Yojimbo Review

[ruxton]

markg:
Thanks for reading and the comments (and for doing the research on the heavy bag). If I understand you correctly, I believe I am holding it tip down, with the blade spine against my knuckles. This puts the jimmping right up against the inside of my knuckles on my middle and index fingers. A hard squeeze can be a bit uncomfortable in this position for me. Maybe I am doing it wrong. I’ll try to post some pics tomorrow for you to evaluate. I also did what you suggested with the thumb, and found it a less natural position than when I do so when the knife is closed, tip down, with the blade spine in my palm. Also for the reasons you stated above, I prefer this position than with the blade spine against the knuckles.

I tried my own little experiment on a heavy bag, I definately prefere tip down spine to palm. For one your middle finger naturally sits in the indentation of the compression lock, and you can readjust and slide your thumb back a bit then use the corner for pressure points. It fits my hand alot better like that and didn't chew up my fingers :rolleyes: also its been said before thats the way it comes out of your pocket, you'd have to flip it over in your hand to hold it with the blade spine forwards.
Brilliant observation of the spine serrations being used aggressively. I was tempted to file them down a bit but now i realise they can chew up the other guys hands too :D Many kubotan techniqes against grabs I've learnt involve this idea of grabbing a finger and using the kubotan to bar onto it. Like the technique shown at the bottom of this page http://www.thearmedcitizen.com/gunladys/kubohome.htm

[Nemo3000]

Hello,

MIKE janich is a true warrior in the "real" meaning of it.
The design of this knife is a deep understanding of ...
... just imagine you would need a pocket samurai sword for SD !!!
Mega Sharp, Mega Reliable and Mega Ergonomic: quick and painful !

When you are facing the "ugly" of violence, the Yojimbo will give you the maximum of damage/impact on your aggressor: penetration (design) cut (full flat grind) in a COMPACT tool.
Also the GRIP of the yosjimbo is somthing YOU need to experiment !!! There is no other grip. Period.
This is design wich as not been been design in 3 minutes (Okay maybe 4..... just kidding )

This is a unique chance to be under the protection of a "CKS" (trademark Nemo :) ) "Compact Katana Sword" :D .... (I know a lot of other designs which could be used in SD but no other than the Yojimbo has been design for that task)

I own a Paramilitary and a Yojimbo, both EDC.
Both are specialists. Both are great cutting tools.
One is SD . :cool:
One is Survival. :cool:

My trust in both excellent design is:
I am going to switch
Yojimbo for bushcraft
and
Paramilitary for Self Defense.

Boy, you are going to get confuse.
Unless you try both of them too !!!!

Cheers

JM

[Michael Cook]

:spyder: er..yeah! welcome to the forums, nemo! Ya crazy guy! :spyder:

[Axlis]

Thanks for the in-depth review! You're not making my "should I get a Yojimbo" internal struggle any easier :eek: :rolleyes: :p

[markg]

Thanks for the in-depth review! You're not making my "should I get a Yojimbo" internal struggle any easier :eek: :rolleyes: :p

Your eyelids are getting heavy....

Get a Yojimbo....

Actually you won't regret it...

[ghostrider]

Okay, here’s some pics. Sorry about the quality but it’s raining today so I had to use flash indoors.

First Up the position markg talked about. Hope this helps, but I just like the position with the blade spine toward the palm better. This isn’t to say that it should be the same with everyone. I think its more a case of what will work better for each individual (another testament to the versatility of this knife).

Notice in these pics how the serrations along the blade spine come to rest right on the inside of the knuckles of my middle and index finger. When gripping firmly this can be less comfortable than if the blade spine were in my palm. Also note how the tang part of the handle spine pokes into the tender part of my thumb. I think this may be something that will be different from one individual to the next, as well as different fighting styles and disciplines. YMMV.






The following are most comfortable, as well as a more natural feel for me (for the purpose of this review, I’ll refer to this as “blade-in, tip-down”).





