Buck Waimea vs. TNT comparison?

O

ohen cepel

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Does anyone own a Waimea and a TNT to compare them to each other for me?

Or, just handled the two to make a comparison/comment on them?

I see a lot of talk about the TNT but not much on the Waimea. Of course, since I can't pronounce it or spell it the TNT may win out anyway:D

From looking the TNT's blade is 1.2cm longer, 1.3cm longer overall, and about an oz heavier. The big there I see from the numbers is that the Waimea is about 1/3 lighter which is nice but not a huge issue since they both are light to start.

Being a 110 guy I think the TNT will be better for me size wise but just not sure.

Opinions?
 
As a caveat, I do not have either knife. However, I do have the Buck Mayo Northshore, the discontinued "user-priced" version of the TNT. It is the same design, but in aluminum and 420HC instead of Ti and S30V (and made in Taiwan). The blade length and thickness is comparable to your 110, but it weighs MUCH less. You can completely forget it's in your pocket, it's so light. Also well-balanced and good looking, it's a fantastic knife for the price. As for the TNT vs. Waimea, the big difference is size and blade shape. The Waimea would make an excellent gentleman's knife, especially if you spend a lot of time around non-knife people. It also has a nice thin tip like your 110. The TNT is larger with a thick tip, great for big jobs, not so good for small jobs, will scare the pants off of some people. In summary, it comes down to what you will be doing with the knife.
 
Both are the same quality; the Waimea is obviously smaller and lighter, and the TNT has a higher hollow grind. It really depends what you are looking for. For regular EDC in jeans, the TNT wins out. For a smaller package for office carry and more of a gentleman's knife, the Waimea is the right choice. You can't go wrong with either. The handle of the Waimea is not tapered at the edges, only chamfered, so it is actually a little more comfortable. And although it is fairly small, I can still get all my fingers on the handle of the Waimea (but I don't have monster mitts, either).
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Thanks, pic helped a lot! Is that a mini-Skirmish or full sized? Hoping mini, but don't want to make assumptions.

I may have to break down and get both, but leaning towards the TNT for EDC use.
 
Its a mini. I owned the full size for a while and its was just too damn big.
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Same here, sold the Skirmish before I came here. Well made, but too much for me to use!

The mini could be a great option but I'm leaning towards another Buck.
 
My TNT is one of my favorite EDC knives. Its super light, F&F is top notch, and it cuts like a laser. I don't know anything about the Waimea it was too small for my uses, but I am sure its a quality product.
 
As others have said, it is the mini Skirmish. The regular Skirmish is huge.

The small Sebenza has not been reground. I detest stonewashed blades, and the only way I was going to get a Sebenza was if it had the polished blade. But I didn't want to pay the premium for a fancy version (which I don't really like) just to get a polished blade. I found a vendor who had a plain regular with polished blade and got it.
 
Kept the Wiamia. My TNT had some issues with the lock sticking. Had to use both thumbs to push the framelock over to fold it. Had to push it so hard it would make my thumbnails sore. Sent it back to Buck and got a replacement. The replacement TNT had some other quirks and I sold it to a board memeber who is very happy with it. My Wiamia was perfect from the get go. Wonderful knife. The framelock seems to be wearing on it quite rapidly however. When I got it the lock would just go about halfway across the blade. Now it goes almost all the way over. Not sure where the wear is on the blade or the lock. I wish Buck would offer a larger blade pin stop. That would make it all tight again and take up any wear on the lock.

I really prefer the lockback to the framelock/linerlock. Even though you give up one handed operation you don't have to be anxious your wearing out your knife everytime you flick it open. I've had Buck lockbacks that I've used heavy for years and are still tight as new. Framelocks/linerlocks seem to wear out much faster......for me at least. Just now looking at my Buck Custom 112 and its perfect in every way. Love my Bucks!
 
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