Spyderco Ayoob... worth it?

S

Stiletto Raggio

Joined
Jan 29, 2000
Messages
546
I have happened upon a very good deal on a Spyderco Ayoob. The knife is really cool looking, and the materials are top notch, but how practical is it as a dual purpose utility/defense knife? Is the blade angle easy to get used to? This would be my "primarily for defense" folder (my Viele is my letter opening dress knife). Any thoughts?
 
The Ayoob is a great EDC.

It works well for utility tasks. The blade is thin, with a nice belly.

It goes through cardboard, letters, plastic, and rope like butter. It even works well in the kitchen, though it's not the best for chopping.

The VG10 steel holds an edge well.

It is a very light, thin knife, and is easy to carry. Folded, it is deceptively small.

The handle is well shaped, and can extend the length of the knife, depending on grip. It's also easy to do the spydie-drop on. The lock is strong, for a lockback. It takes a little while to get used to the blade angle, but once you do, you'll wonder why more knives aren't that way.

Overall, it's just a great knife.

I'm not qualified to comment on it's defensive uses. I would guess it would be pretty effective. I believe Massad Ayoob is pretty well respected in his field. I doubt it would be as effective as a .45 caliber round, but, honestly, I don't want to find out either way. I use it as a utility knife only.

For a great EDC, get the Ayoob. You won't be sorry.

-- Rob
 
I carry a serrated Ayoob as one of my EDC folders, and I really like this knife! The materials are top-notch, and the fit & finish is perfect. Also, eventho it is a "mean-looking" knife, the blade of only 3&5/8 inches long makes it legal to carry in many, if not most places. The only down-side to this knife is that the scales can be alittle slippery, but a little bit of Agrip took care of that minor problem. (I'd LOVE to see this knife with G-10 scales...).

Buy it...You won't be sorry, as it's a rather unique folder.:).
 
I second the call for an "A grip" explanation.

Also, I was a little worried about the thin blade. How well is that blade going to stand up if it hits bone or concrete? I know that the steel is good and if you use it on bone oyu will most likely not be using it again, but I wonder nonetheless.
 
Yeah, what's Agrip?

As for the Ayoob, i like the knife, but i don't carry it because its a little too big for my hands.. it doesn't seem that thin to me, its about the same thickness as my Endura, and i wouldn;t really worry too much chipping it unless ur dropping it on concrete. Its a really nice feeling knife with solid quality construction, but to me, its just another weird-looking spyderco (which i love so much) to add to the collection :D
 
Originally posted by glockman99
I carry a serrated Ayoob as one of my EDC folders, and I really like this knife! The materials are top-notch, and the fit & finish is perfect. Also, eventho it is a "mean-looking" knife, the blade of only 3&5/8 inches long makes it legal to carry in many, if not most places. The only down-side to this knife is that the scales can be alittle slippery, but a little bit of Agrip took care of that minor problem. (I'd LOVE to see this knife with G-10 scales...).

Buy it...You won't be sorry, as it's a rather unique folder.:).
Click to expand...

I second what the Cool Moderator says...
It's a great knife for utility or defense.

-SB
 
Agrip is a stick-on grip enhancer that feels like crushed velvet. It is sold by a company here in Washington State (Brooks Tactical). It's main use is to improve slippery handgun grip (such as on the Glock pistols), but I have found it to also work very well on slippery knives. If (you) need further info on Agrip, feel-free to email me.
 
I'm just not sure about putting velvety stuff on my guns or knives... I'd ahve to at least feel this A-Grip first.

Anyhow, I think I've decided to get the Ayoob, but I want to know how it is ground. Is it hollow or flat or what? And although my Viele is VG-10, too, I haven't sharpened it yet, so how tough is the steel to shearpen well?
 
The Ayoob is hollow ground to a fairly thin edge, but does not compromise the SD aspect of the knife.

VG-10 is a very good steel and sharpens up nicely with relative ease.

This is what makes it a nice utility piece and and nice SD piece.

I think they worth every penny that they are selling for now and when they came out, one of the best built Spydies to come out to date IMO.

I have a plain edged version with the newer Bead Blasted Almite finish as opposed to the glossy one, it is very grippy and I don't feel the need to add anything.

The knife carries well is very thin and locks open like a beast.

Get one but I would try and opt for the one with the newer finish as it is much better.
 
Perhaps the design isn't for everyone but I like the Ayoob so much I've got two...one in PE, one in SE, great knife. The plain edge has the beadblasted Almite handle & I prefer it.
 
Okay, last question, I think: What exactly is Almite? Is it aluminum? Is it a coating? What? And what makes is desirable? I'd look it up, but, alas, basic member searches are down.
 
Ok maybe this is just my general inexperience, but can the "spydie drop" be described?
 
I love the Ayoob model. It is just about the perfect utility/defense folder. Of course, you need to put some traction tape on the handle and then this baby is good to go. I also would like to see a G-10 model of this outstanding piece as that would provide the needed traction OOB.

This is one of those folders that has to be held and used to get a full appreciation of it's design. Two thumbs up for this folder from me.:cool:
 
Originally posted by misque
Of course, you need to put some traction tape on the handle and then this baby is good to go.
Click to expand...

You really need to try the new finish, it needs nothing and is very grippy!



Originally posted by Wasz
Ok maybe this is just my general inexperience, but can the "spydie drop" be described?
Click to expand...

Hold the knife by the spyderhole with your thumb and index finger and the point aiming upward. With a snap of your wrist use the weight of the handle and gravity to open the knife.

Not a really practical way of opening the knife IMO but it's a lot harder to do on a knife with thumb studs!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top