Sprint Yojimbo vs Mini Yojimbo

[sarguy]

Like Spyderco products, MBC also believed in Constant Quality Improvement.

Making something smaller, more convenient, and--within the parameters of wharncliffe-ness--with greater point strength, are higher on my priority list for a Gen-II Yojimbo.

Sounds like the name "Kaizen" might be fitting....(just a thought :D )

[Michael Janich]

This raises my curiosity. If it's ok for me to ask, how do you open the knife--or perhaps what grip do you use--that allows for the right grip straight from pocket? I have thought about it a bit myself and the closest I could get is having a knife clipped with the blade side pointing towards the center of my body, tip up, and I reach in with my palm facing forward (i.e., away from my body) such that my thumb is outside the pocket and other fingers inside, with index finger hopefully finding the spyderhole as it's being drawn, and finishing with the index being used to flick it open. That saves one from the approximate 180 degree rotation required after using the spyderhole with a thumb, but it still requires that one wrap one's fingers around the handle after the blade is open (which seems impossible to do beforehand because the closed blade is in the way), and not to wrap them means a poor grip. It certainly doesn't take long to move fingers from the side of the handle to around it, but it is an adjustment after the draw.

My preference is to carry the knife all the way to the back of the pocket--along the outside seam. That keeps it in a predictable position, allows the rest of the pocket to act as a "funnel" for your thumb to guide it to the knife, and supports a "thumbs-in-pockets" casual stance that is low-profile, but very ready for action. I carry tip-up with the back of the blade against the pocket seam, which also guarantees that the knife stays closed regardless of detent strength.

With the knife in that position, reach in deep with your thumb and place it along the flat of the obverse-side handle (the "show" side, or left side as viewed with the knife held point away from you, edge down). Hook your index finger under the end of the clip. Now pull straight up to clear the pocket and then drop your elbow. The knife should end up horizontal and laying flat, with the back of the closed blade facing in toward your centerline. In that position, your thumb should be able to easily slide from handle to hole and have enough extension to manually drive the blade all the way open.

Bear in mind that clip height, hand size, and knife size all have an effect on this process; however, it involves much less extraneous movement and repositioning than most other methods. Very importantly, it also ensures the maximum amount of skin on the handle throughout the process.

I hope this makes sense. I wrote it after only a single cup of coffee. The caffeine hasn't yet made it above my neck...

Stay safe,

Mike

[Michael Janich]

The only thing that ended up being a deal breaker was the distance between my hand and the blade. I just could never get really comfortable with it. I like choils, or handle designs that keep my grip close to the blade like the Delica/Endura. I ended up trading it off and somewhat regret it.

As you know, there will never be a true "once size fits all." However, future efforts will be even better. Part of the logic behind the large choil on the original Yo was to placate saber-grip fans who insist that there must be some type of mechanical "stop" or guard in the design. Since they focus their grip on the closure of the index finger and thumb rather than the true strength of the hand's grip--the last three fingers--they need that. It works great on an actual saber because of the mass of the sword. One knives, not so much.

The Be-Wharned eliminated the large choil--partly by choice and mostly because it is a liner lock. The magical Yojimbo floating in my head would retain the choil, but make it less pronounced.

With all that said, I also don't want my hand too close to the edge. As long as the ball of my thumb is comfortably opposing the heel of the edge (which the original Yo still accomplished), life is good.

Stay safe,

Mike

[Michael Janich]

I guess I will have to sit back and see how this materialize. The handle is what allows me to hang on to the Yo currently. After reading the post from Mike, I guess big hands are going to have to take a back seat on this one. I will say like I posted earlier, (ergos and contours maybe doable) if you are in streamline mode, maybe a more rounded handle end. That may shave overall size of the refined project. I think you were able to do that with the Be Wharned while adding meat to the blade.......good package to play with, now Spyderize it!LOL! :D

The most "expendable" part of the handle is the butt. As with the Be-Wharned, reducing it would be the best way to make the design more compact while still accomodating the largest spectrum of hand sizes.

My original "control group" for knife designs was my group of private students. During the development of the Yo, one of them was a former Denver cop with big hot-dog-like fingers. I guess he skewed the scale a bit toward the big-hand side...

