C85 Yojimbo

The C85 Yojimbo by Michael Janich was introduced in 2004 and discontinued in 2007.

The Yojimbo is similar in design to the FB09 Ronin, a fixed blade design resulting from an earlier collaboration of Spyderco with Michael Janich.

Appearance in catalogs

The C85 Yojimbo appears in the following catalogs:

• 2004 Spyderco Products
• 2005 Spyderco Products
• 2006 Spyderco Products
• 2011 Spyderco Mid-Year Supplement
• 2012 Spyderco Product Guide
• 2013 Spyderco Product Guide
• 2014 Spyderco Product Guide

Designer

Michael Janich

Michael Janich Makers mark

History, mentionings from the forums etc.

On the Spyderco forums:

• Information by Michael Janich about Yojimbo design and grips (in 2001, pre-production).
• Yojimbo Review by "ghostrider".
• Yojimbo... discontinued? Why? thread.

Information from the Spyderco catalog on the web

C85GBK:

"The Yojimbo is Spyderco's second collaboration with famed martial artist and Master MBC Instructor Michael Janich. Our first was the fixed-blade called the Ronin. It was avidly received by the public and generated ongoing requests for a folding version. We call the folding version the Yojimbo and feel it defines the term ergonomic. Since Mr. Janich's area of expertise is MBC and Filipino martial arts, the folder was designed around that art form.

The blade is categorized as a modified Wharncliffe profile. Purposely designed to be triangular, this shape holds the cutting edge in contact with what is being cut, and its fine sharp tip generates little resistance initiating and making piercing cuts. From a tactical standpoint the blade's steel needed to be tough and resistant to wear so we chose CPM-S30V. We then ground the cutting edge fully flat from the tip to where it meets the handle. Lined up running along the blade's spine are a sequence of thumb positioning serrations/grooves that continue into the spine of the handle. The Yojimbo's G-10 handle fills in the palm like a handshake affording heightened dexterity and control over the blade. Its tapered tail is for grip retention and doubles as a pressure point or striking tool. To be used for the rigors of MBC a strong lock was a requirement so nested into the handle scale is a Compression Lock that releases on top of the handle. All-steel pocket clip attaches for right-hand, tip-up mobility. The circles, cut out of the clip and on the opposite side of the handle, are for indexing. Available with a black or blue handle."

See also: C85GBL

Variations

The C85 Yojimbo is made in Golden, U.S.A. and has a

• Compression Lock, and a
• Modified Wharncliffe Blade

Yojimbo

SKU	Handle	Edge(s)	Steel	From/To	MSRP	Note	Number made	Grind	Clip	Clip positions	Collectors club
C85GBK	Black G-10	PE	CPM-S30V	2004-2006	159.95$ (2004)		Regular production	Full Flat	Yojimbo clip	LH/RH, TU
C85GBL	Blue G-10	PE	CPM-S30V	2004-2006	159.95$ (2004)		Regular production	Full Flat	Yojimbo clip	LH/RH, TU

Yojimbo 2

SKU	Handle	Edge(s)	Steel	From/To	MSRP	Note	Number made	Grind	Clip	Clip positions	Collectors club
C85GP2	Black G-10	PE	CPM-S30V	late 2011-	169.95$ (2011)	Yojimbo 2	Regular production	Hollow	4-way clip	LH/RH, TD/TU	Main
C85CFP2	Black peel ply CF	PE	CPM-S90V	July 2014	299.95$ ($229.95 street)	KnifeWorks Exclusive Yojimbo 2	800 (with option for additional 400)	Hollow	Silver 4-way clip	LH/RH, TD/TU	Variant
C85GPBNBK2	Coyote brown G-10	PE	Black DLC coated CPM-S90V	Aug. 2017	$269.95 (2017)	JB Outman distributor Exclusive, Black DLC coated pivot, screws, and clip. Non coated liners and standoffs.	1200?	Hollow	Black 4-way clip	LH/RH, TD/TU	Variant
C85TR2	Red G-10	Unsharpened PE	CTS-BD1	Sept. 2017-	209.95$ (2017)	Skeletonized trainer blade for similar weight distribution as a live blade, has rounded tip.	N/A	Not ground	Silver 4-way clip	LH/RH, TD/TU	Variant
C85CF20CVP2	Smooth matte black CF	PE	CPM-20CV	Apr. 2018	$349.95 (2018)	JB Outman distributor Exclusive	Limited	Hollow	Chrome silver 4-way clip	LH/RH, TD/TU	Variant
C85GM4P2	Jade G-10	PE	CPM-M4	Oct. 02-Oct. 04, 2018	$217.95 (MSRP), $154.95 (street)	Blade HQ dealer Exclusive	Limited	Hollow	Chrome silver 4-way clip	LH/RH, TD/TU	Variant
C85GM4PBK2	Jade G-10	PE	Black DLC coated CPM-M4	Apr. 12, 2019 @ 10AM MST	$237.95 (MSRP), $168.95 (street)	Blade HQ dealer Exclusive. Black screws, satin liners. Sold out in approximately 40 minutes.	Limited	Hollow	Black 4-way clip	LH/RH, TD/TU	Variant
C85GPBBK2	Black G-10	PE	Black DLC coated CPM-S30V	Feb. 2020-	$260.00 (2020)	All black hardware: screws, standoffs, and liners.	Regular production	Hollow	Black 4-way clip	LH/RH, TD/TU	Variant
C85GPTN2	TanG-10	PE	CPM-20CV	March 2021	$158.20 (2021, street price)	DLT Trading dealer Exclusive	Limited	Hollow	Chrome silver4-way clip	LH/RH, TD/TU	Variant
C85GPTNBLK2	TanG-10	PE	Black DLC coated CPM-20CV	October 2021	$172.20 (2021, street price)	DLT Trading dealer Exclusive	Limited	Hollow	Black 4-way clip	LH/RH, TD/TU	Variant
C85GPCW2	Smooth Black G-10	PE	Cru-Wear	August 2022	$216.00 (2022 MSRP), $169.95(2022, street price)	Knifecenter Exclusive	Limited	Hollow	Chrome 4-way clip	LH/RH, TD/TU	Variant
C85GPPRBK2	Purple G-10	PE	Black DLC coated Cru-Wear	Jan 2023	$196.00 (2023, street price)	DLT Trading dealer Exclusive	Limited	Hollow	Black 4-way clip	LH/RH, TD/TU	Variant

Most collectible variation

Questions regarding collecting the C85

Some interesting questions we are looking for an answer to:

Questions with an answer:

Technical information

Measurements (mm and grams) of the C85 Yojimbo:

Variation	Length overall	Length closed	Length blade	Length edge	Hole Ø	Blade thickness	Weight
C85	199mm	127mm	73mm	69mm	14mm	4mm	102g
C85GP2	192mm	114mm	79mm	75mm	13mm	4mm	113g

Measurements (inches and ounces) of the C85 Yojimbo:

Variation	Length overall	Length closed	Length blade	Length edge	Hole Ø	Blade thickness	Weight
C85	7 13/16"	5"	2 7/8"	2 11/16"	9/16"	5/32"	3.6oz
C85GP2	7 9/16"	4 5/8"	3 1/8"	2 15/16"	33/64"	5/32"	4.0oz

Pictures

C85GBK Yojimbo, opend, front side

C85GBK Yojimbo, closed, clip side