My Folding Mule Project

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CasperFatone
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My Folding Mule Project

#1

Post by CasperFatone »

I wanted to share a recent project that I’ve been working on with my most recent Mule purchase. This is the second Mule for me, and I realized that even though I love the concept behind the Mule Team I don’t ever carry fixed blade knives. Since I carry a pocket knife everyday I decided to modify this m398 Mule into a folding knife. This way it will get tested doing all of the tasks that I use my regular knives for.

Ok, enough about my reasoning here let’s get to the good part! For my design I decided to go with a finger choil since that is what I like. I’ve also started planning to make another folding Mule that will keep the original Mule shape but will probably wait for either the Rex T15 or the SPY27 production Mule for that one.

Here is my mock up of the design, which is made out of 1/8” MDF and 1/4” plywood. I went through a couple versions of this before deciding on this one, which felt the best in my hand. This is the same low tech method that I’ve used to design folding knives in the past, it’s just this time I started by drilling for the pivot in MDF, placing the knife on a pin in the hole, and tracing out the Mule blade. Conveniently, the Mule already has a perfect 3/16” hold for the pivot.

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Now for the point of no return!

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My plan for this knife is to make a titanium liner lock using .060” thick material for the liners. For the pivot I am using Ticonnector hardware, phosphor bronze washers, and a steel pivot bushing. While the knife is being fitted I am using a single stand-off, but will either add a second one or make a backspacer. For scales I have some twill carbon fiber that I am planning to use, but I haven’t started on those yet.

Anyways, here are the progress pics. Please keep in mind this is not close to my finished work so it’s a little rough. All of this is done free hand with low tech tools (bandsaw, 2x72 grinder, drill press, dremel), so no mill or CNC.

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Obviously there is still a fair amount of work to do here. Next step is going to be drilling for the detent ball and setting it, along with the indent in the blade for the detent. Once I’m happy with the fit and lockup I’ll get to work on the scales. After the scales are made I will sand and bead blast the liners, then carbidize the lockbar to prevent lock stick. Also I will make a titanium deep carry clip out of .040” Ti.

Feel free to ask questions and offer criticism. Hope you all like this or at least find it interesting.
Amateur maker of folding knives and addicted to modding Spyderco knives

Folding Mules- m398 liner lock, Rex76 compression lock, 15v liner lock flipper
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Rymanz
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Re: My Folding Mule Project

#2

Post by Rymanz »

Very interested to see this develop! I'm really digging the overall profile.

What kind of clip do you foresee designing into it?
:bug-red
Models: PM2, Endura 4, Chaparral, Para 3 LW, Rescue 3, Para 3, Shaman, Manix 2, Native 5
Steels: Elmax, S30V, XHP, 4V, VG-10, CPM CRU-WEAR, K390, Z-WEAR, S45VN, 204P, REX 45
Images: MT22 RWL34, MT07 Damascus, MT33 REX 76
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Bolster
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Re: My Folding Mule Project

#3

Post by Bolster »

Very fun. Thanks for posting your project!
Steel novice who self-identifies as a steel expert. Proud M.N.O.S.D. member 0003. Spydie Steels: 4V, 15V, 20CV, AEB-L, AUS6, Cru-Wear, HAP40, K294, K390, M4, Magnacut, S110V, S30V, S35VN, S45VN, SPY27, SRS13, T15, VG10, XHP, ZWear, ZDP189
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Ramonade
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Re: My Folding Mule Project

#4

Post by Ramonade »

Oh man, a dream project of mine ! Happy to see someone pursue it before I'm even ready to do traditionnal folders !

That 50/50 choil is looking good, so does the general lines of the folder. I'm directly heavily invested in your progress. You seem to have done most of the hard work already ;)

Congrats and I'll be lurking ! :respect
:respect In the collection :respect : Lots of different steels, in lots of different (and same) Spydercos.

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ykspydiefan
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Re: My Folding Mule Project

#5

Post by ykspydiefan »

I logged in just to go bonkers over your project. There are modifications, and then there are super-mods. Wow!

I am certainly going to follow this thread to the project completion.

Thanks for sharing.

On a related note, it would be nice if someone like yourself started a thread, "Mule Modifications thru to Supermods." Does not have to be that exact title, but some thread where all of us spectators can see all of the mods in one place. Preferably one to 3 pics, not a lot of text, and a link to the overall project thread.

I have been consistently impressed with the forumites who are keen to get their Mules leaned down and modified for specific tasks. Everything from "that nub," reshaping the thumb ramp, jimping or cutting it down into a chef knife, all the mods in one place would be nifty. I dare to speculate that there will be more people cutting Mules down when more Mules are available.

I have never modified a mule and have no business starting that thread.

This, Folding Mule Project thread is spectacular.

