Buck Mayo TNT vs Other 3.5 inch folders

T

tomdogma

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how does the Buck Mayo TNT compare, in terms of intended purpose, function, fit, finish, quality and design to other 3.5 inch folders, i currently own a Strider SNG, Hinderer XM-18, Sebenza, Spyderco paramilitary, stretch, Benchmade 943, Grip, kulgera, ZT 350, Kershaw Blur, shallot... and few others... please mention other knives if you have that you think compare as well in a category that i refer to as mid - size folders
thanks in advance
 
tomdogma said:
how does the Buck Mayo TNT compare, in terms of intended purpose, function, fit, finish, quality and design to other 3.5 inch folders, i currently own a Strider SNG, Hinderer XM-18, Sebenza, Spyderco paramilitary, stretch, Benchmade 943, Grip, kulgera, ZT 350, Kershaw Blur, shallot... and few others... please mention other knives if you have that you think compare as well in a category that i refer to as mid - size folders
thanks in advance
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Well, first let me say that you already have some fine knives, so I don't think that the Buck/Mayo TNT is going to knock you out of your socks.
But for its intended purpose (a light-weight, very strong, one-hand-folder, everyday knife) the B/M TNT performs excellently.

Function: it works perfectly and cuts extremely well.
But the handle is rather thin. This is great for an EDC that will see light-to-medium cutting, and very "pocket friendly". But for hard cutting, or long term all day cutting, you need a thicker handle like the Buck 110.

Fit and finish: not to the standard of the Sebenza, but easily on par with any Spyderco or Benchmade or Kershaw that I have ever owned.

Quality: Excellent. It is a Buck after all. Not to mention the fact that Mr. Mayo is not going to have his good name associated with junk.

Design: Very good. The only thing that I'm not 100% happy with is the top "horn" on the handle. It is a bit sharp and sometimes causes a little discomfort when using the knife with my thumb on the spine of the blade (the same thing with some of the Spyderco models like the Calypso).
But the blade design is where the B/M TNT really shines....
That high hollow grind is excellent for slicing!

IMHO, it is an outstanding folder.
 
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Thanks AllenC very informative, as a collector and user i think you may have swung me over to getting one, any other thoughts anyone??
 
If you do purchase one, and I agree it's a great folder, send it to STR here on Bladeforums and he'll knock that top horn off and you'll be amazed at how much better it feels. - I EDC a Buck/Mayo Waimea, which is smaller than the TNT, that I had STR work on and it's now one of my favorites. :thumbup:
waimea01.jpg
 
An envious collection of 3.5" folders you have there.

Being the poor SOB that I am though, I bought a Boker+ M-Type and it has been my main EDC for 6 months now.

It may not be as expensive, as finely fitted and finished, as fancy steel-wise (440C) or as visually striking as those that you have. But for the price you pay for, you get an actual meat-and-potatoes, steel-framelock-with-a-G10-side, low-riding folder with a bearable recurved-blade-that-holds-a-decent-edge, beater of a knife.

What more could you ask for?
 
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tomdogma said:
how does the Buck Mayo TNT compare, in terms of intended purpose, function, fit, finish, quality and design to other 3.5 inch folders, i currently own a Strider SNG, Hinderer XM-18, Sebenza, Spyderco paramilitary, stretch, Benchmade 943, Grip, kulgera, ZT 350, Kershaw Blur, shallot... and few others... please mention other knives if you have that you think compare as well in a category that i refer to as mid - size folders
thanks in advance
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One of the frequent contributors in the Buck subforum on BF, 334Dave, told me they refer to the TNT as the Buckbenza. Rightly so. I loved mine, don't know why I got rid of it. While the materials, S30V and titanium, are the same as the Sebenza, it is not of that high quality. I would not call it a cheaper alternative either. The TNT is as close as I have seen custom quality from Buck.
 
untamed said:
An envious collection of 3.5" folders you have there.

Being the poor SOB that I am though, I bought a Boker+ M-Type and it has been my main EDC for 6 months now.

It may not be as expensive, as finely fitted and finished, as fancy steel-wise (440C) or as visually striking as those that you have. But for the price you pay for, you get an actual meat-and-potatoes, steel-framelock-with-a-G10-side, low-riding folder with a bearable recurved-blade-that-holds-a-decent-edge, beater of a knife.

What more could you ask for?
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I agree 100%, the M-Type is another great knife.
But I wish it were made in the USA instead of China.

HPIM5658.jpg


HPIM5659.jpg
 
Given that you have the SnG, XM-18 and Sebenza, seems like the logical "other" knife would be a real TnT.
 
If you don't need the titanium you can get the Buck Advantage Pro. Very similar but with G10 and S30V heat treated by Paul Bos. It is a quarter of the price and very nice. I just got mine and it has one of the thinnest grinds I have seen. Doesn't make for a pry bar but is an awesome slicer.

