Mule Z-Wear PM initial impression and experience

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AlexRus
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Mule Z-Wear PM initial impression and experience

#1

Post by AlexRus »

Finally my Mule Team Z-Wear PM made it here all the way across the world to Russia
I've never owned that steel before, so I'm quite interested about it.

Let's open the box

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The box sticker under the Mule Team Z-Wear PM steel marking has two capital letters CU - Made in March 2021
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Inside the box we see all the usual suspects like foam, paperworks, and the Mule knife itself with plastic tip protector in the file. (No small round Spyderco sticker in the box. Unfortunately)
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While waiting for this Mule release, I ordered G10 Scales and Boltaron Sheath from Spyderco. They arrived a few weeks ago. So I got all covered by the time my Z-wear Mule arrived :respect

They are still sealed yet
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All we need is just a T8 torx screwdriver (I use Wiha stuff - love the quality) and the scales are installed. Scales quality and fitment is good. Like them
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Now, let's check the stock Boltaron Sheath fitment
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Quite tight, takes a little force to fit in and out. But they are new, so it's fine. Fits well
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Checking the bevels. Looks like they are quite even and similar both sides

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Factory sharp. Cutting paper well with all the edge length
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Excellent hand grip, feels very comfortable. Stock scales fit in the hand well
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Reverse grip is quite convenient too
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Last edited by AlexRus on Wed Oct 06, 2021 9:29 am, edited 9 times in total.
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AlexRus
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Re: Mule Team™ 30 Z-Wear PM first impression and experience

#2

Post by AlexRus »

The postal box it's arrived in is the first victim of my new Z-Wear PM Mule :respect :bug-red-white
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Done! The box is cut.
Nah, scratch that! The box is literally demolished! To ashes! :cheap-sunglasses
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The steel showed itself great on the cardboard box. I like the first impression on it. The edge is still sharp like new and holds well!
Cutting paper to check. Everything is fine :bug-red-white
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Last edited by AlexRus on Tue Sep 07, 2021 8:30 am, edited 8 times in total.
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AlexRus
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Re: My Mule Team™ 30 Z-Wear PM initial impression and experience

#3

Post by AlexRus »

Stay tuned :bug-red
kodai78
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Re: My Mule Z-Wear PM initial impression and experience

#4

Post by kodai78 »

Very nice! I assume there are more posts in the future. I am looking forward to seeing those.
:spyder: Shaman REX 45, Smock, Baby Jess Horn CE, Spydiechef, Schempp Bowie,Ti Fluted Military, Titanium Military, Native S30 V and G10, PM 2 in S35VN, and S110V, Manix 2 LW BD1 and SPY 27, Sage 5, Positron black CPM S30V, Chaparral w/Raffir Noble scales, SuperLeaf VG 10, Ladybug H1, Dragonfly 2 in ZDP 189 and Superblue/420J1 and H1, Delica in ZDP 189, Clipitool Standard, the Cook’s knife VG10, Santoku, paring and utility knives, all in MBS 26. :spyder:
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AlexRus
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Re: My Mule Z-Wear PM initial impression and experience

#5

Post by AlexRus »

kodai78 wrote:
Tue Sep 07, 2021 7:30 am
Very nice! I assume there are more posts in the future. I am looking forward to seeing those.
Thank you! Updates are coming!
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AlexRus
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Re: My Mule Z-Wear PM initial impression and experience

#6

Post by AlexRus »

Mule Z-WEAR PM vs Chicken battle

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AlexRus
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Re: My Mule Z-Wear PM initial impression and experience

#7

Post by AlexRus »

So, the Mule is ready and the chicken is ready! Let's fight! :cheap-sunglasses

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AlexRus
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Re: My Mule Z-Wear PM initial impression and experience

#8

Post by AlexRus »

And... Z-Wear PM steel is biting the chicken in half! Right in the first round!

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It was still factory sharp (the Mule, not the chicken I mean) and cut through the chicken with ease.
Last edited by AlexRus on Wed Oct 06, 2021 8:13 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: My Mule Z-Wear PM initial impression and experience

#9

Post by AlexRus »

Now we need to cut off some chicken leg bones

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Had to take a few hand strikes on the spine of the blade to cut them bones off.

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Done!
No chippings after taking a quick edge inspection
Last edited by AlexRus on Wed Oct 06, 2021 8:14 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: My Mule Z-Wear PM initial impression and experience

#10

Post by AlexRus »

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Proceeding the cutting

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Last edited by AlexRus on Wed Oct 06, 2021 8:15 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: My Mule Z-Wear PM initial impression and experience

#11

Post by AlexRus »

Done! The chicken is defeated!

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Re: My Mule Z-Wear PM initial impression and experience

#12

Post by AlexRus »

And the winner of our battle is... Z-Wear PM Spyderco Mule!

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Last edited by AlexRus on Wed Oct 06, 2021 8:35 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: My Mule Z-Wear PM initial impression and experience

#13

Post by AlexRus »

OK, what can I say? The Z-wear PM steel showed itself very well and cut the chicken in pieces with flying colors. Despite my worries about the factory machine-sharpened edge might be a little burn- out and got chippy, everything went well. No chippings at all even after forced bone cutting.
The edge is still sharp, but anyways I took a few strokes on the Spyderco Sharpmaker after. Just in case :respect

I definitely like this steel! :bug-red-white
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AlexRus
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Re: Mule Z-Wear PM initial impression and experience

#14

Post by AlexRus »

In progress...

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Stewed chicken with potatoes is ready. With a little help from the Mule ;)

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Last edited by AlexRus on Wed Nov 03, 2021 6:44 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Mule Z-Wear PM initial impression and experience

#15

Post by AlexRus »

Update: stewed chicken was delicious :cheap-sunglasses
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Re: Mule Z-Wear PM initial impression and experience

#16

Post by Manifestgtr »

AlexRus wrote:
Wed Oct 06, 2021 1:53 pm
Update: stewed chicken was delicious :cheap-sunglasses
😆
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AlexRus
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Re: Mule Z-Wear PM initial impression and experience

#17

Post by AlexRus »

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Have been sharpening it on the Spyderco Sharpmaker today. Gotta say this steel takes sharpness quite well. Took me about 10 minutes on the Sharpmaker to get my Mule Z-wear razor-sharp back.
So far I like this steel :respect
Last edited by AlexRus on Fri Oct 29, 2021 12:01 am, edited 4 times in total.
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NYLife
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Re: Mule Z-Wear PM initial impression and experience

#18

Post by NYLife »

Nice Report, :cheap-sunglasses
Be stronger than your excuses
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AlexRus
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Re: Mule Z-Wear PM initial impression and experience

#19

Post by AlexRus »

NYLife wrote:
Thu Oct 28, 2021 8:00 am
Nice Report, :cheap-sunglasses
Thank you NYLife! :respect
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Re: Mule Z-Wear PM initial impression and experience

#20

Post by defenestrate »

Thanks, nice review! the Z-wear is a great overall option as a mix of edge retention and toughness. If more people were used to/comfortable with high carbon (non-stainless) steels I think it would be very popular, especially when they realized it's basically Cruwear.
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