scales and sheaths

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ladybug93
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scales and sheaths

#1

Post by ladybug93 »

with my first mule successfully ordered, i'm naturally looking into scale and sheath options.

scales:
i looked at the gallery scales. i'm not sure i want g10 for this knife and i've seen mixed reviews of the texturing. so, i'd prefer micarta, but i'm open to hearing opinions.
what are the best scales for the mule?
does anyone have pictures of the option 5 halpern scales on the mule?
who else makes scales for the mule?

sheaths:
i'm not too keen on either sheath offered by spyderco. i'd rather have a slightly deeper leather bushcraft style sheath and/or a simple kydex sheath.
can anyone with experience with any sheaths give some feedback?
how are the spyderco sheaths? pics in use?


really, since the mule team is a relatively small thing, there's not a lot of useful information and/or options for scales and sheaths. i'm looking for any and all input you experienced veterans can offer. and pictures are always helpful. thanks!
keep your knife sharp and your focus sharper.
current collection:
C253GBBK, C258GFBL, C101GBBK2, C11GYW, C11FWNB20CV, C101GBN15V2, C101GODFDE2, C60GGY, C149G, C189, C101GBN2, MT35, C211TI, C242CF, C217GSSF, C101BN2, C85G2, C91BBK, C142G, C122GBBK, LBK, LYL3HB, C193, C28YL2, C11ZPGYD, C41YL5, C252G, C130G, PLKIT1
spyderco steels:
CPM 20CV, CPM 15V, CTS 204P, CPM CRUWEAR, CPM S30V, N690Co, M390, CPM MagnaCut, LC200N, CTS XHP, H1, 8Cr13MoV, GIN-1, CTS BD1, VG-10, VG-10/Damascus, 440C
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Manixguy@1994
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Re: scales and sheaths

#2

Post by Manixguy@1994 »

[img] https://i.postimg.cc/HLPzJ3Q4/FB2-E0-CC ... 0-CFAA.jpg[/img Mine just came in from Halpern . Very close to Manix2 G10 DLT . Lighting not the best . Going to talk to guy in town who makes leather sheaths this week after I assemble the Mule once it arrives .
MNOSD 0002 / Do more than is required of you . Patton
Nothing makes earth so spacious as to have friends at a distance; they make the latitudes and longitudes.
Henry David Thoreau
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Manixguy@1994
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Re: scales and sheaths

#3

Post by Manixguy@1994 »

Image here you go .
MNOSD 0002 / Do more than is required of you . Patton
Nothing makes earth so spacious as to have friends at a distance; they make the latitudes and longitudes.
Henry David Thoreau
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ladybug93
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Re: scales and sheaths

#4

Post by ladybug93 »

Manixguy@1994 wrote:
Mon Dec 06, 2021 11:59 am
here you go .
thanks! can you post pictures of those on the mule from multiple angles when you get it? i'm mostly curious about the spine view, i guess, to see how thick they are and get a sense of how they'd feel.
keep your knife sharp and your focus sharper.
current collection:
C253GBBK, C258GFBL, C101GBBK2, C11GYW, C11FWNB20CV, C101GBN15V2, C101GODFDE2, C60GGY, C149G, C189, C101GBN2, MT35, C211TI, C242CF, C217GSSF, C101BN2, C85G2, C91BBK, C142G, C122GBBK, LBK, LYL3HB, C193, C28YL2, C11ZPGYD, C41YL5, C252G, C130G, PLKIT1
spyderco steels:
CPM 20CV, CPM 15V, CTS 204P, CPM CRUWEAR, CPM S30V, N690Co, M390, CPM MagnaCut, LC200N, CTS XHP, H1, 8Cr13MoV, GIN-1, CTS BD1, VG-10, VG-10/Damascus, 440C
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troutinCO
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Re: scales and sheaths

#5

Post by troutinCO »

I have some I will throw on one of my mules and get pics up unless someone beats me to it. I have both Type 4 and 5 from Halpern.
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Manixguy@1994
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Re: scales and sheaths

#6

Post by Manixguy@1994 »

troutinCO wrote:
Mon Dec 06, 2021 3:02 pm
I have some I will throw on one of my mules and get pics up unless someone beats me to it. I have both Type 4 and 5 from Halpern.
That’s cool go for it ! ladybug93 needs assistance. MG2
MNOSD 0002 / Do more than is required of you . Patton
Nothing makes earth so spacious as to have friends at a distance; they make the latitudes and longitudes.
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LakeOconee
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Re: scales and sheaths

#7

Post by LakeOconee »

My first Mule is on the way, too.

I ordered Spyderco G-10 scales and a sheath ahead of time, so I could use it right away.

But seeing all the different handles people are making has got me wanting to do that too,
probably after the first of the year.

