Elastic Ceramic. Wow!

[Fireman]

It will be cool to see the more rigid example of this material in a knife via the mule. I hope there was no difficulty getting all the holes in the handle so we can use the same scales. I wonder if Dr Larrin will do a catra test. I think this material will excel at push cuts vs a slicing or sawing motion.

[burlyspyder]

Looks like we have a Mule Team In-the-works.

sal

Ok. Now I am definitely giddy.

Got my HIC before Xmas, been using exclusively in kitchen. I am a little torn. The cutting performance is great... But it is so lightweight that it just feels...off. I often like to "let the knife do the work", but that requires at least some weight to it. I think I would like it better in a paring or fillet knife....or....

A mule.

[JRinFL]

This is going to be one of the more costly Mules. Queue the crying and gnashing of teeth...

[TomAiello]

Got my HIC before Xmas, been using exclusively in kitchen. I am a little torn. The cutting performance is great... But it is so lightweight that it just feels...off. I often like to "let the knife do the work", but that requires at least some weight to it. I think I would like it better in a paring or fillet knife....or....

I definitely had the same impression. The super lightweight printed handles also add to the feeling of lightness. When you first pick them up they almost feel 'cheap' but the cutting performance is fantastic.

I'd love to get a paring knife in HIC. Which is also why I think something like a Dragonfly or Chap LW would be a great way to showcase this material.

[yogibearal]

Fairly new here - browsing various posts/threads to see what's new in the knife world. Are the mules available for anyone to purchase? Or do you need to be part of a special group?

[Fireman]

Fairly new here - browsing various posts/threads to see what's new in the knife world. Are the mules available for anyone to purchase? Or do you need to be part of a special group?

All mules sell out quickly, like within minutes. watch for the release announcements

[Bolster]

Man Down!

I was cooking birthday dinner for my wife last night (shrimp and grits) and my Rahven Shark slid off the counter and chipped the edge of the tip out on the tile floor.

Oooo, sorry for the misfortune Gtscotty. Will be interested to hear what you learn on the repair attempt.

[Crox]

Fairly new here - browsing various posts/threads to see what's new in the knife world. Are the mules available for anyone to purchase? Or do you need to be part of a special group?

Open to anyone. Only sold on spyderco.com and as fireman says they can go fast.

You are just requested to come here and leave feedback of your experience.

[sbdude]

Looks like we have a Mule Team In-the-works.

sal

Awesome!! Looking forward to it for sure.

[legOFwhat?]

What handle material would compliment a ceramic knife?

[TomAiello]

What handle material would compliment a ceramic knife?

Metal. At least that's what I'm thinking.

If I could afford it, I'd go with Timascus. I think it would be awesome to flip the normal (Damascus blade with plain handle) on it's head and go with Damascus handle and ceramic blade.

https://www.alphaknifesupply.com/shop/timascus-for-sale


Maybe I can go with a strip of timascus in something plain (black g-10? assuming the blade will also be black). That might be in the budget.

[legOFwhat?]

What handle material would compliment a ceramic knife?

Metal. At least that's what I'm thinking.

If I could afford it, I'd go with Timascus. I think it would be awesome to flip the normal (Damascus blade with plain handle) on it's head and go with Damascus handle and ceramic blade.

https://www.alphaknifesupply.com/shop/timascus-for-sale


Maybe I can go with a strip of timascus in something plain (black g-10? assuming the blade will also be black). That might be in the budget.

I like your thinking Tom! I'm assuming black blade too, and would love to have a nice contrast. Thanks for the link as well, that's another resource to explore, for sure!

[TomAiello]

Damasteel might also be interesting, and probably a more reasonable price than Timascus. But still pretty pricey, and you'd have to cook up an acid bath to etch it:

https://knifemaking.com/search?type=pro ... =damasteel*

So many options...

[Fireman]

For ultra light backpacking, Carbon fiber or printed plastic.

[emanuel]

I definitely had the same impression. The super lightweight printed handles also add to the feeling of lightness. When you first pick them up they almost feel 'cheap' but the cutting performance is fantastic.

I'd love to get a paring knife in HIC. Which is also why I think something like a Dragonfly or Chap LW would be a great way to showcase this material.

The light weight feel is inherited to its composition. No heavy iron atoms in it. There's also no way a heavy handle material could be used as it would make it feel very unbalanced. I kinda get it why the handles are 3D printed and have a lot of gaps inside. Yes, I did crack one open just to see how long the tang is and how the handles are made lol.

Metal. At least that's what I'm thinking.
If I could afford it, I'd go with Timascus. I think it would be awesome to flip the normal (Damascus blade with plain handle) on it's head and go with Damascus handle and ceramic blade.
https://www.alphaknifesupply.com/shop/timascus-for-sale
Maybe I can go with a strip of timascus in something plain (black g-10? assuming the blade will also be black). That might be in the budget.

Like I said above, hell no. The knife would feel like it's a bladeless handle. Too handle-heavy, it needs to be something very light or a hollowed out, thin micarta/g10. Carbon fiber also sounds right.

Regarding sharpening, 1 micron diamond paste on printer paper backed on fine cardboard (like the ones used for packaging most Whiskey bottles, as it seems to have the finest surface possible), and I managed to sharpen and refine the edge on par to my sharpest of steel knives. Hair whittling sharp.

[legOFwhat?]

This being a full tang design there should be a way of balancing it out.

[Fireman]

Would you be willing to do a how to sharpening video?

I definitely had the same impression. The super lightweight printed handles also add to the feeling of lightness. When you first pick them up they almost feel 'cheap' but the cutting performance is fantastic.

I'd love to get a paring knife in HIC. Which is also why I think something like a Dragonfly or Chap LW would be a great way to showcase this material.

The light weight feel is inherited to its composition. No heavy iron atoms in it. There's also no way a heavy handle material could be used as it would make it feel very unbalanced. I kinda get it why the handles are 3D printed and have a lot of gaps inside. Yes, I did crack one open just to see how long the tang is and how the handles are made lol.

Metal. At least that's what I'm thinking.
If I could afford it, I'd go with Timascus. I think it would be awesome to flip the normal (Damascus blade with plain handle) on it's head and go with Damascus handle and ceramic blade.
https://www.alphaknifesupply.com/shop/timascus-for-sale
Maybe I can go with a strip of timascus in something plain (black g-10? assuming the blade will also be black). That might be in the budget.

Like I said above, hell no. The knife would feel like it's a bladeless handle. Too handle-heavy, it needs to be something very light or a hollowed out, thin micarta/g10. Carbon fiber also sounds right.

Regarding sharpening, 1 micron diamond paste on printer paper backed on fine cardboard (like the ones used for packaging most Whiskey bottles, as it seems to have the finest surface possible), and I managed to sharpen and refine the edge on par to my sharpest of steel knives. Hair whittling sharp.

[archangel]

Looks like we have a Mule Team In-the-works.

sal

Sal, earlier you said that the costs appeared to be high. Then you said you were negotiating. Now it's in-the-works. Will the price be higher than the upcoming MT32 at $75? $100+? $150+? Please give a hint, if you can.

[sal]

Hi Michael,

Could be in the $150 range. Tooling is very expensive as is part cost.

sal

[TomAiello]

I'll still be in for two at $150.