Mule Team: S35VN or S110V?

[CaptainTim]

Need your input. Regarding the Mule Team knives, do you prefer S35VN or S110V, and why? Thanks!

[Donut]

They are very different steels. I think it matters on what you plan on using it for.

S35VN will be easier to sharpen, but will probably not hold an edge as long as S110V.
How much longer S110V will hold an edge will depend on what you're cutting.
S110V is more expensive.

[CaptainTim]

I appreciate the input! Any other comments out there to help me decide?

[michaelm466]

It would be am easy choice for me: S110V

[MacLaren]

I like S110V a lot. The Manix 2 with that steel is just super nice ...

[spyderg]

I would get S35vn if you are planning on using it harder and on anything that could potentially chip the blade, (staples in cardboard for example). I would choose S110v for anything requiring holding the edge for a long time, lots of cardboard,(without staples) wood etc. Just my opinion based on my experiences with both steels. If it's because you want to make and show off some nice scales, go with the 110.

[Donut]

My comment is: if you sharpen with diamonds (DMT or similar), you won't notice a big difference in sharpening, but your edge will last much longer.

If you sharpen with anything else, it might be too tough to deal with.

[bearfacedkiller]

The whole concept behind the mules is to try out new steels so get whichever one you want to try out or whichever one you don't already have in another knife. The other option is to just get both. I have the 52100, M4 and S110V because those appealed to me. Get what appeals to you.

[CaptainTim]

How do you like your 52100?^^^ Is it a user, or a safe queen? That was another consideration (yes, I know it's not stainless).

[bearfacedkiller]

I am a fan of 52100 but it is a basic carbon steel compared to every other mule. I am a lover of those steels and enjoy it very much. I do not have any safe queens and it sees some use in my kitchen but because I cannot always control how people use my kitchen knives the only one that gets left in my kitchen is my S110v mule because it is stainless enough for that and it is the only one of the three I have two of. I bought two of the S110V mules because I planned on leaving one on the knife block for general use. I am sure someone would bugger up the 52100 or M4 versions if I left them in the kitchen.

Just so you know, the 52100 has a different size hole in the handle and the halpern scales do not fit so you would have to make your own which is what I did. The mule teams all have 1/8 inch holes except the 52100 which is just slightly smaller. You could always drill them out to 1/8 inch but drilling hardened steel might basically make the drill bit disposable by the time you are done.

[CaptainTim]

Thanks! All very useful info!

[bdblue]

I have used my XHP mule quite a bit in the kitchen. S35VN vs. S110V I would pick S110V because of its superior edgeholding. If I wanted a steel a little tougher but still stainless then I would go for XHP or Elmax (did they make one in Elmax?). I think I would like M4 or 52100 also.

[Cliff Stamp]

If I wanted a steel a little tougher but still stainless then I would go for XHP or Elmax (did they make one in Elmax?)

Have you seen those steels be more chip resistant than S110?

[Bodog]

If I wanted a steel a little tougher but still stainless then I would go for XHP or Elmax (did they make one in Elmax?)

Have you seen those steels be more chip resistant than S110?

I have seen Elmax easily beat s110v in that department.

[CaptainTim]

All the above helped! Thanks!

[mattman]

Just so you know, the 52100 has a different size hole in the handle and the halpern scales do not fit so you would have to make your own which is what I did. The mule teams all have 1/8 inch holes except the 52100 which is just slightly smaller. You could always drill them out to 1/8 inch but drilling hardened steel might basically make the drill bit disposable by the time you are done.

I'm pretty sure the smaller holes are 3/16", and the larger are 3/8"... (On all but 52100, I think that has metric sizing, but I don't have that one, so I'm not sure...)

[bearfacedkiller]

Maybe I have it wrong, can't remeber right now but the mules are all the same except for the 52100. The hardware that comes with the halpern scales is too big for the 52100 mule.