I don't get? Mayo folders

Solstice said:

Very well put RG. I was hoping to hear from some folks who own one as to why all the excitement. And I like hearing from familiar faces.....so to speak.


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I have had a few Mayo's, both fixed and folders, all have been of excellent quality. I currently have a unique TnT (titanium handle framelock and Talonite blade) that I paid $750 for used, I carry it often. Just like Busse knives, if you get a knife direct from Tom, they are a good value, but, you will pay a premium on the secondary market. Sure, it just seems like titanium sheet, a ground blade, a few screws, and a pocket clip. But the more I play around with designs and examine folders, it really takes a lot of skill, knowledge, trial and error, design, just to make the folder work right (i.e.; the lock to be in the right place) plus be pleasing to the eye and hand. Tom is a great guy, which makes buying his knives that much better. I guess it just boils down to quality, you get what you pay for, I have never had a problem with one of Tom's knives and like Busse, I know I could sent it back and it would get fixed, no problem! :D
 
I think Mayo's folders have a legitimate place in the pantheon. Some of his design thinking does not appeal to me personally... but some of the simpler, more practical ones are very elegant. Thinking of the smaller TnT wharnies in particular.

If you're looking for something with more hand work, a little bit more collectible, a little more exclusive than a Sebenza, but still a working knife - as opposed to an art knife, that is where I think the Mayos fit in.

My taste leans more toward the CRK stuff, because it's more machine/production/work oriented.

I guess maybe Tom is to hand work what Chris is to mechanized production. Both really at the tops of their games.

Anyway, I have no problem seeing the appeal in the Mayos - if you're looking for something that was conceived in a little more intimate environment. Something a little more personalized, unique and therefore expensive.
 
I've handled one of Tom's knives and it's among the smoothest blades I've ever handled. Right up there at "It doesn't get any better than this." smoother than my favorite: CRK Sebenza/Umnum and very comfortable/simple. With knives, I like simplicity...I use plain sheaths and on fixed blades the at the most in terms of fancy, I like exotic wood handles. There's some amazing wood to be had out there and it's cool looking at it every time you reach for your knife. With folders I like it to be absolutely smooth and lock up rock solid, line up perfectly when closed, STAY CLOSED, stay locked when open, I expect the lock bar to grab onto enough of the blade but not go over too far and to disengage easily, I expect the best materials, I don't expect to see any edges other than the one I cut with and on top of it all, everything needs to be completely symmetrical and even with perfect fit/finish. I like simplicity of design...nothing crazy You get all these things with a Mayo. You also get all these things with a Sebenza as well, for around $300....that's why I carry one rather than a Mayo.

I wouldn't buy a Mayo for aftermarket prices, but I'd probably order one from him and pay HIS price. I've been thinking on it. It's worth the wait!
 
I have a 'Mayonized' Sebbie, one of the last that Tom did.

Hard to believe that someone could actually improve a Sebbie, but Tom did. I can thumb it open as slow as I want and the lock engages as well as if it were flicked.

The only downside, if it is one, is, I saw a unaltered Sebbie at a gunshow and didn't even recognize it without the holes in the frame.:confused:

Rob
 
wetdog1911 said:
I have a 'Mayonized' Sebbie, one of the last that Tom did.

Hard to believe that someone could actually improve a Sebbie, but Tom did. I can thumb it open as slow as I want and the lock engages as well as if it were flicked.

The only downside, if it is one, is, I saw a unaltered Sebbie at a gunshow and didn't even recognize it without the holes in the frame.:confused:

Rob
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I've always wanted one of those, I'm told he no longer does them?
 
I personally would not spend over $650 dollars on a folder, especially one I would be using. And a custom Severtech would probably be the only candidate.
 
For Me, Tom Mayo's TNTs are the best there is for Salt water use, nothing else even compares, top of the line and end of story.

Design and Function.

His other knives I tend to judge one at a time same as any other art.

The Same as I like some of Jerry's and dis-like others.

I really like some of Tom's knives, but since I moved to Oregon, and it is legal to do so I carry an automatic, a Severtec, which I will likely continue to carry even if Jerry does eventually produce and offer for regular sale a folder, unless of course Tom or Jerry make for me an Automatic the I like better.

Given the Jerry has Talked about for 8 years so far, but not actually offered for regular sale a Busse folder, while I might understand a comparision between Tom's fixed blades, all custom, and Jerry's Custom shop blades, this thread seems to me to belong some where else.

I thought this was The Busse Forum, a place to talk about Busse knives, not a place to talk about how you do not like or "Get" other makers knives.
 
Tell me these are not breathtaking...

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Pics courtesy of Boss Hoss and Dr. Bill
 
Its all about art really. Some artists have a higher appeal, or a sense of rarity or one of many other things and it really doesn't speak so much about cool, value, or even the quality when it comes to art. Tom has paid his dues and then some with his sweat and if like many others his blood as well on occasion, so it goes without saying that he has earned his chance on the top rung of the ladder and he is in good company with some other fine makers.

STR
 
I've owned several Mayos and they are one of the smoothest folders I've owned...and you'd be hard pressed to find better quality. Higher priced...yes but that's courtesy of the secondary market.
 
Thanks for all the input guys....I may see if I can find someone close by who owns one. Still curious about the attraction. But I do have to agree, that beauty (or function) is in the eye of the beholder. I think I need to be holdin one before I order or purchase one from the secondary market.

Sorry if the off-topic was something some of you didn't "get", but as I said I happen to know alot of these folks here in the Busse forum and trust their opinion. My understanding was that the Topic of this particular forum on BF was Busse, so an off-topic thread starter would be something....... off-topic? Maybe I'm not up on the terminology. :confused:

Thanks again!:thumbup:
 
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Tony G--- LOL! Chicken Oysters!!
Uncle Jarvis---FONDLE?? How many did you BUY?? :)
 
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