The fine tips on Michael Janich's designs..ie... Yojimbo, Yojumbo, Ronin...are because in his system, Martial Blade Concepts, the tactics are predicated on making deep cuts to an attacker's extremities in order to render them inoperable via cutting muscle and tendons... etc. The Canis has the reinforced tip because Kelly McCann's system is more basic is predicted on moving away from your attacker, letting your attacker come to you, and thrusting and slashing at any target the attacker offers to you, most likely on their extremities. The big difference is McCann utilizes thrusts while Janich largely avoids them. Incidentally, it was Janich that convinced McCann of the superior effectiveness of the wharncliffe for a defensive blade resulting in the Canis.
Janich says in one of his interviews that even if the tip breaks during the self defense situation that type of knife still remains fully functionable.
I‘d recommend from a Spyderco collection standpoint the Yojimbo as the first pick. Just for the cause of Michael Janich being a prominent figure throughout the Spyderco history since around 2000. He connected his Tactical Wharncliffe approach with Spyderco (Ronin, Yojimbo 1, Yojimbo 2, Yojimbo Fixed, Yojumbo) and worked for Spyderco since 2009. Designwise I‘d recommend the Canis as the more streamline and more refined design. I got my Yojimbo 2 today (waited years to pull the trigger). Canis will follow as it is more expensive. I‘d like to see G10 for a lower pricepoint. I do not like the cheap carbon G10 laminate as „premium option“. It is not anymore. Handle thickness US important for fighting grip as Janich does it with his Kali based concept. Too slim isn‘t good eighter. I guess the Csnis has maybe a glove aspect? I do not know from the operator background of the designer.
Canis was designed by Kelly McCann, one of the world's premier combative instructors to the US military, and covert operators. He is a No longer active Marine, and US government contractor.
Good review. You're the first reviewer that I have heard call out the hole position on the Yojimbo. It was one of the first things I noticed. The hole being partially covered by the handle makes it harder to open. It seems like a con for a knife designed for "self-defense'.
The hole being part covered was on purpose by the designer Janichs reasoning was when your hand is opening a knife the handle is at an angle not flat so it helps drivers the thumb onto the hole in a surer way..I don't have one so I can't give an opinion
Have my Canis on me while watching this video. Actually I have both the Yojimbo and Canis and also the Yojumbo. All three knives are great self defense knives but as an EDC knife for work, protection and ergos, the Canis is the one I always grab first. Thanks for sharing!
I like the Canis, and I appreciate the design details, (like the partial swedge that lightens the blade yet leaves the tip strong), but I definitely prefer the aesthetics and purity of design evident in the Yojimbo2. I’ve got two CruWear Yo2’s, and one S90V YoJumbo now. I’m sure I’ll get a Canis as well, if/when they offer it in a more interesting steel than S30V.
Reviewing a defensive/combative knife, and not knowing who Kelly McCann is is like reviewing boxing bouts, and not knowing who Mike Tyson is... ridiculous. You are embarrasing youself, and don't even know it.
