Spyderco Forums

Hi all,

I'm considering a "Mule Team" style fixed blade as a permanent model for the line. It won't be many steels, maybe a couple of variations, but it will be a finished knife. Handle & sheath. Highly functional.

The Mule Team served its purpose well. I had come up with some improvements over the years, but didn't want to change it in the interest of science, apples & apples, etc.

I'm planning to make it a bit longer, maybe 3-3/4" blade, same basic shape, general utility, some minor mods to the ergos in the handle. A 3-D machined scale with no texture.

I thought to ask for your input as I'm working on the design.

sal

Perfect! A good 3.5-4" blade would be a nice car knife.

What steels are we thinking?

The mule was a bit cramped for guys with large hands but not to the point it didn't work. I liked it as it is. I'm always for keeping it simple and keeping costs down when possible. It's a pretty cool idea though and has my attention. The mule always was a great cutting and slicing tool.

Joe

Going to order a PD-1 mule soon. Never had one. Ill try to provide some feedback after I check it out.

Maybe 3V for the first steel since there was never a mule with it?

Not sure about others, but I hate smooth scales. I like peel ply texture on g10 and cf and matte micarta. I love FRN as well.

Love the mules, additional length would be nice.

Keep looking at that Chief picture, and think that design might make a good fixed blade?
C

I've had a little problem with the end of the handle.
I would be grateful if you could do it a little longer :)


The steel? Just to know :)

Thanx, that'a the kind of info I'm seeking.

Hey steelcity,

Pretty hard to machine in "peel ply" on a machined surface. Maybe a bead blast like the Temperance Fixed blade.

sal

Would prefer the handle to form the guard (part that contacts your hand) not the ricasso... I don't like the prominent point the ricasso makes on the mule, I keep meaning to grind it off but keep forgetting. I use my rlw34 Mule in the kitchen it's quite handy. Interested in a new fixed blade if it's on the cheaper side. Very much looking forward to the Bow River and any other sub $200 MAP fixed blade knife.

sal wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 17, 2018 2:46 pm

Hey steelcity,

Pretty hard to machine in "peel ply" on a machined surface. Maybe a bead blast like the Temperance Fixed blade.

sal

Haha, true! :D I was just stating my general preference for peel ply, but I do think that flat peel ply g10 slabs on a fixed blade would be pretty cool and different. It looks like the Ronin and the Reverse both had something like that, but im just going off internet pictures. That Ronin looks amazing. Look what you did! Now you have me looking at fixed blades!! I still have more folder folders to buy! :rolleyes:

If you are going to go the machined route, the Temperance 2 Micarta scales are very nice. I know a lot of forumites like Micarta, myself incluced. I just dont like polished Micarta. Too slippery.

I've said it many times before and will again, I think the Manix 2 would be a great starting point for a fixed blade.

I think fattening up the sides of the handle some to fill more of the hand and a little more rounding to provide a good, mostly universal, comfortable tight grip would be excellent.

Keep the weight as low as possible and maybe even stick with "sculpted" FRCP. Easy to clean too.

It's already in the Mule ballpark.

I think a "budget" version, a Salt (probably SE), and maybe a BD1N or similar would be very attractive. Leaf and Sheep's foot or maybe Wharncliffe might be good options.

I think it would be a nice all-'rounder that could be appealing to the camper, hiker, fisherman, hunter, etc.

This ^^^

The Mastiff wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 17, 2018 1:48 pm

The mule was a bit cramped for guys with large hands but not to the point it didn't work. I liked it as it is. I'm always for keeping it simple and keeping costs down when possible. It's a pretty cool idea though and has my attention. The mule always was a great cutting and slicing tool.

Joe

Me and my big and thrifty hands agree! :)

I've always loved the Mules except for one thing - the thumb ramp. I'd like to see it removed, or placed further away from where the index finger goes. Some extra cutting edge sounds nice too, but the original size worked for me.

I never really liked the thumb ramp. It was always more of a thumb stop than a ramp. Kind of uncomfortable.

The finger guard kind of got in the way, both in use and when sharpening.

I always thought a design like the photo attached would be a great all arounder, especially as a test bed platform. It can be used just about anywhere and the tang is robust enough to handle rougher work.



Something with the same fundamental design points:
flat grind, 3.75 or 4 inch blade, blade serves as finger guard and makes it super easy to sharpen consistently, with maybe a touch of a thumb ramp, would be awesome. Simple rounded handle with bead blasted g10 or something, nothing crazy. Especially with a simple left or right handed boltatron sheath with a clip that can be positioned for horizontal, vertical, or 45 degree strong side or cross draw.

Fairly thin stock, there are plenty of beaters out there, many fewer cutting demons.

If it's going to be a testing platform akin to the mule team then i wouldn't care about which steel it started with though I'd suggest vanax or rex 121 which would cause an immediate passionate response and ensure a good first run...

I have 3 mules, (1) CV20, (2) A11 and (3) Maxamet, for (1) Camping/Cooking, (2) house and yard, and (3) car/bike mechanics. I will never need another fixed blade :). Current Mule blade size is perfect, and so are the Halpern Option 4 handles (particcularly in Wood). 3.7-3.8" blade would be fine, too.

How about something like this?

Accutron wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 17, 2018 5:13 pm

How about something like this?

Outstanding

Accutron wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 17, 2018 5:13 pm

How about something like this?

Looks great to me.

I would definitely consider this, Sal. I've been waiting for a Spyderco fixed blade that offered a design like the Mule at a more affordable price point (compared to the Bradley designs). The length and round handle sounds very nice.

Do you have any idea what steels would most likely be chosen for this new model?

I like that rendition a lot but could live without the lanyard hole.

I would like to see a 4 to 4.5 inch blade, no thumb ramp, micarta scales and a leather sheath. :)