Well, as this academic year winds down and I've maintained my 80% CGPA, my family decided to treat me to a gift in order to congratulate my success; and scouring my other favourite forum I found what I've been looking for:
Spyderco First Production Run Ronin w/ Sheath.
It's been two weeks since it was mailed and I'm getting antsy knowing it'll be here any day now. I've been hunting this for a long time, and to find a NIB one was awesome. Got me thinking though...
I've heard nothing bad about this knife, in fact, I've had the most common response to it being "it's the best knife Spyderco ever made." I don't get why it was Disco'd. :confused: Was it ahead of its time when it was first released?
Man, I'm excited! :D
Grail Incoming/ Why were these Disco'd?
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Kuolema
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Grail Incoming/ Why were these Disco'd?
may it not be tricksy
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Hector Castro
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Kuolema
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:D :D :D YezzirHector Castro wrote:I beleive you got a collector numbered one too?
It all started when I got my first cheap necker, a CRKT Folts Minimalist, and decided I'm search on these forums about Neckers, and came across (I think it was Dr. Snubnose ? ) a post about the Ronin, looked it up, and fell in love with it.
Soon the PERFECT EDC set up will be completed: D2Para, C83 Persian, Ronin.
:cool:
may it not be tricksy
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Dr. Snubnose
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Congrats! Kuolema!...You have just purchased one of the best made production fixed bladed knives made by Spyderco, and IMHO or by any other company out there. This Wharncliffe is truly a SD knife made in heaven, even though it says Japan on the blade LOL...I have a mere four Ronins left in my collection, but at one time I think I had a pretty large amount of them sitting around, till I gave 82 of them away to local law enforcement agents...You are going to just love this knife...use it in good health...enjoy!....Doc :D
Stang Bang!!! Get yourself a Ronin already...what are you waiting for man!.....Doc :)
Stang Bang!!! Get yourself a Ronin already...what are you waiting for man!.....Doc :)
"Always Judge a man by the way he treats someone who could be of no possible use to him"
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ragingwolf66
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Hey Jan!!! I always thought you had all of them, thats why I cant find one!!! How are you doing out there on the Island man???Dr. Snubnose wrote:Congrats! Kuolema!...You have just purchased one of the best made production fixed bladed knives made by Spyderco, and IMHO or by any other company out there. This Wharncliffe is truly a SD knife made in heaven, even though it says Japan on the blade LOL...I have a mere four Ronins left in my collection, but at one time I think I had a pretty large amount of them sitting around, till I gave 82 of them away to local law enforcement agents...You are going to just love this knife...use it in good health...enjoy!....Doc :D
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Dr. Snubnose
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Ay ragingwolf...LOL...I can't find any either...LOL, All is well here on the Island, how you doing knifebro...I just saw Charlie tonight talking with the local constable at the school, and I thought of you. Hope all is well with you and yours....Doc :Dragingwolf66 wrote:Hey Jan!!! I always thought you had all of them, thats why I cant find one!!! How are you doing out there on the Island man???
"Always Judge a man by the way he treats someone who could be of no possible use to him"
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Kuolema
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Now, I might as well throw this out there, I don't know if it'll be useful to anyone, but I know where another Ronin is... And, AFAIK, it's NIB.
It's at my local knife shop. Now, I'm not sure it comes with a sheath (as I noticed it the other day as I was perusing, and didn't ask. I mention this because I read on the Spydie online catalogue the later Ronin didn't come with the belt sheath?), but it is , IIRC, 200$ CAD.
Yeah, my local is usually super expensive... ****, I paid (IIRC) 60$ for my Tenacious.
That was before I got into online knife buying, and it was very painful on the account.
Again, dunno if it's useful info, but thought I'd mention it. If anyone wants the Phone # just PM.
