Yoj 2 or Para 2???

[enduraguy]

I know the ideal answer is probably "both", but lets say (gawd forbid) this was your last ever Spyderco purchase and you could only choose one.

[Blerv]

The Para2 is a much better general duty knife. While the Yo2 has a tip that can be used for light tasks it's primarily a SD knife.

My knife duties mostly include mail and opening lunch packaging. Wharnies rule for this :) . For the SD role the Yo2 is twice the knife as the Para2, IMHO.

[VashHash]

I already have a para 2 so it would be an easy choice for me. If I didn't have a para and I was going to be using the knife as an edc I would pick the para. Of course I carry more than one knife so I would carry one dedicated SD and the others utility. I don't have a yo 2 yet but I'm sure its an excellent knife neither would be a bad choice. Your use would dictate which knife would suit you better. The yo2 would also excel at task that require fine tip work and cutting on flat surfaces.

[Evil D]

This is still an early question to ask since barely anybody has even held a Yojimbo 2 yet, so every answer you get is probably based off of speculation and personal preference between a typical blade and a wharnie.

Also i'm betting the tip of the Yo 2 isn't any thinner than the Para 2's.

I would say for true EDC use, a blade with a belly will be easier to use in some tasks, like food prep. It really just depends on what you normally cut throughout your day. I think personally i could get by with a Yo 2 and never feel held back, since i used to carry nothing but a throw away blade utility knife for a coupe years. I use the tip of my knife more than anything so i think the Yo 2 is going to really shine for my uses.

[DCDesigns]

Personally, i think its ridiculous to carry a dedicated SD knife for SD only (unless you are a cop). Its gotta be something that can handle all my EDC too since it is highly unlikely anyone of us will ever be in any kind of altercation where pulling a knife would be a good idea. I dont consider knifes weapons, they are tools primarily. I carry guns for SD, so I already have those bases covered. That being said, I am still interested in the designs intended for SD, but I will use them like I do any knife. (the civillian being the exception since its tip is so fragile, not really interested in a knife that I cant use)

I'd go with the Para.

[Evil D]

Mike Janich himself even noted in one of the videos that the tip is stout enough for general utility purposes. It's nowhere near as thin as the original Yojimbo. If you look at this pic that Onionman posted, the tip doesn't even look as thin as my Para 2.


(thanks for the pic Onionman)

Suffice to say, i guarantee you the tip is thicker than the tip of my Centofante 4, and i've EDC'ed the **** out of that knife and used it to cut all kinds of stuff and haven't broke the tip yet.

[Azwaiian]

Wow, love that pic of the Yo2! I own a Para2 and I plan on buying me a Yo2, probably after Christmas though Still, if I could only buy one, hmmm......nah it's too hard to answer, I can feel smoke coming out of my ears! :D

[Blerv]

Hawkbills are terrific SD tools too but it doesn't impact their daily useful nature. Wharnies are great if you like them. Personally I'm more frustrated by blade belly than impressed.

Meh, you can't lose with this decision.

[Jordan]

Hmm... I'll let you know on 2Dec when my Yo2 gets in :) .

[cevtv]

Personally, i think its ridiculous to carry a dedicated SD knife for SD only (unless you are a cop). Its gotta be something that can handle all my EDC too since it is highly unlikely anyone of us will ever be in any kind of altercation where pulling a knife would be a good idea. I dont consider knifes weapons, they are tools primarily. I carry guns for SD, so I already have those bases covered.

That's all well and good for YOU....so what are people who can't carry a gun for whatever reason supposed to do? Not every state allows it's "subjects" to carry a firearm and some will prosecute for using a firearm in self defense. Not intending this to be political, but I get sick of seeing "get a gun" on all these knife forums when the specific question was which knife do you think would be better, not "what do I need for self defense?" Sorry for the rant.....

[dman62]

Para 2. The legend.

[Mako109]

Can't give you a responsible answer unless you can describe how you use your knives. Are you more likely to use this knife for hunting, camping and general outdoor use? OR are you more likely to use this knife for work, such as in a warehouse, garage, or on a boat, etc.? OR are you a collector with an interest in adding variety to your collection, etc. etc...

Both are great designs, but with the very different blade profiles, each will excel at different tasks.

