Review Y-Start Jin02

Review Y-Start Jin02

Introduction

Of these last months, undoubtedly one of the folder knives that more popularity has reached, even more than some of the new models of Ganzo, is the model that i bring you today.

Y-Start is a brand that, having very few models available in stores lets say "standard" (because it has more models that for some reason do not arrive and we have to resort to third-party vendors to get them) is slowly breaking through.

I think the Jin01 model has been a turning point in the brand, not yet very well known, but with the Jin02 model seems to have reached great heights of popularity.

Today we will check whether this huge sudden fame of the Y-Start Jin02 is deserved or not...

Exterior design and appearance

The folder knife enters through the eyes, that's how it is. It has a classic but very elegant style, emphasizing a specially designed design. It is not a “tactical” knife obvious at first sight but it is also not suffering from anything to not be...

General view 1

General view 2

It has a blade of type "drop point" and full flat grind with a few lines at the beginning of it that adorn it even more. The steel used is D2, one of the best in this price range, and from the factory did not come too sharp, i expected a lot more, cut the paper so so. Of the three Y-Starts reviewed in the blog so far, this is the least sharp. Visually it is appreciated a tip especially thin for the thickness of spine that reaches in other points. The tip seems quite penetrating as the blade width is not large nor is the belly near the tip. I must say that i have found on the blade a little darker colored hairline that i do not know what it is, i do not know if it is a blade defect or rust, rubbing does not come out. Highlight that the blade is perfectly centered.

Blade detail

Looks like some rust

Well centered blade

The G10 handle is also very attractive, both in its shape and the polish and design of the screw  of the cylinder pivot or thumb studs and how they reflect the light according to the angle of incidence of light. It also has a recess in the handle scales in a stretch that is one of the things that will catch your attention when you see it. We did not find finishing defects in general, polished and non-sharpened "liners" of the handle, as well as perforated to lighten weight. There are different colors of the handle to choose: black, brown near gray, orange and green almost lime, although the blade is always with the same finish. The model presented is brown (almost gray).

Toches of design in several parts

Drilled "liners"

Closed view 1

Closed view 2

Even the "pocket clip" has its own design touch with its screws protruding from the handle scales. Commenting on a detail that i like quite a bit though it could have been improved even more: If you look at the photo, the base of the blade that falls on the stop cylinder is somewhat rounded (could be more). That stop cylinder is what stops the blade when it opens and receives the forces exerted on the blade when cutting, macheteing... any down to top pressure on the blade.

High pocket clip screw

It is clear that a flat base upon striking a stop cylinder causes all the force to be exerted on a very small point of the cylinder, which can be "crushed" or deformed. If what fits in the stop cylinder is a rounded base the forces exerted are distributed. The clearest example of this we have for example in the Sanrenmus 9063, 763/7063 and 7071. I do not understand why designers do not take it more seriously. Cold Steel also usually implements it.

Rounded blade base

About the measurements we find: 20 cm in total length, 8.2 cm of blade with 3 mm thickness, 11.5 cm closed and a weight in scale of 126 gr.

The locking system used is an "axis lock" which we will discuss in more detail in the handling and use section.

Comparative

This knife remember me the Enlan/Bee L05-1 when seeing the Y-start Jin02, let's see...

Top Y-Start Jin02. Below Enlan/Bee L05-1

Top Y-Start Jin02. Below Enlan/Bee L05-1

Handling and use

There are several things to talk about the maneuverability of this knife, and i will start with the most obvious (if you handle it, because at first view you will not notice), it is the "axis lock".

The "axis lock" spring is very strong, too strong, and the thumb studs so little protruding do not help. My fingers and nails hurt if i close and open the knife several times in a row. Ganzo blades often come with very hard "axis locks" at first and then soften with use. Not this one, not at the moment, or has done very little, we will have to see what happens after weeks opening and closing. The retention of the blade has an excessive force, which also influences when opening the blade with one hand, since you have to overcome that force.

The way to open the knife is with the thumb studs or letting the "axis lock" go although the opening is not very smooth, even with the axis lock completely removed. The blade runs free but friction can be noticed. It has a system of ball bearings but i do not see it too soft, i have seen blades with washers softer than this one.

As for the area of ​​the cylinder of the locking system that gets to fit on the base of the blade, is a part, but does not enter whole, reminds me a little to some older models of Ganzo where there was a part without fit on the blade.

"Axis lock" detail

The handle of the knife has a curious texture, or rather, does not have any, it happens a bit like the Jin01. Curiously it has more grip than other blades in G10 that have a bit of texture.

Detail of the texture of the handle 1

Detail of the texture of the handle 2

The adaptability to the hand, is not bad but is not very good, at least for my hand, it bothers me the guard that has, with a too pronounced angle, it hinders me, the curvature should be smoother. Also the handle is a bit small, among other things because the guard pushes my hand back. There is no jimping on either the blade or the handle, which does not help to catch it better.

Final verdict

Well, this is one of those models that for me is not easy to express my assessment, and i’m going to explain the reason:

If you want to know if the knife is good or not, i have to say: yes. Yes because it exudes quality, both in finishes and in design. Its appearance enters the eyes immediately, a very attractive handle, equally attractive blade, D2 steel, good price... great, a very good option to take.

But on the other hand, something happens with this Y-Start: it does not generate emotions, not like the LK5008 (large size and incredible blade) or the Jin01 (large and more surprisingly visually).

Is it a good folder knife? yes, there is no doubt, but it does not excite like other Y-Start models (to me). And the emotivity is very important in the cutlery, arousing feelings.

But i will be very attentive to any other model of Y-Start that appears because it is a brand that deserves it, especially if they reach or exceed 22 cm in total length, which is where it separates more from the rest.

It is elegant and very beautiful, huge quality in finishes and design, one of the best steel offered in this range and a very competitive price.

Pros

- Very attractive visually, like to see it. Very careful design and innovative in certain aspects.

- D2 steel for the price it has is a temptation, it improves the steels of other brands in this range.

- Good finishes in general, including polished and unsharpened "liners" or blade with perfect centering.

Contras

- The most serious problem i see is that it does not excite like the previous Y-Starts analyzed in the blog. But this is something subjective and not objective applicable to all people.

- The “axis lock” is very stiff, exaggerated. Besides a lot of force in the retention of the blade. When closing it pulls too hard, and also affects to open it to a hand. In addition there is some friction in the blade despite the bearing system that incorporates even if the "axis lock" is totally loose.

- Small size compared to Y-Start LK5008 and Jin01 models.

- Although aesthetically the pivot screw is good, with a flat screwdriver slot too wide, i think it is best to put a Phillips or Torx screw to distribute the forces better and they don’t deform.

- Very thin blade tip for the thickness that reaches on other points of the spine. It can easily break if it is levered.

Moving