T15 Mule owners... What you guys think?

[Emerson]

Hey gents,

Those of you that own and use the T15 Mule. What's your overall opinion on the steel? Sharpening, edge retention, toughness, etc.

Thanks!

[yablanowitz]

I like it a lot. It takes a nice edge and holds it very well in my use. It does rust easily, though. Of course, part of that may be from opening water softener salt bags, which I do often. It doesn't seem quite as agressive as K294, but with a lower grit edge it hangs right in there.

[RustyIron]

part of that may be from opening water softener salt bags, which I do often.

Whenever I refill the water softener, the effect on my knife is going through my head. I just wipe the dust off on my pants, and haven't noticed a problem. Dry environments will do that, I suppose.

[weeping minora]

Sharpening T15 is probably going to be its biggest downside to most folks. I enjoy sharpening and it takes a little longer than most other steels, with very little to nil burr formation in sharpening, IME. This may, or may not be a hinderance for your sharpening progression, if you rely on that burr formation to achieve an apex. I note that the edge will seem to burnish in sharpening if you spend too much time at any given grit, which can start to smooth out some aggression of your finished edge. It will take an aggressive edge and a rather polished edge, with bite.

Edge retention has been up there with many of the currently loved super steels, a la K390. The edge wears with little loss to overall sharpness, IME. The edge seems to hold initial "front end" sharpness extremely well and doesn't degrade into a "working edge" like the SXXV steels after minimal use. After prolonged usage, the edge does seem to gain more aggression, especially if initially taken to a more polished apex. I've found stropping to be adequate maintenance in keeping the apex quite sharp over extended use.

Toughness has been excellent, IME. I've whittled and torqued G-10; hacked, whittled and torqued maple; cut much plastics and I find the apex to be incredibly stable. I'd hesitate in dropping your edge angles too low (most won't do this anyway), but I am highly impressed by the lack of overall edge damage after quite a few punishing tests/tasks.

Corrosion resistance will be a definite consideration, especially so depending on usage in or around corrosive environments or mediums.

Overall, I really enjoy T15 as a steel and I find it quite outstanding for what it offers.

[Osok-308]

I like it a lot. It takes a nice edge and holds it very well in my use. It does rust easily, though. Of course, part of that may be from opening water softener salt bags, which I do often. It doesn't seem quite as agressive as K294, but with a lower grit edge it hangs right in there.

So far, my experience with it has been great for the everyday use. The fact that I've read about it rusting easily has made me want to get it cerakoted. I've seen someone else's on the forum after getting it covered and I very much like the look of the cerakoted mule.

[tcarltonw]

I think we communicated a little bit about the cerakote but my suggestion would be to reach out to your local gun shops to see if any of them do cerakote. I get mine done by Tate at Black Boar Rifles in the neighboring town of Georgetown, TX.

[bobartig]

What about a gun bluing agent? Has anyone tried that with a tool steel in the past?

[Osok-308]

I think we communicated a little bit about the cerakote but my suggestion would be to reach out to your local gun shops to see if any of them do cerakote. I get mine done by Tate at Black Boar Rifles in the neighboring town of Georgetown, TX.

We did! Mine is at a local gun store getting Cerakoted as we speak! They got some new "blackest of the black" color, which I opted for. I'll post pics when I get it back!