I also agree with Evil D and Jordan, very few of us have handled the production model Yojimbo 2. While I anticipate receiving a flawless functioning high quality copy, stuff can happen. Remember the first batch of Para 2s where some complained of a sticking blade after releasing the lock (I have one of those). I don't think it was a big deal, but evidently it was enough of a deal to prompt Spyderco to make a small change in the locking mechanisim to improve the action. Recall also the first batch of the awesome Gayle Bradley where some may not have cared for the weight. Again I don't think it was a big deal, but evidently enough of one to prompt Spyderco to make a design change by skeletonizing the liners on subsequent releases.

So I say evaluate you needs carefully, and wait a few days (if you can) as people start to report their experiences with their new Yojimbo 2.

[Jordan]

That's all well and good for YOU....so what are people who can't carry a gun for whatever reason supposed to do? Not every state allows it's "subjects" to carry a firearm and some will prosecute for using a firearm in self defense. Not intending this to be political, but I get sick of seeing "get a gun" on all these knife forums when the specific question was which knife do you think would be better, not "what do I need for self defense?" Sorry for the rant.....

Not to put words in anybody's mouth... but it seems to me that DCD just interjected his opinion with regards to purpose built SD knives. A reasonable retort to an earlier post in which somebody voiced their opinion that it is wise to carry a knife for daily use and a knife for self defense, in fact. That may not have been the question asked by the first post in the thread... but it certainly became a talking point pretty quickly (given the knives in question, not a surprising development). It's not as if giving his thoughts on the matter derailed the thread... and I seriously doubt he meant to imply that EVERYBODY should just get a gun.

To be fair though... that advice is not without merit. Knives are rather poor implements with which to defend one's self. So are handguns... but they fare somewhat better than 3 inch long pointy bits of metal in most cases. I understand that you may not be able to carry a firearm for self defense where you live due to restrictive local laws or other factors that prevent you from obtaining a permit... but there is no knife and no amount of training you can get that will put you on even footing with a man who has a loaded pistol pointed at you. To expect otherwise is foolishness. In the same way that you are sick of hearing the "get a gun" mantra, this misapprehension drives me up the wall. :D People who are seriously concerned about defending themselves shouldn't grumble about local restrictions and obtain substandard means with which to salve their concerns... they should move :p . It's either that or just stop worrying about the mugger that will probably never come and live life to the fullest knowing that statistically, most people in the US will never need a self defense weapon of any kind. :D

I apologize for further thread derailment... when I get going on subjects I like I tend to rant a bit myself :) . I'd get back on point... but like I sorta said and Mako said better, I dunno what my answer is to the actual question asked by the OP :p . Gotta get the blade in hand and work it out a little before I formulate an opinion. I love the Para 2... so the Yo has pretty big shoes to fill, I will say that much.

By the by, happy Turkey day everybody! Hope you are all as close to a food coma as I am right now :) .

[Blerv]

Guns, knives, fists, stern rhetoric, running shoes...whatever.

Go with the knife you like and will enjoy using. I'll give 99.999% odds you won't need to defend yourself with it. If so, I'm sure they all work well.

[enduraguy]

Guns, knives, fists, stern rhetoric, running shoes...whatever.

Go with the knife you like and will enjoy using. I'll give 99.999% odds you won't need to defend yourself with it. If so, I'm sure they all work well.

That's my perspective pretty much. I wear a belt to defend myself

[DCDesigns]

That's all well and good for YOU....so what are people who can't carry a gun for whatever reason supposed to do? Not every state allows it's "subjects" to carry a firearm and some will prosecute for using a firearm in self defense. Not intending this to be political, but I get sick of seeing "get a gun" on all these knife forums when the specific question was which knife do you think would be better, not "what do I need for self defense?" Sorry for the rant.....

That is good for ME
You do realize that I started that post with: Personally... right?

Why would you think I was suggesting everyone get a gun? If you look at the way I phrased eveything, I am only speaking for MYSELF, and giving MY viewpoint on what I do, and my opinion on the matter of carrying a dedicated SD knife. I was not giving advice. I was just saying I, personally, just me, would never carry a knife that I could not use for EDC tasks as well. Thats it really, Nothing more. Completely in line with the question of the OP.Why are you putting words in my mouth, then getting all pissy about what I didnt say?