Cheers! :D
It's at my local knife shop. Now, I'm not sure it comes with a sheath (as I noticed it the other day as I was perusing, and didn't ask. I mention this because I read on the Spydie online catalogue the later Ronin didn't come with the belt sheath?), but it is , IIRC, 200$ CAD.
Yeah, my local is usually super expensive... ****, I paid (IIRC) 60$ for my Tenacious.
That was before I got into online knife buying, and it was very painful on the account.Again, dunno if it's useful info, but thought I'd mention it. If anyone wants the Phone # just PM.
Cheers! :D
may it not be tricksy
Nice catch Kuolema,
I have a Ronin and was going to get another to abuse, but I'll have to wait until I can find a used one because it'll be really abused :p IMHO one of Spyderco's better products.
I can only hazard a guess that it was disco'd because of lack of interest at the time. Hopefully the new Ronin2 will be a treat for all of us :D
I have a Ronin and was going to get another to abuse, but I'll have to wait until I can find a used one because it'll be really abused :p IMHO one of Spyderco's better products.
I can only hazard a guess that it was disco'd because of lack of interest at the time. Hopefully the new Ronin2 will be a treat for all of us :D
Cheers
Daniel (Certified Persian & Kopa nut)
Facebook profile: https://www.facebook.com/ozspyder
:spyder: I love my: Persians, Kopas, and Lums
:spyder: * Daniel's Spyderco Hoard *
:spyder: * Ozspyder's Kopa Kabana *
Daniel (Certified Persian & Kopa nut)
Facebook profile: https://www.facebook.com/ozspyder
:spyder: I love my: Persians, Kopas, and Lums
:spyder: * Daniel's Spyderco Hoard *
:spyder: * Ozspyder's Kopa Kabana *
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Kuolema
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:p
That is my next battle. The first is waiting for it to come in the mail (Canadian Customs is a major P.I.T.A. and adds a week or more to any package coming here). The next will be using it!
Been thinking about that lot lately, I play to carry it everyday, but I might use it like a Last Ditch sort of thing... I'm no martial arts bad ***, but I've been learning as much as I can from the internet and other sources (can't afford to hunt down and train with professional can't afford the time or the money currently), and I know if I get in a bad situation and I need to... Well it's one of those knives that will save your life.
But after using the CRKT necker, which is also a Wharnie, I found the thing is AWESOME for all EDC tasks, It's a great slicer, I found myself using it alot (which is a pain because I was constantly sharpening it).
Makes me think I'll start to consider using the Ronin for edc tasks... It's VG-10, which I know from my extensive experience is a more than capable blade steel...
I see the sheath has a belt clip or something, so I might see how carrying it that way is. Anyone have one? Can you attach it to your belt? How do you carry your Ronin?
In the end, it'll get used, and more than likely abused. I have a horrible tendancy to stop giving a **** and use all the knives I have. My poor C83 Persian was so beautiful, now it's got some love marks :p . The only thing that worries me is if something happens to it I can't get another one...
Ah, screw it, if it says Janich/Snody on it, has a Spyder, you can be **** sure it's top notch, and can take a beating. :D It's 1:33 am, only 11 hours till I can check the mail to see if it's here. :p :D
That is my next battle. The first is waiting for it to come in the mail (Canadian Customs is a major P.I.T.A. and adds a week or more to any package coming here). The next will be using it!
Been thinking about that lot lately, I play to carry it everyday, but I might use it like a Last Ditch sort of thing... I'm no martial arts bad ***, but I've been learning as much as I can from the internet and other sources (can't afford to hunt down and train with professional
can't afford the time or the money currently), and I know if I get in a bad situation and I need to... Well it's one of those knives that will save your life. But after using the CRKT necker, which is also a Wharnie, I found the thing is AWESOME for all EDC tasks, It's a great slicer, I found myself using it alot (which is a pain because I was constantly sharpening it).
Makes me think I'll start to consider using the Ronin for edc tasks... It's VG-10, which I know from my extensive experience is a more than capable blade steel...
