Bring It: TNT vs. Sebenza

mschwoeb

mschwoeb

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Jan 31, 2001
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I KNOW that I will rue the day that I start this post, but I have seen much more about the TNT lately.

Which of these two do you like, and why?

I will be looking for a new knife in this range in a few months, and this should help me with that.
 
I like the TnT more, because you can custom ize it. You can choose the handle shape, you can choose the hole pattern(or no holes) and you can choose between either a thumb hole or thumb stud. Also, on the TnTs that I've handled, the action is like glass .

Jeff
 
I can only comment on the Sebenza. It is the finest, best built folder I have ever seen. Fit and finish are flawless. Lock up is extremely secure with NO blade play in any direction. It's one of the most versatile designs out there.
From posts on the TnT, the quality seems to be equal. You can order it how YOU want it...blade material, blade shape, stud or hole, etc.

I don't think you can go wrong with either.

Paul
 
Guess now I just have to fugure which one looks better to me. Any idea on the wait for a mayo like I would like it? You out there somewhere Tom? Any chance that there might be some TNT's at the Indy 1500 Gun and knife show?
 
It blows me away that anyone would try to compare a Sebenza to a TnT.
But then there are people who try to compare Buck Striders to Strider Custom AR's and GB's as well.

Sebenzas don't even come close to TnT's.
Buck/Strider collaborations are worlds away from being an AR or GB.

Mogen David 20/20 is not fine wine.
Spam is not meat.
De-caf is not coffee.

Any questions? :rolleyes:
 
Opinions are like belly buttons...everyone's got one and the other guy's is fuzzy.:)
If possible, handle both and get the one that appeals to YOU.

Paul
 
Originally posted by Eric Blair
Mogen David 20/20 is not fine wine.
Spam is not meat.
De-caf is not coffee.

Any questions? :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Just one; What in the world are you talking about?
 
The only way to really decide for yourself is to carry, and use, one of each for a period of time.

The Sebenza and the TNT both have excellent resale value, so you won't loose much if you decide that you don't like one of them.

My daily carry is the medium TNT... the large TNT is for church on Sundays. (See the link to the post that Russ put in his post...) I thought I'd sell off all of my Sebenzas when I got my first TNT, but I was wrong. I sold the decorated Sebenza I had, but I kept two plain Sebenzas. Why? ...because they are good knives and because I have great G2 sheaths for them...:D

Michael
 

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end of story!:D
 
It's all about the holes. Gotta love the holes!


I do prefer the action of the TNT. I've found the finish on the frame to be more durable. The clip is the better than any other I've seen. The TNT disappears in the pocket, it's very slim. It's much more comfortable in hand, for me anyway. It's Talonite. I haven't sold the Sebbie, but if I had to choose between the two, it would be gone.
 
I have owned two sebenzas (small classic and small new style) and currently own a medium TNT

Both are fine knives but I traded away the two sebenzas because I like the TNT better and never found myself carrying them anymore.

Chris Reeve developed the titanium frame lock and it is a phenomenal design. The quality of his small workshop is outstanding. The only negative of their construction is that I do not find the bead blast applied to the frame to be that durable or to have a "nice feel". One of my sebenzas had Tom Mayo's bead blast applied to it and I think it was a definite improvement and was much more durable.

Comparing the two knives, I personally prefer the ergonomics of the TNT over the sebenza. The TNT has a much more refined handle shape and I prefer that over the more blocky sebenza but that is a personal preference. I also prefer the oval opening hole over thumbstuds. Did not know if I would before I handled one (I had never been a huge fan of the round spyderco hole) but the oblong shaped hole on the TNT is the best I've tried so far.

Many people do not like the sebenza clip but I do not mind it. In fact the only problem I have had with my TNT is that the clip has worn down the edge of several pockets. The TNT clip holds more securely but the sebenza clip did not seem to cause any wear.

