Massad Ayoob Model

I

Ian11

Joined
May 15, 2003
Messages
42
Anyone own one these things? If you do how do you like them compared to your other knives? Is it easy to transition to after using more traditional knives? And is the later version with the more textured Almite handle better? Ideally I'd love to walk into a shop and try one but these things are scarce and can only be found on the internet.

Anyways, I'm thinking of returning my Starmate (it's a great knife don't get me wrong) but with my Military and AFCK I think its a bit redundant and want something a little different and geared more towards MBC.
 
Ian11,
I believe that you'll find that contrary to your first impressions the knife actually feels very natural in the hand. See this link (www.donrearic.com/ayoob.html) The design will accommodate the hammer grip but I believe the knife was designed for the thumb to be placed on the spine and pushing against the hump on the blade. With this grip, smooth handle or not, the knife is secure in your hand. I also believe the design promotes the saber grip which means that the palm, middle, ring and pinky fingers are used to hold the knife with a firm grip while the index finger and thumb are relaxed. This removes a lot of tension in the wrist and forearm which promotes a flexible presentation of the knfe. Much thougt by Mr. Ayoob and Spyderco went into this knife and I believe it shows in the ergonomics. Light weight, slim profile, high mounting of the clip, and banana shape make for easy carry in your pocket. It feels solid in your hand and is one of the easier Spyderco's to open. Many feel the lock back is old fashioned but I like it. It's solid, why fix it if it ain't broke, and it works for both right and left handers. The textured handle on the new production knives is OK and removes much of the complaint about smooth handles but I like the smooth black handle. In my eye the smooth handles look better. As you can tell I love the Massad Ayoob. I already have 4 of them, 1 ea in PE/SE smooth black handles and 1 ea in PE/SE matte handles, and another that I just bought hopefully in the mail.
 
the Mas is one of my "next buy" knives.. read alot about it lately and very sweet blade.
 
Sharktooth,

Thanks for all that great information. I've already place my order for a PE Ayoob model and I have no doubts I'll like it. Frankly, I haven't come across a Spyderco I didn't like. I thought about getting a 'Lil Temperance or Gunting but I really prefer the length and blade shape of the Ayoob. Plus my BM 720 Axis fulfills the small to medium size role fine already. The VG-10 steel is a real plus too(one of the reasons I like the new Police models, but again my Military and AFCK will handle those roles just fine). I don't have any training in MBC so a good slasher to keep "baddies" away was what I was looking for. I looked into the Civilian, Matriarch, Spyderhawk, Harpy, and Merlin models but the hook could get caught on something and actually pull your attacker towards you and not away from you. That's my thinking anyways. Also the more "traditional" blade of the Ayoob means its a more practical utility folder. The Ayoob also seems like quite a dressy and classy looking folder (until its opened ;) ) compared to the others I have. Anyways, something different.
 
I have an Ayoob and I carry it in a neck sheath made by River City Sheaths (Mike Sastre modeling one below)...this type of carry allows you to do the "Spyderco Drop" right out of the sheath..a big plus over a fixed blade neck knife is that you won't rip your shirt while withdrawing in a hurry :)

MikeandSouthern.jpg



RL
 
The Ayoob is my EDC. I had a change in jobs at my company and went from BDU's and a full duty rig to Slacks and Polo shirts. So my EDC went from the Emmerson Commander to the Spyderco Ayoob. It's a dressier blade in my opinion and one hell of an MBC knife. It's works well for everyday chores like opening packages, envelopes and coffee in the morning, it's not to heavy and not too light, feels good in the hand and is lightning quick for snap cuts and thrusts. I absolutely love it. I have always been a fan of the forward canted blade. See any of my posts on Laci Szabo blades. :)
it just makes sence to me. Clicks you might say. Anyway, the quality is absolute Spyderco, so there is no worry there. and the performance is awsome. it's a unique design that's just gonna click for some folks and not for others. Personally it works for me.
And that's what counts.
 
I have an SE Ayoob that I never carry. I just don't find it to be a very useful knife.
 
Perhaps you might have like the Ayoob better if you got the PE model? Can you elaborate why you didn't like this particular design?
 
Like Chambers said, this knife will click for some and for others this is ugliest knife ever. But for me I believe this is the next best thing to (fill in the blank.)
 
I just got it today and it definately "clicks" for me. I love the way it feels in my hand, love the curve of the blade, and love the way it slices. But its true, the handles are pretty slick compared to my G-10 handle knives. (I got the later production Ayoob) But it isn't so bad that I'd put skateboard tape on it just yet.

An interesting addition to the brood.
 
If you can live with the handle, the Ayoob makes a great descreet carry knife because of the high mount clip, light weight, black color, and thin banana shaped profile. I agree that some may prefer a knife with greater texture or skateboard tape on the handle but I believe the stock set-up gives it a classy non-threatening look less likely to scare everyday citizens. That is the true value of this design. A great defensive knife is of no use if you can't carry it because it scares everyone around you. I would hate to try stuffing the Gunting, Chinook or Lil Temerance in my front pocket and going to work. I'd truly earn the nickname of "Chester the Molester" if I did. Clip the Gunting to your belt and ever office manager in the building will be callling the Swat team. The primary goal of the Ayoob being defensive with a descreet look and utility secondary. Clip the Ayoob in a descreet location and carry a second smaller knife on your belt for utility use. I carry a Navigator on my belt for utillity uses and keep the Ayoob razor sharp for more important business.
 
I find that the Ayoob rides nice in BDUs or 5.11 pockets fine but I prefer my G-10 Police for jeans.

Good to be back, been gone awile.
 
The Ayoob (serrated) is even better as an EDC when you do the following: Remove the clip and its screws. Decide which end up and which side of your waistband will be used. Proceed accordingly and apply grip tape (black of course!) Use the least amount of grip tape that will "stick" between your pants and your tucked in shirt and not grab too much when you need to access it quickly. Hint: you only need the tape where you want the knife to stick; this is how you set ride height and thus visibility.
I found the knife is remarkably stable in the inguinal (hip fold) carry--and almost impossible for others to detect if carried real low.
Often, I just carry it in a pocket. It's not small but without the clip it becomes very slim and sleek. Sucker will cut anything, scare any civilized person who might see it up close and open, and it feels great in the hand--a really outstanding knife!
 
Could someone post a picture of the two different surfaces that the Ayoob came in? Or, maybe a more detailed description?
Thanks.
 
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