Mayo TNT photos?

Artfully Martial

Artfully Martial

Joined
Jun 8, 2005
Messages
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I'm thinking about picking up a mayo TNT to alleviate my pain waiting for the Caly 3...but I'm really unclear about the size and general finish of the knife (particularly, whether or not it's bead blasted...I don't like bead blasted titanium). I can't find any of these guys in real life (I've had an eye out for a year now..) so can you folks help with me with photos of your TNT? As many as possible. Also, some comparison shots with really common knives for size.

Thanks a ton.

Also, I believe there was a store that had them for the amazing price of 140 dollars or so, anyone recall which one that was?
 
I'm guessing you're talking about a Buck/Mayo 172? If you saw a store with custom Mayo knives for $140 and didn't buy them ALL I am sorry! As to the size, its about the size of a medium custom TNT. Its quite slender in profile, yet fills the hand quite nicely. Custom TNT's it'd be harder to tell you the size unless you knew what variation it was. For the Buck, though, I believe the knife is in fact bead blasted Ti. It's not hard to refinish one of them though, and there's a guy around here who does very nice work on them (Barry H, if he's on this forum). I'm sorry I don't have any pics of mine in-hand but I'm sure others do. Good luck!
 
Dangit, they look so shiny in the net photos. I really got my hopes up. I love my blue bump, but I'd like a smaller manual. Why does everyone have to bead blast their titanium? Guess I'm just out of luck...

But yeah, I'm looking at the Buck one. I'd really like a custom, but Mayo's are very high end in my small experience. Last one I saw for sale was like 700 dollars.
 
Artfully Martial said:
Why does everyone have to bead blast their titanium? Guess I'm just out of luck...

But yeah, I'm looking at the Buck one. I'd really like a custom, but Mayo's are very high end in my small experience. Last one I saw for sale was like 700 dollars.
Click to expand...

1. Most companies bead blast titanium because it gives a pleasing, low reflection appearance, and can be re-blasted with minimal effort. Satin finishing titanium is a great deal of work, and you can see scratches from 5 feet without much effort.

2. $700.00 for a custom Mayo is hardly high end. $3,500 for a custom Ken Onion on the aftermarket is approaching high end. It is all a matter of context.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
TNT001.jpg


AM,

Here is a Buck Mayo frame-lock TNT and a Kershaw G10 S30V liner-lock Leek for your personal amusement.

Their sizes are nearly identical. Both employ S30V blade steel. The TNT, a shaving machine, is dedicated tip down.

The handle finish on the TNT is roughened. It aids grip and won't give away your position while cutting tags off clothing. However, the blade is quite shiny and reflective.

Hope this helps.

PS: I would call IRA Woods if you decide to go ahead, they are huge and carry all sorts of stuff, mine came from there (online purchase) and there was some bugaboo regarding the delivery address as I recall which wouldn't have been likely had I used the phone instead of the keyboard.

Best,

oregon
 
Thanks a ton guys. Owners, how easily does it scratch? That's my main concern...my only beadblasted Ti knife scratches super easily.
 
The TNT pictured was carried month after month clipped into my right front jeans pocket. Never in change or keys or other stuff. I did bang the Ti clip into everything imaginable. It looked like a mess, figured it was permanently disfigured. But, I took some soap and water and then some cleaner/waxer and it came out perfect, like new. It was just filthy.

I just anodized the clip the other day and the clip is now a subtle, and more covert, blue. And, no scratches at all. None.
TNTanoclip001.jpg


Best,

oregon
 
Nice job on that clip! Looks great.

How does the TNT compare to the Sebenza? Honestly, I like how the TNT looks more, and it cost half as much, but if it's really that big of a difference, I guess I can wait another six months and buy a sebenza.
 
Thank you kindly.

It is actually easier than pie to anodize, since it is Titanium, here is my setup (simply paint with the negative lead with your choice of cola, baking soda & water, dish soap or mild hcl & h20):
Anodizetitanium001-1.jpg


Best,

oregon
 
Oregon, that setup is just plain cool! What colors do you get with that setup, if you don't mind sharing, and if you added more batteries to it would that make any difference?

