Sebenza vs Tom Mayo's TNT

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Joe Talmadge:

... Next question: the Reeves more or less claim to have perfected the integral lock (though they put it much less coarsely than that). How does Tom's integral lock stack up? Tweaking, torquing, squeezing -- anyone ever have problems?</font>
Click to expand...

You're killing me, Joe, but here goes:

- Tweaking: slight lateral blade play in the Med Recurve when gripping the blade and forcing it side to side. No lateral blade play in XLG Recurve or Beefy T.
No vertical blade play in any of them. But material may play a role in this: Beefy T: .200" thick blade spine, .187" thick handles; XLG: .156" blade, .144" handles; Med Recurve: 1/8" blade, 1/8" (?) handles.

- Torquing: (all left-handed models) stabbing each into a piece of wood and twisting the handle in a clockwise direction, each TNT disengages. Non-issue for me as Sebenza does the same thing.

- Squeezing: Neither any of the TNTs disengage resulting from a white knuckle grip. However, you may have to ask kawanin to try this as he is much stronger than I.
smile.gif


<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">How does Tom handle reducing the lock tension? Vertical cutouts ala the Sebenza? A long horizontal slot ala the Benchmade Pinnacle?

Thanks!

Joe</font>
Click to expand...

Tom employs "vertical cutouts ala the Sebenza," but on the outside of the locking bar instead of the inside. Rob Simonich seemed to agree that this was the right place to put it as he was examining my XLG in Oregon and said it has to do with mathematics, particularly in regards to circles and curves. In regards to this issue, either of them can do a much better job of explaining this more clearly.

Jerome
 
not a bad idea David has about reeve offering a talonite option, but i disagree about the reeve being more suited for utility use, i feel my small tnt is; at minimal, equal in utilitarian use to the comparable size sebenza.
of course, as previously stated, i no longer carry a sebbie
smile.gif


glad everyone likes something different, if we all agreed; we'd be spending time with our families right now
biggrin.gif

------------------
russ aka BladeZealot{former screen name: russ, 850 posts-DEC."99}
a cat almost always blinks when hit in the head with a ball-peen hammer.

to all you cat lovers...does the tail get in the way?

[This message has been edited by bladezealot (edited 05-01-2001).]
 
JCHH -- Thanks for a very informative reply!

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">
- Torquing: (all left-handed models) stabbing each into a piece of wood and twisting the
handle in a clockwise direction, each TNT disengages. Non-issue for me as Sebenza does
the same thing.
</font>
Click to expand...

Yeah, working against the lock (counterclockswise for a righty model), integral locks can release. Most people don't know how to look for this, and so never see this type of failure.

One question: when you test this, are you wrapping your hand all the way around the knife (and the lock), or is your hand in a funny position where it's not reinforcing the lock at all?

Thanks again!

Joe
 
Hey General - Tom offers the TNT in BG-42, if that sways you any.
biggrin.gif
In fact, I just ordered a large TNT (or would that be "BGNT", now?) with a BG-42 blade. This is because I LOVE BG-42 steel, and because Tom mentioned to me that he'd never done a TNT with the '42 before. So, I get a knife with great steel, and a chance to give an amazing knifemaker a (semi) new experience, all in one!
biggrin.gif


My only problem is the WAIT! I have no patience.
smile.gif
I'm sure I'll have to get a "real" TNT (with Talonite) at some point... decisions, decisions, decisions...

Oh, in regards to the TNT vs. Sebbie debate: I dunno. I've heard AMAZING things about CRK, and the Sebbie... it just doesn't look good to me. I know "looks" are a minimal (even piddling) thing to base a purchase on, but if I'm gonna spend my $$ on it, and look at it every day when I carry it, I want to enjoy the experience, ya know?
smile.gif

------------------
Of course, that's just MY opinion - I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

[This message has been edited by See2 (edited 05-02-2001).]
 
See2,
I'd like to have a TNT, and have been thinking about ordering one. I was thinking BG-42, myself, in a large JF (BGNT?).
The problem with Tom Mayo's knives (aside from the clip being on the wrong end on every one I've seen) is that he's always coming out with something new, and a mind is a terrible thing to make up.
That Beefy T is awesome.
Maybe I'll sell a kidney and order both
smile.gif


btw, he also does 420V-the "VNT".
 
Yup - Mine's gonna be the "JF", too! I actually talked to Tom about orienting the clip for tip up carry, and he says he hates to do it, because of problems with the knife opening in the pocket. No prob. I'm not in things to make waves - just get great knives. Tip down it is.
biggrin.gif
 
I was looking hard at the JF blade style too, being a big fan of drop points. When the opportunity came to get a second-hand large TNT with the OM clip-point, I jumped at it, kind of wondering how I'd like it.
I'm converted. The clip point is just so darn handy at precision work!! Matter of fact, I just received my first fixed-blade clip point hunter (a Griffith Sierra) and I'm now convinced that I like them better than the drops. When done correctly they just make incredible users. I guess my "point" is don't overlook that OM-style TNT, VNT, BGNT, whatever. Great stuff from a great maker.
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by See2:
I actually talked to Tom about orienting the clip for tip up carry, and he says he hates to do it, because of problems with the knife opening in the pocket.</font>
Click to expand...

