Quandary over two customs; two makers; same price

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Jun 6, 2002
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Both folding contenders weigh in at $575.00; both good for every day carry, lock up solid; good defensive grips; are reasonably ambidextrous; both have lanyard holes and are available at KnifeArt and are made by two very well known people.

One is the exclusive Tom Mayo Tactical TNT folder; satin finished stellite 6K steel, titanium handle with a frame lock, 3.5” blade, total size of 8.25”. The handle where the blade opening slot is located is cut on both sides of the handle to expose the opening slot from either hand and also looks to add purchase, 4 oz. Available in 6-8 weeks. (woofah!)

The other is the Ralph/ Simonich collaboration folder Talonite EDC; talonite blade, carbon fiber handle, titanium blasted liners, nice and large rounded dual thumbstuds, 3” blade, total size 7”, 5 oz. Available usually the same business day.

As usual, I employ any number of the rationalizations we use that are available to add to our prodigious and growing collection of knives.

I don’t want to order both just to fart around and return one of them. KnifeArt’s policy allows returns only within 3 days of receipt of the merchandise. I can’t blame them for this considering the merchandise.

This is a tough decision and I was hoping some folks on the forums would weigh in at what seems to be the better knife value for general cutting chores and defensive use; appearance aesthetics aside.

(Although this may become moot as I am attending the Stamford knife show this weekend.....)
 
Boink,

Before really worrying you should call KnifeArt. I seem to remember that Mayo's waiting list is 16-18 months. Though you might get priority with an order through KnifeArt it would be best to be sure (might ask them if they have a special arrangement and if not to call Tom and confirm the wait). If Tom's wait is going to be a year and a half you decision might be made for you.

-Jeff
 
I am getting the sense that Tom Mayo's are hot properties.

People talk about snapping them up. When on the resale sites, they go quickly. The fact that he's backlogged also adds to this notion.

On the other hand, I am seeing EDC's languish for a while in the For Sale areas. Maybe because of too high asking price? I don't know.

But the decision should be more about what I'll wind up with and what I'll feel proud about carrying, besides the utility and handling, not what people are getting for them. I am thinking of my first few customs as keepers. (although, we'll see about that, as the mania continues)

Does anyone own any of these and like them for any particular reason?
 
Never owned a Mayo (ahhhh, someday) but I have owned 4 EDC's. The EDC is a great knife, but the 3" blade would scare me off. I like my knives in the 3 1/2" range. 3" is just too small for me. This is purely a personal thing. I would snatch the Mayo as you are much more likely to see 3 or 4 Ralph's pop up for every Mayo in the foreseeable future. If for any wild reason you find the Mayo not quite right down the road, you make a good point on the resale value. As the Mayo's are a little more rare, you have a much better chance of getting your money back out of it.

While your at KnifeArt, check out their limited run of Brian Tighe's "Tighe Fighter". $475 and it is one sweet knife. I like mine better than my Ralph.
 
I have a 3" EDC CF/Dominator blade and really like it. I haven't handled a TNT but they look great. My only preference is thumbstud over the blade hole. I sometimes carry a Munroe Chimera and just can't manipulate it as well with the thumb hole like the thumbstud. Although either choice will be a super knife.:)


Phillip
 
Keep in mind that I know nothing, but they both seem to be pretty equivalent - just of a different style. Probably can't go wrong with either. Both are at the top of many lists.
 
TOUGH CHOICE!
I have a 3" Mayo and a 3.5" Ralph. I LOVE both! Darrel's knives are "prettier". The 3" model is just slightly thicker that the Camillus version. I agree with checking on the wait. The Mayo will be thinner lighter and obviously one of a kind . . . in fact I just got on the "list" myself. Between the two you have listed I would prefer the Mayo . . . unlike the CF Ralphs, it is a true framelock without scales.
You cannot go wrong though!

I just noticed James' post about Contender's Vanguard . . . that would be worth JUMPING ON!
 
Originally posted by blademan 13

While your at KnifeArt, check out their limited run of Brian Tighe's "Tighe Fighter". $475 and it is one sweet knife. I like mine better than my Ralph.
Click to expand...

I hear you on that one. Tighe Fighter was printed out and is stapled to the contenders. The real B*tch is not being able to handle all these sweet knives to see what the feel is. It's the feel that is very personal and indefineable in many instances.

I was at my local knife shop, the Bladesman in Seaford, Long Island, and happened to see an EDC in person for the first time. I was taken with the knife and felt it comfortable in the 3" version, but remembered remarking how the photos in the magazines made the knife look HUGE, when it is in fact not. Shows to go you how the photographer's do their thing to enhance the beauty. Maybe sometimes they go overboard and you need to see these things in person to make a proper value judgement!
 
I just noticed James' post about Contender's Vanguard . . . that would be worth JUMPING ON! [/B][/QUOTE]

That's a tough call for me, as it's becomes the decision between investing in knives that equal "artwork" (look, but don't touch) versus something you intend to use. Bought a Darrel Ralph 4" Mad Maxx with intent to use, but am suddenly in a whole 'nuther quandary on that one!! :rolleyes:
 
Go for the Mayo. The wait may be longer but they are much harder to come by. I have two. Worth the wait.
 
You already have a small Madd Maxx from DDR, maybe you should give a TNT a look as well. That way you will be able see how the two compare. Just a thought.
 
I am now number 15 on the waiting list for Tactical TNT Exclusive! Emailed Tom, saying that now I'm looking forward to something in addition to Thanksgiving turkey this November. (Estimated delivery)
 
Originally posted by blademan 13
While your at KnifeArt, check out their limited run of Brian Tighe's "Tighe Fighter". $475 and it is one sweet knife. I like mine better than my Ralph.
Click to expand...

Don't think I did not see that Tighe and lust after it. I even checked out other Tighe knives and think the KnifeArt one is one of the nicest Tactical-like handle designs. The tough part is not having one to really check out without getting it. I want to be respectful to both the merchant and my pocketbook.
 
. in fact I just got on the "list" myself. Between the two you have listed I would prefer the Mayo . . . unlike the CF Ralphs, it is a true framelock without scales.
You cannot go wrong though!
Click to expand...

I dig the framelocks. My sabenza and 4" Mad Maxx lock up like a penitentiary. True on the thumbhole, I'll wind up seeing if it opens easily, but I'm more interested in the knife locking open solidly. We all know that a fixed blade is the "fastest opening" of all.

In time, I hope to find my super-folder that is both fast opening and solid-locking. It's just that it's gonna cost some outlay in the beginning (plus some waiting! :( ), which may eventually be somewhat recoverable in selling the units that don't make my personal cut. The real b*tch will be in actually putting these purty creatures up for sale.

Just like others have said, if it don't work the way I would like, a lot of other folks would love to own it.
 
I do not own but have handled an EDC extensively. It is a very nice knife but I think that you get more for your money from Mayo in terms of fit and finish. Ralph just bull-noses the edges of the CF and beadblasts the liners. Mayo's titanium have a nice smooth but grippy feel. The CF on the EDC is kind rough and I would like a smoother more contoured finish. I think that my buddy is going to send his EDC to Reese Weiland for refinishing.

While we are on the subject, check out the new knife from J.W. Smith. For the price they are a bargain!

-Jeff
 
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