Yojimbo 2: initial thoughts and a word for Michael Janich
- Surfingringo
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Excellent post Mike, thank you for all the info. I'm glad to hear that making a functional everyday utility was part of the design philosophy. I didn't figure that just happened by accident. Anyway, I enjoyed reading your thoughts on the design...so now I dont have to feel like I am out plowing fields with a racehorse. . The yojimbo 2 may be a helluva sd knife, but I'd hate to see it get pigeonholed in that category because it seems to be just a helluva pocket knife too!
I have been having good luck with my Yo 2. Out of 30 tries, I usually have one missed opening where my thumb slips off the end of the hole.
There is a little variation in action between production samples. The first one I ever owned has nice action, the detent isn't too strong or too weak. I traded for a second one (originally planned to be a gift) and the person I traded said it was new in box. When I got it, the detent felt like it was gigantic and releasing the lock took a lot of pressure to the point that my finger hurt after closing it 10 times. I sent it to Spyderco for warranty and it came back operating well, but the lock spring felt maybe 10% greater than my first Yojimbo 2. It's definitely acceptable, but the first one feels better.
I think that Chuck's difficulty with his Yo 2 could just be a variation of production making it not land in his sweet spot. It would either be that or that the angles of the design just don't work with how he wants the knife to operate.
There is a little variation in action between production samples. The first one I ever owned has nice action, the detent isn't too strong or too weak. I traded for a second one (originally planned to be a gift) and the person I traded said it was new in box. When I got it, the detent felt like it was gigantic and releasing the lock took a lot of pressure to the point that my finger hurt after closing it 10 times. I sent it to Spyderco for warranty and it came back operating well, but the lock spring felt maybe 10% greater than my first Yojimbo 2. It's definitely acceptable, but the first one feels better.
I think that Chuck's difficulty with his Yo 2 could just be a variation of production making it not land in his sweet spot. It would either be that or that the angles of the design just don't work with how he wants the knife to operate.
-Brian
A distinguished lurker.
Waiting on a Squeak and Pingo with a Split Spring!
A distinguished lurker.
Waiting on a Squeak and Pingo with a Split Spring!
Mike I don't think any of us would dispute anything you posted, just saying that guys with larger thumbs and/or gloved hands may find the hole to be small or hard to get at. I typically wear a size large hand, but my hands are quite large, most people are shocked at how big they are. I do feel that a lot of the large hole envy comes from other knives that have it, and being spoiled on how simple they are to get your thumb in, but the gloved part does hit home with me because I do often wear gloves in the winter and even with the mods I've done to my handle there's no way I could open it with any kind of gloves on, probably not even Mechanics brand gloves that are very thin. If a person carried a Para 2 or Military for a long time, I have no doubt they would find the Yojimbo's hole to be on the small side. On one hand I completely see your philosophy and intended use, and on the other I'm a big handed glove wearing guy who would sacrifice having a wider profile when closed if it meant getting a larger thumb hole.
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~David
~David
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Hey, Evil D:
Your feedback makes perfect sense. It also highlights the challenge of trying to make a one-size-fits-all design. Maybe we need a Mega-Yojimbo... Created by nuclear radiation in the last days of World War II... to fight Godzilla... and save Tokyo.... It would surely have a black blade...
Stay safe,
Mike
Your feedback makes perfect sense. It also highlights the challenge of trying to make a one-size-fits-all design. Maybe we need a Mega-Yojimbo... Created by nuclear radiation in the last days of World War II... to fight Godzilla... and save Tokyo.... It would surely have a black blade...
Stay safe,
Mike
Michael Janich
Spyderco Special Projects Coordinator
Founder and Lead Instructor, Martial Blade Concepts
Spyderco Special Projects Coordinator
Founder and Lead Instructor, Martial Blade Concepts
Don't tease me like that man!Michael Janich wrote:Hey, Evil D:
Your feedback makes perfect sense. It also highlights the challenge of trying to make a one-size-fits-all design. Maybe we need a Mega-Yojimbo... Created by nuclear radiation in the last days of World War II... to fight Godzilla... and save Tokyo.... It would surely have a black blade...
Stay safe,
Mike
All SE all the time since 2017
~David
~David
How exactly do you wear a large hand? :)Evil D wrote:I typically wear a size large hand, but my hands are quite large, most people are shocked at how big they are.
Maybe there's something to this story that we've all been missing! :p
-Brian
A distinguished lurker.
Waiting on a Squeak and Pingo with a Split Spring!
A distinguished lurker.
Waiting on a Squeak and Pingo with a Split Spring!
- RadioactiveSpyder
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I thought the same thing! He is "Evil" after all... Later on in the day, he wears other body parts...Donut wrote:How exactly do you wear a large hand? :)
Maybe there's something to this story that we've all been missing! :p
It's better to be good than evil, but one achieves goodness at a terrific cost. ––– Stephen King
- RadioactiveSpyder
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- bearfacedkiller
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One of my other goals with the Yo2 was to make the closed length of the knife roughly the same as a Delica, which tucks into a back pocket very nicely.bornagainprimative wrote:I have a question about the yo2 design I understand it is longer than the yo1 but why shorter than the bewarned? Or did you find that any more length wasn't as useful.
Thank you
Stay safe,
Mike
Michael Janich
Spyderco Special Projects Coordinator
Founder and Lead Instructor, Martial Blade Concepts
Spyderco Special Projects Coordinator
Founder and Lead Instructor, Martial Blade Concepts
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Thank you for the quick response. I've been eyeing it up and seeing as I work in a warehouse it would be an amazing tool for me also. I think I'm going to go for the s90v one though.Michael Janich wrote:One of my other goals with the Yo2 was to make the closed length of the knife roughly the same as a Delica, which tucks into a back pocket very nicely.
Stay safe,
Mike
Just in case any of you guys who wanted one didn't get it yet, Optics Planet has them for $133.79 minus 10% if you have an account at their Dvor.com branch and use the code 104DVOR at checkout. (you buy the knife at Optics Planet, not Dvor)
K-390 on hand: Mule Team 17, Police 4 G-10, Endela (burlap micarta), Endela backup, Endura (canvas micarta), Straight Stretch (now blade-swapped with G-10 Stretch), Delica Wharncliffe, Dragonfly Wharncliffe, & Dragonfly Wharncliffe shorty mod
Note to self: Less is more.
Note to self: Less is more.
That's a great price and there very hard to find . I delt with optic planet before though when buying a Black Hawk left handed holster I needed for a new gun . I needed a holster to clear a new tactical vest I got for my job so it was important I got it in a short time frame . They showed it in stock and ready to ship and two days later I received a email saying it wasn't in stock so it would be a 7 to 14 delay while they try to locate one . I was not happy to say the least . They were very nice about it though and refunded me my money . But when I see in stock I have to wonder is it really?DougC-3 wrote:Just in case any of you guys who wanted one didn't get it yet, Optics Planet has them for $133.79 minus 10% if you have an account at their Dvor.com branch and use the code 104DVOR at checkout. (you buy the knife at Optics Planet, not Dvor)
I decided to purchase my YoJimbo 2 elsewhere . That was just my experience with them and others might feel differently . It was my first time of doing business with them and probably my last lol.