cutting dutys and serve as a back up weapon to help protect my life, the yojimbo has almost no comparsion.

Spyderco is a fantastic company for so many reasons but the best one I can think of is that the principals of this company actually read the forum and respond to the end line users. Anyone with this philosophy understands the true meaning of a business.

Sam

[ruxton]

Thanks for resurrecting my thread :p
If the spydergods are listening I still want a ZPD yojimbo! Here's a mockup of a green SE yojimbo... Tell me you wouldn't want one...

[smcfalls13]

Tell me you wouldn't want one...

I want one. :cool:

[Michael Cook]

:spyder: doubt you'll see that. Michael Janich doesn't prefer serrations due to clothing snags so a serrated Michael Janich model isn't likely. :spyder:

[spydersam]

look at a basic porsche 911 and see how many different ways that platform has been modified. the same can be done with ANY knife model. i have another thought on serrations I will save for another thread.


sam

[zenheretic]

I really like that color of green, hope to see it on some G-10 model in the future!

Have to agree with Michael Cook, I'd be surprised if Mr. Janich would want a SE when his method supports the PE as superior.

[spydersam]

Perhaps Mr. Janich would be less offended by serrations if the serrations were ground on both sides of the blade?

I wonder if any blade maker does that?

Sam

[smcfalls13]

Perhaps Mr. Janich would be less offended by serrations if the serrations were ground on both sides of the blade?

In the Sharpmaker video, I believe Sal mentions that chisel grinds(in this case, serrations, which are chisel ground) can be sharpened on both sides of the blade if it need be.

It sacrifices a little bit of cutting ability, but strengthens the edge(it's not as thin)

[jaislandboy]

Yes, a ZDP Yojimbo would be Incredible! :cool:

[ruxton]

:spyder: doubt you'll see that. Michael Janich doesn't prefer serrations due to clothing snags so a serrated Michael Janich model isn't likely. :spyder:

I know, pity Although I'm sure if the demand is there he might be convinced to agree to a sprint run with serrations (not ZPD) maybe in purple G-10 :p . The more yojimbo variations the better!
Anyway now that we are getting the superhawk and the yojimbo trainers are still in the works (as far as I know) and the ZPD lum chinese is on the way...
ZPD YOJIMBO! ZPD YOJIMBO!! ZPD YOJIMBO!!! :D