Anyone tried out the T-Mag yet?

[Praxis]

I'm interested in some feedback on this knife. Anyone out there have one yet? Newgraham is listing them as being in stock. How is the action and how strong are the magnets?

Thanks

 

[jujigatame]

I have one on the way to me. Will post pics and thoughts when it arrives.

 

[The Deacon]

Here are some photos of mine...

And a couple comparison shots of it and the Caly 3...

I'm keeping my T-Mag because I consider it to be an interesting collectible. I have a hunch it will probably be the only production knife ever made using this particular blade retention system. However, it is definitely not a knife I would ever choose to put in my pocket.

If I want a folder that size, I'll carry my CF Caly 3, or my grey FRN Calypso Jr., or the A.T. Barr One Eyed Jack I just received yesterday. Locking knives are still legal here in NY, and as long as they are, can't see the point in handicapping myself by carrying a non-locking folder.

If I was forced to visit a place where locking folders were against the law, then I'd carry my UKPK or DKPK since they inspire as much confidence as a slipjoint can. Releasing the blades on those two takes a considerable amount of deliberate pressure. The blade of the T-Mag, on the other hand, will un-stick itself from the magnet if you move your arm downward rapidly and stop suddenly. It can be both flicked open and flicked closed with relative ease. Since every country I know of that is hostile to locking knives is even more hostile to "flick knives" I'm also not sure I'd want to bet that every minion of the law would feel the lack of a lock exempted it from being labeled one. Even here in NY where the law very clearly requires a gravity knife to lock, I'd bet that not every cop on the beat would be aware of that.

The instructions do warn that one's finger should be kept in the choil. I realize that is, to some extent, the typical CYA BS that an overabundance of lawyers coupled with a dearth of people with any concept of personal responsibility has created here. They also warn to keep it away from magnetic media. Again, probably CYA to some extent, but in this day and age of credit cards, magna-stripe key cards, USB drives, and other similar devices, this does reduce one's carry options.

The magnet, by the way is the rectangular block of metal between the liners and just behind the blade in the 6th and last of the photos above. Action is butter smooth, probably beacause there is no resistance except for the side pressure of the liners against the blade tang.

 

[smcfalls13]

I'm interested in some feedback on this knife. Anyone out there have one yet? Newgraham is listing them as being in stock. How is the action and how strong are the magnets?

Thanks

The action is buttery smooth, and the magnet is strong enough to hold the blade secure, but it doesn't take much force to un"lock" it. This is not a hard use knife, but more of an office knife. Use it like you would a slipjoint, and it won't bite you.

 

[The Mastiff]

Yes, the smoothest action I've ever felt. The magnet is strong enough that when the owner of the brick & mortar shop that was showing it to me put it back in the glass case it sucked up and held a co pilot sprint sitting in the next spot over. They were fine when sitting next together but when it went over the co pilot that's what did it.

Give me a good lockback, liner lock, compression lock , or frame lock anyday. It'll probably be a collectors item some day, most having been safe queens. It's difficult to get used to the feeling of it even though I know Spyderco Engineering and the designer put a lot of work into it. Most users get bent out of shape with a perfectly good lock that shows less than a millimeter of wobble or play. We're that spoiled and conservative about our locks. Joe

 

[Praxis]

Thanks guys. Sounds like a knife I won't be ordering online any time soon. I'd like to try one out, just for the novelty value, but I'll wait until the local brick and mortar has them in stock. The Deacon, thanks for the great photos!

 

[Ducktaper]

Yes, the smoothest action I've ever felt. The magnet is strong enough that when the owner of the brick & mortar shop that was showing it to me put it back in the glass case it sucked up and held a co pilot sprint sitting in the next spot over... Joe

Earth magnets are very powerful. I suppose this T-Mag is best kept away from your wallet (NOT as in not buying) w/credit cards & other cards with magnetic data strips.

 

[jaislandboy]

I got one....like Scott said it's an ideal "light duty" office knife that should be treated like a slipjoint even though the resistance to opening/closing the blade is less than that of my Victorinox Climber, for instance....
I can understand how the lock can be a turn off for most, but I love mine....
I love the blade and handle shapes....the matte CF on the TMag and Caly3 feels incredible in my hand....
Lock issues aside, the Ergonomics of the TMag are as pleasing to me as those on the Caly3.....
that being said, if a lockback version / of if it was re-released with the slipjoint mechanism from the UKPK.....I'd buy 2 of each!

 

[gunmike1]

That looks like a real nice blade profile for precision cutting. Has anyone measured the edge thickness or angle on it?

Mike

 

[gkruty]

Deacon, Is it just the picture or does your Caly III have a lock without the Boyle dent? Mine has one, I thought that all of them had the dent.

Thanks!
Greg

 

[Slatts]

I agree with the Deacon. The T-Mag is a nice collectible but won't be getting any carry time from me. For a mid-size EDC folder, I much prefer my Caly 3. One thing I haven't heard much about is the T-Mag's handle thickness. From my perspective the T-Mag is too bulky for what it offers while the Caly 3 is slimmer and feels sturdier to me.

No doubt though the T-Mag is a ingenious design that is very nicely executed. I think it's just unfortunate to have been introduced so shortly after the Caly 3 which it seems to get compared to the most.

 

[The Deacon]

Deacon, Is it just the picture or does your Caly III have a lock without the Boyle dent? Mine has one, I thought that all of them had the dent.

Thanks!
Greg

Your eyes are not playing tricks on you, and I have not been playing with Photoshop either. That particular Caly 3 was a very special gift from Sal. He had it made for me without the Boye dent. There is only one other like it, destined for the Spyderco museum. Been carrying and using it pretty much every day since it arrived two months ago.

 

[gkruty]

Your eyes are not playing tricks on you, and I have not been playing with Photoshop either. That particular Caly 3 was a very special gift from Sal. He had it made for me without the Boye dent. There is only one other like it, destined for the Spyderco museum. Been carrying and using it pretty much every day since it arrived two months ago.

Very Very nice!! Sal is awesome!
I know this is a T-mag thread, but Caly III without the dent would be PERFECT!

 

[Razzierb]

I'm keeping my T-Mag because I consider it to be an interesting collectible. I have a hunch it will probably be the only production knife ever made using this particular blade retention system.

Same here Deacon. I'm going to keep it. I find it interesting that Spyderco chose to use CF on this model. I sort of suspect that this one will become very collectible. BTW ... mine is buttery smooth and that is one heck of a magnet. It picked up my SS Jester from about 1/3 of an inch. Amazing. Good ergos to boot. Fits my hand well.

Razz

 

[3mptin3ss]

i saw one at the store the other day, though i didnt handle it. its a really beautiful knife and i would love to have one if it came in a lockback version. hopefully spyderco will make a lockback version of this knife.