ronin

[stag]

hi im new to the forums so id like some help i just ordered a ronin for a self defence knife did i make a good choice? any info will help THANKS

[JD Spydo]

I just got mine in the mail the other day. You will never go wrong with a :spyder: knife of any type. I also have the Yojimbo ( the folding version) and I really love the ergonomic handle and the ease of use. I have heard that they ( the Great :spyder: factory) have quit making the blade. Oh well even good things come and go in this fast world. It was one of those knives that I found that you really have to put it in your hand to realize what you have. So many of Spydercos knives are like that. On the Ronin: Try it!!! You'll like it!!!!!

[Michael Janich]

Dear Stag:

I think you made a good choice, but I designed the knife, so I might be biased. Seriously, if you'd like to know the complete story of the knife's concept and evolution, please check the story on my web site:

http://www.martialbladeconcepts.com/ronin.htm

As for it being discontinued, that's not exactly true. The original production run was about 2,000 knives. They were produced by Moki of Japan for Spyderco with hand finished micarta handles. Because the sheath design was not prototyped simultaneously with the knife, some problems arose once it came time to produce the sheaths at the Spyderco factory. Basically, the hand finishing of the handles meant that there was dimensional variance from knife to knife. That makes mass production of sheaths difficult.

Also, Spyderco established a fairly complex set of standards for the retention of the knife to ensure that it would not fall out of the sheath when carried inverted. After much design and testing, a sheath with a steel tension screw was produced that met all the standards and works great. Later, however, the tension screw was replaced with an aluminum version that doesn't work very well.

To avoid any problems with retention in the inverted position, Spyderco is changing the sheath design to eliminate the neck carry function and will be providing the balance of the knives with a belt sheath only. Although I did redesign the knife to eliminate the dimensional problems with the original handle design, I doubt that there will be a second production run.

I carry my Ronin in either the original Spyderco sheath (with steel tension screw), or in a custom kydex rig from Mike Sastre or Rob Hummelbaugh (www.rivercitysheaths.com or www.survivalsheath.com, respectively). It still cuts better than any other knife I own (and I do own a few), with the exception of my original custom Ronins from Mike Snody.

I hope this helps.

Stay safe,

[JD Spydo]

Wow! Mr. Janich I do stand corrected. However I could have sworn that I heard otherwise. I was told that the Perrin, fixed blade Bob Lum were among the discontinued and some others and I could have sworn they also mentioned the Ronin. Which is why I raced out to buy one right after I got back home from the Spirit of Steel show. I am glad it ain't so. I just love it and the Yojimbo both. They are permanent fixtures in my collection. As a matter of fact I am eyeballing the black Yojimbo just cause I like the color and I like to have "back up units" for the knives I love. Sorry for the mistake. JD Spydo peace :o :spyder: :)

[Nicolas]

I would like Spyderco to include a single belt loop as an accessory, this would make it IWB wearable

Me too.

In the majority of the Europe country, carry a knife is illegal, and IWB is a good option for carry a knife with a low profile.

Static cord is also good, but only with a custom sheath.

[Michael Janich]

Dear JD Spydo:

You weren't wrong. The Ronin IS going away. The remaining stock will just have a different sheath without the neck carry option.

I'm glad you like your Ronin and Yojimbo. I hope they serve you well.

Stay safe,

[dialex]

I think you made a very good choice. The Ronin is a great knife, not only for SD, but also for all sort of cutting chores. It is really versatile and IMO, quite sheeple friendly.

[Qship]

I have both a Snody and several Spyderco Ronins. The Spyderco version cuts about as well as the custom Snody version, which is, very very well. The knife cuts way out of proportion to its size, and handles very nicely.

As I recall, prior to Spyderco releasing the knife, the Snody version was running maybe $500-$600 on ebay. I expect the market was both collectors and armed professionals. I spoke to a dealer who said the Ronin was especially popular in California, which has a concentration of Escrima practitioners.

You should also look at the Yojimbo, which is pretty much a folding Ronin. I have been carrying two since they came out (the clip reverses, so you can set the knife up for left hand carry). Excellent for defensive purposes, as well as for general utility.

Qship