Stay safe,

Mike

[JaM]

One aspect I liked about the Yo was the butt that extended out of the hand, giving you a nice surface for a hammer-blow.

One aspect I didnt really liked was the hand being close to the blade. Curious to see what will be the "next" wharncliff SD/MBC knife from Mr. Janich. :)

Whatever you make, please make one in blue too. :D

[demtek9]

I actually liked the longer handle for a short blade. It helps keep a knife that feels full size in legal limits.

[phaust]

My preference is to carry the knife all the way to the back of the pocket--along the outside seam. That keeps it in a predictable position, allows the rest of the pocket to act as a "funnel" for your thumb to guide it to the knife, and supports a "thumbs-in-pockets" casual stance that is low-profile, but very ready for action. I carry tip-up with the back of the blade against the pocket seam, which also guarantees that the knife stays closed regardless of detent strength.

With the knife in that position, reach in deep with your thumb and place it along the flat of the obverse-side handle (the "show" side, or left side as viewed with the knife held point away from you, edge down). Hook your index finger under the end of the clip. Now pull straight up to clear the pocket and then drop your elbow. The knife should end up horizontal and laying flat, with the back of the closed blade facing in toward your centerline. In that position, your thumb should be able to easily slide from handle to hole and have enough extension to manually drive the blade all the way open.

Bear in mind that clip height, hand size, and knife size all have an effect on this process; however, it involves much less extraneous movement and repositioning than most other methods. Very importantly, it also ensures the maximum amount of skin on the handle throughout the process.

I hope this makes sense. I wrote it after only a single cup of coffee. The caffeine hasn't yet made it above my neck...

Stay safe,

Mike

It does make sense, and thank you very much for the reply.

[picobrain]

Is there any interest in a removable Emerson opener,
like the one on the Pikal?


peace

[JohnAPA]

I just want to say that's sooooo cool to be able to discuss this stuff with Mike and Sal. Thanks guys!

I would also like to take this opportunity to appologize to my first Spyderco, a Delica that my brother gave me about 15 years ago. I have been taking it for granted for far too long. Tonight it's coming out of the gun safe and back to it's rightful place in my top dresser drawer, and my pocket on the appropriate occasions. Also a trainer is on the way to keep us both company as well. On behalf of my Delica, thanks Michael!

John

[sarguy]

I just want to say that's sooooo cool to be able to discuss this stuff with Mike and Sal. Thanks guys!

I would also like to take this opportunity to appologize to my first Spyderco, a Delica that my brother gave me about 15 years ago. I have been taking it for granted for far too long. Tonight it's coming out of the gun safe and back to it's rightful place in my top dresser drawer, and my pocket on the appropriate occasions. Also a trainer is on the way to keep us both company as well. On behalf of my Delica, thanks Michael!

John

+1

A couple of years ago I was extolling the virtues of the Delica and other such "unsuspecting" little knives for SD/MBC to a jailer friend who was fixated on getting some sort of high-speed-low-drag Secret Squirrel operator knife for self defense. He discounted them until I showed him a vid on Youtube of Mike nearly bisecting an unsuspecting pork loin wrapped in saran wrap with one swipe. Mike's a great salesperson for Spyderco :D

[Michael Janich]

Is there any interest in a removable Emerson opener,
like the one on the Pikal?

I'm personally not a big "Wave" fan, but if there's enough interest in it and it's removeable, I'm fine with it.

BTW, the integral Emerson Openers on the Delica and Endura open more than the knife blade. They make great bottle openers as well. I had a number of students validate that at Martial Blade Camp (after hours, of course).

Stay safe,

Mike

[Michael Janich]

I just want to say that's sooooo cool to be able to discuss this stuff with Mike and Sal. Thanks guys!

My pleasure!

Stay safe,

Mike

[Blerv]

I'm personally not a big "Wave" fan, but if there's enough interest in it and it's removeable, I'm fine with it.

BTW, the integral Emerson Openers on the Delica and Endura open more than the knife blade. They make great bottle openers as well. I had a number of students validate that at Martial Blade Camp (after hours, of course).

