Ronin --- Yojimbo?

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spydermdz
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Ronin --- Yojimbo?

#1

Post by spydermdz »

all things equal, if you could pick and had the chance to get either one at the moment, which one would you get and why? i handled a ronin the other day and thought it was sweet, however, the grip on the ronin wasnt good to me, it appeared to be kinda slick...

also, i was sketchy of the sheath... didnt know how well the knife would stay in the sheath when carried upside down, around the neck, IWB, etc...
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zenheretic
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#2

Post by zenheretic »

The fixed blade Ronin is superior to the Yoji because it is a fixed blade...no lock to worry about, no opening to worry about. However, the grip you are already aware of and longer handle of the Yoji give you more slashing leverage. The folder conceals better. The sheath is quite functional.

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#3

Post by thombrogan »

They're both excellent. The Ronin would inspire more confidence. Your hand is the only moving part. Spyderco's Kydex and Concealex sheathes are among the best in the business.

If, for some reason, the one you get is too loose, heat it with a hair dryer or warm it in an oven (not too hot; it'll give off pvc fumes) until it's almost too hot to touch with bare hands (hey, gloves are cool for this!), resheath the Ronin, and press the sheath between two pieces of foam until enough time has passed that the sheath can easily be grasped with bare hands.

Many Spydermdz posts concern use of blades as a self-protection option. With that in mind, the Ronin is still a great item. It may feel slick when you're not about to wet yourself, but that will change.

For day-to-day use, the Yojimbo is more convenient; has a grippier handle; and S30V has more wear-resistance (which means less dulling if you cut stuff like paper, meat, cloth, oh wait, maybe this is gory in context...). The Ronin's VG-10 steel is easier for most people to outfit with a sharp edge than S30V which is more important for a blade used only in deadly emergencies than the slight increase in wear-resistance S30V has.

That's my two cents.

Get both. The Yojimbo for cutting fun and the Ronin for defensive carry.
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#4

Post by thombrogan »

zenheretic wrote:What does your Seal Sensai say?
He says "I'll teach you physical and mental kuzushi, but first you must take me to Red Lobster!"
"I knew you before you knew you had hands!" ~Tracey Brogan

"Ah-ha! A Spyderco moment!" ~Michael Cook

"Hawkbills - Sink in the tip and let it rip!" ~Axlis

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#5

Post by spydermdz »

zenheretic wrote:The fixed blade Ronin is superior to the Yoji because it is a fixed blade...no lock to worry about, no opening to worry about. However, the grip you are already aware of and longer handle of the Yoji give you more slashing leverage. The folder conceals better. The sheath is quite functional.

What does your Seal Sensai say?


zen how kind of you to be a smart *** man. i appreciate you asking about Mr Patrick Miller. He is well by the way. I will send him your regards... However, as you do not know, he does not train with the Ronin. As I have posted numerous times, he has mastered the Karambit. He trains with it and primarily uses it when training in MBC. So he hasnt stated much about the Ronin. But I appreciate your concern.
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#6

Post by spydermdz »

thombrogan wrote:He says "I'll teach you physical and mental kuzushi, but first you must take me to Red Lobster!"
cute thom :p
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#7

Post by zenheretic »

spydermdz wrote:zen how kind of you to be a smart *** ...
If I wasn't, folks might get worried that I was sick. :p

The fellow should certainly have an opinion though, don't you think?
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#8

Post by Axlis »

If I had to choose one or the other strictly for SD, I would go with the Ronin.

There's more confidence and control in a rough situation with a fixed blade, IMHO.

Maybe we need an S30v Ronin with grippy G-10 scales!
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#9

Post by WORKER#9 »

I would get both, and decide myself. But thats just my style!
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#10

Post by smcfalls13 »

I'm going to go against the grain here and say I'd give the nod to the Yojimbo, and for one simple reason, the grip.

The Ronin's handles are very slippery, and I don't think I could confidently hold onto it in a bad situation. The Yojimbo is far grippier and easier to hold onto.