I see the sheath has a belt clip or something, so I might see how carrying it that way is. Anyone have one? Can you attach it to your belt? How do you carry your Ronin?
In the end, it'll get used, and more than likely abused. I have a horrible tendancy to stop giving a **** and use all the knives I have. My poor C83 Persian was so beautiful, now it's got some love marks :p . The only thing that worries me is if something happens to it I can't get another one...
Ah, screw it, if it says Janich/Snody on it, has a Spyder, you can be **** sure it's top notch, and can take a beating. :D It's 1:33 am, only 11 hours till I can check the mail to see if it's here. :p :D
may it not be tricksy
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Michael Janich
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Dear Kuolema:
First of all, congrats on doing well in school. Keep up the great work!
One of the major challenges associated with the Ronin was the construction of the sheath. When Spyderco adapted the custom design to a production piece, they commissioned Moki of Japan to produce it. Spyderco believes very strongly in supporting its manufacturing partners. Moki needed the work and the project was a good way to give them needed business while ensuring outstanding quality in the finished product.
The catch to that plan was that Moki is not a sheathmaker.They also excel at hand finishing, a process that provides an excellent finished appearance, but is not as precise as CNC machining or simply using standard thickness material like flat G-10.
Ultimately, the knives (I think a total of 1,300) turned out great, but the sheaths had to be manufactured in Golden. That process was complicatd by the fact that the hand finishing of the handles made them unique and required a 1-to-1 knife/sheath pairing to ensure a proper fit. This was particularly important because one of the recommended carry positions for the knife was as a necker, so sheath retention had to be right.
The prototype sheaths were very meticulously hand fitted--like the Snody custom versions. Though they worked great, the design did not lend itself well to manufacturing practicality. I suggested adding a tension screw to allow the user to adjust the tension at the throat of the sheath. These were initially made of stainless and later of aluminum.
The second generation sheath was still set up for neck carry, but had a series of ventilation slots milled into it. The reason was that, after molding and sanding the profile of the sheaths, they were flushed with water to clean out the Kydex dust. Because of the tight cavity of the sheath, drying the inside was extremely difficult. Retained moisture in the cavity caused some users' knives to rust, so the vent slots were added.
The final version of the sheath was a tapered profile (unlike the rectangular, no-spin shapeof the original design) and came only with a small Tek-Lok. They did not support neck carry.
During this development process, Spyderco--true to its scientific methodology--developed a "gallows" for testing neck knife sheaths. To ensure that the sheath retention was adequate to keep the knife in place during vigorous activity, they sought to quantify the sheath retention. Although they succeeded in doing so with new knives, since sheaths wear and Kydex can be affected by temperature changes, that standard can change with use. As such, the later Ronins became belt knives.
Because of the sheath challenges, the last Ronins were sold without sheaths at a factory clearance sale. One of my private students bought "several pounds" of them and has since sold them to other Ronin converts (he has none left--I checked).
The Ronin is still one of my favorite knives--as well as an object lesson in knife and sheath design. Given the opportunity to do it again, there are a lot of things I'd do differently.
BTW, I was looking at one of Mike Snody's videos (a bit wild and ghetto for me, but still interesting with the sound turned off) and noticed a custom Ronin being ground. I touched base with him and he mentioned the idea of doing a limited edition custom run for auction through his web site. I haven't discussed it with Sal and Eric yet, but forumite feedback on the idea would be welcome.
Also, I welcome your feedback on this idea: a byrd Ronin.
Again, congrats on your schoolwork and your incoming grail. I hope it lives up to your dreams and hope you enjoyed the history.
Stay safe,
Mike
First of all, congrats on doing well in school. Keep up the great work!
One of the major challenges associated with the Ronin was the construction of the sheath. When Spyderco adapted the custom design to a production piece, they commissioned Moki of Japan to produce it. Spyderco believes very strongly in supporting its manufacturing partners. Moki needed the work and the project was a good way to give them needed business while ensuring outstanding quality in the finished product.