Was this because of the thumbstuds, or concern about the detent not holding the blade closed? Really curious, because I hate tip-down carry, and if I'm buying a custom, it'll be my way, or it won't be at all.
I don't know if an opening hole would go well on that particular knife, though I am quite fond of holes.


I mean opening holes
tongue.gif





[This message has been edited by OwenM (edited 05-02-2001).]
 
Think it has to do with the detent. I have a Wasp being made for me by Reese Weiland, and initially he was wary of tip-up, because the blade is so heavy. Eventually, he told me if I really wanted it that way (I did) he'd make the detent as strong as possible.

What do "JF" and "OM" mean, anyway?
 
JF and OM are "trade secrets" of Tom's
smile.gif
_

I think the pocket clip is perfect where its at...I am "ahem" the owner of the prototype BEEFY T and when you reach in your pocket to pull it out with your thumb and index finger, with a slight shift upwards, your thumb is right on the opener hole and ready to thumb it open...

I believe this model of his fits in the catagory of folding prybar that I saw someone ask about before...its a really impressive knife...

and there is no problem with his stop detent either..I have owned 3 of his TNT models and everyone had a very solid hold on the blade in closed position.....in fact you can hold the knife with the blade in an upside down position and get it almost closed,,,then just ever so slowly push up on the blade and the detent ball "sucks it in that last few millimeters! I suppose there is always a chance of it failing..hence the reluctance to do it tip up...


would somebody say why they like tip up carry??
 
Tip up carry is a more natural draw for me. I reach in deep with my thumb. When the knife clears my pocket, my thumb is on the hole (stud) and the knife is oriented in my hand. If the knife is carried to the rear of the pocket, the back seem will block the blade in the handle.I also feel there is less chance of dropping the knife.
A note for Mr. Mayo...The TNT is one of the sweetest designs I've seen in some time. Very nice.

Paul
 
Tip-up just seems more natural for me. I own a few Emersons (which are all tip-up). Guess I'm just used to it that way.
smile.gif
 
a friend of mine was carrying his mt lcc ma in the waistband of his sweats. he went to tuck in his t-shirt, and proceeded to severe the tendon in his thumb. $14,000.00 in surgery and 6 months later...he has regained most of the use of his thumb, i think. he obviously does not care for tip up carry now! he actually never did, he just really liked the lcc and tried it.

the only knife i have been able to tolerate for any time as a tip-up carry has been the sebbie.
tip down suits me better and is inherantly safer.

------------------
russ aka BladeZealot{former screen name: russ, 850 posts-DEC."99}
a cat almost always blinks when hit in the head with a ball-peen hammer.

to all you cat lovers...does the tail get in the way?

[This message has been edited by bladezealot (edited 05-03-2001).]
 
actually,i've really enjoyed my tnt in the kydex neck sheath i made for it
biggrin.gif



View

------------------
russ aka BladeZealot{former screen name: russ, 850 posts-DEC."99}
a cat almost always blinks when hit in the head with a ball-peen hammer.

to all you cat lovers...does the tail get in the way?



[This message has been edited by bladezealot (edited 05-03-2001).]
 
I too prefer a tip-up carry for smaller knives (2"-3.25"). I can sink my thumb into my pocket and quickly engage the hole/stud imediatly while withdrawing the knife. It gives me a much faster blade presentation. Although on folders closer to 4", my thumb can't reach that far down, therefor a tip-down carry is better for me with larger folders. Of course, practice, practice, practice is the key for any knife.

Most of my EDC knives are 3" due to the knife laws in Michigan, therefor they are tip-up carry. I've been carrying a Seb for the past year and a half and have been looking to get a 3" TNT drop point for a while for a replacement. The TNT has a great design,blade and handle material and has the slot, which is my favorite type of opening, but...but, it's tip-down, just not my favorite for a smaller knife and the only reason I haven't ordered a TNT yet.

So, Tom, what do you say......a small tip-up TNT? Please, please, please......you can even leave out some of the holes.

Thanks,
Tom

------------------
"A handful of patience is worth more than a bushel of brains"
AKTI Member A001010
 
PLEASE reread russ' post above......
THAT is the ONLY reason I wont put the clip on the butt........nor will Pat Crawford!!
I cant afford a $160 hospital bill...much less one as described above......could you imagine if I made a knife for a surgeon and he permanently injured his hand with a situation like the above......I would be in debtors prison for the rest of my life (actually I already am-so I guess it wouldnt make much difference!!
smile.gif
)

------------------
http://www.mayoknives.com
John 1:14
Love is Stronger than Death!
 
Well here's my baby! I have the Sebenza and 2 TNT's. The Sebenza is a very nice knife. Tom's great to work with and you can have your TNT modified to your specifications (within reason) both are great knives but if I had to choose between the two I would go for the TNT.

View


View


Great work Tom!
biggrin.gif
 
Off topic>>>

I don't know about Mr. Reeve, but Tom Mayo's son is getting married today!!

Congratulations! Tom, enjoy your Cinco de Mayo festivities!!!

Michael

------------------
He who has smelt the smoke is never free again...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top