Yo Michael Janich, Back in Black anytime soon

[BAL]

The Yojimbo 2 has been in my pocket ever since I got it but I have a problem.
I carry it as a strictly self defense knife, which for me means that I never use
it for anything else. I want the edge perfect and ready to go if suddenly attacked by Zombies and what-not.

I keep pulling it out and looking at it and want to use it as an EDC and do some serious cutting. Therefore, I am going to get at least one more, but have been wondering if there are any plans for a black DLC in the near future. Also, if so I am guessing that it would take a bit of time between the decision to do it and the time that it would be available. This is obviously a busy time in Spyderco, USA, with the new year and new models on the horizon.

I have a feeling that many have ordered the Yo2 and haven't received it yet,
but does anyone else share my desires for an all black Yo2.

Thanks and Stay safe.

[Evil D]

I made a thread a while back about a DLC Yojimbo 2 and it got mixed reviews. My thoughts were that, for a self defense tool you would want it to be subdued as much as possible for the element of surprise. Personally i just want it subdued so i can use it more in public without people freaking out, which works great with my DLC Para 2.

[Blerv]

With the exception of armed forces I think the main goal of a SD knife (besides performance) should be to look subdued when examined by cops and courts. If DLC looks less "scary" I would be all over it.

I think the Yo should be renamed, "Locking Utility Knife". It would be nicer if held up in a baggy .

[Michael Janich]

Dear BAL:

Thanks for your post and your interest in a black Yo2.

First of all, to my knowledge, Spyderco has no plans to produce a black Yo2. The design has been very well received and the first production run sold out very quickly. Right now, our greatest challenge is balancing our factory schedule to produce enough of them to meet the demand.

Like any other Spyderco design, if the Yo2 sells well enough to earn a long-term presence in the product line, it might also earn the right to be produced with variations, like different handle materials, blade coatings, etc. It took a while for stalwart designs like the Military, Para Military, and Manix2 to "earn their chops" and be worthy of production variants, so please be patient.

Oh, and before someone else says it, the same rules apply for a Yo2 trainer. Would I like to see one? Of course. However, my kung fu is not strong enough tomake that happen by myself. The design has to prove itself in the market.

In the meantime, if you really feel you need a black coating on a Yo2 (or any other knife), you'll probably have to have it done as an aftermarket process by a gunsmith who specializes in Cerakote or similar coating processes. I've done that on a few knives with very good results.

Thanks again for your enthusiasm for the Yo2. If there are any official updates regarding production plans, I will share them here.

Stay safe,

Mike

[Evil D]

Thanks for the input Mike. I'm skeptical about Cerakote compared to DLC. I've had such great luck with DLC holding up to what i use it for, i just can't see a 3rd party coating being as tough.

[White&Nerdy]

I keep pulling it out and looking at it and want to use it as an EDC and do some serious cutting. Therefore, I am going to get at least one more...

The Yo2 is as bad *** for EDC cutting as one would imagine it would be for Zombie cutting, I highly recommend it.

[BAL]

Dear BAL:

Thanks for your post and your interest in a black Yo2.

First of all, to my knowledge, Spyderco has no plans to produce a black Yo2. The design has been very well received and the first production run sold out very quickly. Right now, our greatest challenge is balancing our factory schedule to produce enough of them to meet the demand.

Like any other Spyderco design, if the Yo2 sells well enough to earn a long-term presence in the product line, it might also earn the right to be produced with variations, like different handle materials, blade coatings, etc. It took a while for stalwart designs like the Military, Para Military, and Manix2 to "earn their chops" and be worthy of production variants, so please be patient.

Oh, and before someone else says it, the same rules apply for a Yo2 trainer. Would I like to see one? Of course. However, my kung fu is not strong enough tomake that happen by myself. The design has to prove itself in the market.

In the meantime, if you really feel you need a black coating on a Yo2 (or any other knife), you'll probably have to have it done as an aftermarket process by a gunsmith who specializes in Cerakote or similar coating processes. I've done that on a few knives with very good results.

Thanks again for your enthusiasm for the Yo2. If there are any official updates regarding production plans, I will share them here.

Stay safe,

Mike

Mike, Thanks for the prompt reply. I appreciate it. It's quite interesting how
the evolution of each knife take place. I know how we as forum members
and Spyderco fans feel when anticipating the production (or delivery) of a
new knife or a new variation. I am sure that it is tenfold for you as the
designer / creator of a knife, as you work thru the final stages of the development
and production of one such as the Yojimbo 2.

We can look at a knife such as the Manix or Paramilitary and see the various
models, sprints and so forth and forget the time frame that it took for each
version to develop. We as consumers can get impatient quickly. Of course,
the impatience of us Spyderco fanatics are definitely worse, but that is a result
of our love for the knife. I (we) were in great anticipation for the release of the
Yojimbo 2 and are already talking of variations, even before some have received
their initial order.

I have confidence in saying that the Yojimbo 2 will be a stalwart of the Spyderco
lineup for years to come and am looking forward to one day showing off my collection
of Yojimbo's with various steels, colors and maybe even sizes. Thanks again for
your time. (Also, love the new season of The Best Defense with the three Mikes.
Mike Seeklander has proven to be a worthy replacement for Rob.Pincus.)

Stay Safe.
mike (yes another one)

[grewich]

^this is why I love this company and this forum. The owners/designer are so responsive. Things like this breads loyalty.

[wsdavies]

I knew the first time I saw the Yo2 that it would sell like hotcakes. The combo of materials, comp. lock and looks was perfect.

