S30V titanium framelocks - the best for the $?

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tirod3

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Jun 27, 2006
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Of all the S30V Titanium framelocks, which is best for the money? Strider, Sebenza, Hinderer, or

BUCK MAYO TNT BU-172!

I think some of us are just missing the boat on this - a S30V Ti framelock - both scales - American made, Bos heat treat, shaped covert carry handles, and a custom design.

The blade is finished on all surfaces except the lock, grips finished inside and out, Torx fasteners, open back, high end blade with oval opener, rebated to boot.

Sure beats black FRN from the sub $100 junk market. :D

Ok, I've been carrying a SnG for a year, and it's a very good knife - of course, a CC could be nicer, with shaped grips. But I do notice it knocking around at work, largely from the slab grips, which work excellently with or without gloves. I need to strop it up for deer hunting, which if I am so lucky, should prove no challenge to the drop point blade and slippery application wearing the cute lavendar surgical gloves I wear. I'll keep it for hard use - I don't think there will ever be a better utility knife for the rough side of life.

But for Sunday? (We do look for excuses, don't we?) The TNT is even lighter, came hair popping sharp - sharper than my straight razor, as my naked arm attests - and has that wonderful contoured grip that speaks volumes in design intent - less hot spots, more comfortable carry, which easily beats out a BM CQC7, the Strider, a CRKT M13, or even a Kershaw Vapor II. Yes, the little horns on top of the grip are there, so there are others better. The bead blast scales are grippier than a CRKT Ti M16, or any of the anodized aluminum knives I have, including a Kershaw Boa.

Now, I know all you baloney cutting Sebenza owners will drag out your precision folding blades from their protective cocoons and argue no better knife exists, but for the money - Buck has got it sewed up with the Mayo TNT. You get everything the Sebenza has, and looks to boot, plus a Bos heat treat, for far less than the Sebenza, and a nice box for the dresser. They are both hollow ground, both framelocks, both pocket clipped, but the Mayo is shaped, not slabbed, which usually runs extra, doesn't "suffer" from the rep of a soft blade (it's what you tell me,) and comes from the biggest American maker of knives in current history.

Any problem, you get a brand new free one, or service as requested, practically the same week. Not bad for the price.

To quote the guy on the country radio station, "Wayke UP, Amurrica!!"
 
Glad you like it. You seem to be suggesting it's a steal though, i.e. way cheaper than the others you mentioned--it lists on their site at $320, and is not in stock either, really it OUGHT to be in the same league as a Sebenza etc at that price.

I don't have a Ti frame/handle knife yet. Someday!
 
I had a 172. Great knife but just too small for me. If it had a 4 inch blade or there about. Then I would be all over it. Then again that is only my preference. Other knife makers keep me broke buying their knives any way.
 
I've never held one. It's been on my mind for a few month now though. It seems like you can find them for under $200 pretty easily I think. I wonder how it compares to the alias knives for a similar price. The 172 has definately has a better look imho. They should offer them in tip up too though.
 
Much that you've said of the Buck Mayo TNT can be said of the BM 635 Mini-Skirmish i.e. " a S30V Ti framelock - both scales - American made, Bos heat treat, shaped covert carry handles, and a custom design.

The blade is finished on all surfaces except the lock, grips finished inside and out, Torx fasteners, open back, high end blade with oval opener, rebated to boot. "

Except for the Bos heat treat, round instead of oval opener and a lower street price instead of a rebate much of your description applies to the Mini-Skirmish. Add a beefy 3.4" blade and the BM compares very well and is worth the consideration of anyone looking at the Strider, Sebenza, Hinderer, or BUCK MAYO TNT BU-172.

All that being said IMHO there is no shortage of high quality S30V Titanium framelocks.

Dave
 
Mayo TNT is in stock a lot of places for 189. Too, short of a blade and IMO my Blade-Tech Rijbak with its Ti frame lock very heavy 3 -3/4" SV30 blade for less money can't be beat. It's got every bit the blade a ZT0200 has and I have and like both but Rijbak is the ultimate ti frame lock. My thread "didn't need it but...." shows the Rijbak and ZT0200 side by side. (I have never seen a frame lock with as precise fitting and full on thickness exactly behind the front of the blade tang near close to this Blade-Tech)
 
Mayo is great, so is the BM 635.
But @ $170.00, the Bradley (BM) Alias series is hard to beat.
 
Best Ti Framelock, why screw around, there is no better deal than when you but a real Mayo from Tom. Definitely the best bang for the buck. AND it'll appreciate in value!
 
Tirod3, I'm glad you found a good quality knife that you really like. The Mayo seems like alot of knife for the money but I have to vote with redsst. It looks like the Bradley Alias is the best deal for a titanium s30v framelock. I really like the look and plan on getting one soon. I want to see how it compares to my Sebenza. Since I am one of those strange people that prefers a tip down carry, the Alias just might win out over the Sebenza.
My son would love for that to happen. He has been offering to help make some room in my safe by moving some knives to his room. The Sebenza is near the top of his want list.
 
I have a 172, and a small Sebenza. Yes, I like the Sebenza better, but for almost twice the cost, it should be better. I think the 172 is a great design.

