- Joined
- Jun 8, 2000
- Messages
- 3,140
Lets see if I can tackle all these topics at once:
First off, the Hilo. I already own a real Tom Mayo large TNT custom in Titanium and S30V. I waited a year for Tom to make it for me. It's the most awesome folder I own. I also own a Buck 172 Mayo TNT in Ti and S30V. It's not nearly as refined as the real Mayo, but is part of my EDC rotation as it's a great size made from a classic manufacturer built using top shelf materials and is designed by The Man.
The Buck 179 Mayo Hilo is a Mayo designed TNT frame lock built in China and executed with stainless handle scales and a 440C hollow ground blade with a slight recurve. The Hilo retails for a suggested $50.00 although I bought this one LNIB for half that shipped from a forum member. The knife can be found online for around $35.00 plus shipping from several dealers. The Hilo is about the same size as my custom TNT with a 3.5" blade and a milder recurve grind. The overall fit and finish on the knife is very good, especially considering the very low price. It's not as smooth as the handmade TNT, but is finished overall nicer than my Buck 172. The Hilo has no blade wiggle and the lock-up is solid both horizontally and vertically. The hollow ground grinds are not as high as either the Custom or the 172, so I suspect that it will not be as good a slicer, but seems to be a very useful blade overall. While 440C is not the darling of the industry that it once was, It's still a very capable steel. I'm amazed at the fit and finish and how much knife this model offers at this price.
While comparing a $50.00 Chinese Buck to a handmade Mayo and a $300.00 production Buck knife with exotic materials is unfair, I have a couple other knives on hand that are a fairer comparison.
My current favorite cheap folders are the Ken Onion designed Kershaw Vapor for the ultra cheap crowd at $20.00 at Walmart and the 154CM version of the Darrel Ralph Camillus EDC ($59.99 MSRP). These are both very capable knives with solid steel frame locks and blades just under the 3" limit that seems to be the maximum legally allowable in many places (so safe for travel). The Camillus certainly has the edge here with a 154CM blade as compared to the 420 used on the Vapor (mine's an early Made In Japan AUS6 version). The Hilo is larger than both with a 3.5" blade and with the 440C blade I'd expect it to hold an edge a lot longer than the Vapor, but not quite as long as the EDC. The EDC is also now available in AUS8 for an even lower price and I would expect the Hilo to perform at least as well, if not better than that variant. The EDC pictured is my personal Talonite version, but I've checked out the 154CM version enough to recommend it highly. It wouldn't be fair to throw a Talonite blade into this comparison for edge holding.
As to overall fit and finish, in this comparison, the custom Mayo obviously is tops. After that I'd probably pick the Hilo and Vapor in that order, followed by the Camillus EDC and at the bottom would be the Buck 172 TNT. Unfortunately by using the premium materials and American labor that produces the 172, it appears that Buck can't spend the same amount of time rounding and smoothing sharp corners as both Kershaw and Buck can by making a similar design in China. The Vapor, Hilo and EDC all have much better rounding of the handle edges than the 172 although it pains me to say that. After doing this comparison I'm tempted to take my dremel (or incoming KMG!) to the Buck 172 and try to smooth out the rough parts to make is as slick as the Chinese knives and the EDC. Then find someone to bead blast the scales when I'm done so the finish would look good.
ALL of these knives have well fitted frame locks with no play and I would feel good recommending them to anyone. They all represent good values at their respective price points (even the expensive custom). I think my Buck 172 is likely to see some additional grinding to smooth out it's rough spots and will likely to remain in my EDC as I love Ti and S30V, but the Hilo seems a very interesting proposition at it's price point. It will probably become by default gift knife for any non knife knuts located in Cali where I know the larger blade won't present a problem.
A Buck Hilo and an Inova X5 or a Surefire G2 would certainly make a great under $100.00 package for a newbie to the hobby or a gift to a non knut friend. Highly recommended for those on a budget.
Pic # 1 is the three Mayo designed knives, the Custom TNT, The Buck 172 TNT and the Buck 179 Hilo.
Pic # 2 is a comparison between the Buck 179 Hilo, The Camillus EDC and the Kershaw Vapor.