This last one is for Mr. Blonde. I definitely prefer the “tip-up” position to be “blade-in” when using this grip as just feels better for me than “blade-out, tip-up”.


These are nothing more than personal preferences. I truly think that this is just another aspect of the versatility of this knife. It appears that it can match a varied number of hand sizes and shapes.

Open blade pics to follow.

[markg]

Well there is your problem...

You are using the blue handled model... it is totally different with the black handle... :D

Now, another question, how are you getting the knife open with the blade spine against the palm? Are you rotating it out?

I found it interesting, that Mr. Janich is now (at least that is my impression from the last course I took... other "alumni" chime in...) teaching a two handed opening of the knife. Frankly once you start doing it that way, you realize that it is pretty bullet proof under stress. However you would need to have the spine forward, tip down.

You are right, if you are striking with the handle, each person is going to find different grips more comfortable.

[ghostrider]

Well there is your problem...

You are using the blue handled model... it is totally different with the black handle... :D

Now, another question, how are you getting the knife open with the blade spine against the palm? Are you rotating it out?

I found it interesting, that Mr. Janich is now (at least that is my impression from the last course I took... other "alumni" chime in...) teaching a two handed opening of the knife. Frankly once you start doing it that way, you realize that it is pretty bullet proof under stress. However you would need to have the spine forward, tip down.

You are right, if you are striking with the handle, each person is going to find different grips more comfortable.

I don’t know how you open yours, but this is the position which I open the knife from anyway, so it’s more natural.

Here are the instructions from the Spyderco website “Education” section:
http://spyderco.com/edge-u-cation/index.php?item=7

Note the middle illustration on the top row. In the “tip-down, blade-in” grip my fingers have already trapped the knife handle against the knuckles at the base of my fingers as the pic illustrates. All I have to do is open my palm a bit, and drop my thumb down to the Spyder hole. The tips of my fingers never break contact with their position on the handle during closed grip (nor does the base of my fingers on the other side of the handle). After opening, I can now place my thumb back over my fingers in the hammer grip, and I now have the edge-in grip. All the while my finger tips never moved from or against the handle or clip where they had been griping the handle. I don’t have any pics of this, so let me know if you think you’ll need them. It takes time to do so since I don’t have a DC and must get 35mm film developed.

Here’s some pics of the open, in-hand knife.

Edge-in, tip-down:


Hammer:


Pikal:


Saber:


Here is edge-in, tip-up. Notice how the point of the choil can poke into the palm if held in a certain manner (in the following pics).




It feels better when I hold further down the handle towards the but end.


Thanks to ImageShack for Free Image Hosting

[ruxton]

For reference I hold mine like this (apologies for the quality they were taken on a webcam),

[markg]

Well, this is turing into a pretty quality discussion on knife handling, it is quite fun guys... :)

I normally end up with the spine forward and rotate back. Which would be the opposite of what you do. I think I have ended up doing that since I normally carry tip up, and it feels more natural for me that way. But I understand what you are refering to now, however.

However the two handed method I was speaking of, would be better deployed with the blade forward. I have been working this opening for the better part of a month, and have really fallen in love with it.

Yet, the closed knife does seem to better match the hand, in the position you are using.

I tried both on the heavy bag, and both felt the same to me. I will preface my remarks by saying that I have a genetic "adnormality" that causes the palms of my hands and soles of my feet to be calloused no matter what I do (inter breeding amoung Anglo-Saxon Tribes is the cause I was told... happens to the males of my family). People shake my hand and think I am a farmer! Anyway, guess I am lucky in one regard, the spine of the blade does not bother my fingers. :)

[Qship]

I think of a knife as safety equipment, so I'm willing to pay what reliable gear costs. I ask myself, if I find myself really needing a knife to get out of a difficult situation, what I would rather have in my pocket, a $50 knife and a hundred dollar bill, or a rock solid $150 knife?

Granted, I put time into learning to use a knife defensively, and I appreciate purpose built tools, like the Yojimbo, which offer substantial advantages over a lesser blade. But, all I have to do is look at the 20 year old scar on my right thumb, where a cheap 'locking' folder unlocked and cut me to the bone, and I shell out the money for top quality.