So thanks for these threads, all very interesting :)
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standy99
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Re: scales and sheaths

#8

Post by standy99 »

https://cuscadi.de/

Cuscadi Makes a good range of anything you want really. Just have to ask. (This is probably the first set of glow scales they made for a Mule and had no issue making them for me)

Image

But basically anyone that makes custom scales will make them if you ask.
Im a vegetarian as technically cows are made of grass and water.
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troutinCO
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Re: scales and sheaths

#9

Post by troutinCO »

Got home from work and forgot this.
Right to left: Manix 2, Type 5, Type 4
mulescales.jpg
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ladybug93
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Re: scales and sheaths

#10

Post by ladybug93 »

troutinCO wrote:
Tue Dec 07, 2021 6:52 am
Got home from work and forgot this.
Right to left: Manix 2, Type 5, Type 4
mulescales.jpg
that is very helpful. thank you!
keep your knife sharp and your focus sharper.
current collection:
C253GBBK, C258GFBL, C101GBBK2, C11GYW, C11FWNB20CV, C101GBN15V2, C101GODFDE2, C60GGY, C149G, C189, C101GBN2, MT35, C211TI, C242CF, C217GSSF, C101BN2, C85G2, C91BBK, C142G, C122GBBK, LBK, LYL3HB, C193, C28YL2, C11ZPGYD, C41YL5, C252G, C130G, PLKIT1
spyderco steels:
CPM 20CV, CPM 15V, CTS 204P, CPM CRUWEAR, CPM S30V, N690Co, M390, CPM MagnaCut, LC200N, CTS XHP, H1, 8Cr13MoV, GIN-1, CTS BD1, VG-10, VG-10/Damascus, 440C
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troutinCO
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Re: scales and sheaths

#11

Post by troutinCO »

No problem, sorry I didn't get that last night. I will get a few more again when I get home... lol. I remembered "spine view" and did not take any other angle shots before I left for work.

They are very much like the micarta on the new PM2 but have slightly more rounded off edges on them I feel. My hand likes the crucarta PM2 very much, but it does not like the Type 5 on the mule as much. I think if they were thicker (maybe some spacer material?) I would like them more. They are not as wide as the Manix 2 and I really like it.

I much prefer the Type 4 style right now. I think I should experiment with some spacer material on the Type 5 since talking about it. :thinking
rashman
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Re: scales and sheaths

#12

Post by rashman »

standy99 wrote:
Mon Dec 06, 2021 11:48 pm
https://cuscadi.de/

Cuscadi Makes a good range of anything you want really. Just have to ask. (This is probably the first set of glow scales they made for a Mule and had no issue making them for me)

Image

But basically anyone that makes custom scales will make them if you ask.
Nice scales!
current fav’s: K390 SS Stretch, PM2 CruWear Mircata, P.I.T.S., Subway Bowie
eonbluemantra
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Re: scales and sheaths

#13

Post by eonbluemantra »

Halpern email said more scales should be made in January. They were all out of Micarta when I emailed them.
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troutinCO
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Re: scales and sheaths

#14

Post by troutinCO »

More pics of Type 4 and 5 scales, and the G10 ones too. I did not put the middle pin in for the pics.
mulescales2res.jpg
Better view of the flat vs curved
mulescales1res.jpg
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Manixguy@1994
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Re: scales and sheaths

#15

Post by Manixguy@1994 »

ImageI found Micarta on Esty , HazyDesignStudio . They also offer a variety of woods . I have no experience with them , I think they are out of Oklahoma. Like a lot of us I’m waiting on my Mule to come in . Good friend of mine is going to introduce me to a guy who makes sheaths. I’m hoping that I like what I see and can come up with a suitable design . I basically want a deep sitting pouch type , no snaps , and want brown or natural . Hope you find what you are looking for ! MG2
MNOSD 0002 / Do more than is required of you . Patton
Nothing makes earth so spacious as to have friends at a distance; they make the latitudes and longitudes.
Henry David Thoreau
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ladybug93
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Re: scales and sheaths

#16

Post by ladybug93 »

troutinCO wrote:
Thu Dec 09, 2021 7:30 am
More pics of Type 4 and 5 scales, and the G10 ones too. I did not put the middle pin in for the pics.
mulescales2res.jpg

Better view of the flat vs curved
mulescales1res.jpg
thank you! how do they feel in hand? are the flat scales uncomfortable? how is the texturing on the rounded scales? micarta vs. g10? thanks again for sharing!
Manixguy@1994 wrote: ImageI found Micarta on Esty , HazyDesignStudio . They also offer a variety of woods . I have no experience with them , I think they are out of Oklahoma. Like a lot of us I’m waiting on my Mule to come in . Good friend of mine is going to introduce me to a guy who makes sheaths. I’m hoping that I like what I see and can come up with a suitable design . I basically want a deep sitting pouch type , no snaps , and want brown or natural . Hope you find what you are looking for ! MG2
those look really nice too. let us know how the sheath endeavor goes. what you're describing sounds like what i'm looking for as well.
keep your knife sharp and your focus sharper.
current collection:
C253GBBK, C258GFBL, C101GBBK2, C11GYW, C11FWNB20CV, C101GBN15V2, C101GODFDE2, C60GGY, C149G, C189, C101GBN2, MT35, C211TI, C242CF, C217GSSF, C101BN2, C85G2, C91BBK, C142G, C122GBBK, LBK, LYL3HB, C193, C28YL2, C11ZPGYD, C41YL5, C252G, C130G, PLKIT1
spyderco steels:
CPM 20CV, CPM 15V, CTS 204P, CPM CRUWEAR, CPM S30V, N690Co, M390, CPM MagnaCut, LC200N, CTS XHP, H1, 8Cr13MoV, GIN-1, CTS BD1, VG-10, VG-10/Damascus, 440C
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Manixguy@1994
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Re: scales and sheaths

