DLC coated Mule, would you be interested?

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Would you be interested in a blacked-out DLC Mule?

Poll ended at Mon Jun 28, 2021 3:00 am

Oh yeah, gimme!
4
22%
Nah, I don't really need that...
11
61%
Yeah, it would be cool, but I doubt that Spyderco will do it.
3
17%
 
Total votes: 18

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archangel
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DLC coated Mule, would you be interested?

#1

Post by archangel »

So I was looking at my new Z-Max mule, on which I currently wrapped the blade part with thick black tape so I can paracord-wrap the tang risk-free. The first layer of PC is bright neon orange. I must say this looks quite nice, the black and bright combined. :)

Two questions: would you be interested in a black blade Mule? And do you think Spyderco would do that - or rather why they wouldn't?

The DLC Mules could be like milestone Mules, like only every 10th Mule release could be a DLC run. Spyderco could time these runs to be with steels that have a known low rust tolerance. Just an idea...

So what do you think?
Michael
48 Spydies, 44 different models, 43 different steels
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Grail knife, still to be acquired: original Tuff by Ed Schempp Feel free to help me find one at a reasonable price...
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WilliamMunny
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Re: DLC coated Mule, would you be interested?

#2

Post by WilliamMunny »

It could be cool for a steel like z-max but in general I don’t like the look of a blacked out blade. When you start using them it generally gets worn and scraped off.
Endura AUS-8, Manix 2 S30V, Alcyone BD1N, PM2 Micarta Cruwear, Native 5 Maxamet (2nd), Para 3 Maxamet (2nd), Magnacut Mule, Z-Wear Mule, BBB 15V Manix 2, REC PM3 10V Satin, Dragonfly Salt 2, GB2 M4.
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archangel
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Re: DLC coated Mule, would you be interested?

#3

Post by archangel »

WilliamMunny wrote:
Fri Jun 18, 2021 3:09 am
It could be cool for a steel like z-max but in general I don’t like the look of a blacked out blade. When you start using them it generally gets worn and scraped off.

Evidence of use, widely considered as good here on this forum. ;)
Michael
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standy99
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Re: DLC coated Mule, would you be interested?

#4

Post by standy99 »

I like to see blade patina :cool:
Im a vegetarian as technically cows are made of grass and water.
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TkoK83Spy
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Re: DLC coated Mule, would you be interested?

#5

Post by TkoK83Spy »

WilliamMunny wrote:
Fri Jun 18, 2021 3:09 am
It could be cool for a steel like z-max but in general I don’t like the look of a blacked out blade. When you start using them it generally gets worn and scraped off.
Here's a little thread I made a couple years ago. DLC isn't anything like the cheap coatings you see on a lot of knives.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=85386&p=1379135&hil ... c#p1379135
15 :bug-red 's in 10 different steels
1 - Bradford Guardian 3 / Vanadis 4E Wharnie
1 - Monterey Bay Knives Slayback Flipper / ZDP 189
1 - CRK Small Sebenza 31/Macassar Ebony Inlays
1 - CRK Large Inkosi Insingo/ Black Micarta Inlays
1 - CRK Small Sebenza 31 Insingo/Magnacut

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Re: DLC coated Mule, would you be interested?

#6

Post by JRinFL »

Mules are not meant as EDC knives or collectables. They are for using and testing the various steels on an identical platform. Adding DLC or other coatings changes a variable and as such the test results become less useful. Hard no to changing the Mule program in this way.

You can send your own blades out to be coated if you wish. When Spyderco releases the SPY27 "kit" knife blade, that's the time to ask for coatings, serrations, etc.
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archangel
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Re: DLC coated Mule, would you be interested?

#7

Post by archangel »

JRinFL wrote:
Fri Jun 18, 2021 7:29 am
Adding DLC or other coatings changes a variable and as such the test results become less useful.

Valid point, didn't really think of that.

How much does it costs to have a blade coated by a specialist company, has anyone done that yet? Just out of curiosity, I'm sure the costs are in no good relation to the super affordable price of a Mule (even outside the current $50 sales push price).
Michael
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defenestrate
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Re: DLC coated Mule, would you be interested?

#8

Post by defenestrate »

I think it would make sense, assuming that a standard, larger production Mule eventually comes out (SPY-27 was discussed IIRC), to also do a DLC version for a little more just to be able to compare the two. I would rather have new steels come out without a coating unless there was a new unique coating being tested, which again would most likely make more sense being added to a common Mule that most people could get to.