My son has a BM 635, and it, too, is a nice knife which can be had for a little less than the 172. I like the 172 better.
 
The mini Skirmish has a 3.43" blade, which is the larger size for most folders.
At 149 it's the best deal. The only bummer is that there is no lanyard hole for those who don't like the clip.
 
i collect frame locks-

for me the best value for the $$$ -is the mini cyclone zdp from kershaw
knivesagain.jpg
 
The Buck is tip down. The rebate on the blade describes the extra grinding down the california clip that narrows and rounds the top of the blade. Flat top blades are, in comparison, cheaper because there is less work.

The long list of customs which share features is nice - but that's what they are, and not available from as many dealers. The Neil Blackwood BM 635 is exactly the same thing - an authorized repliknife for a lower price than his original. The Bradley looks like a reshaped Sebenza clone, in my opinion. A lot of what we want is originality, but in this category, it needs to look like it.

On sheer volume, Buck has the advantage in dealers and sales. I have to wonder, where are all the Buck Mayo fanboys to voice their support over the years this knife has been out? I sure thought this thread would get some to surface.
 
tirod3 said:
Sure beats black FRN from the sub $100 junk market. :D
Click to expand...
:thumbdn: This statement is pretentious, insulting and ignorant on several levels.



tirod3 said:
Now, I know all you baloney cutting Sebenza owners will drag out your precision folding blades from their protective cocoons and argue no better knife exists.
Click to expand...
My Sebenza is clipped to my pocket exposed to my keys, covered in scratches and grease, and get's used frequently all day, every day, as are many, many other's.



tirod3 said:
You get everything the Sebenza has
Click to expand...
No, you don't. Not by a long shot. Materials aren't everything.

tirod3 said:
doesn't "suffer" from the rep of a soft blade (it's what you tell me,)
Click to expand...
I've put mine through the EDC paces, and its edge retention has been just as good, if not better than knives I've owned in other company's S30V, VG-10, BG-42, ATS-34, D2 and so on. It is a myth, as far as I'm concerned. Probably derived from the fact that CRK does, indeed, run their one piece line in A2 a bit soft.
 
My $.02.
Having owned a seb, Xm-18 and RJ Martin, the seb was a brilliant cutter but lack luster in the style and comfort areas.
The XM was not as good of a cutter until I reprofiled it from 30 to 25 degrees. Excellent comfort when white-knuckling during cutting.
The Martin dress Havoc has yet to be put through the paces intensely but seems to be as durable as the Hinderer and more comfortable then the seb.
The CV20 steel the XM uses is a touch softer than S30V and I notice slightly better edge retention with the seb and Martin.
All in all, the XM is great and a tank. For the price, I don't feel bad beating the snot out of it. The choil is greatly appreciated and much needed on the seb IMHO. Once of the reasons I got rid of mine.
The Martin flipper with the built-in guard make up for the lack of choil/ricasso that the XM has so it's a wash there.
RJs knives are way sharper than the others but the thickness is much thinner also. Makes for a great cutter but for puncture or plunge cuts I would trust the XM over all the rest.
 
A couple of years ago, I would have scoffed at such a high price on a knife. Last year, I probably would have bought it. Now, I really want one of Mayos custom TNT's. For the money, for double what you're paying for the Buck, I would get the real thing.

Forcing myself to use it is a whole 'nother matter ;).

Oh yeah, I have a lrg and sm micarta Sebs, SNG and did have a Skirmish.
 
I agree that the Buck TNT is the value leader in Ti-S30V production framelocks.

It is one hell of a knife.

I bought mine used, and it was used hard since the first 1" (from tip) was dull. However there was none of that supposed S30V chipping. It took a lot of work with a coarse diamond hone to get it razor sharp, but its stayed that way for a long time. It opened smoothly when bought, but only 2 drops of Triflow and it opened like greased lightening and has stayed that way for months of hard use. I wash it in the sink under runnig water after using it to prepare food, so it ain't babied.

The Buck TNT looks classy, but it is tough. The scales don't seem to scratch and I've dropped mine in dirt, concrete and sand. The blade has a nice polish.

The blade is big enough for baloney, wide enough to spread mayo and small enough to fit in your pocket. The package is light enough so you can wear it with swimming trunks and not drag your pants down.

I like the horns, they don't bother me, don't hurt my hands, look cool and they are great protection for any type of stabbing (i.e. self defense).

Ball detent is one of the strongest I've seen. The lock up is tight and strong. Pocket clip is good and doesn't catch. Blade geometry is excellent.

When comparing to the sebenza (a) street price of about $170 is about half sebenza's street price (b) handle does not scuff up...no need to pay CRK to refurbish (c) countoured handle is more comfortable (d) oval hole doesn't hurt like the sharp thumb studs (e) you can flick it and not void your warranty (f) holes make it lighter (g) Buck's been in business for three generations...noone knows what will happen to CRK when Reeve's dies (h) better warranty because buck doesn't argue and finally the true kcikeer (i) no "break-in period until the knife opens smoothly (j) no ugly bead blasted blade (that's just CRK being cheap) and finally (k) much prettier and as ATBarr says "don't buy no ugly knife."

How does Buck do such high quality, good materials, custom design, made in America at such an affordable price?
 
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