G-10 Ayoob!

mark greenman · #1

Well, not exactly :p I figured I should stop holding my breath for a sprint, and do something proactive, so I hit up the 'ol Home Depot and snagged some grip tape. After an hour with a sharpie and a snap off, I have a vastly less elegant, highly functional C60 Massad Ayoob!

So far I've been EDCing it for a day or so, and I've found it to be a much more secure knife with the grip tape. The grip tape is the 3M stuff used on staircases, and it makes G10 feel like polished Micarta, definitely not the choice for slacks. Still, for those who use their C60's for its intended use, I highly recommend it.

psimonl · #2

I really like it when people modifies their knife for usefulness instead of beauty....

Very nice job for a classic knife...

Simon

ClockWork · #3

Meh,

Don't get me wrong.... Great Job. And a good job contouring to the handle it matches perfectly
....but....

I have never really liked the grip tape. I had a Wallmart Kershaw Blur, and I could never get used to it.
It seams to me, that Skate board grip-tape is kinda a cheap and tacky way of making a knife tactile.
I really don't understand why Micro-Tech puts 1 dollar worth of Grip-tape on there 300 dollar plus knives. You might think they would inlay textured carbon fiber, G10 or even Kraton... But grip tape???

Its just not too my liking... too rough, too sloppy

-Clock

thread · #4

Mark, I gotta say I'm a big fan of the skateboard tape.
I slathered the stuff on both sides of my navigator 2 and it's working beautifully.
Just trying to gather enough nerve to photo it, review it and post it up.

(& kudos for not safe-queening that knife!)

mark greenman · #5

I know what you mean, it's not an ideal solution, but it's the only way I know of to increase the gripiness without sending it to STR for some G10 slabs (one day.)

So, in the spirit of Spyderco, it's function over form, and the grip tape shall remain. In fact, I'll probobly add some to my other knives that could use more grip (pics to follow).

swingshot · #6

I...... kinda like it.

amen74 · #7

That Ayoob sure wouldn't slip out of your hand with that grip. :p

mark greenman · #8

Well, the more I use it, the more I'm convinced that grip tape is the sheez.

I've been doing rapid presentation tests, as well as coating my hands in soapy water, and this thing just stays put. A grippy Ayoob is a totally different animal - the same rapid presentation test sent the non-taped Ayoob flying across the room (thank goodness for carpeted floors!)

Anyway, I was so pumped off the functional improvement that 3M provides that I added some to my favorite folder, the FRN Cricket. :eek:

This small addition makes this LBK vastly more secure in the hand, without any adverse effects on my pocket. If your pining away for a G10 Ayoob or G10 Cricket, I'd look into getting some of this stuff as an appetiser.