Edit: It also has a low ride pocket clip that mounts to the very butt of the knife. Great if the low ride is your thing.


BU347BKS.jpg
 
I think the Buck Mayo line (the US ones) are some of the finest in the industry. I agree the F&F is not on par with Sebbies, but the price is about 1/2.

Fantastic bang for your Buck!
 
My quest for a TNT Mayo took a sidetrack when that new Buck 347 Vantage Pro was released early this year. It has essentially the same S30V blade. A question regarding the TNT and a Benchmade min-Skirmish, which is slightly longer (3.43" vs 3.12") and nearly 50% heavier (3.92 oz vs 2.70 oz), sent me in that direction. My wife bought me a new 635BK locally - and then I found a new 630 Skirmish. Both were discontinued - and substantially less than a Mayo TNT (The Skirmish started at MSRP $220 - mini was around $250 when canned. The Buck 172 Mayo TNT has an MSRP of $350; street price ~$200 - more than the Benchmades!). I added a 760BK LTi, a new for this year M4 steel/Ti knife - MSRP $270. To be blunt, it's less expensive 'OTD' than a Mayo TNT. Of course, it's a 4" M4 blade - with a Bob Lum tanto - and weighs 5.0 oz. Really, a larger knife.

The problem is simple - I have seen used/abused TNTs - and, last month - at a store - both a new and used TNT. The QC is quite decent - but they aren't up to the quality of a 630/635/760 - or have the fit and finish. The Bucks were all a hair popping sharp plus, while the three BMs were barely hair poppers. Another high end blade/Ti frame knife I bought this summer is a new Kershaw SG-2 blade/Ti frame - which came sharper than any new knife I have ever bought - period. QC and F&F are excellent - a great value off evil-bay.

Why do I heap praise on the other similar Ti framed upgrade blade knives in a thread on the TNT? Simple... I still want a Buck 172 Mayo TNT! Go figure.

Oh, below are the Buck 347 Vantage Pro S30V and the Benchmade 635BK Mini-Skirmish (S30V & Ti):

IMG_3513.jpg


IMG_3515.jpg


Stainz
 
thanks for the comments!! right now the 3.5 Hinderer xm-18 is my "go to" for my mid size folder, but it seems heavy in the pocket and my 3 " version is getting most of the pocket time, the weight of TnT though sounds reasonable. The skirmish, boker and the Advantage Pro sound good too! Any have a Bradley Alias in 3.5??
 
The Buck Vantage Pro is just amazing as a cutter with its long hollow grind. Opens like an atom bomb too.
 
The TNT's a very nice knife, but I'm not sure I'd get one given the knives you have.

You ask about the Alias, they're very nice, too. In fact, I kind of prefer them to the Buck/Mayo Waimea/TNT, but that's mainly because you can set the Alias's up for tip-up carry W/O sending them somewhere to get modded.

All that aside, I'd stick with your Hinderer, Seb, & SnG. I found myself preferring the Seb & SnG to the Alias & TNT, JMO, though.

For those on a budget, the Buck Vantage S30V seems like a lot of knife for the $. I haven't tried one yet, but may have to soon.
 
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I'd second the idea to check out the Bradley Alias. I have one, and while it is not up to my Sebenza or Umnumzaan in fit and finish or strength, it is prettier and a joy to open and close.

I have the Buck Mayo on my list to try if I come across one for a bargain, but so, list price has kept me away.
 
tomdogma said:
how does the Buck Mayo TNT compare, in terms of intended purpose, function, fit, finish, quality and design to other 3.5 inch folders, i currently own a Strider SNG, Hinderer XM-18, Sebenza, Spyderco paramilitary, stretch, Benchmade 943, Grip, kulgera, ZT 350, Kershaw Blur, shallot... and few others... please mention other knives if you have that you think compare as well in a category that i refer to as mid - size folders
thanks in advance
Click to expand...

I have several of the knives you mentioned, Strider Sng, CRK, Bradley, etc. as well as an Al Mare SERE and a Wilkins/Ritter Mk1.

I also have a TNT. It is the CF model.

The TNT is not as ‘heavy duty” as many of my other Ti framelocks. It is a very sturdy knife however.

Due to its extremely light weight, (the CF version weighs 2.2 ounces), the thinness, and the outstanding workmanship, I now carry the TNT more than all the rest combined.

If I were choosing a folder for outdoor survival and bushcraft, I would go with one of my heavier folders, especially one with a thicker handle.

For EDC however, The TNT wins hands down.
 
I have to put a good word in for the Kershaw Energ 2. Rec. one yesterday and have to say for an American made knife it was dirt cheap off the bay, very very excellant fit and finish and just about the perfect size edc knife with great ergo's. The flipper is addictive too. keepem sharp
 
I was thinking about the TNT as an EDC so the weight in comparison to my 3.5 hinderer makes it seem attractive (it is why i carry my smaller hinderer)
are the carbon fiber versions of the TNT hard to find?
 
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