Michael Janich Joins Spyderco

[MCM]

Time to come clean......
The Ronin is what got me into Spyderco.
It was my very 1st one. Now I believe I have well over 100 of the absolute top Spyderco's. (Am afraid to count) Not to mention all the doubles.....


I can even see You and Eric getting together with a cross pollination of a Dodo / Yojimbo.
Dodo Scales, Yo grind. A 3"er would do in S90v & CF with a CBL.

I know, I have lots of big ideas........... :)

Am envious, as I would love to design folding knifes.......

Good luck! Cant wait to see what's next!

Here is an older photo showing a couple of mine.......

[MCM]

Throw these 4 in a bag, mix it up and see what comes out!
S90v Yo blade, Dodo/ MX2 CF scales, CBL.

[Michael Janich]

quick question for Mr. Janich do you feel a wharncliffe blade profile is better for self defense than say a leaf or drop point i've noticed your past knives all used wharncliffes just curious i purchased a swick recently and the angle on the blade just makes it so natural for regular grip and karambit grip but the wharncliffe seems to RIP and tear better than other blades tested this on free falling jeans VICIOUS just wondering

I became a fan of the wharncliffe pattern after lots of cutting tests on different media. In simple terms, knives cut based on a combination of pressure into the medium being cut and the drawing of the cutting edge through the material. With a natural grip and locked wrist, knives with "belly" to the edge actually lose some cutting efficiency as the cut approaches the point--where the edge curves away from the target. The straight edge on the wharncliffe cuts with full power all the way to the point.

The down side to the wharncliffe is obviously that the tip cannot be ground as thick. This gives it an exceptionally sharp point and awesome penetration in a defensive context, but does reduce its strength.

Thanks again to everyone for your support and enthusiasm.

Stay safe,

Mike

[Dr. Snubnose]

This is going to be VERY INTERESTING to see what new designs Mike comes up with :cool: :D . Yojimbo and RONIN ... I'm there. stonyman has a point ...hope we're quicker than Dr. Snubnose :D :p . Take Good Care and Be Safe Always.

God Bless :)


-raven-

LOL: Putting on my Running shoes as I type!!!....Doc :D

[sarguy]

I just read Mr Janich's MBC blog and was, to say the least, ecstatic that he would be returning to Spyderco!! I decided to spend my knife dollars with Spyderco for several reasons:
1. Quality of construction.
2. The philosophy of Spyderco's team that lead to Spyderco Forums and their participation in such.
3. Mr. Janich's choice to use Spyderco knives, given his wealth of knowledge on blade combatives.

(..."ruthless efficiency, an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope, and nice red uniforms!")

Now I just have to decide if I should buy a Be-Wharned, or if I should hold out for an upcoming Spyderco with a similar configuration...or the Spyderco Jani-song!

[VashHash]

Thanks for the response micheal I've always liked straight edge knives but it's not the norm. I think i'll have to look into getting more wharncliffe blades. I think we should have a ronin come back so i can have a little bigger Fixed blade Wharncliffe

[sarguy]

Thanks for the response micheal I've always liked straight edge knives but it's not the norm. I think i'll have to look into getting more wharncliffe blades. I think we should have a ronin come back so i can have a little bigger Fixed blade Wharncliffe

+1

The more I study this stuff, the more I like the wharnies...

[Vanguard.45]

What's with this on his training blog from three days ago???

"Friday, October 2, 2009
I'm Back--Solo Training

First of all, I’d like to apologize for not posting in a while. Life has taken some interesting turns in the past few months and my priorities changed pretty radically. Although it’s a long story best told over many drinks (which stories aren’t?), in short, I pursued a business opportunity in the knife industry. In the process, I was betrayed and ended up losing two jobs within 2-1/2 weeks. . . ."

Any ideas???

Vanguard.45

[sarguy]

I dunno. I'm sure he'll let us in on it if he feels so inclined. I've been MIA from the forums for a while due to school, and his MBC Blog post is what sent me here, looking for more info. I have my suspicions and questions as well, but there's no sense in gossip. All I can say is that I'm happy to have him back with Spyderco, and that I hope to continue seeing him on Best Defense and reading his occasional articles in SWAT magazine.

What's with this on his training blog from three days ago???

"Friday, October 2, 2009
I'm Back--Solo Training

First of all, I’d like to apologize for not posting in a while. Life has taken some interesting turns in the past few months and my priorities changed pretty radically. Although it’s a long story best told over many drinks (which stories aren’t?), in short, I pursued a business opportunity in the knife industry. In the process, I was betrayed and ended up losing two jobs within 2-1/2 weeks. . . ."

