yojimbo trainers

[ladybug93]

not bad, but the trainers exist, so i'd like an actual trainer. maybe i'll make one of these while i wait though.

[Michael Janich]

I agree completely that a homemade trainer is better than nothing and WAY better than making excuses not to train; however, one of the challenges of carrying a folding knife for personal defense is being able to deploy it and immediately apply it under pressure. In MBC I call it "earning your draw." Typically, it involves an immediate unarmed defense against a weapon-based attack, a telling strike of some sort, followed by a guarded draw (to keep you protected as you deploy your knife) and, if necessary, use of the knife to continue your defense. The only way to integrate all those elements into one seamless flow is with a folding trainer that is mechanically identical to your live blade.

When I first started knife training almost 50 years ago, I used old-school wooden tantos and the flimsy rubber knives from martial arts supply stores because that's all that was available. I quickly progressed to making my own wooden and aluminum knives to get the sizes and shapes I needed. For a time I used molded plastic knives from Bram Frank and Edge Molding Company. After hearing about Erik Remmen's CLIPIT course and his emphasis on folder deployment, I knew that folding trainers were the way to go, so I started grinding live blades into "drone" trainers. Then, finally, factory-made trainers became a reality and knife training took a quantum leap forward.

I literally have a large gym bag with close to 100 training knives in it that I've used at various times over the years. While it's great nostalgia, I focus my training time and effort on the knives I actually carry using purpose-designed folding trainers.

If you're not the handy type, Aku-Strike makes a unique spring-bar training knife that closely approximates a Yojimbo 2 (their early efforts were actually a little too close). The blade is attached to a flat spring that allows it to "give" under pressure, reinforcing the lesson of cutting with proper technique. Although they don't fold, they're great training tools and much easier that rolling your own: https://akustrike.com/fast-eddy/.



TAK Knives (https://takknife.com/) makes a wide range of high-quality training weapons, including some excellent Yo 2 trainers in polycarbonate:



For hard-impact training, they also make semi-soft "compressor" trainers of the Yo 2 and even the YoJumbo:



These are great products from great people, so they are definitely worth adding to your kit.

Stay safe,

Mike

[Accutron]

Since Mike mentioned an Aku-Strike product, I'll specifically advice against using Aku-Strike's electronic trainers. They're kinda fun to play with, but they stop functioning correctly when used in a Filipino grip. Thumb pressure on the spine interferes with the hit detection mechanism.

[JRinFL]

I hate to say it, but maybe buying a used Yojimbo and doing as Mike says, grinding it into a safe training blade is the best option right now. Weight & function will be very close, almost as good as the dedicated trainer. Just hit the scales with some paint to distinguish it from a live blade.

I'd use one his mentioned training blades if you train with other people, however.

[ladybug93]

i might try to carve my own just as a fun project and stop-gap, but i'm not going to try and train seriously until i have a dedicated trainer that's set up just like my knife is. i look forward to a restock of the actual yojimbo trainers. hopefully, it won't be too much longer.

[ladybug93]

[spydergoat]

I gotta wonder, are Yojimbo 2 trainers ever coming back?

[ladybug93]

I gotta wonder, are Yojimbo 2 trainers ever coming back?

that's what i'm wondering too. they're not discontinued, so i imagine they are. maybe, since they are made in golden, they have been temporarily suspended until the expansion is done. i know spyderco has been trying to keep up with production, so i imagine something as low demand as trainers taking a back seat until they are back at full capacity. it's a real shame though because trainers are so important. just a small run here and there would be good enough probably.

[spydergoat]

Probably right about the expansion. If you have limited capacity maybe you prioritize the machines that are grinding the live blades. If you look at Mike's replies again he's saying find another solution and start your training now. I think the unspoken part is we may not see this in production for a while. If I were you if possible I'd save up the extra $80 and buy the one posted here for MSRP versus buying a tak knife or something and waiting who knows how long for a factory trainer.

[intron]

Looks like Country Knives has them in stock at retail

[url]https://www.countryknives.com/shop-by-d ... 2-trainer/ [url]

[ladybug93]

i will say that i've been noticing spyderco restocking their website much quicker and more frequently lately. it's a good sign and i hope to see yo2 trainers return to the mix before long.

[Michael Janich]

I just learned that Knifeworks had a few Yo 2 Trainers in stock that weren't up on their website. Our Sales Representative wisely advised them to put them up.

https://knifeworks.com/spyderco-yojimbo ... 10-handle/

Good luck!

Stay safe,

Mike

[Dodge]

I just learned that Knifeworks had a few Yo 2 Trainers in stock that weren't up on their website. Our Sales Representative wisely advised them to put them up.

https://knifeworks.com/spyderco-yojimbo ... 10-handle/

Good luck!

Stay safe,

Mike

Thank you, Mike! Snagged one 5% off with code staysharp

[Stuart Ackerman]

That will teach me to spend more time here in SF...

[Mrj]

Where are all the trainers Mike?

[Stuart Ackerman]

Funny thing is, I traced my Yo2 a few months ago and made up some Pakkawood scales.
Then a Pakkawood blade but with a big disc of Milliput putty on the tip.
Pivot pin at blade pivot point of the blade, and another pivot pin at the rear of the scales.

Small neobium magnet at the rear of the blade where the lock would "lock", and a piece of 440C at the point where the lock would be, but is not...

The blade folds easily and when closed, it free floats, but no sweat, as least it is closer in function than other trainers I am aware of.

Place in pocket with tip down, and grab and remove...and flick the blade open and it "locks.

Of course, a back cut would fold the blade, but the Yo is not meant to do back cuts.

Use your imagination, and make something similar, even if you only put a 3mm brass or steel pin at the pivot point and rear scale area.

Using a decent hardwood like maple or even plywood would suffice, until you can afford to make a better trainer