Yojimbo and Friends: sort of OT

[Episteme]

I have a blue Yojimbo, and I LOVE this little blade. Everytime that I read or think about Doc Snubnose's cutting tests or Michael Janich's comments on the cutting prowess of the Wharncliff blade, I kick myself for not purchasing another Yojimbo when they were available.
That said, my thoughts are that if I cannot get my hands on another Yojimbo reasonably easily (most all places I've checked they are sold out), then perhaps another well made wharncliff design will fit the bill nicely. What matters most in my next Wharncliff purchase will be that its cutting potential at least approaches that of the exhalted Yojimbo, so I've considered the following knives to 'substitute' for the Yojimbo:
1. Centofante IV
2. Benchmade Gravitator
3. Spyderco Adventura (not a Wharnie, but a cutting powerhouse)

Questions:
- Is the Centofante IV as 'stabby' worthy as the Yojimbo?
- Can anyone vouch for or against the Benchmade Gravitator?
I know there are some in the forums here who do not like Benchmade for various reasons. That said, I own only one Benchmade (a mini-grip), and it's not a liner lock. So I wonder how reliable the Benchmade liner is on their Gravitator, and how well the Wharncliff on this one might cut.

Any other suggestions on a worth Wharncliff would be appreciated.

Best,
Mike

[KaliGman]

Check out the Blackhawk Kalista, if you decide to allow fixed blades into the equation. It's a Janich design and should cut very well indeed.

[Episteme]

Check out the Blackhawk Kalista, if you decide to allow fixed blades into the equation. It's a Janich design and should cut very well indeed.

Thanks for the suggestion, KaliGman. I do, indeed, like fixed blades and welcome them into my options.
That Kalista looks to be one serious tool- I've never checked out Blackhawk knives before, and this one looks to be a winner. I'll have to really consider this into my options now.

-Mike

[Agent Starling]

Thanks for the suggestion, KaliGman. I do, indeed, like fixed blades and welcome them into my options.
That Kalista looks to be one serious tool- I've never checked out Blackhawk knives before, and this one looks to be a winner. I'll have to really consider this into my options now.

-Mike

hi Episteme,

you hadn't mentioned the Ronin, so I thought I'd bring it up...hard to find, but if you can find one, it's the equivalent of a fixed-blade Yojimbo.

Agent Starling

[David Lowry]

I have had a BM 425 Gravitator. I think it's an awesome knife. I just didn't care for it enough to keep it. I however also don't have a Yojimbo. I do have a Centofante 4 and love it. I do think the Cento 4 is a better slicer than the Yojimbo. The blade is thinner and a little bit longer. It depends on how "tough" you want the knife to be I guess. I think the Gravitator could handle just about anything you throw at it. It has thick titanium handles/liners with G10 scales. It really is an awesome knife. Since it has been discontinued I don't know how difficult it would be to find.

If I had to choose, I would pick the BM 425 Gravitator if I couldn't find a Yojimbo.

[Michael Cook]

Questions:
- Is the Centofante IV as 'stabby' worthy as the Yojimbo?

No not really, the lack of choil is troubling. Last thing you want is to stab, hit a rib and slide up onto the blade.

[Michael Janich]

For the record, the Gravitator was directly inspired by the Yojimbo. That's not my opinion--that was a confession by Mike Snody, who showed me a prototype of it before it was released and asked my blessing to "borrow" the design.

Because of its unusual design and a number of other issues that were looming at the time, it took several years for the Yojimbo to be released. I had convinced Mike Snody of the cutting power of the wharncliffe blade, the importance of a tapered handle shape, and a number of other significant design features and showed him my handmade Franken-prototype of the Yojimbo. He thought it was great and couldn't wait for the Spyderco version to come out. When it took longer than expected, I asked him to make one custom Yojimbo prototype that we could post on the web to fire up interest. Being the great guy he is, he did it. The fire we lit finally paved the way for the Spyderco version.

In the meantime, Mike asked me if he could adapt it to a design for Benchmade. Since he had been a stand-up guy for me, I returned the favor and have him my blessing.

With all that said, I still like the edge geometry of the Yojimbo better than the Gravitator and still carry a Yo as my primary personal-defense blade.

I hope this helps.

Stay safe,

Mike

[Dr. Snubnose]

I still like the edge geometry of the Yojimbo better than the Gravitator and still carry a Yo as my primary personal-defense blade.

I hope this helps.

Stay safe,

Mike

And so do I....and I still carry a Yo and Two Ronins as my primary personal-defensive blades..... I have not found anything better in terms of cutting power and ease of penetration ability than these two knives for defensive purposes....Two knives that are going to be hard to beat! Two Big Thumbs Up Mike!....Doc

[huugh]

Gravitator is not bad at all. But as for "cutting potential" - as you can see, it doesn't have very high grind, and if you combine that with 3.5mm thick blade - it is not the sharpest knife I've ever seen. Mind you, it has nothing to do with quality of the knife, just the blade profile.

Some people also dislike the (agressivity of) jimping but it doesn't represent any problem for me.


Here are some pics:

[stonyman]

Mike Janich, it is quite ironic that you answered that question. I always wondered for some reason what your carry blade was....especially with the MOD relationship. Great design and I hope to see the Yo resurface in some shape or form soon. Take care and Doc...........Thank you always!

[Episteme]

Just wanted to say thank you for the replies and the photos of the Gravitator. Also, it was a pleasant surprise to get a response from Michael Janich himself; many thanks.
Best,
Mike

[JT]

I'll add OT question here, if You don't mind,
HOW do you flick your Yo's open? I use my middle-finger to open the blade slightly, and then just wrist-flick. Voila, ready to go.. quite fast actually. How do You guys do it?

And yes, this thing is just awesome knife. My second best favourite of my all at the moment..(Dodo nr1., Matriarch not incl. since I don't carry it, too dear to me)

Thank You and Mr. Janich

[Michael Bolton]

How much was the Yojimbo and Ronin when they were readily available and i production? Im looking around online and online retailers are selling the Ronin for a whopping 170 bucks!!

[kimjune01]

it's as if Spyderco and Benchmade are brothers

[Dr. Snubnose]

How much was the Yojimbo and Ronin when they were readily available and i production? Im looking around online and online retailers are selling the Ronin for a whopping 170 bucks!!

shhhhhhhuuuuuuussssss......Doc

[MAT888]

I now a dealer that has a smurfbone Yoji for a whopping 148.44 euro . That is approx 217 dollars at current rates..
Although tempted i have to think very hard snagging it ...

[Michael Bolton]

I now a dealer that has a smurfbone Yoji for a whopping 148.44 euro . That is approx 217 dollars at current rates..
Although tempted i have to think very hard snagging it ...

Geez! I would be willing to sell my smurfbone Yoji for $1,000 USD.