I really like the Yojimbo,...but

[Ed Schempp]

Disclaimer: Michael Janich is a good friend and this post is entirely in support of a wonderful design...the Janisong.

I saw the Janisong several years ago at Shot. Michael was kind enough to share this brilliant knife with me. This knife worked like a Ballisong but was very ingenious and different and safe.

As an exchange student in central Mindinao in 1970 and I often carried and practiced with a poorly made Butterfly Knife. "Butterfly" was not necessarily a complementary term. Often discribing a one-nighter mentality of a promicuous mans behavior flapping from girl to girl or metaphorically from flower to flower. With the knife it would come flipping out of the pocket your pocket like a butterfly.

The Janisong nested a protective liner or sleeve around the blade into the handle. The best part of this knife was having the live side capped by this liner protecting the hand. This knife is very creative by thinking in 3 axis. I'm fully aware of all the unique and creative designs from CRKT and others and many of the designers are my friends as are owners but I still think this blade is still a blade and has great deployment pocketing capabilities that can be done very fast, and it is a knife.

I know that there are all sorts of gray areas with the current legality and laws propegating like rabbits against knives, but I really like this knife..It is the most creative pieces that I have seen in the last several years...Take care...Ed

[OldSarSwmr]

I remember seeing a video about this knife when Michael was with another company. It was very intriguing. I would love to see Spyderco's version of it in production.
Thanks, Ed (love your knives too!)

Dan

[Azwaiian]

I read the thread and then went to Youtube and watched Michael Janich demonstrate how to use the Janisong. The video was three years old, but excellent quality and worth watching.

I gotta say, that is a sweet looking knife he had there. Was it ever in production? That is a knife that I would like to see added to my collection. Hopefully this knife thread will attract the attention needed to produce the Janisong.

It was also really cool of Mr. Schempp to start the thread. I don't know if there is a bigger compliment, than one knife designer speaking highly of a knife, created by another knife designer. Really cool of you!

[Tdog]

Is this supposed to be a teaser? :confused: I've never tried a butterfly knife/ballisong It's neat watching folks do their thing with these. I've always been afraid I might cut a finger or worse off :o Are we saying Blackhawk down and Spyderco a go? Here is a video of Michael and his Janisong creation: http://www.navytimes.com/projects/07011 ... /janisong/

The Yo 2 is a beautiful and innovative design. Not knocking the Janisong it too is genious. It's hard for an old dog to learn new tricks. Think I'll have to stick with the compression lock. Thanks Mr. Janich, you design beautiful knives.

[Slash]

I just purchased a bm 62. This will be my first bali in over 20 years. The one I had was much like the 62 in build construction and had solid steel skeletonized handles. The only difference I can remember is the blade shape was a clip point. Unfortunately, I accidentally put that blade in a carry-on bag that went through x-ray at airport security 20 years ago and lost it. Can't recall who made the blade though.

Anyone have any pics of the bali Ed is referring to?

just watched the vid...very thoughtful design.

[gbelleh]

I can't get over how fast MJ is with knives. :eek:

[46Alpha]

I can't get over how fast MJ is with knives. :eek:

The man's got skills, that's for sure.

It's an interesting design for sure. I'd love to play with one myself. I thought Spyderco was done with Balisongs though?

Tdog, do it man. I recently got back into Balis after a long hiatus. There are some great tutorial vids on Youtube (CalvinNation, Knifezoid, CutleryLover are great) that will have you flipping in no time. A great way to get started and build confidence is to tape the blade. As you get more fluid, you can go nekkid. :D

Slash, are you sure it was a 62? I didn't think they'd landed yet. Maybe a 42? Too bad, they are like gold to hardcore flippers now. Rarer that a nun in Vegas

[Evil D]

I really want one but i've decided to hold off on it. I threw out a big load of cash for my 20CP Para 2, and i'm trying to be realistic with myself because i know i'm not gonna let that knife out of my pocket for anything so i think if i got the Yo 2 it wouldn't be carried and i think that's a shame. I'm PRAYING the Yo 2 gets some sprint steel options. That knife in S90V/20CP would be holy grail status for me.

[araneae]

Yeah, Mr J has some ridiculous knife skills.
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[BAL]

Great thread title and thanks for the awareness brought out for the Janisong. Mr. Schempp and Mr. Janich are two of my favorite designers and people for that matter. Awesome that both guys are working with Sal and Eric and Spyderco. I don't need to look at any other knife company to meet any needs that I have. This is truly the Dream Team.

[TomH]

Does this mean the Janisong is finally going to be produced? I hope Sypderco moves forward with this project and brings this knife to the market. Thanks Mr. Schempp for starting a thread on the Janisong.

[J D Wijbenga]

A very interesting and fun concept! I am curious to see what Spyderco can do with it.

[dj moonbat]

This is clearly a big safety/usability improvement over traditional Bali-song knives. I still have to admit that I just don't get the whole Bali-song thing. Aside from the fact that it just looks scary to have somebody whipping around the blade and handles really fast, what is it that the butterfly design brings to the table?

[DemskeetSkeet]

Janich bought the patent rights from BlackHawk when they terminated his job.

The good news about Spyderco hiring Janich:

Tha Jani-Song was patented while I was employed by BlackHawk. When my employment with them was terminated, I bought the patent rights from them. When Spyderco hired me, they purchased those rights, so the Jani-Song now belongs to them.

Once I got settled in at Spyderco and got a feel for the R&D and product development cycle, I was amazed. At any one time, we have over 100 designs in development, many of which are just as cool and innovative as the Jani-Song. While I'll be the first to admit that it's frustrating to not have it in production, it is MUCH LESS frustrating to know that the reason for that is because we're focusing on many other equally good designs that are in line aheaqd of it. That's way better than the frustrations I used to have, which stemmed from very different and much less justifiable reasons.

Stay safe,

Mike

[3Speedyfish3]

At the SHOT Show, I thanked Mr. Janich for the Yojimbo 2, one of which I had clipped in my pocket. With a straight face I asked him, When do I get my Jani-song? With a poker face, he smiled with only a corner of his mouth. What does this mean!

Randall

[THE PUNISHER]

Good post...

[DemskeetSkeet]

At the SHOT Show, I thanked Mr. Janich for the Yojimbo 2, one of which I had clipped in my pocket. With a straight face I asked him, When do I get my Jani-song? With a poker face, he smiled with only a corner of his mouth. What does this mean!

Randall

I wish I would've asked him about it but I completely forgot about it since it's been years since I saw that video on youtube.

I thanked him as well but I kindly asked him for a favor:

[BDNX]

I agree...I seriously want to see the Janisong released sometime soon....love to have one. Seems very original.....

[gbelleh]

Is the Janisong still considered an auto or restricted?

[thelock]

Very cool design! I would like to see a spider on it