C60 Massad Ayoob

The C60 Massad Ayoob was introduced in 2001 and discontinued in 2002. A sprint run with G-10 handles was released in 2011.

Appearance in catalogs

The C60 Massad Ayoob appeared in the following:

Designer

Massad Ayoob

Massad Ayoob Makers mark

History, mentionings from the forums etc.

• On Bladeforums: [1] discussing the original version as well as plans for the sprint run that came out in 2011. Massad Ayoob comments on the design of the knife in post #40. His post says:

The rationale was to get the blade directly in line with the radius bone of the forearm when the average human wrist was in the "locked" position, which puts the middle knuckle of the hand directly in line with the axis of the forearm.

This is what gives the C60 its superior stabbing accuracy that posters in this thread have mentioned, and it also gives tremendously more penetration, because it aligns the skeleto-muscular support structure of the arm with the point (number one), and therefore with anyone who knows how to put his weight behind a punch, gets the entire body's force going directly behind the point (number two).

As other posters have also noted, the handle-to-blade angle puts much more force behind a slash as well as a stab. Instead of the blade "skimming" over the target as it hits hard resistance such as bone, the 90 degree angle of the blade when held in reverse grip (and KEPT there by a handle shape that allows the thumb to lock it at that angle) the C60 is more likely to shear directly through whatever resistance it encounters. Because of the design features, something very similar happens with a slash from the conventional saber or pekal grasp.

As to the tip-down carry: I'm one of those early Spyderco fans whom Sal calls "Clipiteers," [:-)] who started their Spyderco experience with the original Police model, learned to open it with a pinch-snap, and discovered we could win bets beating guys with bali-songs and even "automatic knives" in opening speed. The pinch snap uses the gross motor movement of the closed hand instead of the more fine-motor skill of using the thumb to open the blade via the original design intent of the "Spyder-hole."

As has also been noted (you guys n' gals are sharp, no pun intended) the C60 had ambi holes drilled so the clip could be moved for southpaws. I did not consider tip-up carry in the design parameters, and would have to go back and play with the concept a lot more to see how well it would work in that fashion. I realize that a lot of folks are as habituated to tip-up carry as I am to tip-down.

In the aforementioned thread, Massad tells us that the pronunciation of his first name rhymes with "brass".

• In this post on the Spyderco.com forum, from 15 August 2022, Sal Glesser shares some information on the manufacturing history behind the production of the C60GPGY & C60GPGY Sprint Run that came out in 2022:

We began working with this maker in 1988. At the time, they were considered by most experts, even in Japan to be THE premier quality knife maker in the world. It is/was a small family business consisting of the "Old Man", who was the driving force. He had more than 80 patents on his designs and they produced a small number pieces.

The "Old Man's" wife handled the office. There were two sons. One handled sales (#2 son) and one handled the factory with his father (#1 son). His wife also helped with the office.

Then one day, with no warning, the Father had a stroke and was no longer able to work. The Father's wife had to stop working to take care of the Father. Now the sons are running the company with the Patriarch and the Patriarch's Wife no longer involved. Very challenging, even devastating. They had one major lower quality customer (A Hardware chain) that carried the company. A few special customers like Spyderco and their normal consumer direct line.

Then "The Rains came". In one year, the Father passed away. The Mother passed away. #1 son had a stroke, and #1's son's wife passed away. Now the Grandson is running the factory and he really wasn't ready. Then the main Hardware chain found a less expensive supplier. The family was devastated.

We brought the Grandson to our factory in Golden to try to get him better trained and brought into the 21st Century manufacturing. Ir has been a long road and they are beginning to get back on track which pleases us and we're helping.

All of the people that headed up and made the original model 11 years ago are no longer alive, and this project was a major mountain to climb just to be able to make them. We're very proud of their achievement in this Sprint, while not perfect, is a major milestone in their rebirth. Those of you that are disappointed, you have my apologies, and if you are not pleased to accept the "funky tooth", you should return the piece and let someone else have it. We will not likely make this model again as we encourage and help the family restore their skill.