Now a fixed blade is always better, so I'd say go for option number 3, which is to get a Ronin, and have it pimped out with rough G-10 scales. :cool:
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#11

Post by Dr. Snubnose »

The Ronin is my favorite SD knife...It is quick into action...nothing to open....and just feels great in my hand....I love the micarta handle and deep finger choil and jimping....I don't feel it is slippery at all....a solid hold in filipino grip is all you need, place the thumb on the jimping of the spine and you are good to go....The Yo is made from better steel....the tip is stronger and the spine is bigger...I like that the Ronin is in VG-10 (easier to sharpen for me)...the Yo gives you ample pommel to do some serious smashing with....Both are a Wharncliffe blades ( big plus) All this being said I would still choose the Ronin over the Yojimbo...but you can't go wrong with either when it comes to SD......Doc :D
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#12

Post by Halfneck »

Ronin is better because it is a fixed blade and there is less to go wrong.

Yojimbo is better because it is a folder and you are more likely to carry it.
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#13

Post by gud4u »

In my opinion, the standard sheath shipped with the Ronin is about an inch too long. I shortened mine to about an 1/8" from the tip of the blade, rounded and smoothed the cut. It suspends securely and conceals nicely, suspended from the rivet-holes.

My problem with the standard sheath was poor concealment. When suspended with the blade-tip just below the neck of a golf shirt, the butt of the handle rode up on my diaphragm, causing the knife to 'print'.

For those with flat bellies, this probably wouldn't be a problem.

I was sorry to see the Spyderco Ronin discontinued. I think it's one of Spyderco's very best offerings.
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#14

Post by zenheretic »

spydermdz wrote:zen how kind of you to be a smart *** man. i appreciate you asking about Mr Patrick Miller. He is well by the way. I will send him your regards... However, as you do not know, he does not train with the Ronin. As I have posted numerous times, he has mastered the Karambit. He trains with it and primarily uses it when training in MBC. So he hasnt stated much about the Ronin. But I appreciate your concern.
I've reconsidered my past comment. I see no "smart assedness" in my question. Nor did I ask about a Pat Miller, nor send him any regards. Since I knew you trained with a man you stated was a Seal, I figured you asked him an opinion as well. Most folks ask martial questions to their martial trainers. This isn't rocket science.
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#15

Post by zenheretic »

gud4u wrote:I was sorry to see the Spyderco Ronin discontinued. I think it's one of Spyderco's very best offerings.
Ditto, some fanatics have been known to buy multiples of this fine blade...
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#16

Post by Dr. Snubnose »

zenheretic wrote:Ditto, some fanatics have been known to buy multiples of this fine blade...
Ay SmartA$$....I got a couple!!!! As a matter of fact I think between you and me we own the whole edition... :p Doc :D
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#17

Post by zenheretic »

Dr. Snubnose wrote:Ay SmartA$$....I got a couple!!!! As a matter of fact I think between you and me we own the whole edition... :p Doc :D
Who me??? :D Only if you have 48 Ronin, is it too many. :cool:
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#18

Post by spydermdz »

zenheretic wrote:If I wasn't, folks might get worried that I was sick. :p

The fellow should certainly have an opinion though, don't you think?


OK, good point... :rolleyes: but the Ronin does seem like a good blade to train with... only if we had a trainer, ya know!
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#19

Post by spydermdz »

i liked the ronin. i just hated the grip on it... sorry Doc, i disagree with ya there. ;) the yo feels extremely good in your hands! i like the folding factor because i can carry it like one of you guys said... the ronin will be harder to carry, or so i would think... on the sheath of the ronin, can you wear it on your belt? and what is the qaulity of the sheaths from spyderco, mainly the ronin's? doc and zen, let me know. i know u guys got tons!
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#20

Post by smcfalls13 »

spydermdz wrote:on the sheath of the ronin, can you wear it on your belt? and what is the qaulity of the sheaths from spyderco, mainly the ronin's? doc and zen, let me know. i know u guys got tons!
Spyderco sheaths are generally very good. But since they are production knives there will be flaws occasionally. Haven't had one that rattled in the sheath yet, or fell out, but both are things you should check for when buying a Spyder fixed blade.

Oops, forgot to add that yes you can wear it on your belt, some Ronin sheaths come with a Tek-Lok attachment(Though I hate Tek-Loks, just to provide my opinion ;) ) that should easily attach to your belt.
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