A guard tab
A guard tab
Did anybody cut it off?
I am wondering if it is preventing you from using the part of the edge closest to the handle (heel).
Thinking about skinning and butchering mostly, but also cutting food on a board
I am wondering if it is preventing you from using the part of the edge closest to the handle (heel).
Thinking about skinning and butchering mostly, but also cutting food on a board
Re: A guard tab
Hi Mokele
Welcome to our forum.
sal
Welcome to our forum.
sal
Re: A guard tab
I've wondered the same thing, and wondered why it's there, or why it's so large. When I buy the production SPY27, I think I'll reduce it by about 1/2.
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Re: A guard tab
Two things:
It’s easier to remove/reduce the guard than it is to add one.
It’s also easier and less costly to leave the tab as it is. The Mules are not money makers so it better to keep production costs as low as possible.
It’s easier to remove/reduce the guard than it is to add one.
It’s also easier and less costly to leave the tab as it is. The Mules are not money makers so it better to keep production costs as low as possible.
"...it costs nothing to be polite." - Winston Churchill
“Maybe the cheese in the mousetrap is an artificially created cheaper price?” -Sal
Friends call me Jim. As do my foes.
M.N.O.S.D. 0001
Re: A guard tab
Thank you for your welcoming Sal,
I have a huge respect for your work and participation in the community.
I am just wondering about real experience of Mule team users, like how many of you had that thought of cutting it off or thinking about it.
I will test mine as it is once I put a handle on, and will tell you the results.
In case I decide to cut it, how should I do it, so not ruining the blade? I have an angle grinder, worksharp tool grinder on Ken onion sharpener, files, stones. The blade I acquired recently and will test is z-wear.
I have a huge respect for your work and participation in the community.
I am just wondering about real experience of Mule team users, like how many of you had that thought of cutting it off or thinking about it.
I will test mine as it is once I put a handle on, and will tell you the results.
In case I decide to cut it, how should I do it, so not ruining the blade? I have an angle grinder, worksharp tool grinder on Ken onion sharpener, files, stones. The blade I acquired recently and will test is z-wear.
- standy99
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Re: A guard tab
If your really testing a knife you want it there. Don’t mind it and it’s never hindered any cutting.
But also quite easy with a dremel to take off.
But also quite easy with a dremel to take off.
Im a vegetarian as technically cows are made of grass and water.
Re: A guard tab
It seems to me to be required for the boltaron sheath, but I could be wrong.
Re: A guard tab
A belt grinder would remove it in a trice, if that's your desire. I've not removed one yet because I want the safety for outdoorsy knives. I have considered removing the guard for a kitchen knife, to get the heel of the blade on the board, but have not actually done it yet.
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
Re: A guard tab
I have shortened the one on my Magnacut mule by about a 1/3-1/2. I also rounded the sharp edges that I’ve always disliked in use. It’s much more comfortable.
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.
Want: SPY27, K490, Swick 5.
Re: A guard tab
I also wondered about removing the tab. On my first attempt, you can see from the middle mule I trimmed it back slightly. But on the z-wear mule (top) I significantly paired back the size and shape of the tang as well. I primarily utilized an inexpensive harbor freight 1x30 belt sander, which actually works quite well.
Re: A guard tab
I really like that top one in your pick jsl3!
Re: A guard tab
Hi Jsl3,
Welcome to our forum.
sal
Welcome to our forum.
sal
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Re: A guard tab
I removed the tab as well, at least for one of mine. Here's a not-quite-finished pic. I used a carbide end mill.
Cheers,
-burly
Cheers,
-burly
: H1(s), M4, 4v, 10v, 15v(m), Hap40, s90v, s110v, BD1n, Maxamet, Magnacut(s), Z-max(m), Z-wear(m), Magnacut(m), SRS13(m), Rex76(m), M398(m)
Other: D2, White#1, Blue#2, SuperBlue, VG-10, 204P, 20cv, s30v, s35vn, s45vn, s90v, HIC, TC71
Other: D2, White#1, Blue#2, SuperBlue, VG-10, 204P, 20cv, s30v, s35vn, s45vn, s90v, HIC, TC71
Re: A guard tab
Looks nice. I was thinking about doing something similar with my Manacut mule.burlyspyder wrote: ↑Tue Jun 14, 2022 8:21 amI removed the tab as well, at least for one of mine. Here's a not-quite-finished pic. I used a carbide end mill.
Cheers,
-burly
Re: A guard tab
Which shape works the best for you? Like what do you use each version for? Thanksjsl3 wrote: ↑Tue Jun 14, 2022 5:32 amI also wondered about removing the tab. On my first attempt, you can see from the middle mule I trimmed it back slightly. But on the z-wear mule (top) I significantly paired back the size and shape of the tang as well. I primarily utilized an inexpensive harbor freight 1x30 belt sander, which actually works quite well.
- Tucson Tom
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Re: A guard tab
Better safe than sorry is my point of view.
I also have the Harbor Freight 1x30 belt sander, and it was an excellent purchase that I find useful for all kinds of things.
I also have the Harbor Freight 1x30 belt sander, and it was an excellent purchase that I find useful for all kinds of things.
Re: A guard tab
Did a nice job on the top one. Really like how you changed the shape of it.jsl3 wrote: ↑Tue Jun 14, 2022 5:32 amI also wondered about removing the tab. On my first attempt, you can see from the middle mule I trimmed it back slightly. But on the z-wear mule (top) I significantly paired back the size and shape of the tang as well. I primarily utilized an inexpensive harbor freight 1x30 belt sander, which actually works quite well.
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Re: A guard tab
Wow, nice work.
Insert meme of a mule kicking a Mule Team Blade square on the Halpern Scales, the blade achieves a critical blur turning into any one of the above mods, then hits dead center on a target.
Insert meme of a mule kicking a Mule Team Blade square on the Halpern Scales, the blade achieves a critical blur turning into any one of the above mods, then hits dead center on a target.
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)
Re: A guard tab
I honestly only see the point of the tab being useful in case of stabbing. I have dealt with a lot of knives from Finland (puukkos and leukus), and none of them have any sort of guards, as they are used for slicing primarily. And for slicing things, the tab, IMHO, is very detrimental. It is the reason I don't have a flipper folder.Tucson Tom wrote: ↑Tue Jun 14, 2022 9:35 pmBetter safe than sorry is my point of view.
I also have the Harbor Freight 1x30 belt sander, and it was an excellent purchase that I find useful for all kinds of things.
I also agree that it's better to have it on the blade initially in case someone wants it, as it's easier to remove it than to add it. I am happy to see use cases of removed or shortened tab, thanks to those who posted them.
Re: A guard tab
It is good to see that the modifications are being well received. I went back and found a couple of pictures that show the extent of the reprofiling.... I was not sure how much to take off at first, but I'm happy with the results. My hope was to make the blade more easily used in the kitchen. It has worked out very well!