Information from the Spyderco catalog on the web

Spyderco Masaad Ayoob (sprint run)

Masaad Ayoob is an established authority and writer on firearms and knives. For more than four decades he has taught defensive knife and firearm programs and appears frequently as an expert witness in trials involving edged weapons. Along the way he developed an all-purpose tactical folder suited to his preferences that is the Spyderco C60 Massad Ayoob CLIPIT.

Most unusual about his folder is its radical angle of the handle to the blade. Ayoob explains: “With a typical knife, thrusting lifts the blade’s point above the line of the forearm, like a boat prow going through water. The faster, harder or more resistance encountered, the higher the prow rises deviating the blade off course from its original target which can mitigate the depth of the cut and can cause the blade to literally ‘skid’ when a resistant surface is hit.”

The C60’s radical angle brings the blade into line with the long bones of the forearm, channeling the body’s force directly behind the line of the cut resulting in minimized blade deviation and maximized accuracy. Because of the blade to handle angle, the Ayoob has a short opening arc, translating into fast opening.

The Spyderco Masaad Ayoob features also include a PlainEdge VG-10 stainless steel blade with a deep belly for maximized slicing potential. It has a notably strong lock-back with a David Boye style release lever that helps ensure safe lock-up. The black G-10 handle has an ergonomic thumb rest at the rear of the blade and a steel pocket clip for right/left hand tip-down carry.

The Spyderco Ayoob is a limited number Sprint Run. The C60G Massad Ayoob in Spyderco's online catalog.

Variations

The C60 Massad Ayoob is made in Seki-City, Japan and has a:

• Back Lock.

SKU	Handle	Edge(s)	Steel	From/To	MSRP	Note	Number made	Grind	Clip	Clip positions	Collectors club
C60P	Black Almite coated Aluminum	PE	VG-10	2001-2002	165.95$ (2001)		N/A	Hollow	Metal	LH/RH, TD
C60S	Black Almite coated Aluminum	SE	VG-10	2001-2002	165.95$ (2001)		N/A	Hollow	Metal	LH/RH, TD
C60G	Black G-10	PE	VG-10	2011	249.95$ (2011)	Sprint Run	N/A	Hollow	Black Metal	LH/RH, TD
C60GPGY	GreyG-10	PE	Cru-Wear	2022	$300.00 (2022)	Sprint Run	N/A	Sabre grind	Black hourglass 4-way	LH/RH, TD/TU
C60GSGY	GreyG-10	SE	Cru-Wear	2022	$300.00 (2022)	Sprint Run	N/A	Sabre grind	Black hourglass 4-way	LH/RH, TD/TU

Most collectible variation

The black almite first run numbered seem to be the most collected version.

Questions regarding collecting the C60

Some interesting questions we are looking for an answer to:

Questions with an answer:

Technical information

Measurements (mm and grams) of the C60 Massad Ayoob:

Variation	Length overall	Length closed	Length blade	Length edge	Hole Ø	Blade thickness	Weight
C60P	214mm	122mm	92mm	84mm	12mm	3mm	122g
C60S	214mm	122mm	92mm	84mm	12mm	3mm	122g
C60G	219mm	128mm	92mm	84mm	12mm	3mm	140g

Measurements (inches and ounces) of the C60 Massad Ayoob:

Variation	Length overall	Length closed	Length blade	Length edge	Hole Ø	Blade thickness	Weight
C60P	8 7/16"	4 13/16"	3 5/8"	3 1/4"	15/32"	1/8"	4.3 oz.
C60P	8 7/16"	4 13/16"	3 5/8"	3 1/4"	15/32"	1/8"	4.3 oz.
C60G	8 5/8"	5 1/32"	3 5/8"	3 1/4"	15/32"	1/8"	4.9 oz.

Pictures

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  C60P Massad Ayoob

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  C60P Massad Ayoob

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  C60P Massad Ayoob

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  C60P Massad Ayoob

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  C60G Massad Ayoob

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  C60G Massad Ayoob

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  C60G Massad Ayoob