[SpyderNut]

I carry it as a strictly self defense knife, which for me means that I never use
it for anything else. I want the edge perfect and ready to go if suddenly attacked by Zombies and what-not.

LOL! Those danged zombies... :)

On a side note, I can't say enough good about this knife. I love the symmetry of the blade, the sweet handle ergos, the vault-like lock-up of the Compression Lock, etc., etc., and so forth. :)

A job well done, Mr. Janich and Spyderco. :)

Thanks,

Michael (yes, yet another :) )

[Minibear453]

I like shiny better. More intimidating, with all the flashy and what not. But also, black knives are generally associated with more violent things, and probably wouldn't hold up well in court...

[c.joe]

I think we can work together to make this happen.

I guess I'll start.

I'll take 5 Yojimbos please!

[3Speedyfish3]

I bought two already.

Mr. Janich, it was once again nice talking to you at SHOT.

Randall

[BAL]

I think we can work together to make this happen.

I guess I'll start.

I'll take 5 Yojimbos please!

The problem now is that I can't find another one anywhere. I thought about ordering more than one at first, but I didn't want to be a hog, guessing that the first batch would go quickly. I was hoping though that a second batch would soom follow. That's one reason I asked if a black one was in the works soon, so I could just get a black one for SD and satin for EDC. If I can find one I'll get it, maybe another for the wife. and one for the boy and a spare for the truck and......

[BAL]

I like shiny better. More intimidating, with all the flashy and what not. But also, black knives are generally associated with more violent things, and probably wouldn't hold up well in court...

Hey MiniBear453. I don't have a black Spyderco knife myself, although I bought one for my son. I walk a bit of distance from my truck early in the morning to the office. (can't carry a gun in the office, so the Glock brothers have to stay in a gun vault in the truck).

I hold my office keys in one hand and other hand in pocket on my Yojimbo (wasn't that an Alanis Morissette song). The parking lot lights do reflect quite a bit off of the satin knife blade. That could scare off a possible thug, but it could also make one be more ready if he sees that you are ready. The black can be a bit more discreet.

You have a point to think about with the court situation. As Massad Ayoob and Marty Hayes have suggested, I think that you would need to document your steps and what happened in a scenerio that went South and lethal force was introduced. For me job one is takin' care of business though.

I always am reminded of the old saying that we have heard over and over about rather be judged by twelve than carried by six. You do have to think about everything and have a plan and be prepared. Prepared for both the event and the aftermath.

[dwayne1341]

I had a thread a while back on the idea of an all black Yo 2.
Well as you can guess, I for one would love to have the chance to buy an all black Yo 2. It looks like sales so far of the Yo 2 have been real good to say the least. So we can still hold out hope for an all balck Yo 2.

FOR NOW - Get rid of the flashy pocket clip and go get yourself a black pocket clip for the Yo 2. I did this and like it much better as the knife is more low profile and doesn't stand out as much when you put it in your pocket (we don't wish to alarm the nonknife people).

:spyder:
dwayne1341

[Michael Janich]

Gentlemen:

Thank you all again for your kind words, enthusiasm, and rational grasp of the realities of manufacturing and business. Reading your posts was a great way to start my day.

I agree that Cerakote probably won't hold up s well as DLC, but for a self-defense knife that will be carried a lot and hopefully never used, it's still a viable option for a non-reflective finish. Another possibility would be to get the blade bead blasted. While not as low profile as a coating, it's much less reflective than a satin finish.

FWIW, the few times I've had to draw a knife with the possibility of using it, the speed and overt nature of the eployment--along with a confident attitude and appropriate war face--successfully turned the tide. There was no doubt in the other parties' minds that I had something sharp and pointy and the commitment to use it.

Obviously, one can't count on that and must back it with proper skills. I also spend a lot of time training "sneaky" deployments that put the knife in hand preemptively.

Until a black-bladed Yo2 becomes a reality, tune your training and tactics to make the best ue of what we have.

Thanks again for your support. To have others trust their lives to a knife that I designed and my employer produced is a great honor. Thank you for your trust and confidence in what we do.

Stay safe,

Mike

[BAL]

Mr Janich, Thank you sir for taking the time to answer back. Its much appreciated.

[BAL]

I had a thread a while back on the idea of an all black Yo 2.
Well as you can guess, I for one would love to have the chance to buy an all black Yo 2. It looks like sales so far of the Yo 2 have been real good to say the least. So we can still hold out hope for an all balck Yo 2.

FOR NOW - Get rid of the flashy pocket clip and go get yourself a black pocket clip for the Yo 2. I did this and like it much better as the knife is more low profile and doesn't stand out as much when you put it in your pocket (we don't wish to alarm the nonknife people).

:spyder:
dwayne1341

No doubt, I replaced the original clip with a black one when I first got it. I also made a couple minor hand filing mods to the knife as well. I filed the handle a bit to show the entire Spyder hole. It makes it easier for me to deploy. I also enlarged the area where you grab to the compression lock to release the blade. The knife actually pinched my finger when opening. I know that Mike said that closing one handed wasn't that crucial in his design, but I like to be able to open and close quickly and with one hand.

For me it stepped the near perfect knife to a whole new level. Like Mr. Janich said, I do trust the lives of my wife and boy to this knife, obviously hoping that I never have to and also knowing that avoidance is step one in any situation.

[psychophipps]

OK, we have the Yo 2 finally. Now how long until we see a Ronin 2? :cool: