The Spyderco Yojumbo Pocketknife: The Full Nick Shabazz Review

Today, we'll take a look at the Spyderco Yojumbo, a knife that's purpose-built for self defense, and see if it's also useful for your average everyday jackass.

[@gideonsstuff]

Spyderco finally made a knife specifically for Nick. The pun, the fixed blade writing, the huge size and scaryness, AND IT'S SHAPED LIKE A BATWING.

[@deadpoollee9497]

The best self-defense is getting naked. No one wants to fight the naked guy!

[@FlyTour69]

That wouldn’t work for the ladies, though. They need a big knife or a 9 mil.

[@Owens_Racing]

BS. There was a video many years ago. Some dude tried that. The other wasn’t phased. He grabbed the dudes dick and led him around. Wonder if it still exist.

[@fuzzuck]

Given that people in parts of the US walk around with concealed & unconcealed handguns, ALL of which -- excluding long-barreled competitive target-shooting pistols -- are purpose-designed for killing other humans, it seems ridiculous that anyone would find a folding knife with a little 4" blade frightening. Every home has a knife block housing far more intimidating blades, namely 8-9" Chef's Knives & Carving Knives & Cleavers designed for deconstructing the flesh & bone of mammals who share as much as 98% (pigs) of our DNA. So producing a Yojumbo in a diner to use as a steak knife, or on the street to trim an errant thread before putting it back in pocket, is NOT something anyone should feel timid, or sheepish, or guilty, about doing. That kind of worry is for the hopelessly neurotic. If it's not illegal to carry a 4" blade, grow some balls & use your tools when & how you please. Fuck all the hypothetical hysterics... but if you're really worried about getting the evil eye from strangers, just stick with slipjoints. I'm not sure why the fuck Nick is bothering to review the Yojumbo in the first place, besides getting the free sample. Given his preferences regarding knife sizes, the Yojimbo II would obviously be more to his liking, and any negatives relating to the size can be ignored, since everyone looking to purchase the Yojumbo wants a larger-sized version of the Yojimbo II. It's bigger. That's the sole point of its existence. I think Nick needs to wait for a mini-Yojimbo. A Nojumbo. A Yoslimbo.

[@lawrenceragnarok1186]

What are you on about, are you being intentionally dense?

[@luisdiegoriojas9311]

Ill never tire of hearing “best self defense is a good pair of running shoes”

[@jimdobbs1861]

Sounds like a good way to get clapped in the back.

[@x-s6002]

I get the sentiment but its stupid. Self defense means to act when you can't escape. Getting out of a situation is assumed to be the first option. What do you do when you can't? If that saying had any value women would never be sexually assaulted while jogging 🙄

[@succman8398]

@@x-s6002 i guess they just don't run away good enough🧐 but fr though, obviously people are gonna try to avoid conflict, and if not, I don't think there was any point in trying to convince the person otherwise. Self defense is needed sometimes, and so it's good to have tools for that, so the quote is kinda pointless and over used tbh

[@jonc8074]

i'm too old for parkour tho

[@tyroneshoelaces9742]

@@succman8398 Better have %100 certainty when you stab someone in self defense. Even if you are in the right, you will have to seek legal counsel. Pepper spray is just as effective and less liability. Good luck Suck Man.

[@MrShankism]

Nick’s best self defense gear is actually his Omega Seamaster. When attacked, yell don’t hurt me take this instead, throw it on the ground, run the other way.A $6000 watch will absolutely make a mugger happy and less stabby.

[@jmarzella3411]

Love mine and use it as an edc. I fully l customized it and looks amazing without losing functionality and grip.

[@mattoakley2246]

I've been waiting for you to review this. It would absolutely just be a "fun" knife for me so I've really looked forward to your opinion. Thank you.

[@DB-oh5dx]

I know I'm late to the party, but if you haven't picked one up you should go for it. With the tapered end it really doesn't feel that big in the pocket. I put a 5x5 hook on mine too, works like an Emerson wave and deploys the knife as it comes out of the pocket. The only negative is that the scales are a LOT rougher than the Yojimbo or the Para series, and no aftermarket options from Flytanium.

[@wednesdar452]

Excellent review. Don't want/need one, but appreciative of the effort and detail you put into your look at it. Crazy how that chunk of blade sticks into the lock cutout, although it doesn't seem like you'd be sticking your finger in there while it's closed, so it wouldn't really be an issue. They could have at least rounded it... Like the Canis, but sticking with my PM2 for now.

[@ncsEsper]

Nick- I love your vids so much...I watch the ads that come before, during and after your reviews. 😜

[@flashgordon6238]

When I got my Yojimbo 2 fifteen years ago, I said the scales were too small on the Spyderco forum. Considered having some scales 10 percent larger, but ended up putting it in a drawer. Just ordered the Yojumbo.

[@Ondal1]

I fully agree, it's great when a company goes for specialist knives. We all have our own specialist purpose with a knife, if it's slashing people in self defence, chopping wood, breaking a deer or cutting even more cardboard, all round knives tend to be pretty good at nothing, and pretty bad at everything. I think Dexter Morgan would like this!

[@3wheelmannc860]

I picked up a YoJumbo about a month or so ago...Yep...its stout. I sent it to J.B. Hill for some custom mods...imo a solid knife is so much better. A keeper for me. Thanks for review.

[@fancyhitchpin8675]

12:30 some consider a sharping choil to be a negative for self defense as it can snag on fabric.

[@jagpilotohio]

Is it not centered or is it warped....or both? Plenty of the spyderco seconds have warped blades.

[@nickolasespinosa9852]

Love the vids kept up the hard work god bless nick

[@carmelotansengco4605]

Just bought one today (05/27/2023) along with a Canis. My Yojumbo has the DLC coated blade which makes it look scarier. I love it.

[@sealevelbear]

Love the Yojumbo, even more than the Yojumbo 2. Besides the awesome name, it fits my large sized hands, and for a knife-in-lieu-of-firearm carry it is the perfect folder. I do have a fixed blade for SD, but it is bulkier for sure. The Yojumbo fits in the jeans no problem.

[@dennismerritt5517]

Totally agree.

[@avfigueroa3615]

Does anyone know of any aftermarket scales for the Yojumbo? Its too thin and light for my hands.

[@erikhaw7313]

Good critiques! Hopefully they fix it in the next cycle!

[@jorgefernandez6407]

I'm liking this knife more and more! I disagree with calling it gigantic especially when I regularly carry a 6 in serrated Holdout! This, is a nice little knife...

[@markhogan4114]

Same boat

[@jorgefernandez6407]

@@markhogan4114 I bought the knife! Good knife and it's not small... Good legal size!

[@markhogan4114]

@@jorgefernandez6407 I wanted something a lil smaller. 4 inch blade. You know that look you get when you pull out "the beast"😂

[@alexeski4109]

It’s big but it doesn’t look super thick. I carry an Emerson CQC8 or a super commander, so this seems right up my alley.

[@maradona8623]

Same here pal

[@jorgefernandez6407]

Can't wait till it gets home...MINE! Pulled the trigger on it... Great video too Nick!!!

[@palerider7171]

Nick it’s wonderful that you want to be at peace with everyone. So do I, but unfortunately we live in a world where some may not want to be at peace with you. Without going into personal details having been in altercation that escalated into life threatening violence and where the assailant had the upper hand I can tell you it tends to change one’s opinion of what to carry and why. And no, reporting it to the proper authorities did absolutely nothing. Frankly I,if I can help it, will never be in that position again. So I wish you and the pocket jewelry crowd well, you will most likely never have to face such a problem. So my position is clear, my advice when asked by all the would be gunslingers and operators out there is “The best way to survive a gunfight is to never get into one!”, use the gray matter between your ears first and better part of valor and legality is to walk or run away if possible. However if you can’t I rather have something that evens the odds. Your mileage, conviction, location, local and state laws may vary.

[@AlteredState503]

😂 what a great review. Great personality, entertaining, and informative. Sir you have my sub

[@zube410]

Is someone who has done at least some knife fighting premium common thing martial arts training, I can guarantee that running shoes on de-escalation are your best self-defense tools whether you've had any training or not. Even after you've been well trained, de-escalating and leaving are by far your best options

[@zube410]

sorry for how difficult the above comment is to read. I use voice to text since I am an abysmally slow typist, and I see several of the words we're incorrectly interpreted by my phone. I wrote the comment on break at work, so I didn't take the time to look it over before submitting it.

[@danielconnell4890]

Finally someone nails it! Even as a highly trained practicing fighter, getting the hell away or talking it down Is best. People watch Under Siege or The Hunted and get the wrong idea.

[@vr6glx96]

My cpm m4 non dlc version is out for delivery as I write this. I can't wait. I've wanted one of these for a while. Funny part is, the bladehq exclusive version is cheaper (by a lot) than the standard s30v version. I don't know how or why, but I'm not going to complain. And I love me some uncoated m4.

[@kiwi_comanche]

You're damned right I'll give you that 100th like, Nick. Keep on keeping on brother!!

[@MrBlessed70]

I believe this would be very good as a food prep knife and possibly for EDC.I would want an upgrade with a more reinforced tip and a small Emerson style Wave Opener and S35VN or S45VN

[@patrickg8744]

hmmm not sure how food prep would go, it has no belly and the handle isn't offset enough from the blade, I think one would have problems getting the blade all the way through the food

[@714milky]

It's excessive. It's aggressive. It's awesome!

[@AlMasonAsphalt]

Anyone know if the Yojumbo uses the same size hardware screws as the Yojimbo?

[@randomescu]

have you seen that in tha black version they fixed that problem at the base of the blade? they got rid of that portion and in the specifications the blade is shorter by 1-2 milimeters.

[@omw2syk835]

Spydertaco yoburrito.

[@one-of-us9939]

Spyderco Yojumbo... when your Katana is a little bit too much. (mine is pre-order blackout) Begin edit: Wow, I love it! It just got here! Thanks KC!

[@one-of-us9939]

@@imyouridol1605 Sweet!

[@dscmatr]

The left hand clearly deficient in being lefty. Love it.

[@lostfound8112]

Im a crazy yojimbo fan and asian culture. Not a fan of spiderco but i do like this. Also sir your a word and phrase master. I love listening to you talk

[@razeredge8713]

Nick I bought a watch last night, and I’m already looking at more. You should have warned me...

[@CalebMcFadden]

I’ll warn you: DONT GET INTO WATCHES

[@corynorell3686]

I bought a watch once. Then I looked at my storage case and I had 20. Not quite sure how it happened.

[@razeredge8713]

It’s too late for me boys. Save yourselves...

[@patrickg8744]

@@razeredge8713 whoops

[@jeffcanyafixiy]

Damn good vid Nick! I got a Jumbo few months back. For me; Is it a practical carry,,, NO Do I REALLY like it,,,, YES STAY SAFE, STAY SHARP 👍🇺🇸👍🔪

[@lordtherapeutics]

What’s it like at cutting stuff?

[@gocaps8345]

"people will dive under the table" LOL 10:16

[@Teabagz4fun]

Now I’m imagining folks diving under the table when this comes out 🤣😅

[@ironrangerw6r1]

Totally with you on the S30V part. I know spyderco has kind of worked themselves into a situation where they use other blade steels for thier exclusives. So they are going to have trouble getting way from S30V as thier default standard blade steel. But I would really love to see them at least go to S35VN or maybe their SPY47 as the standard for thier knives across the board. There are so many companies who are using S35VN as thier standard steel at much less expensive price points im even starting to see many using M390 maybe not as thier standard starter steel but still in the $150 price point. So come on Spyderco. Please upgrade your steel or at least stop raising the price of them when all we're getting is S30V. 🤷‍♂️ And please upgrade the design of your clips as well. The wire clip is perfect but this one not so much. Spyderco went from the inventer of the pocket clip. To leading the industry for most pocket clips that end up in the trash can.

[@tunturikuningas5393]

@What's Up? He's not saying it isn't, but that it should be even better

[@randomescu]

they do make blades from 8Cr13MoV too. cheap chinese Spydercos.

[@uglybastard4810]

s30v over s35vn all day long, 35 was designed to get better stain resistanse and easier sharpening, while older 30 has better edge retention, which is way more important for me

[@tunturikuningas5393]

@@uglybastard4810 yes, s30v has better edge retention than s35vn, but s35vn has 20%better toughness

[@uglybastard4810]

@@tunturikuningas5393 i don't do any chopping or hard use with my folders, so edge retention is main parameter for me

[@The4cp]

Having the Yojimbo, should I get the Yojumbo or Canis?

[@NickShabazz]

Canis, I'd say.

[@Raptor0805]

for some reason i thought this was the Yojimbo (or even the Yojimbo 2), but i guess this is a brand new(ish) knife

[@Knife_Eclectic]

Edited note: "pockets surprisingly well" should be the slogan for Spyderco 😂😂

[@jimmylippert667]

Hey nick could you please review the EMP EDC slenderman next!

[@tiddybagel]

Grabbed the sprint run version in s90v and CF for 190

[@silentstryker1590]

I carry the Ronin2

[@fjbahn]

love my Yojumbro

[@dalelamar7371]

The rat 2 and the delica? Come on man, how does it compare to similar sized spydercos? The military, the police, manix 2 xl. I need to know how it compares to knives like that.

[@dolf3288]

After having the pm2 you get used to the bigger thumb hole, definitely think it should be on this big boy too.

[@ScottieG59]

I like the YoJumbo, but I carry the Canis more. The YoJumbo has a very fine and fragile point, which may enhance the design requirements, but I am careful with it.

[@jontorres1991]

My pm2 tanto also came un centered

[@tacklecentralfishing1051]

Pocket broadsword

[@cheaperthanyouthink2646]

Even with all that texturing on the G10 Nick still almost slices himself😂 5:35

[@vina3451]

I think the obvious comparison would be the shaman.

[@tyroneshoelaces9742]

Not centered. Golden USA made at its finest!

[@kyleralph1778]

The people carrying this don't give a dang what the coffee shop people think

[@one-of-us9939]

You're right, we don't.

[@kerryrwac]

Nick, you cut the thread with the scissors of your Gem branded SA Classic, duh!

[@gmull79]

The past few weeks I've been carrying a smaller knife in my back pocket, tucked up against the side and a larger knife in my front pocket. The 'Jumbo probably needs a smaller companion blade to avoid any accidental warcrimes. Pm2 front pocket Sencut Scepter back pocket has been great combo.

[@antimatter2380]

I carry a fixed blade appendix carry for dirty work tasks and a lighter weight folder for food type tasks. And a multitool to you know, toil multily

[@danielwasused]

nick almost cut his hand in half 5:35 yikes

[@jacobbcox1985]

When you make Knife that was designed for Yujiro Hanma if he needed a knife.

[@artemkanarchist]

This knife might be a Yogembo for someone 😂😂😂

[@inverted311]

I EDC a Luzon..... I’d have no problem busting this out in a public setting to clean my nails for instance.

[@CKshouta]

The best knives are usually somewhere in between Spyderco and Cold Steel. A balance of finesse and jackass.

[@quintonnava7976]

reminds me of something Godzilla would fight.

[@Sunfade38]

I think the standard Yojimbo 2 is better.

[@genoedcknifecollecter1538]

To me hoback radford is a better choice or canis

[@viintage4689]

Can you review the kabar jarosz beartooth?

[@DanDannyDanielleBob]

Compare to sheepdog xl

[@bosbevok1539]

Ok but the AD20 in full ti works?

[@chadmiley]

Carnies, Small hands. Smells like Cabbage.... LOL

[@danielconnell4890]

Ha!

[@tylerbaker6350]

Lol

[@ris4rootbeer387]

my one thing I would change about the yojumbo is i would add a lynch clip because what am I gonna say I like deep carry

[@clintonlewis1261]

Cool looking, to big for me!

[@MegaRichardHoward]

Mine came un-centred too. Not happy about that for the price so am considering sending it back.

[@SpaceDave3000]

it's for that insta tho, lets be honest.

[@bigdadgigachad3042]

I know you're slowing down on your channel and focusing on work full-time and I don't blame you but nobody does reviews like you do. I hope you still review your personal stuff and maybe you'll get the bug down the line again.

[@ctrader5817]

Hands

[@Darksjeik]

4 hole positions. Us married dudes know that’s something to appreciate and not take for granted. Bad jokes aside. The centering issues are something I’m seeing more often in the Colorado built knives. Honestly I prefer the Taichung made blades in that regard.

[@luciano2166]

People will hide under the table😂

[@1fareast14]

A little shocked at this design. Yo2 was obviously refined, this feels thrown together. The lumpy area behind the edge, the finger groove locations are visibly suboptimal. Edit: glad to hear that nick likes the ergos :)

[@hityoutwo]

I’ve heard a few complaints about the ergos, surprised he didn’t bring that up

[@NickShabazz]

Different hands have different ergos.

[@1fareast14]

@@NickShabazz Yep, especially on handles w/ heavy grooves

[@Eth3realwarrior]

I know Cold Steel is falling out of favor but the AK-47 in my opinion is the best Self Defense knife around. Waive feature, excellent steel, best grip in the universe, and the locking system.

[@mantissebastian1122]

If I was gonna go with an ugly warncliffe I would get that new Hogue.

[@tikkidaddy]

Oh Jesus...if four inches is too much...Shabazz😂

[@kanecassidy9126]

You can't always run, Nick

[@gulfbravo13]

Not design....your training

[@gregcrist9648]

Is it me or is centering a relatively common problem for Spydercos? Don’t get me wrong, I’m a Spyderco fanboy... but I have maybe half a dozen of their knives that absolutely will not center, particularly their FRN models. Para 3 lightweight, Urban, a couple of Delicas and Enduras, a Hundred Pacer... all with a significant drift to one side that won’t shift despite extensive work.

[@ting280]

All of mine are centered except my pakkawood Dragonfly. It was centered but I swapped springs with an old beater and now if I center it it becomes too tight to snap shut.

[@patrickg8744]

my seki city ones are slightly off centered but my goldens weren't. not that i think it's that important

[@genoedcknifecollecter1538]

I say let them dive I'd whip this out to cut a thread if they want to dive that's there problem hehe

[@baddoopey]

Not a knife for me but one of your best reviews ever.

[@P226nut]

Where is this accent from? I have to know lol

[@tiddybagel]

Lol they sent a free review piece to a youtuber uncentered?

[@seanmahoney2212]

Sand paper and a RESPIRATOR haha good lookin out

[@thomaswalsh5097]

Looks like the trolls are even on this video.....

[@explorerextraordinaire5472]

YOUhugeBO

[@tkindschi]

I kind of wonder why that blade shape is deemed to be a good self defense blade...and then again, maybe I don't want to know....

[@jaxsonkilgore7657]

From what I understand it applies the full pressure of the cut at the tip of the blade which makes it slice deeper blademag.com/knife-collecting/odd-couple-a-wharncliffe-tactical-knife

[@servantofyeshua2313]

It cuts like no other and it thrusts very very well

[@Mamewi212]

No. It's not. Next.

[@SMS2884]

20+ years of fma training. I don't see the self defense design in this knife. Anyone have a video of why this knife was designed this way and it's application to self defense? Seems like a really good knife for cutting cardboard and maybe draw cuts. Retention ability seems bad.

[@ericthorpe5670]

There are plenty of videos with Michael Janich discussing it's design, and it's applications in self defense. I don't have links, but type Michael Janich Yojimbo into KZbin and you'll find plenty. Again, this particular iteration (Yojumbo) is just a scaled up version of the Yojimbo 2.

[@Alamo-cz5xc]

you're high on crack

[@SMS2884]

@@Alamo-cz5xc ok...

[@SMS2884]

@@ericthorpe5670 I do see his concepts. However this knife would be better suited as a fixed blade for his ideas. Very good system he has. Simple, which is how it should be. Deploying a knife like this for a fight would be very difficult.

[@ericthorpe5670]

@@SMS2884 I think the Spyderco Ronin is pretty much a fixed version of this. I'm not a self defense expert by any means, just figured I'd add my two cents. I've never been in a knife fight and don't plan on it.

[@_THUMPR_]

If the knife is meant to be large, how can it be bad that it's large? Not everyone has lady hands

[@legone.6677]

Nah bruh, thats not an area for your thumb. NO. if you hold a knife like that, you're not doing it right. Nick i know you know alot about knives but it doesnt look like you have worked a lot with them...

[@johnscott6524]

jeez.......good review, but hard to listen to. I had to quit watching after ~ 10min.........I just couldn't take it anymore.

[@tyroneshoelaces9742]

Janich seems like he is full of crap. How much of a badass is he? Amanda Nunes would beat him senseless while his Yojumbo in his hand. Look at him!