The catch to that plan was that Moki is not a sheathmaker.They also excel at hand finishing, a process that provides an excellent finished appearance, but is not as precise as CNC machining or simply using standard thickness material like flat G-10.
Ultimately, the knives (I think a total of 1,300) turned out great, but the sheaths had to be manufactured in Golden. That process was complicatd by the fact that the hand finishing of the handles made them unique and required a 1-to-1 knife/sheath pairing to ensure a proper fit. This was particularly important because one of the recommended carry positions for the knife was as a necker, so sheath retention had to be right.
The prototype sheaths were very meticulously hand fitted--like the Snody custom versions. Though they worked great, the design did not lend itself well to manufacturing practicality. I suggested adding a tension screw to allow the user to adjust the tension at the throat of the sheath. These were initially made of stainless and later of aluminum.
The second generation sheath was still set up for neck carry, but had a series of ventilation slots milled into it. The reason was that, after molding and sanding the profile of the sheaths, they were flushed with water to clean out the Kydex dust. Because of the tight cavity of the sheath, drying the inside was extremely difficult. Retained moisture in the cavity caused some users' knives to rust, so the vent slots were added.
The final version of the sheath was a tapered profile (unlike the rectangular, no-spin shapeof the original design) and came only with a small Tek-Lok. They did not support neck carry.
During this development process, Spyderco--true to its scientific methodology--developed a "gallows" for testing neck knife sheaths. To ensure that the sheath retention was adequate to keep the knife in place during vigorous activity, they sought to quantify the sheath retention. Although they succeeded in doing so with new knives, since sheaths wear and Kydex can be affected by temperature changes, that standard can change with use. As such, the later Ronins became belt knives.
Because of the sheath challenges, the last Ronins were sold without sheaths at a factory clearance sale. One of my private students bought "several pounds" of them and has since sold them to other Ronin converts (he has none left--I checked).
The Ronin is still one of my favorite knives--as well as an object lesson in knife and sheath design. Given the opportunity to do it again, there are a lot of things I'd do differently.
BTW, I was looking at one of Mike Snody's videos (a bit wild and ghetto for me, but still interesting with the sound turned off) and noticed a custom Ronin being ground. I touched base with him and he mentioned the idea of doing a limited edition custom run for auction through his web site. I haven't discussed it with Sal and Eric yet, but forumite feedback on the idea would be welcome.
Also, I welcome your feedback on this idea: a byrd Ronin.
Again, congrats on your schoolwork and your incoming grail. I hope it lives up to your dreams and hope you enjoyed the history.
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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Dr. Snubnose
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Kuolema
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Wow, having been unable to sleep all night, I just logged and read that, and my mind is blown. I really believe as consumers we really lose sight of the thought and work that goes into these products-- we just ***** and whine about every little scratch and nick.
I had been searching for a Ronin since I first came across it here on this forum, and I found out it was seen as a SD knife of sorts, and I can see what that is, but for the general average-joe, whose only going to cut apples and envelopes, it's the perfect blade. Having handled one at my local, it just becomes an extension of your hand, it just fits perfectly. I find it's the PERFECT blade shape for several reasons, not the least of which is the ease of maintaining it (even for those who aren't great at sharpening), and it's excellent cutting performance. I'm not sure how it would function as SD, as I know jack all about the subject, but from handling it, I'd say you could easily incapacitate anyone with a slash or thrust.
All I have to say about a Byrd Ronin is: Why Doesn't This Exist Yet?! I'd buy a crate full. I bet that would sell like hotcakes and hopefully since it would be the Byrd line it would be pretty reasonably priced, allowing a larger user base to experience the Ronin and especially those who could put it to good use whether it be for simple EDC tasks or possibly even the LEO/Military/etc. crowd, because through my research it seems to be one knife that is highly recommend for SD/MBC/Etc. and would do a lot of good.
