Bought this knife at the start of covid off a guy who worked for BHQ for $80. I originally wanted the para 3 with blurple g10 but couldn’t justify the price. I got this and am still in awe to this day
I just got my Yojimbo 2 two days ago. And i have to say 2 things: 1-this quickly became my favourite out of my modest collection. 2- thank you for this vid and for this design.
Wow, what an amazing video! A very articulate breakdown of both the history and the design elements of the Yojimbo 2. Well though out, conceptually complex design that has been executed with simple efficiency to create a highly functional tool.
I don't know if you'll see this, but this was an exceptional video explanation of many concepts. I actually just ordered one two nights ago. Fantastic knife!
Fascinating and wonderfully informative about not only the history and rationale of the design of the knife, but also the function and advantages of compression locks! I really like this guy
Thanks Mike. At the 2024 Blade Show I asked you what knife to buy and you whipped this beauty out. I bought one and have been carrying it every since. MBC grip friendly design and well explained. I don't know why it took me so long to get one.
Thank you for such a great knife! Glad to find this video and learn more of its history. I'll admit, I did file my handle a little for full thumb hole access. Your Martial expertise has made the best defensive EDC I own.
Nice to see the thought behind it. As a fellow fma practitioner I can see its advantages but it's still cool to hear exactly what a designer was thinking. I wish more knife makers did this.
I was a martial artist but a motor accident put me in a wheelchair in Engand we cant own a flipper knife but i can open the Yojimbo easily and other knifes
Good explanation on the diff between a liner and compression lock. Spyderco really has some ingenious designs, I love their efficient style of engineering and how they make a lot of the components serve more than one purpose.
You sold me Michael! This is now on my "I gotta have it" Spyderco list. I have several Spyderco's but your review identified I still have a gap in my EDC/SD knives. Thanks Michael
I liked mine so much that I bought a second, The Warnclif blade shape is so handy for every day chores and east to keep razor sharp. The only issue I have had it the tip is kind of fragile.
Love the history of this model and all the other info- advantages of the Wharncliffe, types of locks- all great stuff! Looking forward to getting to blade camp one of these years!
Awesome Awesome video! the Yojimbo 2 was my first "serious" knife purchase way back in 2011 (serious as in something +$100). It has served me so well in so many capacities. One thing overlooked is that the knife shape has incredible exact-o function and I use it doing precise cutting on cardboard material to create product prototypes, something that can't be done with a belly knife shape. It was even my EDC during my wedding! Thank you Janich!
I have both of your Yojimbo's, they're the prizes of my collection. I would love a chance to feel your Snody prototype version. So cool, very ahead-of-its-time!!!
Nice video. Explains a little history of Mr. Janich, Spyderco, the Yojimbo, Mr. Snody, the Compression Lock, tactical knife carry and such. Thank you for your expertise, and video explanation Mr. Janich.
Just got mine in the mail today, and what an awesome knife it is! I'd been considering getting one for a while and finally decided to do it after I saw this video.
Hello Michael, thank you very much for this great knife design. I have come to appreciate the thought that was dedicated to the Yo2 quite a lot. From my humble point of view, if I could change three things about it, they would be: 1. Change the clip to a non reflective one. (To draw less attention) 2. Increase the diameter of the opening hole by 1mm. (To shut up anyone who might have previously handled a Para2) 3. Change to a tougher steel. (To loose a bit the fear of dropping it on the tip)
i have two Yo's, one of them i take for edc and in the evening when i go outside with my dog, it serves me very well! ty for this great knife Design MJ 😉
Thanks Mike for sharing all the history / additional info. It is a bit "different" looking but we should judge a book by its cover. I have MANY knives. I ordered a Sprint Run version and will be excited to keep it in my permanent collection.
i got one of this knives at mikes class i took last summer , i knew nothing about knife fighting, WOW a truly impressive man with skills , i learned a lot and still know nothing, looking forward to more training...thanks mike
After my first big Spyderco purchase (Manix 2) I started looking at their other s30v knives and saw the Yo2. It struck me as an odd knife at first but the more I've read on it, the more I've been after it. This video cemented the news for this knife, already putting money aside!
Brand new to this Channel and MJ. Just purchased the YoJumbo larger version of the YoJimbo2 described here. Excellent explanation of the design and functionality of this type of knife!
Thank you very much for this very informative video. It's great to get the logic behind the design of the knife. And, when it is explained by the designer himself, well it doesn't get any better than that.
Love this! I have this and the Ronin 2 as well. Thank you for your design. I just did a review on both of these the folding and the fixed blade Ronin 2.
Mr Janich...I ordered this blade knowing nothing about its purpose of use...I solely looked at it and said to myself that is meant to cut really well...and I basically got that assumption from the shape being similar in design to a utility blade.......thank you for your in depth explanation of design....I like mine alot
Great video that confirms my original opinion in the design of the knife. Mine arrives next week. The S90V version. Also have a deep carry clip headed my way.
Great knife! I have the yojimbo and a Ronin 2. I carry both. They have superior cutting ability in a very thin package that's very strong. Some of the police staff likes the package and has started carrying themselves. They also cuts through seat belts with no problems. I'd say its the perfect knife for combat. Thanks for such a great knife!
Long time reader, first time commenter here ... I enjoy and appreciate learning about the evolutionary process in creating great ideas and things. This is a first rate video in that regard. I've a first generation Ronin and a Be-Wharned. They are pretty cool blades, but they're not "perfect" -- whatever *that* is! lol! Great explanation of the compression lock, too. That is a huge factor in the value of this video! Liner locks get slammed all the time -- though in my experience I've never had any real problems -- the compression system is impressive. Based on your explanation I will add a Yojimbo 2 to my budget. While my state allows fixed blade carry (I know, get a Ronin 2, right?) I like having a good folder or two available. Congratulations on your success and LET'S SEE MORE VIDEOS ON THIS CHANNEL!!! lol!
