Spyderco Yojumbo CPM S90V C253CF Sprint Run Pocket Knife Review

The Spyderco C253CF Yojumbo Sprint Run pocket knife comes from personal self-defense expert Michael Janich in partnership with Spyderco. The tool is an upscaled version of the Yojimbo™ 2. Thanks to the design changes, this version is stunning, with an expanse of uses.

The knife has a satin-finished Wharncliffe blade. The blade is CPM S90V (420V) steel, supercharged with vanadium and rich in carbon. These two elements give you a sharp knife with good cutting power and excellent edge retention.

This blade is also rigid and tough, but we will get to that later. You will meet a premium carbon fiber handle with a solid peel-ply texture at the end of the blade. While we love other carbon fiber scale textures, this stands out and gives the knife a flare of sophistication.

It is the type of knife that draws attention while effortlessly existing. The Yojumbo Spring Run maintains the original’s high-strength compression lock, stainless steel liners, and four-position pocket clip.

Also Available at: Spyderco, Stnicksknives, Knifeworks

The technical specs of this knife are similar to what you would find in large pocket knives.

Overall Length: 9.29" (236 mm)

Closed Length: 5.37" (136 mm)

Blade Thickness: 0.145" (3.7 mm)

Blade Length: 3.98" (101 mm)

Edge Length: 3.98" (101 mm)

Weight: 5.1oz (145g)

So is this knife ideal for you? We can answer that question by looking at the qualities that make this knife stand out. So keep scrolling to gain helpful insight into the functionality of this knife.

Carbon Fiber Handle

We tend to think that carbon fiber is a modern invention but this material dates as far as the 19th century. Of course, back then, people did not use it in knife handles, but investors recognized the material for its strength and durability.

The Yojumbo Sprint Run has a black carbon fiber handle measuring about 5.37 inches. This handle has a smooth, simple finish, giving it a richer color. Everything spells elegant with this handle, and it is highly functional too.

The strengths of carbon fiber as a handle material include:

• Lightweight. Carbon fiber strands are very lightweight. And even when woven together, they maintain their weightless profile. This is good on a knife handle because the tool will not feel bulky.
• Water and corrosion-resistant. The nature of carbon fiber stands makes them impervious to water. In addition, they do not sustain damage from oxidation. The resin manufacturers use to create carbon fiber handles enhance the water and corrosion resistance of the material.
• Durable. Multiple strands are woven together to make a carbon fiber handle and then set in resin. This makes the materials durable on a knife handle. Most carbon fiber handles last for years with abrasion resistance.
• Visuals and Variety. Carbon fiber is also easy on the eyes. Whether it is in scales or plain on a knife, carbon fiber enhances the tool. In addition, the material and epoxy resin come in a variety of colors. However, black works nicely for folding knives. Not too noticeable but subtly classy.

Unfortunately, carbon fiber is not free from flaws. The two shortcomings are brittleness and price. The carbon fiber weave pattern causes it to be brittle. It is highly resistant and robust in the direction of the weave pattern. But when you stress it in the opposite direction, the weave breaks apart. As such, a sharp impact can damage carbon fiber handles.

Also Available at: Spyderco, Stnicksknives, Knifeworks

Carbon fiber is also expensive because it is not easy to make. Weaving carbon fiber strands then setting them in resin is a labor-intensive process that makes this material high-end. Therefore knives with genuine carbon fiber handles are pricey. The Yojumbo Sprint Run proves that it is on the higher side in price.

However, considering all the advantages of carbon fiber, we would say this is a worthy investment. You need to spend a good amount on a pocket knife that will last long. Therefore, do not shy away from carbon fiber handles in pocket knives. They are worth the investment.

Carbon fiber feels good in the hand. It gives users a firm grip, even with wet hands. It also feels lightweight, which can take a little time to get used to. However, this is not a problem for the Yojumbo Sprint Run since it is relatively heavy. It feels solid and equally weighted in hand.