#17

Post by Manixguy@1994 »

ladybug93 wrote:
Thu Dec 09, 2021 8:28 am
troutinCO wrote:
Thu Dec 09, 2021 7:30 am
More pics of Type 4 and 5 scales, and the G10 ones too. I did not put the middle pin in for the pics.
mulescales2res.jpg

Better view of the flat vs curved
mulescales1res.jpg
thank you! how do they feel in hand? are the flat scales uncomfortable? how is the texturing on the rounded scales? micarta vs. g10? thanks again for sharing!
Manixguy@1994 wrote: ImageI found Micarta on Esty , HazyDesignStudio . They also offer a variety of woods . I have no experience with them , I think they are out of Oklahoma. Like a lot of us I’m waiting on my Mule to come in . Good friend of mine is going to introduce me to a guy who makes sheaths. I’m hoping that I like what I see and can come up with a suitable design . I basically want a deep sitting pouch type , no snaps , and want brown or natural . Hope you find what you are looking for ! MG2
those look really nice too. let us know how the sheath endeavor goes. what you're describing sounds like what i'm looking for as well.
I certainly will post if all works out . It would be pretty neat having a sheath made in my home town . Let us know what you decide to do about scales . Seems like you are doing a lot of research on the subject . MG2
MNOSD 0002 / Do more than is required of you . Patton
Nothing makes earth so spacious as to have friends at a distance; they make the latitudes and longitudes.
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Re: scales and sheaths

#18

Post by kadinh »

eonbluemantra wrote:
Wed Dec 08, 2021 10:57 pm
Halpern email said more scales should be made in January. They were all out of Micarta when I emailed them.
I was in love with the OD green micarta, but was bummed when I saw it was out of stock.
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Re: scales and sheaths

#19

Post by troutinCO »

@Ladybug93 and anyone else interested!
I hope my thoughts below help. I'm still learning these Mules myself.

Micarta vs G10: I prefer the micarta to the G10. If G10 were all I could get I wouldn't be mad in the least.

Flat Micarta: Texture-wise and feel are great, very much like the feel of the crucarta pm2 scales. Velvety, warm, soft and fuzzy but yet grippy? I haven't figured out how to describe that feel.

Profiled Micarta: Feel is great, that same feel as above. But it also has a texture added to it similar the G10 scale.

G10: They are just kinda hard and cold feeling, but the texture on them is nice.

Flat vs Profiled: I prefer the profiled for now, it could change see below.

I really wanted to like the flat style in micarta. I felt that it would make a great pack knife or kitchen knife with the flats. I bought them first thinking all this and in my head going yea!!! In the end I wish they were a bit wider than they are. I had hotspot issues with them pretty quick. If they were a bit wider, maybe 1/16" to 1/8" I think it would fix those issues for me, someone else may feel differently. The edges are rounded a decent amount, that didn't seem to be the problem.

This all has me thinking about doing a more permanent attachment with liners and those flat micarta scales somehow. Because they really feel good otherwise. Studying up on all that....

The profiled micarta however feel great. Like the G10, that are also profiled, I don't get hotspot issues with them so far. They seem to fit my hand just right.
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ladybug93
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Re: scales and sheaths

#20

Post by ladybug93 »

troutinCO wrote:
Thu Dec 09, 2021 6:47 pm
@Ladybug93 and anyone else interested!
I hope my thoughts below help.
it's very helpful! thanks for sharing your thoughts!
keep your knife sharp and your focus sharper.
current collection:
C253GBBK, C258GFBL, C101GBBK2, C11GYW, C11FWNB20CV, C101GBN15V2, C101GODFDE2, C60GGY, C149G, C189, C101GBN2, MT35, C211TI, C242CF, C217GSSF, C101BN2, C85G2, C91BBK, C142G, C122GBBK, LBK, LYL3HB, C193, C28YL2, C11ZPGYD, C41YL5, C252G, C130G, PLKIT1
spyderco steels:
CPM 20CV, CPM 15V, CTS 204P, CPM CRUWEAR, CPM S30V, N690Co, M390, CPM MagnaCut, LC200N, CTS XHP, H1, 8Cr13MoV, GIN-1, CTS BD1, VG-10, VG-10/Damascus, 440C
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