Pic # 3 is the backsides. Clips and locks.
Hope this helps.
First off, the Hilo. I already own a real Tom Mayo large TNT custom in Titanium and S30V. I waited a year for Tom to make it for me. It's the most awesome folder I own. I also own a Buck 172 Mayo TNT in Ti and S30V. It's not nearly as refined as the real Mayo, but is part of my EDC rotation as it's a great size made from a classic manufacturer built using top shelf materials and is designed by The Man.
The Buck 179 Mayo Hilo is a Mayo designed TNT frame lock built in China and executed with stainless handle scales and a 440C hollow ground blade with a slight recurve. The Hilo retails for a suggested $50.00 although I bought this one LNIB for half that shipped from a forum member. The knife can be found online for around $35.00 plus shipping from several dealers. The Hilo is about the same size as my custom TNT with a 3.5" blade and a milder recurve grind. The overall fit and finish on the knife is very good, especially considering the very low price. It's not as smooth as the handmade TNT, but is finished overall nicer than my Buck 172. The Hilo has no blade wiggle and the lock-up is solid both horizontally and vertically. The hollow ground grinds are not as high as either the Custom or the 172, so I suspect that it will not be as good a slicer, but seems to be a very useful blade overall. While 440C is not the darling of the industry that it once was, It's still a very capable steel. I'm amazed at the fit and finish and how much knife this model offers at this price.
While comparing a $50.00 Chinese Buck to a handmade Mayo and a $300.00 production Buck knife with exotic materials is unfair, I have a couple other knives on hand that are a fairer comparison.
My current favorite cheap folders are the Ken Onion designed Kershaw Vapor for the ultra cheap crowd at $20.00 at Walmart and the 154CM version of the Darrel Ralph Camillus EDC ($59.99 MSRP). These are both very capable knives with solid steel frame locks and blades just under the 3" limit that seems to be the maximum legally allowable in many places (so safe for travel). The Camillus certainly has the edge here with a 154CM blade as compared to the 420 used on the Vapor (mine's an early Made In Japan AUS6 version). The Hilo is larger than both with a 3.5" blade and with the 440C blade I'd expect it to hold an edge a lot longer than the Vapor, but not quite as long as the EDC. The EDC is also now available in AUS8 for an even lower price and I would expect the Hilo to perform at least as well, if not better than that variant. The EDC pictured is my personal Talonite version, but I've checked out the 154CM version enough to recommend it highly. It wouldn't be fair to throw a Talonite blade into this comparison for edge holding.
As to overall fit and finish, in this comparison, the custom Mayo obviously is tops. After that I'd probably pick the Hilo and Vapor in that order, followed by the Camillus EDC and at the bottom would be the Buck 172 TNT. Unfortunately by using the premium materials and American labor that produces the 172, it appears that Buck can't spend the same amount of time rounding and smoothing sharp corners as both Kershaw and Buck can by making a similar design in China. The Vapor, Hilo and EDC all have much better rounding of the handle edges than the 172 although it pains me to say that. After doing this comparison I'm tempted to take my dremel (or incoming KMG!) to the Buck 172 and try to smooth out the rough parts to make is as slick as the Chinese knives and the EDC. Then find someone to bead blast the scales when I'm done so the finish would look good.
ALL of these knives have well fitted frame locks with no play and I would feel good recommending them to anyone. They all represent good values at their respective price points (even the expensive custom). I think my Buck 172 is likely to see some additional grinding to smooth out it's rough spots and will likely to remain in my EDC as I love Ti and S30V, but the Hilo seems a very interesting proposition at it's price point. It will probably become by default gift knife for any non knife knuts located in Cali where I know the larger blade won't present a problem.
A Buck Hilo and an Inova X5 or a Surefire G2 would certainly make a great under $100.00 package for a newbie to the hobby or a gift to a non knut friend. Highly recommended for those on a budget.
Pic # 1 is the three Mayo designed knives, the Custom TNT, The Buck 172 TNT and the Buck 179 Hilo.
Pic # 2 is a comparison between the Buck 179 Hilo, The Camillus EDC and the Kershaw Vapor.
Pic # 3 is the backsides. Clips and locks.
Hope this helps.