Thanks again.
Spyderco: Tenacious G10, Waterway, Para 3 Spy27, Pacific Salt H1, In the Mule Team Stable(Z-Max, Z-Wear, S45VN, Magnacut, SRS13/SUS405, M398, Aeb-l, 15v)
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Guts
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Re: My Folding Mule Project

#6

Post by Guts »

Saw this over on Reddit. Glad you're posting it here too. Very excited to see the progress on this super cool project.
:bug-red-white :bug-red :bug-white-red
jwbnyc
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Re: My Folding Mule Project

#7

Post by jwbnyc »

This is cool.
spook2517
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Re: My Folding Mule Project

#8

Post by spook2517 »

You have skills. Nice work.
CasperFatone
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Re: My Folding Mule Project

#9

Post by CasperFatone »

Rymanz wrote:
Tue Dec 06, 2022 9:02 am
Very interested to see this develop! I'm really digging the overall profile.

What kind of clip do you foresee designing into it?
Most likely I’ll make a pretty basic two screw deep carry clip, in part because I make a bunch of them. I could also do something a little more interesting like one I did for my Magnitude, which mimicked the original clip it had. Maybe I’ll do something similar but without the speed holes.

Some of my regular clips-

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Magnitude clip, and a Shaman clip-

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Amateur maker of folding knives and addicted to modding Spyderco knives

Folding Mules- m398 liner lock, Rex76 compression lock, 15v liner lock flipper
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kennethsime
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Re: My Folding Mule Project

#10

Post by kennethsime »

Subscribed. Saw you on Reddit, and stoked you came over here.
I'm happiest with Micarta and Tool Steel.

Top four in rotation: K390 + GCM PM2, ZCarta Shaman, Crucarta PM2, K390 + GCM Straight Spine Stretch.
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FullScaler
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Re: My Folding Mule Project

#11

Post by FullScaler »

Very nice work. Looking forward to see how it comes together.
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attila
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Re: My Folding Mule Project

#12

Post by attila »

Very cool and excellent work! I look forward to updates.
Have: old S30V Native, HAP40 Endura, ZDP DF2, S110V Manix LW, Cru-wear Para 3, SE H1 DF2, S90V Native 5, K390 Urban, SE Pac Salt, P.I.T.S., XHP Manix LW, SB Caly 3, B70P, PMA11, K03, Kapara, REX 45 Military, 154CM Manix LW, Swick, AEB-L Urban, KC Cruwear Manix, M390 PM2, Mantra 2, CruCarta Shaman, M390 Manix, K390 Police 4, S90V Manix LW, Rex 45 Manix LW, 20CV Manix, Rex 45 Lil’Native, Shaman, C208GP, Cruwear Manix, Cruwear Manix, M4 Chief, Z-max!!!

Want: SPY27, K490, Swick 5
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CasperFatone
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Re: My Folding Mule Project

#13

Post by CasperFatone »

I wanted to share my progress on this project with everyone. The scales have been profiled but still need to be contoured, and I decided that I want to contour the scales before doing a cut for lock bar access.

I’m fairly happy with the detent, but will make it a little stiffer in my final adjustment. I’m using ceramic detent balls and it’s already smoothed out after flicking the knife open around 50 times. There’s a good chance I’ll end up polishing the sides for the tang just to see how silky I can get this thing, but I’m already pretty happy with the action. The lockup is also a little on the shallow side but I’d rather give it a chance to break in before I remove any more material.

I’ll update again once I get my contours done. Thanks to everyone that’s shown interest in this project!

Now for the good part…

Link to an action video (not sure how to post vids here if it’s possible)- https://i.imgur.com/snliJqp.mp4

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Amateur maker of folding knives and addicted to modding Spyderco knives

Folding Mules- m398 liner lock, Rex76 compression lock, 15v liner lock flipper
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sal
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Re: My Folding Mule Project

#14

Post by sal »

Hi Spook,

Welcome to our forum.

Nice work Casper.

sal
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Re: My Folding Mule Project

#15

Post by Coastal »

WOW!
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JSumm
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Re: My Folding Mule Project

#16

Post by JSumm »

This is amazing! Well done.
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Bolster
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Re: My Folding Mule Project

#17

Post by Bolster »

Regards contours: How will you bevel the edges of the scales? With a router bit or...?
Steel novice who self-identifies as a steel expert. Proud M.N.O.S.D. member 0003. Spydie Steels: 4V, 15V, 20CV, AEB-L, AUS6, Cru-Wear, HAP40, K294, K390, M4, Magnacut, S110V, S30V, S35VN, S45VN, SPY27, SRS13, T15, VG10, XHP, ZWear, ZDP189
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Ramonade
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Re: My Folding Mule Project

#18

Post by Ramonade »

This is already starting to look good !

I'd be willing to try such a project but the only Mules I have in stock are REX76 and these are at like 69 HRC :')

Looking forward to see the results of the contouring !
:respect In the collection :respect : Lots of different steels, in lots of different (and same) Spydercos.

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Re: My Folding Mule Project

#19

Post by JRinFL »

I could buy the tools to do something like this, but I could not buy the skill or talent to do something like this. Well done! I’m looking forward to seeing more.
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standy99
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Re: My Folding Mule Project

#20

Post by standy99 »

Although I am watching….I have so many folders I would like to make fixed blades.

GB1 in a fixed blade for EDC…….
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