I would buy one, but it would be a lower priority than steels I haven't used before.
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Re: DLC coated Mule, would you be interested?

#9

Post by TomAiello »

I could see offering the 'kit knife' mule in Spy 27 in variants, like SE, CE, DLC, etc. I don't really think that offering DLC adds much to the Mule Team project overall though.

I've looked into having Mules coated, and it's expensive, but not prohibitively so if you are making a long term user knife for yourself.
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Re: DLC coated Mule, would you be interested?

#10

Post by Rwstubbz »

WilliamMunny wrote:
Fri Jun 18, 2021 3:09 am
It could be cool for a steel like z-max but in general I don’t like the look of a blacked out blade. When you start using them it generally gets worn and scraped off.
Then it's probably not DLC. It will get worn and scratched a bit, but in my experience it takes a lot to wear the dlc off of a blade. Not sure if Spyderco will do it, because of cost and production, but I'd love to test it.
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Re: DLC coated Mule, would you be interested?

#11

Post by spydie-fan »

The mule team is meant to test new steels at a decent price. Adding DLC would increase the cost, and doesn't seem inline with the vision of the program.
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archangel
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Re: DLC coated Mule, would you be interested?

#12

Post by archangel »

TomAiello wrote:
Fri Jun 18, 2021 3:15 pm
I could see offering the 'kit knife' mule in Spy 27 in variants, like SE, CE, DLC, etc. I don't really think that offering DLC adds much to the Mule Team project overall though.

I've looked into having Mules coated, and it's expensive, but not prohibitively so if you are making a long term user knife for yourself.

How much roughly? A ballpark figure would do.

I wouldn't be asking for DLC becoming standard for all Mules. It could be a rare special edition of some kind. Like suggested, every 10th Mule or so?
Michael
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Grail knife, still to be acquired: original Tuff by Ed Schempp Feel free to help me find one at a reasonable price...
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Re: DLC coated Mule, would you be interested?

#13

Post by Rwstubbz »

Maybe sell a 2 knife set for this one. A simple steel like 1095 with dlc coating and without. Same HRC, same edge geometry and all, but one dlc and one without. I'd pay 125-150 for this experience, even more if the steel is better quality. Maybe up to 200 if it's the right steel. You know the ones. Thanks for the thought exercise.
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Re: DLC coated Mule, would you be interested?

#14

Post by TomAiello »

archangel wrote:
Fri Jun 18, 2021 3:22 pm
TomAiello wrote:
Fri Jun 18, 2021 3:15 pm
I could see offering the 'kit knife' mule in Spy 27 in variants, like SE, CE, DLC, etc. I don't really think that offering DLC adds much to the Mule Team project overall though.

I've looked into having Mules coated, and it's expensive, but not prohibitively so if you are making a long term user knife for yourself.

How much roughly? A ballpark figure would do.
For just one blade, in the $50 range. I also saw single blade DLC in the $100 range, but I was able to find cheaper places by looking around. If you are doing big batches the price comes way down (to something around $5 per place). I just never wanted to do more than one or two blades, personally, so the volume discount didn't matter to me.

DLC prices were a lot like heat treatment prices. Super expensive for just one blade, but much, much less expensive for 10+ blades, and downright cheap for 100+.
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archangel
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Re: DLC coated Mule, would you be interested?

#15

Post by archangel »

Thanks, Tom.
Michael
48 Spydies, 44 different models, 43 different steels
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Re: DLC coated Mule, would you be interested?

#16

Post by Bolster »

Voted no. But I *WOULD* buy a black blade mule if some of my favorite tool steels were re-issued...just to get the steel...
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Re: DLC coated Mule, would you be interested?

#17

Post by notfixingit »

DLC Maxament?
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Re: DLC coated Mule, would you be interested?

#18

Post by The Meat man »

I voted for the last option, but I'm probably closer to no. 2. I think it's a neat idea, but would add too much cost to a project that already is probably a net loss for Spyderco.
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Re: DLC coated Mule, would you be interested?

#19

Post by yablanowitz »

I didn't select any of the poll choices. I wouldn't *not* buy a Mule because of a blade coating, but I wouldn't buy one just for a coating, either. Whether it "looks cool" or not is totally irrelevant to me. I buy them to use, not to look at.
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