I am a talonite fan and prefer it as a blade material over BG42. I like the fact it does not rust and holds a great edge for a long time. Both the sebenza and the TNT come with an edge that is superior to most other blades I have seen (custom or production). You will not be dissapointed with either edge.

As far as appearance goes I give the TNT a big advantage over the rather plain sebenza. The wood inlay sebenzas and some of the unique graphics I've seen are quite nice though but are on the pricey side.

I have another TNT on order (expect 9+ month wait unless you buy from a dealer) but am also considering a wood sebenza as I like that particular sebenza design a lot.

For me I give the edge to the TNT but the sebenza is also a fine knife. In fact even Mr. Mayo is a fan
 
A few observations

TNT go Boom!

TNT is beuuuuaaaaaatifullll!!!!!

TNT is a Holy knife

TNT comes in many flavors and sizes

TNT is ART

Mayo made it

--------------------------------------

The Sebenza is none of those things ;)
 
I have two Sebenzas and love both. Don't have a TNT but would like to have one IF Tom would at least make it optional to put the clip on the butt end. BTW Tom, love that blade shape on the flavor of the month. What do you call it. Tip up rules.
 
What I see above is a good comparison between a good custom (meaning among other things that the maker knows what he is doing), and a high-end very well respected small shop. I'm not supprised that both are high quality knives.

Now I happen to be on the Sebenza side of the fence only because I own two, and no TNTs. I'm fully prepared to concede, as I've briefly handled a TNT, that it has its share of superior (to the Sebenza) aspects, especially with respect to "customizability"

How much does a TNT cost? We are talking apples to apples right? That would put a "vanilla TNT" at about $350? U.S.? Is that about what they retail?

The other thing I haven't heard much about from the TNT side concerns the <b><i>TNT's ease of dissembly and re-assembly.</i></b> Any warrenty on the TNT that might be voided by such, etc? Seems to me that Chris Reeve made a point to maximize engineering simplicity not only for the sake of manufacture, but for the sake of making it easy to strip and re-build the knife in the field. Certainly that is a desirable feature in what is intended as a "hard use" knife! How does the TNT compare in this arena?

I'm not trying to start a war here, just wondering since no one is talking about this aspect of the TNT, while the Sebenza is so justly famous for it.
 
Matthew. I have never felt the need to dissasemble my TNT but have talked with Tom Mayo about it should not be too difficult.

The sebenza is easy to take apart and reassemble as long as you get the washers properly aligned. Heck, even I did it successfully.

I think dissasembly is an overstated feature though. Very few pocket knives are designed to be able to be dissasembled and they work just fine. I took my sebenza apart just to try it but I never "needed" too. As far as field stripping goes I don't carry a allen wrench or grease with me, so it would be a moot point for me.

There is nothing wrong with comparing sebenzas and TNT as they are both fine frame lock knives. As far as comparing "apples" if one gets a unique graphic or wood inlay sebenza the cost can be MORE than a TNT.

Couple that with the constant claims of superiority of the sebenza by the sebenzanistans (those true believers in the lore and worth of the sebenza) and comparisons are bound to be made. This is usually done by the Zealous Brotherhood of the Mayonites, a loose association headed by the cat loving head zealot Russ!
 
Thanks for the recognition Dan!! :D

I never disassembled any of the sebenzas I have owned. The first TNT I got was right off of Tom's site, I lucked out!!

In my zeal over the acquisition, I failed to realize that this particular TNT was strictly right handed. After a short time, I decided to make it ambidextrous, as I am naturally a lefty.

Not only did I disassemble that first TNT a number of times, but I took a dremel to it!!!

I digress...the only trouble I ever had was that I did not torque the pivot screws enough when reassembling the knife. A simple matter to correct once Tom pointed out my mistake.

Try as I might, I can not think of ANYTHING I don't like about TNTs!!:cool: :D :cool:

Cat lovin' Zealot out...
 
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