Hopefully I'll have a little better insight once I get it and put it through its paces. :D
I had been searching for a Ronin since I first came across it here on this forum, and I found out it was seen as a SD knife of sorts, and I can see what that is, but for the general average-joe, whose only going to cut apples and envelopes, it's the perfect blade. Having handled one at my local, it just becomes an extension of your hand, it just fits perfectly. I find it's the PERFECT blade shape for several reasons, not the least of which is the ease of maintaining it (even for those who aren't great at sharpening), and it's excellent cutting performance. I'm not sure how it would function as SD, as I know jack all about the subject, but from handling it, I'd say you could easily incapacitate anyone with a slash or thrust.
All I have to say about a Byrd Ronin is: Why Doesn't This Exist Yet?! I'd buy a crate full. I bet that would sell like hotcakes and hopefully since it would be the Byrd line it would be pretty reasonably priced, allowing a larger user base to experience the Ronin and especially those who could put it to good use whether it be for simple EDC tasks or possibly even the LEO/Military/etc. crowd, because through my research it seems to be one knife that is highly recommend for SD/MBC/Etc. and would do a lot of good.
Hopefully I'll have a little better insight once I get it and put it through its paces. :D
may it not be tricksy
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Dr. Snubnose
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AMEN!!!!!!....Doc :D :D :DKuolema wrote:Wow, having been unable to sleep all night, I just logged and read that, and my mind is blown. I really believe as consumers we really lose sight of the thought and work that goes into these products-- we just ***** and whine about every little scratch and nick.
I had been searching for a Ronin since I first came across it here on this forum, and I found out it was seen as a SD knife of sorts, and I can see what that is, but for the general average-joe, whose only going to cut apples and envelopes, it's the perfect blade. Having handled one at my local, it just becomes an extension of your hand, it just fits perfectly. I find it's the PERFECT blade shape for several reasons, not the least of which is the ease of maintaining it (even for those who aren't great at sharpening), and it's excellent cutting performance. I'm not sure how it would function as SD, as I know jack all about the subject, but from handling it, I'd say you could easily incapacitate anyone with a slash or thrust.
All I have to say about a Byrd Ronin is: Why Doesn't This Exist Yet?! I'd buy a crate full. I bet that would sell like hotcakes and hopefully since it would be the Byrd line it would be pretty reasonably priced, allowing a larger user base to experience the Ronin and especially those who could put it to good use whether it be for simple EDC tasks or possibly even the LEO/Military/etc. crowd, because through my research it seems to be one knife that is highly recommend for SD/MBC/Etc. and would do a lot of good.
Hopefully I'll have a little better insight once I get it and put it through its paces. :D
"Always Judge a man by the way he treats someone who could be of no possible use to him"
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Yea Mike Snody videos can be a bit of a trip. :)Michael Janich wrote:
BTW, I was looking at one of Mike Snody's videos (a bit wild and ghetto for me, but still interesting with the sound turned off) and noticed a custom Ronin being ground. I touched base with him and he mentioned the idea of doing a limited edition custom run for auction through his web site. I haven't discussed it with Sal and Eric yet, but forumite feedback on the idea would be welcome.
Also, I welcome your feedback on this idea: a byrd Ronin.
I would be in for a Byrd Ronin. As long as it does not slow down the next generation Yojimbo.
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CanisMajor
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I'd be in for a Byrd Ronin, or probably a few of 'em.
Canis
Canis
Dare. Risk. Dream.
"Your body may be gone, I'm gonna carry you in.
In my head, in my heart, in my soul.
And maybe we'll get lucky and we'll both live again.
Well I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. Don't think so."
- Modest Mouse "Ocean Breathes Salty"
"Your body may be gone, I'm gonna carry you in.
In my head, in my heart, in my soul.
And maybe we'll get lucky and we'll both live again.
Well I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. Don't think so."
- Modest Mouse "Ocean Breathes Salty"
