C-60 Massad Ayoob: Best Collaboration Model?

J

JD Spydo

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Nov 20, 2004
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Spyderco has had some of the best collaboration models in their line up of any other knife company I can think of. But there is one collaboration model that pretty much stands out as their top dog stacked against all their other great collaborations IMO. With all of the superb collaboration models and designers that have worked with Spyderco to put out some really super blades>> I still maintain that that C-60 Ayoob is still their best collaboration design/model of all time IMO. And I base that on style, ergonomic perfection, ideal EDC blade design and it being one of the best overall time tested models to boot.

The designer Massad Ayoob is a premier firearms expert and a brilliant contributor to many big name magazines. His design of the Spyderco C-60 model is a great design for outdoorsmen, fishermen, hunters, first responders, and anyone who needs a rugged EDC. I'm constantly hoping the Mr. Ayoob will do another collaboration folder and/or fixed blade with Spyderco.

The Original C-60 was introduced in the early 2000s decade and was made with an almite handle. The original C-60 model was available in plain edge and Spyderedge both and many fans believe it's Spyderco's very best Spyderedged model ever>> I don't know of any other Spyderedged model that had ergos even close to that of the C-60 model. The Sprint model came in about 10 years later and had a G-10 handle but was sadly not available in Spyderedge :(. The ergos of the C-60 is pretty much unequaled throughout Spyderco's collaboration line up. All of the C-60 Ayoob models were made with VG-10 steel.

The Sprint C-60 model with the G-10 handle is one of my all time top EDC models. For those of you new Spyderco fans I encourage you to check out the C-60. For hard core fans of the C-60 like myself I'm wondering what your thoughts are about the C-60 compared to other collaboration models.
 
I never liked it, but then I also don't carry a knife for self-defense. If I'm worried about that, I drop a Ruger LCP in my pocket. There's no doubt, however, that Mr. Ayoob knows his stuff when it comes to self-defense, though.
 
I thought it died the death it deserved and was suprised by the ressurection. Main reason being the strange blade/handle angle. The serrated version was unpopular, available at discount for quite awhile after it was discontinued.
 
It's one of my favorites to carry and if it was ever needed to used and intended I have no reservations that it would get the job done.
 
Now for many of you who believe that the C-60 Ayoob model is only a "self defense" type knife I do urge you to take a second look at it. Because the ergonomics of the C-60 go way beyond that and I've found it to be one of my best all around EDC folders. A good friend of mine from upstate NY told me that he discovered it to be one of the best fish fillet folders he ever used and this guy fishes a lot. I've also found it's ergonomics to be some of the best to ever come from Spyderco. The belly on the blade makes penetration extremely easy for a lot of cuts that would normally be a problem.

Oh the C-60 has great SD capabilities but it's very much overlooked for a lot of it's great potential. I've also found it to be great in the kitchen for all kinds of food prep jobs. The more recent G-10 Sprint version has better grip/purchase than just about any other Spyderco I've ever owned. The older, first generation Spyderedged version was thought to be one of Spyderco's very best fully serrated folders ever.

It's not only a case of "looks" being deceiving but also a case of ergonomics being hidden as well. This great classic Spyderco folder deserves a fair trial and I do urge all of you to give it a try.
 
I don't have the knife, but I have taken two classes from him and he is a genuine bad ass. Learning from him has made me feel safer in our world.
Russ
 
I think that is a great collab; I have also taken classes from Mr. Ayoob and I actually discussed the knife with him during a break one day.

Massad said he designed it to be a good thrusting blade that would keep your wrist straight, instead of at an awkward angle. Check out your wrist with a straight knife while performing a forward thrusting move.

I don't have any pictures of my C-60, but it is a nice knife and I carry it occasionally.

I also like the Farid K2 collaboration knife, that is a very good one as well, but then I like big knives....

best

mqqn
 
mqqn said:
I think that is a great collab; I have also taken classes from Mr. Ayoob and I actually discussed the knife with him during a break one day.

Massad said he designed it to be a good thrusting blade that would keep your wrist straight, instead of at an awkward angle. Check out your wrist with a straight knife while performing a forward thrusting move.

I don't have any pictures of my C-60, but it is a nice knife and I carry it occasionally.

I also like the Farid K2 collaboration knife, that is a very good one as well, but then I like big knives....
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For you guys who have actually gotten to take SD classes from Massad Ayoob himself>> all I can say is that I envy you both and would also love to take his SD classes if I ever do get the chance. I have religiously read his great articles in "BackWoodsHome" magazine and his other great freelance articles I have read in other publications and you just know in your gut that Mr. Massad Ayoob is the "real deal" when it comes to self defense and firearms expertise.

Oh I know that the C-60 is a defensive gem when used properly. I would put him right up there with Bram Frank and Fred Perrin both. But the beauty of the C-60 Spyderco folder is that it truly goes way beyond just being a self defense folder>> The C-60 has been in my personal "JD's Top 10" which I put out on the Spyderco.com forum about twice a year. I use that to rank my top 10 most favorite and most used Spyderco models of all time ( folder & fixed blades).

I was really sad when I found that they didn't do the Sprint G-10 version in Spyderedge. But I do have the Spyderedged, original C-60 from many years ago. Again the "ergonomics" of the C-60 folder are just not equaled by many other designs that I can recollect. The blade is designed where it is always at an angle of attack and is in a slicing/cutting mode at all times. It's also my very favorite outdoor folder as well.
 
Have a buddy who's deep into FMA who carries an Ayoob to this day. I missed the G10 sprint and still regret it. Very interesting knife.
 