Qship
________________________________
I just cannot see or even justify paying over 100$ for a knife. 20-30$, yes. (I dont think I've spent over 60$ or so for a knife in my life and even that seemed too much)

[Terry Trahan]

Terry:
Just because I wrote one doesn’t mean you can’t. What do you think about my comments about “rounding the point”? My limited experience doesn’t allow me to make than judgment, and I would like to hear your thoughts. Also on the jimmping on the tail that I talked about?

Honestly, Ghostrider, I haven't had those problems.
I hold it with the butt end extending from the bottom of the fist, blade
forward, and it rests comfortably. And I have pounded a fair amount of material, including cardboard, a heavy bag, and a roast or two.

The choil could be rounded a little more, but it is purely a personal matter, and the deepness does help retention during a thrust, and indexing during a slash.
I like the pics, it cleared things up for me.

[ghostrider]

Honestly, Ghostrider, I haven't had those problems.
I hold it with the butt end extending from the bottom of the fist, blade
forward, and it rests comfortably. And I have pounded a fair amount of material, including cardboard, a heavy bag, and a roast or two.

Thanks Terry, I appreciate the response. I don’t really consider them problems, but more just personal preference along the line of the preference of tip-up carry vs. tip-down carry (which is downright blasphemous :eek: :D j/k). Most of these points I brought up are what I consider to be a personal matter, and I hope I conveyed that adequately. They don’t take away from the knife IMHO.

The choil could be rounded a little more, but it is purely a personal matter, and the deepness does help retention during a thrust, and indexing during a slash.
I like the pics, it cleared things up for me.

I thought that might be the case with the choil. I don’t think it needs rounding, and never noticed it until someone pointed it out to me. TBH, other than some jimmping near the tail end of the handle, I don’t know if they could do anything to make this knife better (even that seems like a matter of personal prefference to me). It’s just that good of a knife.

[ruxton]

However the two handed method I was speaking of, would be better deployed with the blade forward. I have been working this opening for the better part of a month, and have really fallen in love with it.

Any chance of some pics?

I find the Yojimbo to be the best 3 inch fighter Spyderco ever put out, now only if the Trainer would come, it would be perfect.

http://www.plastictrainer.com/English/P ... ainer.html
I'm getting the yojimbo training set for christmas hopefully (and a black yojimbo )

[Old Ross]

Hi, just received mine and yet to use it. Does any one know what the pivot screws are, they look like Torx but don't seem to be not T10 or 15 anyway, are they adjustable? I seem to have some side to side play

[DAYWALKER]

Aloha ghostrider,

Yeah, very late for this but you know why. :mad:

Anyway, a most incredible review. You have now pushed the Yoji further up my NEED to have list! Like the Dodo, I was curious on the handle shape. It was nice to see a buncha members post pics of the Yoji in hand. LOL, yeah, and that Doc knows a thing or a thousand about the use of the Yoji. :D

Man, first it was you and Jano with the Crossbill...Doc got into my head with the Ronin...now here you go with the Yoji. :rolleyes: :p

Mahalo for the review.

God bless and take care :cool:

[Terry Trahan]

Ghostrider,
I think some jimping on the butt would be nice, as long as it wasn't to
"aggressive". It would help maneuvering, and add some, uhm, "persuasion".
It is one of my favorites, as is, though.

[ghostrider]

ruxton:
Thanks for the trainer link. I’ll have to remember that one after Christmas.

Hi, just received mine and yet to use it. Does any one know what the pivot screws are, they look like Torx but don't seem to be not T10 or 15 anyway, are they adjustable? I seem to have some side to side play

Congratulations on your new acquisition Old Ross. Don’t know the size of the pivot screw but can say that it is bigger than the T6 I use on my byrd clips.