That being said. Now that we are on the subject. If you are interested in defending yourself, and your local government allows it, you are better off with a gun. Thats not somthing I would think someone would get angry about. I thought that was common sense... If not, the knife in your pocket will probably do just fine.

[2edgesword]

Knives are rather poor implements with which to defend one's self. So are handguns... but they fare somewhat better than 3 inch long pointy bits of metal in most cases.

If I was defending against an attacker that had a knife, another contact weapon or someone that had a relatively large advantage with respect to size and strength, I would rather face that attacker with a knife versus not having a knife. Of course in many situations where there is some distance involved a handgun would be preferable but as others have mention that may not be an option in some areas. How effective each weapon is will depend on the circumstances and the training of the individual that is holding the weapon.

As for the odds that on any particular day that you will be the object of a violent attack, for the most part the odds are very much in your favor. There are a lot of things you can do to improve those odds (awareness, avoidance, deescalation, etc.). Having a weapon with training in how to use it effectively would tend to increases the odds that if the unlike should occur the end result would be your survival. It's up to each individual to decide how much time, effort and energy they want to invest in improving those odds.

I'm not very familar with the Para 2 so I can't comment on it. I did have the opportunity to handle the Yo 2 and it is an improvement over the original Yojimbo in some area, one of them being blade geometry and having a more robust tip that would likely improve its durability when use for regular cutting chores.

If I put a knife to heavy use on a daily basis I'd carry two but my EDC is for SD and casual cutting needs that don't have any significant effect on sharpness so I typically will only carry one knife, and the Yo 2 will be that knife when my order arrives :) .

[Jordan]

If I was defending against an attacker that had a knife, another contact weapon or someone that had a relatively large advantage with respect to size and strength, I would rather face that attacker with a knife versus not having a knife. Of course in many situations where there is some distance involved a handgun would be preferable but as others have mention that may not be an option in some areas. How effective each weapon is will depend on the circumstances and the training of the individual that is holding the weapon.

As for the odds that on any particular day that you will be the object of a violent attack, for the most part the odds are very much in your favor. There are a lot of things you can do to improve those odds (awareness, avoidance, deescalation, etc.). Having a weapon with training in how to use it effectively would tend to increases the odds that if the unlike should occur the end result would be your survival. It's up to each individual to decide how much time, effort and energy they want to invest in improving those odds.

I'm not very familar with the Para 2 so I can't comment on it. I did have the opportunity to handle the Yo 2 and it is an improvement over the original Yojimbo in some area, one of them being blade geometry and having a more robust tip that would likely improve its durability when use for regular cutting chores.

If I put a knife to heavy use on a daily basis I'd carry two but my EDC is for SD and casual cutting needs that don't have any significant effect on sharpness so I typically will only carry one knife, and the Yo 2 will be that knife when my order arrives :) .

If I were being attacked by anyone... be they bigger or smaller than me, armed or not, I'd rather have a knife than nothing :p . However, I'd rather have a gun than a knife. Coincidentally, I'd rather have have a big gun than a small one... and if I could approach every fistfight from the inside of an Abrams, you better bet I would :p . Thing is, I'm allergic to getting punched in the face and stabbed in the throat. It's been a lifelong problem for me

Sadly... you are right. In many places and for many people, guns aren't an option. I neglected to mention awareness, avoidance, etc. etc. in my last post, preciate you bringing them up. Simply paying attention to one's environment will certainly tip the odds even further in your favor of never having to defend your life at all, much less with a deadly weapon.

For the record (and so that this post kinda-sorta has something to do with the original question asked by the OP :) ), you should check out the Para if you ever have the cash and the inclination. I wouldn't be the least big surprised if it became "that knife". In terms of size, ergos, ease of operation, lock up strength, and steel quality... it is one of the industry best buys, maybe the MOST bang for your buck of which I am aware.

Like I said... I like the Para, the Yo has it's work cut out for it :) .

[Blerv]

It's safe to say the defense topic is one that deserves its own thread (and in actuality has plenty of them).

Since few or none of us have been on either side of a knife in that situation lets keep the topic to an "edc" type role.

[Halfneck]

I really like the ParaMilitary 2, but I'm holding out for a SE version.

That said, the Yojimbo 2 Mr. Janich had at BLADE felt great in-hand & I love wharnecliff(sp?) blades.