Michael is a good guy AND a GREAT speaker/presenter.....would like to see an in-depth interview of his background and how he came to the martial arts community
Great overview, thank you. I don’t believe you mentioned it, but believe this model also has some upgraded steel over the standard Spyderco offerings. Thanks again for a great review and cool knife.
When I first saw the Yojimbo, I hated it. I thought it was ugly and impractical, then as my knife knowledge and taste evolved I found myself loving it; and now watching this makes me love it more.
love both of the knives shown here.....the first proto has a great raw look to it and it's awesome to see your initial vision of a design i like a lot.....BUT...that Janich/Snoody folder is amazing..everything i love about Mike Snoody's work..super stylin..and his ergos are spot on...i have 2 YJ2s....i know Spyderco, and one day...hopefully far in the future...they'll take the YJ2 out of production and i'll have my carry knife and one brand spanking new one in the box...btw, both knives are spot on, perfectly constructed.....what makes Spyderco such an amazing company is their collaboration work..so many great designs have come from that
As a martial artist "Isshinryu " & law enforcement officer . I like your ideas, I like the shape of the handle it can be used as an impact weapon making the knife dual purpose striking edged weapon . I like the lock type as well , I love the fact its made in the USA. I will be picking one up I carry a knife all day every day one for self-defense one for work .
Love how well thought out this design is. Makes me think of the design genius of Hawk knives and why I love my Deadlock. Also love the 4mm thick blade, contrary to the usual industry standard 1/8" blade stock thickness.
I too enjoy the thick blade stock Spyderco Canis is a Good knife with the PM2 and one i like a lot is the Gayle Bradley 2 yeah the locks a bit fiddly but CPM M4 is a great steel not rust free but a wipe of thin oil and its fine
Sold! and also thanks for the part about locks (glad you explained about the spydy hole as it work perfectly the position its in but some of my knife friends moan about it = they`re a bit dim tbh).
I really enjoyed watching this and hearing you explain the evolution... Just ordered one!Could you please do another video like this about the janisong, another very interesting knife you created!
For those in the comments asking about a trainer Spyderco does indeed make a Yojimbo 2 trainer. I don't like how this knife looks but after watching this video I am buying one (and a trainer) next time I'm in Golden. I didn't like the tapered end of the handle but now that I know its purpose and the reason for the blade's shape too, I'm sold. I also think that tapered end has an additional feature. I've carried a few knives that look rather large in a pocket, because the large leaf shaped blade is all the way down at the end by the clip when folded. This knife looks to me like it would appear smaller (at least the part seen when clipped in a pocket) than it really is.
Very cool knife and demonstration- but I see what you did there comparing the open yojimbo to the closed delica for in pocket carry size. I’m gonna pick one up soon.
well that was Awesome! very informative. my mbc training buddy has been telling me I need one. I'm definitely getting one! I have the Ronin and really like. also mbc is awesome! thank you!
Love this knife a lot and would really like to see it come out with more personalization options such as different handle colors and my biggest thing is a black blade and matching black hardware. Please make this happen
I've fallen in love with the Yojimbo, or the idea of it these last few weeks as I've watched videos teaching about the design and function of this knife. I want to buy one soon, and get some fancy hardware and maybe some custom scales. Haven't gotten this excited about a knife designn in a while! Always thought the knife looked interesting but was ugly and probably notn something I'd want to own. Now I do want to own one to be the knife that if I lost all of my collection, this would be the one knife I get to keep. Looks like a great utility knife, and as a self defense tool probably one of the most capable folding knives one can find.
Michael it would be interesting to hear you talk about the psychology of the Yojimbo and presenting a knife to defend yourself. I’m sure you have heard stories where potential attackers have backed off upon seeing a knife (especially one like the Yojimbo) being presented.
Mr Janich, could you please do a video showing your new Yojimbo 2 trainer and how to use it in a self defense fashion. It would be much appreciated. Thank you.
Hey Mr. Janich, Thx for the video! Beautiful design. Suggestion for the Y3 - give it a bigger finger guard/choil. I’ve wanted to buy a Ronin, the Yojimbo 1 & 2 (because folding knives are ABSOLUTELY used for fighting EVERY DAY, contrary to what a recent post suggests), but I can’t get around the small guard. I know it will mean some significant design changes/challenges. Maybe a flipper? If you do this it’ll be a legit fighter - possibly one of the best available - right now it’s more of a shank, and if you’re tired or injured in a fight you’ll be wishing it had a guard...
Top notch video! I have the Yojimbo 2 and find the compression lock very easy to disengage with my thumb, as I am left handed. Love the blade shape but was a bit disappointed in the size of the handle. I really liked the example of the radiused scales you show in the video and wish they had gone with those to give the handle a bit more heft and ergonomics. I understand it was made for martial arts techniques, but for me it seems too small for my hands. I have medium sized hands @ 8.5 glove size. Due to the slimness of the handle, it's been sitting in my collection. I have been size-spoiled by the Military and Manix 2 XL models. I may build a set of scales for the Yojimbo 2 based on the Spyderco Dodo.
Flash Gordon This knife is by far my favorite of any knife I own. Originally when I bought I only wanted it cause of the cool look. I didn't even know it was designed for self defense. I Ijust used it as edc for work! Lol... I still carry it 90 percent of the time unless I just need something smaller because of clothing.