Aloha ghostrider,

Yeah, very late for this but you know why. :mad:

Anyway, a most incredible review. You have now pushed the Yoji further up my NEED to have list! Like the Dodo, I was curious on the handle shape. It was nice to see a buncha members post pics of the Yoji in hand. LOL, yeah, and that Doc knows a thing or a thousand about the use of the Yoji. :D

Hello Chad,

Thanks for reading. I agree on the pics. I always like it when people post pics in my reviews. It adds flavor.

Man, first it was you and Jano with the Crossbill...Doc got into my head with the Ronin...now here you go with the Yoji. :rolleyes: :p

I like the Ronin also. I’m fortunate enough that my local has one that I was able to look at. That’s what first got me thinking about the Yojimbo. Then the Doc’s meat test came along… I do think you would like the Ronin.

If it hadn’t been for Doc giving me the Yojimbo I’d still be carrying the Crossbill. Something I wouldn’t normally do this time of year since I don’t care for metal handled knives during winter, but I like that Crossbill so much I'm sure I would manage. However, carrying the Crossbill in lieu of the Yojimbo just seems wrong :eek: .

Thanks for the compliment and God Bless.

Ghostrider,
I think some jimping on the butt would be nice, as long as it wasn't to
"aggressive". It would help maneuvering, and add some, uhm, "persuasion".
It is one of my favorites, as is, though.

That’s what I was thinking, but The Deacon’s stance on the Boye dent can come into play here also. It’s much easier for someone to put jimmping on it if that is his or her preference, than it is for someone to remove it.

Thanks for reading.

[STR]

Ghostrider I read your review. And while I have not been a Yoji owner long I did coincidentally order one the day before your review so it was very timely.

I have been carrying the blue Yojimbo I bought since it arrived. I love the blade. I'll say that much. Its about like carrying a great utility knife on you all the time and being a Wharncliff fan anyway the straight edge of the Yoji sat well with me.

Some things I notice that I don't like. The lock catches the meat of my index finger nearly everytime I open the blade. I can't say it is excruciating but it gets my attention. I didn't notice this on my ATR or my Para Mil so it makes me wonder why this knife is unique there :confused:

The other thing I don't really like is this. I personally feel the pocket clip is too long. I think it was a bad idea to extend the raised part of the clip down to where your index finger wraps the knife handle. To follow what I'm referring to; note that by looking at the knife on the clip side laying on a table how the clip extends right into the area you will have your index when holding or squeezing the knife in your hand. If the clip was just a bit shorter to where that raised up part of the clip ended up right between your index finger and middle finger when holding the knife it wouldn't bite into the finger where it does. As is the end of the pocket clip ends up right in the very middle of my index finger instead of to one side or the other. Of course when I say finger I'm also meaning hand but its the first or index finger knuckle and finger that gets bitten by the clip at least for me when holding the knife in what I call a normal grip.

To be honest, I'll probably be fixing that here shortly with a new custom replacement clip or a bit of grinding off of the original to shorten it. That is if I decide to give it a lot more pocket time. I also got a non gut hook model Impala today that is calling out to me and tomorrow I have two other knives coming. Needless to say I'll be seeing some serious couch time when the Visa bill comes next time around. :D

Back to the Yojimbo: White knuckling the body is not comfortable for me with the clip on the knife as it came from the factory. If I take the clip off its great though so that is my experience anyway. As it is from the factory the clip makes me want to choke up farther on the knife to get the middle of my index finger away from the clip poking into my finger wrong and preventing me from getting my index flat down on the G10 like I would like.

Other than this difference in opinion with the clip I see what you are referring to about the knife.

Great review.

STR

[STR]

Well, I couldn't resist a little experiment. All I can say is that it is amazing what a difference 3/8" can make in how this knife feels in the hand now.

I elected to just make a new pocket clip out of some scrap titanium rather than hurt the original mint condition one by grinding it down 3/8". I figured I better play it safe in case I go to sell or trade this Yoji later down the road. Still it is much better in my hand now compared to what it was.

So, one dislike fixed, now to think on this lock catching my finger now and then. :D

STR