Never held the knife and thought it a little odd looking but have been a fan of Ayoob for many, many years. I'd like to know how many articles he's written over the years!

Mike
 
It is my favorite carry! In addition to the SD applications it is a great EDC for all the reasons JD Spydo stated. For a larger blade, it rides incredibly well in a front pocket due to its overall shape and curvature. It is the only larger folder I have that doesn't thrust skyward (in a front pocket) when you sit down. Women's pockets tend to be more shallow than the pockets on men's jeans. This knife really stays put.

Joyce @ Spyderco
 
I don't have one but I have no doubt that it is everything JD says. BUT, spyderco has so many excellent collabs I would not personally declare it or any of them "THE" best ;)
We all have our favorites.
 
Joyce Laituri said:
It is my favorite carry! In addition to the SD applications it is a great EDC for all the reasons JD Spydo stated. For a larger blade, it rides incredibly well in a front pocket due to its overall shape and curvature. It is the only larger folder I have that doesn't thrust skyward (in a front pocket) when you sit down. Women's pockets tend to be more shallow than the pockets on men's jeans. This knife really stays put.

Joyce @ Spyderco
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Well thanks Ms Joyce that's really interesting to get a lady's viewpoint on it. It was special to me when I got my very first one ( Almite handled version) back in 2002. Ms. Joyce you really also make a case for a smaller scaled down version of the Ayoob. Because of blade length restrictions in many parts of the USA and the fact that a lot of the women would probably prefer a smaller, scaled down version.

Even though the Ayoob has it's claim to fame in the self defense category I still maintain that it is a great folder for about anything you would want to use it for. It hasn't been that long ago that one of the guys over at the Spyderco.com forum suggested making a C-60 in the H-1 Salt Series. I would welcome that but I would much rather see a new Sprint version in one of the new supersteels.

To me the Ayoob C-60 model also has all the hallmarks of a great outdoor/hunting/fishing type folder as well. But again I really do appreciate that valuable input because it says a lot about it's ease of carry and overall mobility.
 
So the Ayoob and the szabo fighter seem to have similar ergonomics how do they compare for sd and edc?
 
simyo said:
So the Ayoob and the szabo fighter seem to have similar ergonomics how do they compare for sd and edc?
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They could not be more different.

The Ayoob is a scalpel with dusting of stealth and the Szabo is a chainsaw with the the muffler sawed off.
 
The blade shape appears similar but that's about it. I was super excited about the Szano but ended up not caring for it at all. Chunky, clunky handle and awkward ergonomics (scale blocks thumb hold) meant I never carried it. I also didn't care for the extra retention spring. It's an attractive design no doubt but I didn't think it worked at all well.

The Ayoob is quite a bit smaller and essentially flat. It rides well, opens well, and the unique blade angle works fine. I think it's a very good design.

It would be awesome to see something like a paramilitary with its compression lock and full flat ground blade reimagined with the same ergos as the Ayoob.
 
It's sad that knives with negative blade angle often get overlooked by majority simply because of the unfamiliarity with how well they operate for many tasks.
Shouldn't be seen as "unconventional", because it's how it should be. ;)

Same goes for many of the Schempp Collaborations, and the Los Banos Lava. It is one criteria that I look for and enjoy in a knife.


I unfortunately missed out on the Ayoob, and wouldn't mind picking one up second hand, but it is a little large for my regular carry.
 
SpeedHoles said:
It's sad that knives with negative blade angle often get overlooked by majority simply because of the unfamiliarity with how well they operate for many tasks.
Shouldn't be seen as "unconventional", because it's how it should be. ;)

Same goes for many of the Schempp Collaborations, and the Los Banos Lava. It is one criteria that I look for and enjoy in a knife.


I unfortunately missed out on the Ayoob, and wouldn't mind picking one up second hand, but it is a little large for my regular carry.
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You make some good points there "Speedholes" >> It goes without saying that what a lot of people consider to be a non-conventional design but in reality is a functional genius design in many aspects. Mr. Ayoob himself wanted to design a folder that handled like holding a well designed handgun from what I was told. And it ended up being an ergonomic wonder. For anyone who has owned and used a C-60 Ayoob I doubt if you find very many that don't like it. l

Again you and Ms Joyce make a great case for a smaller, scaled down version of the Ayoob. When they made a smaller scaled down version of the Calypso it immediately became an icon and a super classic>> I'm speaking of the Caly jr. of course as well as all the other great folders that evolved from that original C-54 model that is now so iconic.

I'm also now wondering what a fixed blade version of the Ayoob would be like as well. It's been about 4 years since the G-10 Sprint Ayoob model came out and I truly wish they would consider the next Ayoob model. I've wondered what a Carbon Fiber Ayoob C-60 would be like :cool:
 
All this text and not one picture? :p

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DSC_5801.JPG


DSC_5806.JPG


Still no GOOD pictures, but it's a start.

best

mqqn
 
mqqn said:
All this text and not one picture? :p

Still no GOOD pictures, but it's a start.
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Those were some excellent pictures>> especially the ones you took of the Spyderedged version of the C-60:cool: And it's just apropos that you would take pics of the C-60 with some really impressive handguns. I'm sure Massad Ayoob himself would be very much in approval :thumbup:

And when you hold the Ayoob in a cutting position it truly does have the feel of the grip of a really nice handgun like a Glock, Colt or even a Sig Sauer for that matter.

Again I would love to see a new C-60 Sprint with a Carbon Fiber handle and with a new blade steel too. It's like Ms Joyce made reference to the fact that even though it's a full sized folder however it still handles easily like a smaller unit. The ergonomics couldn't be better.
 
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