Artfully Martial, I EDC a Buck/Mayo 172 (among other knives), and let me tell you that unless you're SUPER fussy about that bushing, save your money and buy the 172. If you flip your knives a lot then I might be inclined to tell you to get the Sebenza, but there are a few things about the 172 I like better than the Sebenza. The blade hole works better, its lighter, the style is more to my liking, even without the bushing it is still butter-smooth. The blade is an efficient slicer and can still handle tougher jobs. Overall, a very nice package for a very nice price.
 
SpyderJon said:
Oregon, that setup is just plain cool! What colors do you get with that setup, if you don't mind sharing, and if you added more batteries to it would that make any difference?
Click to expand...

This link gives you a chart showing the Voltage-Color relationship. Voltage dictates the color. The solution used also affects the color. I've used cola, baking soda with water and dish soap. Colors start to repeat after you get the color green at about 100 volts. No black and no red with Ti. And, this setup is only for Titanium.

http://www-personal.umich.edu/~bobden/bob_titanium.html

I get 1960's psychedelic blue/purple with three fresh nine volt batteries. There is a thread on BalisongForum where I and several other members have been anodizing Ti on our kitchen tables using this painting method.

It is a big blast for me. It is simple, cheap and the results can be stunning. And, if the results aren't to your liking you can polish the ano off with metal polish.

If you give it a try please let me know your results.

Best,

oregon
 
oregon said:
If you give it a try please let me know your results.
Click to expand...

I certainly will! That looks like a great experiment to try with the young 'un!

I'll look over at the BalisongForums too to see what others have come up with. Hmm...where did I put those 9-volts?
 
I learned more than I ever thought I would in this thread. Uh. Will people on ebay pay more for an anodized benchmade 42....? :D

Dangit. I just remembered that I can't sell balis on ebay. I hate myself.

Say, is there a place I can order a small amount of titanium to learn the technique?
 
If you have not been convinced to get the Mayo by now, then just get it because once you have it in hand the knife will finish the talking. Refined and lightweight, its an easy knife to carry and a pleasure to operate. As someone has already mentioned, it's butter smooth. My only complaint is that it is not predrilled for reversing the clip (tip-up carry). No problem though, this can easily be accomplished by any competent shop.
 
Not to go off topic too much, but SpyderJon, what did you mean when you said
SpyderJon said:
If you flip your knives a lot then I might be inclined to tell you to get the Sebenza
Click to expand...
?
 
I meant that if he tended to sell his knives a lot, and thus wanted to get more of his money out of the purchase when he DID eventually sell the knife that he may want to get the Sebenza. They go for higher than the 172, generally, on the secondary market; but then again they are more expensive than the 172. People are, in my experience, more willing to plunk down the money for a Sebenza when it comes up whereas they tend to wait and see if the price on a 172 will go down.

Just a matter of preference. I got my 172 for $130 on the secondary market, but I think I could probably sell it for that as well. That's not a consideration for me, though, as I don't sell my knives very often.

OH, and Artfully, Texas knifemaker's supply or any other knife supply house should have small pieces of Ti that are cheap to try anodize.
 
Gotcha, thanks for the explanation. Resale price probably wouldn't be one of the things I would consider when buying a Sebenza -- that thing is mine! :p
 
The Buck Mayo TNT has a fairly dark grey handle, but with shiny specks. Sort of like quartz. It holds up to wear very well. I am not sure why so many peopl esay bead blasting makes titanium scratch easier, it is actually polishing that makes scratches show easier.

Compared to a Sebenza, it opens about as smoothly. But the fit and finish is no contest. The grinds on the Buck are not nearly as even as the Sebenza, and the bevels on the holes in the TNT frame are uneven. The fit and finish is good for the price, but not good for 385 (while the fit and finish of the Sebenza is great for 385).

I have a Large Sebenza, so it is hard to compare them in terms of size and weight, but my Buck TNT is one of my favorite small/light knives. It is VERY light, so much so that it almost feels unnatural. It is slim and rides well in the pocket. I can wear it in draw-string shorts and not even tie the draw-string and never notice it is there. Compared to something slim and light on its own merit like a Kershaw Leek, the Buck TNT is a marvel that makes the Leek seems like a brick in my pocket.

The ergos of the TNT are very good. The holes aid in grip, and the "horns" help keep the index finger off the blade and provide a thumb ramp. Very comfortable and secure for a smallish knife.
 
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