Spyderco Yojimbo 2 Review

Many people seem to feel that Spyderco knives are some of the most peculiar folding knife designs on the market today. However, thinking beyond established knife industry barriers allowed them to introduce new and radical innovations to the knife industry including: single-hand opening, serrated blades on a folding knife, and a clip to attach a knife to a pocket. Thus, Spyderco is definitely out of the norm in the knife industry in their dedication to researching and developing fresh, improved, and better performing materials all with function and reliability being key. In fact, according to Spyderco, someone once said to Sal Glesser, Spyderco’s owner, “You must design in the dark because your knives look so strange.” But, their easily recognizable appearance is a result of designing ergonomic, functional, tools rather than applying lipstick and nylons to a pocketknife. So, although they may look curious, they could never be called unusable or undependable. In addition, making knives that consistently deliver reliable high-performance requires an ongoing commitment to testing.

Spyderco Yojimbo 2

 

 

Thus, in their million-dollar testing facility, they examine edge retention with a CATRA machine, look for rust development with Q-FOG, and research the force needed to open and close a knife. They also repeatedly test for stress, wear, optimal heat-treating, and actively search for higher quality, performance enhancing, steels and materials. Now, as a customer you probably don’t think about this or much care but, it allows them to put forth a promise: When you purchase a Spyderco knife, you are buying a high-quality, reliable, cutting tool designed and manufactured for peak performance and ergonomic comfort. Consequently, the Spyderco Yojimbo 2 folding knife definitely displays Spyderco’s unusual way of thinking about folding knife design but also displays their commitment to incorporating high quality materials and excellent craftsmanship.

 


 

Blade & Handle

The Spyderco Yojimbo 2 folding knife features an overall length of 7 1/2 inches when open and 4 1/2 inches when closed and has a satin finished, non-serrated, Wharncliffe blade that measures 3 1/8 inches in length that is made from CPM S30V stainless steel which is a premium American blade steel designed specifically for use in high quality knife blades. Also, although the Spyderco web site fails to mention to what degree they harden this steel, it is commonly hardened to 59 to 61 Rockwell and features a deep hollow grind for a super sharp cutting edge. Plus, the “PlainEdge” straight cutting edge of the hollow-ground, Wharncliffe, blade offers extreme cutting performance by transferring power all the way to the tip and also ensures improved point strength. Plus, nested stainless steel liners provide structural strength and form the backbone of the knife’s high-strength compression lock mechanism. Last, the Spyderco Yojimbo II features black, textured, G10 handle scales for a positive grip when the knife is in use and a four-position pocket clip which enables the user to carry the knife in either the tip-up or tip-down positions as well as configuring the knife for either right or left hand use.

Spyderco Yojimbo 2 Review

 

Spyderco Yojimbo 2

 

>> Click Here for Price – YOJIMBO 2 <<

 

Designed by noted personal-defense trainer Michael Janich, the Yojimbo 2 s an evolved version of his original Spyderco Yojimbo design, which pioneered the application of the Wharncliffe blade in tactical folders. In addition, Spyderco has chosen to use a premium American blade steel called CPM S30V which was designed by custom bladesmith Chris Reeves and produced by Crucible Metal Products specifically to be a premium knife blade steel. Commonly considered to be one of the best blade steels on the market today, CPM S30V starts life as fine metal powder that contains 1.45% Carbon, 14% Chromium, 4% Molybdenum, and 2% Vanadium which is then sprayed into a crucible prior to melting in order to achieve even distribution of vanadium carbides which are harder and more effective at cutting than chromium carbides. In addition, vanadium carbides give the steel a highly refined grain structure, which further contributes to the sharpness and toughness of its edge. Complimenting this premium blade steel, Spyderco has incorporated contoured, textured, G10, handle scales which are designed to complement the natural contours of the hand to ensure maximum contact between the user’s hand and the knife’s handle as well as promoting a thumb-forward grip for more positive control. Plus, the fiber reinforced G10 handle material is impervious to expansion, contraction, splitting, chipping, or cracking as well as the absorption of moisture. Furthermore, the Yojimbo II features Spyderco’s patented Compression Lock mechanism which uses a leaf-like spring from a split liner in the handle to wedge laterally between a ramp on the blade tang and the stop pin (or anvil pin); thus enabling the user to release the lock with either hand. Last, the four-position pocket clip enables the user to configure the knife for either right or left hand carry in either the tip-up or tip-down position for rapid deployment of the knife when you need it.

 

 

Specifications


Overall Length:
7.55″
Blade Length: 3.11″
Blade Thickness: .156″
Blade Material: CPM S30V
Blade Style: Wharncliffe blade
Blade Grind: hollow grind
Finish: Finish:Satin
Edge Type: Plain
Handle Length: 4.50″
Closed Length: 4.51″
Handle Material: G-10
Frame/Liner: Stainless Steel
Weight: 4 oz
Lock Type: Compression Lock
Country of Origin: USA

 

This video below is the designer, Michael Janich, explaining his knife:

 

Conclusion

So, although the Spyderco Yojimbo 2 is without a doubt an unconventional design, it is in keeping with Spyderco’s philosophy of designing ergonomic, functional, tools. Also, due to the fact that this knife incorporates premium materials throughout combined with meticulous quality control, it is sure to last a lifetime.