CPM S90V (420V) Steel

CPM S90V is unique steel from Crucible manufactured through the Crucible Particle Metallurgy process. This martensitic stainless steel is high in carbon and vanadium to give it excellent corrosion resistance, toughness, and hardness.

The chemical composition of CPM S90V (420V) Steel is similar to CPM 20 CV, only that it has higher carbon and vanadium.

• 30% Carbon. This is relatively high even for high carbon knives. Carbon is a good hardening agent that increases the strength of steel. This blade is highly resistant to abrasion from other materials. However, this percentage also has a downside since with an increase in hardness comes the ease of chipping and cracking when the knife absorbs energy.
• 14% Chromium. This is a standard amount of chromium present in stainless steel knives. It is ideal for preventing corrosion, making this knife rust-free and ideal for use in wet conditions. Chromium also enhances the toughness of the blade.
• 9% Vanadium. Unlike its CPM 20 CV counterpart, this steel has a higher vanadium content which makes sense considering the high amounts of carbon. Vanadium is the element that enhances the steel’s ability to absorb energy or toughness by refining the grain structure of the steel. This ensures that the blade does not shatter or break.
• 1% Molybdenum. This element increases the tensile strength and hardenability of the blade. It also enhances the corrosion resistance of the blade.

So is CPM S90V (420V) as high-performing as other CPM steels? For starters, the steel performs well in corrosion resistance. If there is a knife, you won't have to worry about rust formation; it is this one.

Secondly, the high vanadium content encourages the formation of vanadium carbides which aid wear resistance. Therefore, the knife will perform well without deformations on the surface of the blade.

High carbon content increases the hardness and durability of the blade. It will maintain an edge well and last years with basic maintenance activities.

Also Available at: Spyderco, Stnicksknives, Knifeworks

Length and Weight

The Youjumbo Sprint Run weighs 5.1 ounces with an overall length of 9.29 inches. The blade stands at 3.98 inches, while the handle is approximately 5.37 inches. This is larger than most pocket knives.

So why would Spyderco make a large pocket knife even though the small ones are the best? Well, for starters, larger blades can give you a variety of uses. Blades higher than 3 inches and lower than 5 give you some of the usefulness of fixed blades with subtleness.

A larger blade such as this one is better for self-defense, plus a wide range of tasks. They also perform well in outdoor settings such as fishing and hunting. The disadvantage of a large blade is the carrying laws, but some states allow it.

A longer handle such as this one has its advantages. For starters, it will give you a better grip, as all your fingers will fit comfortably and rest naturally. Additionally, a longer handle feels more solid in hand, so you can effortlessly achieve chopping and cutting tasks.

But the shortcoming of a longer handle is the weight. However, since the Yojumbo Spring Run has a carbon fiber handle, it is refreshingly lightweight. You can feel the difference with a similar-sized steel or aluminum handle.

Final Thought

Is this the best blade for you? Only you can make that judgment, but we can give you a little insight to help.

For starters, the Yojumbo Sprint Run knife is larger than most pocket knives. Therefore, it will also feel heavier than its counterparts, despite the carbon fiber handle. If you are keen on weight and how the knife feels in the pocket, then you may struggle with this knife.

However, its weight is also an advantage because it will give you a more solid feel for control when using the knife. The longer handle is also ideal for grip. If you work better with a knife that allows you to fit your fingers comfortably, go for this one.

We believe that this tool lies somewhere on the line between EDC and adventure knives. It can help you with various cutting and piercing activities, such as opening letters and packages. Additionally, it performs well in primary hunting and camping activities, offering these functions.

Furthermore, if you are looking for a portable self-defense knife, then this might be the right one for you. It is easy to work with by allowing you to distribute weight and place your fingers comfortably on the handle. We deem this knife ideal for people with multiple needs.

To sum it up, the size of the knife makes the Yojumbo Spring Run stand out as a knife you can achieve more with. It can take you from indoors to a camping trip and then back for self-defense purposes.

Also Available at: Spyderco, Stnicksknives, Knifeworks