Mayo TNT?

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Personally, I like the look of the inside of the hole with its textured surface, I suppose some might prefer it to be smooth, I think its a matter of taste.

I have long said and I truly believe that nobody consistantly makes a better, more precision oriented tac/utility folder than Tom does, I have collected and thoroughly examined folders from the best makers in the world, and I still come back to the TnT as my favorite, until you have held one, opened and closed it and felt the incredible smoothness and precision, you really cant see what makes them so sought after, but there is a very good reason people have consistantly paid a premium for them in the secondary market, theyre just amazing.

And, if and when Tom stops making them, you can expect prices to go up, up, up... (Personally, anytime I see a TnT for sale that appeals to me, I snap it up, its like $ in the bank. :) )
 
My favorite thing about Tom's Tnt's is that no two are alike. Everyone has a different hole pattern, slightly different blade shape, handle shape, ect.




- Lockbar is milled on the outside instead of inside of handle
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I'm curious about this, most people do that on the inside of the knife. Tom, what's the story behind you doing it on the outside?
 
Perfection.

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That's about the nicest lock-up I've ever seen. Picture from Megalobyte's site.
 
On the first TNT I ever made............I put the cutout on the inside, like Chris does it on the Sebenzas............then I radiused the handle.............the profile then had a big bump it in where the lockbar cutout was.........so the cutout was moved to the outside to prevent this unsightly blemish in the future..........when I make the flat handled (superlite) tnts I put the cutout on the inside.........thanks for all the support.

I will have an assortment of different folders at the blade show in two short weeks........really looking forward to seeing all my friends and taking a week off!!! :p :D :p
 
At first, I wasn't sure what I thought of the TNTs. They were a nice enough knife, but for me, the jury was out. The design was nice enough, but does anyone NEED titanium and stellite/talonite on a knife? Seems kind of an unnecessary added cost.

Then, I got a custom stellite folder from Kit Carson. I knew at that point, there was no better material for a blade. Then, I ended up with the proto of the C2O titanium framelock with a stellite blade. It's amazing that after handling TNTs and seeing multiple pics, the knife that sold me on the TNT was made by someone else. The combonation of ti and stellite makes it the overall best package for me. I have a lightweight, durable, and corrosion free folder to carry for daily use.

I am hoping to pick one up from Tom in atlanta. I could care less if there are marks in the oval opening hole. I still know it's going to be a high quality, durable knife I can carry and use and feel 100% confident in it's function while doing so.

JR
 
Tom, I wish we could finally meet up in Atlanta, but for some odd reason, my wife doesnt want me to leave her stranded with our new 2.5 week old son, who I affectionately call the 4am, often insatiable human bull horn. :)

Maybe next year. :(


But, every time I open and close one of your knives, just to once again take in and marvel at the uncanny smoothness and precision, I'll think of you... :)

BTW, I'm still on your list, right? :confused:
 
dylan_d said:
Perfection.

dsc00993.jpg


That's about the nicest lock-up I've ever seen. Picture from Megalobyte's site.
Click to expand...

The lockup on that BIG TnT of mine is, as you so astutely noticed, perfect! But, that's typical for Tom, he's a maestro with locks.

Also, in the picure, you'll notice he tapers the front of the lockbar, but if you look at how thick the cutout area is, thats how thick the lockbar is, even if you cant see the thickness from the top front, Ive said it before, some knives are made to be strong AND look strong,, some are made just to appear strong, and while Tom, humble as he is, tapers the front of the lock and doesnt show you the thickness, I would put any TnT up against any folder in lock strength, and yes, I am squarely including the Strider folders, which are strong yes, I love them, but their locks arent any thicker or stronger than those on a TnT, and in fact, Tom's locks are a bit less relieved at their base, meaning that the TnT's lock may even be thicker overall. :)

Thats what I love about the TnT, it has the look and feel of a slim, smooth, refined knife, but is in reality a balls to the wall, heavy duty folder that rivals the toughest folders out there. The famous phrase: "Walk softly, but carry a big stick" comes to mind...
 
Megalobyte said:
Thats what I love about the TnT, it has the look and feel of a slim, smooth, refined knife, but is in reality a balls to the wall, heavy duty folder that rivals the toughest folders out there. The famous phrase: "Walk softly, but carry a big stick" comes to mind...
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My thoughts exactly. The first time I handled a TNT I realised why so many people like them. Lucky for me, it was for sale :)
 
Yes, you are still on the list, was hoping to get you off it at the Blade Show..



btw................where did that guy go who said I had my blades laser cut??? :confused: :rolleyes: :confused:
 
Response by Tom Mayo:

ANYONE on this forum is welcome to come over and see how I do it.
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It's easy to make "assumptions and accusations" when based on non-factual information, HiltonP.





Tell ya what, HiltonP. I have $1,000 setting before me that's screamin' that you're wrong.

If I'm wrong - it's yours. If your wrong - your $1,000 ( USD by the way :D ) is mine. We'll select a "third person" to hold the $2,000. . .prior to the verification process.

When I win. . .I'll donate your proceeds to a specific "Cancer Foundation."



Whatta say HiltonP. . .are you willing to put you money where your mouth is ? :D



Fresh frog skins will taste alot better and the shoe leather that you're tastin' right now.
 
My wife and I have been saving $100 a month for about 3 years so far for a no expenses spared trip to Hawaii. A few more years to go. All kids should be out of diapers by then. I may be in them, though. :) :rolleyes: :cool: ;) :D :confused:
 
Outside of the fact that I have NO DOUBT that Mr. Mayo is speaking the truth based solely on his reputation and what others have said about him, the logistics of doing laser cutting wouldn't make sense for the TNTs. The real benefit of laser cutting is getting large quanitites of blades made to a standardized pattern-the cost, or even programming, for individual blades simply wouldn't be worth it.

Of all the custom designs around, the TNT seems to be the one that varies and mutates the most. Tom's certainly not cranking out cookie-cutter knives, is he? And that alone argues against the 'automation' argument.

And FWIW, the inside of that hole looks just like what I get when I do something similar-on my mill.


Larry
 
How can you have ANY idea how I make my knives by looking at a picture?

Are you a laser cutting expert..............YOU ARE FULL OF CRAP!!!!!!

believe what you want.......but you are wrong........I tried to tell you nicely in my first post............but I can see you will not be convinced....like I said, take ANY TWO TNTs, or any DOZEN, put them next to each other, and you will see that NOT ONE of the opening holes is the same size........then go talk to someone who runs a CNC and see if this is possible................I have NOTHING to gain and everything to lose by stating that I do NOT use a laser or anything related in making my knives, that the blades are made ONE at a time by me in my shop with a simple old fashioned grinder and milling maching, and that I CAN give you a long list of knifemakers who use CNCs to make their knives and freely share this info with anyone who asks.......the real problem here is................


DONT CONFUSE ME WITH THE FACTS MY MIND IS MADE UP!!!!
 
Meg: And, if and when Tom stops making them, you can expect prices to go up, up, up

SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I'm still on the list!!! Not yet! Tom keeps telling me I'm "the Last on the list". So he hasn't even took my order yet! :barf:

Oh? And anyone who doesn't like their TNT? I nominate myself to take yours! :)

Brian
 
I can tell you that from past emails shared with Tom that I don't for one minute believe that he is lying here. He firmly believes in disclosing every aspect of how a knife is made. If Tom says that he doesn't use a laser cutter, he doesn't use a laser cutter.
 
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