Any ideas???

Vanguard.45

[Vanguard.45]

but it doesn't sound like he had a job with ANYONE as of about three days ago.

Now, the jobs he says he lost MIGHT have been some small projects he had been working on, but it sounds like his "business opportunity" resulted in the loss of two jobs (i.e. the one he HAD with Blackhawk and now the one with Spyderco).

Who knows? Just a weird post on his blog.

I love Spyderco and Janich both, so I'm not trying to stir anything up. It's just strange.

Vanguard.45

[sarguy]

From his blog:

So how did it all end up? Well, I am now very happy to be the Special Projects Coordinator for the Spyderco knife company of Golden, CO. I have carried and trusted Spyderco products for years and I am both proud and grateful to be a formal member of the Spyderco family. I am also relieved to know that I’m investing my personal integrity in a company that deserves it and shares the same commitment.

I don't think the Spyderco gig was what he was mentioning.

[Vanguard.45]

Janich has done great work wherever he has gone, so good for Spyderco, and even better for fans of their products!!!!

Vanguard.45

[Michael Janich]

Dear Vanguard .45 and Sarguy:

Thank you both for your kind words and your concern. I'm sorry if the blog was confusing, but the idea was to "bookend" the training portion between the personal stuff. When you read through to the end, you realize that I'm now very happily employed with Spyderco.

As for the two other jobs, I'd prefer not to discuss those circumstances on a public forum. Suffice to say that many companies do not value integrity and loyalty the way Spyderco does.

I'm very happy to be here and look forward to doing my part to make a tuly great company even better.

Stay safe,

Mike

P.S. I just returned from the third video shoot for season 2 of "The Best Defense" at the US Training Center (formerly Blackwater). You'll be pleased to know that season 2 will feature lots of new, cool stuff, including instruction in MBC/knife tactics.

[sarguy]

P.S. I just returned from the third video shoot for season 2 of "The Best Defense" at the US Training Center (formerly Blackwater). You'll be pleased to know that season 2 will feature lots of new, cool stuff, including instruction in MBC/knife tactics.

This makes my day.

[fannin]

Good to see you back with Spyderco Mike. :cool:

[Vanguard.45]

Thanks for the update, and I respect your position to keep such things off the public forum. I guess my worries that things had fallen through overcame my hesitancy to post such worries.

BTW- I must say that your "Martial Blade Concepts" DVD is the absolute BEST training DVD I have ever watched! Truly a masterpiece! I would encourage others who want to witness genius on film and learn a simple yet HIGHLY effective approach to wielding a knife to purchase this DVD immediately! TRUST ME, I have trained in MANY armed and unarmed styles of self-defense, and this DVD is the BEST distillation of knife techniques and concepts I have ever witnessed! If you have not yet seen this DVD, you are missing out on something special! I also own a PLETHORA of instructional DVDs, and was expecting another in a line of interesting and somewhat useful/ useless training tidbits. Instead, I encountered a holistic approach to wielding the blade which is both easy to learn and makes sense! INCREDIBLE! I just wanted to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU for such a wonderful product!

(And no, I do not work for Mr. Janich or any company he has ever represented!)

Welcome to Spyderco once again, Mr. Janich.

Vanguard.45

[harkamus]

Mr. Janich: any update on a Jani-song? *crossing fingers*

[Brad S.]

Hey Michael,

Welcome!!! Ive been meaning to say it for a while, but welcome indeed. Hope your getting settled in. I cant wait to see what your working on. I would love to see more of your touchs on some of the designs.

If you ever feel like swinging by Boulder on your way home, I'm always up for a coffee, or beer. I would also love to learn some stuff from you!!! Goodness would I.

[kbuzbee]

How did I miss this thread??

Wow! Congrats Michael! And welcome back. I too am very excited about this news.

Cheers,

Ken

[Michael Janich]

Dear Vanguard .45:

Thank you very much for the kind words regarding "Martial Blade Concepts." That video represents the "full-circle" evolution of the MBC system and was carefully scripted to explain the logic of the system and teach its critical skills in a very learnable fashion. For beginners, it's the best place to start. For experienced folks who want to get back to basics and focus on function, it's also the best resource.

I'm very glad it "hit home" with you and, again, appreciate your kind comments.

Thanks also to the other folks for your congratulations and well wishes. I'm very happy to have found a home here at Spyderco and look forward to contributing to the continued success of a great company.

Life is good...

Stay safe,

Mike