Stay safe,

Mike

...You mean it works for a blade opening device too? I thought Emerson had a line of patents for innovative bottle openers. :confused:

[fifthprofession47]

I'm personally not a big "Wave" fan, but if there's enough interest in it and it's removeable, I'm fine with it.

BTW, the integral Emerson Openers on the Delica and Endura open more than the knife blade. They make great bottle openers as well. I had a number of students validate that at Martial Blade Camp (after hours, of course).

Stay safe,

Mike

Of course, as the night goes on the fine motor skills of said campers begins to be compromised... :D

[Slick]

Thank you all for a great thread and for your enthusiasm regarding a Yojimbo revival.

I designed the original Yojimbo to purposely have a disproportionate handle-to-blade ratio. The idea was to 1) accomodate users with large hands, and 2) provide plenty of "pokey parts" to use the knife as an impact weapon. Since the original design, I have become much less concerned with the latter goal and more fond of something that is easier to carry.

The "certain other company's wharncliffe folder titled with a play on words" (wonderfully subtle, Sarguy--thanks) was actually designed to provide the exact same closed length as my other favorite EDC--the Delica. At the same time, I tweaked it to squeeze an extra half inch of blade length into it to achieve the 3.5-inch max allowed here in Colorado (being selfish is a designer's prerogative). That knife (the "Be-Wharned," for those of you who may not have caught the inference) turned out very well--but is still not perfect. The thumb stud is not nearly as user friendly as a hole (what is?) and the liner lock limited the contours available on the slot side of the handle.

With all that said, I carried a Be-Wharned for a number of months as my primary defensive blade and came to like the smaller handle better than the Yojimbo. As such, given the opportunity, I'd prefer to go in that direction and focus on something that fits anywhere, yet still offers the cutting power of the original Yo.

As for handle materials, my original "dream" was G-10 or Micarta in a denim-like color to blend in with blue jeans. Since that time, there has been an explosion of colors and handle materials that provides many more options than there were 10 years ago. I'll have to give that more thought, but certainly welcome your input and suggestions.

Keep the great ideas coming and thanks again for your enthusiasm for my designs.

Stay safe,

Mike

I prefer the Lil'Temp for its big handle. The blade is right sized but the large-ish handle makes it safer than a knife designed strickly for "the most blade for handle possible".

Never had a Yohjimbo but it looks I will. <giggles>

I trust Mike and Sal to offer a refined version of the original Yo. I'd like a new Yo to feature basket weave CF scales and sadwiched ZDP steel. I admiit FRN and CPM-30V would make more sense.

[RJNC]

So any news on a Mini Yojimbo?

[Qboy]

I am very pleased that Mike has rejoined the one true faith :) I love the Yojimbo and the general form/function of the knife. I also own the Snody BM version of the tapered handle with the Wharncliffe blade (BM125). I like them both but the Yo is simply a remarkable knife. I feel that this knife typifies the best of spyderco collaborations. To be honest, while I am a schempp fan, the barong and kukuri leave me cold, though I love the Persian in both sizes.

There is simply no other knife like the Yo (the BM125 being the most similar). I don't have the Be Wharned, in no small part because of the blade steel. Yes, yes--I know--AUS8 is a perfectly good steel etc. But many of us here, myself included, are steel snobs.

Practical innovations in production knives are not all that common. The Yo is one of these, however.

I would not like to see this knife smaller, FWIW. The size is perfect for me. The clip is a bit obtrusive, though the indexing hole in the clip is nice.

A Yo in a premium steel like s30v or D2 would be just great. A less noticeable color of G-10 would be good. I like the denim idea.

It would not be terrible to give the gen 2 Yo a less obvious name, too. I don't really like carrying a knife which is named as a weapon. As Mike has pointed out, the Wharncliffe shape is a very practical and useful one for a range of tasks--just like the stanley knife.

Regards,

Q

[dete]

The Yojimbo has always caught my eye for it's clever design.
I love how it looks more like a scalpel/crafts tool especially in the blue color.

While we are at it, I would like to see a folding knife version of the Kalista :D

[sal]

So any news on a Mini Yojimbo?

I saw a sketch in Michael's office, but you didn't hear that from me.

sal

[fifthprofession47]

I saw a sketch in Michael's office, but you didn't hear that from me.

sal

Thanks for the intel, Sal!