Spyderco Mules

[Crux]

I was hoping someone here might have some knowledge of what heat treatment the Spyderco Mules are subjected to. Is there a link to Mule tests by testers? I love the Mules especially with CF scales.

[Crux]

I LOVE them Mules!

[The Mastiff]

Spyderco like every company I know of keeps details of the heat treat proprietary. At times they have released hardness numbers but usually as part of another questions answer and not as a brag or comparison to other companies. I do know they heat treat with knives in mind ( rather than dies, ball bearings, etc.) with a lean to finding higher performance with a good balance of the steels attributes and don't go all out trying to enhance only one aspect of it. Probably not helpful in answering your question but all any of us can do is fill the broad strokes.

There are some tests of various kinds scattered here and there online but not too much in the way of comprehensive comparisons. Jim Ankerson has done some edge retention work that includes some mules over at BF. https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/ran ... pe.793481/

Joe

[Tucson Tom]

Yes indeed, a CF mule looks very nice. Where did you get those scales??

[Sjucaveman]

They look like halpern scales .

[Crux]

They look like halpern scales .

Because they are. :)

[Sjucaveman]

My mules have them as well, they are greasy aren't they. I haven't gotten the courage up to make my own just yet. Eventually I'll make the leap and give scale making a shot.

[Calicoast]

Did someone say Mules?

CF: Superblue
CF: M4
CF: K390

I also have a CF M390 Mule as well, but my wife works nights, can't wake her up for a picture. :)
C

[shunsui]

You might find this interesting:

http://www.spyderco.com/forumII/viewtop ... =2&t=54441

[Crux]

You might find this interesting:

http://www.spyderco.com/forumII/viewtop ... =2&t=54441

Super helpful! Thanks!

[Crux]

It looks like the minimal heat treatment was used as most of the steels mentioned could easily go 3-5 higher in their HRC. That raises more questions than it answers. Hmmmm

[The Mastiff]

It looks like the minimal heat treatment was used as most of the steels mentioned could easily go 3-5 higher in their HRC. That raises more questions than it answers. Hmmmm

That isn't really how it works. Most of the steels noted can't be heat treated and tempered properly at 3-5 points harder than the listed numbers. In any event higher hardness doesn't always mean better performing at the edge. It's more complicated than that.

Joe

[Extra330SC]

I've been into EDC sized fixed blades for horizontal belt carry the last few months. I picked up a Bradford guardian 3, Ruike 815, and the Blade HQ Skyline fixed S30V exclusive with carbon fiber scales. I really like the size and versatility of a smaller fixed blade.

Well...then I stumbled across the Spyderco Mule and read , watched, and absorbed as much info as possible on the whole program. I ordered the A11 and 20CV versions with both 3D and Ultra slim Halpern scales. The nice lady at Sheathpro made me a quality sheath (seems to be the same material as spyderco sells ) for the flat scales to go along with the 3D contoured sheath I got off spydercos website when I bought the blanks.

The Mules are fantastic for every day carry IMHO and a bargain to say the least. I'm looking forward to getting the revamped Mule that Spyderco comes up with as a replacement.

James

[Calicoast]

I've been into EDC sized fixed blades for horizontal belt carry the last few months. I picked up a Bradford guardian 3, Ruike 815, and the Blade HQ Skyline fixed S30V exclusive with carbon fiber scales. I really like the size and versatility of a smaller fixed blade.

Well...then I stumbled across the Spyderco Mule and read , watched, and absorbed as much info as possible on the whole program. I ordered the A11 and 20CV versions with both 3D and Ultra slim Halpern scales. The nice lady at Sheathpro made me a quality sheath (seems to be the same material as spyderco sells ) for the flat scales to go along with the 3D contoured sheath I got off spydercos website when I bought the blanks.

The Mules are fantastic for every day carry IMHO and a bargain to say the least. I'm looking forward to getting the revamped Mule that Spyderco comes up with as a replacement.

James

I have been really happy with all of my mules. The M4 and K390 I just started breaking in, but I like what I see. Those mules you picked up should serve you very well.

Not a mule / but have you checked out the Street Beat Micarta? That's a nice one as well.

+1 / Christina Gere / Sheathpro.
She has made several sheaths for me.
Good conversations - down to earth.
C

[Extra330SC]

[/quote]


I have been really happy with all of my mules. The M4 and K390 I just started breaking in, but I like what I see. Those mules you picked up should serve you very well.

Not a mule / but have you checked out the Street Beat Micarta? That's a nice one as well.

+1 / Christina Gere / Sheathpro.
She has made several sheaths for me.
Good conversations - down to earth.
C
[/quote]

I've been looking at the street beat for a week or so now. The design doesn't hit home with me yet...but I'll probably get it. Seems to be a slim package for discreet carry. Thank you for the info...

Christina has my business now because she is everything you say and more....very impressed with her and the work performed!

James

[Crux]

It looks like the minimal heat treatment was used as most of the steels mentioned could easily go 3-5 higher in their HRC. That raises more questions than it answers. Hmmmm

That isn't really how it works. Most of the steels noted can't be heat treated and tempered properly at 3-5 points harder than the listed numbers. In any event higher hardness doesn't always mean better performing at the edge. It's more complicated than that.

Joe

I agree but these HRC numbers DO NOT represent any close to what the manufacturer has stated in the composition charts. I'd be happy to post my top 80 knife steels in the world and their stats as compiled by the actual manufacturers data. I'd like to wait until I hit 100+ and own more that just 38 of those steels. Obviously I do not count anything 8cr13MOV or less.

[Crux]

I do want to do a shout out to a long time collector that managed to collect every Mule ever issued. As a collector I admire him and his amazing feat. Sadly, like all collectors we often need to move on, free up space or even because we could use a few extra shillings. I won't name him but I think many of you know him. I too have shattered my collections and maybe knives will be my last bastion. That or I marry some Hollywood model and live my last days in a castle surrounded by virgins.

Sounds great, but how are you going to find out about the latest Para 3 or Mule? I can testify that you will NOT get that info from that demographic.

Virgins are great but a Para 3 is forever. YES like a FRIGGING diamond, okay? I am saying that the Para 3 is better than sex and better than oxygen. Ok, not O2 I was thinking cow farts to be honest, but STILL better than a diamond.

[Bloke]

I do want to do a shout out to a long time collector that managed to collect every Mule ever issued. As a collector I admire him and his amazing feat. Sadly, like all collectors we often need to move on, free up space or even because we could use a few extra shillings. I won't name him but I think many of you know him. I too have shattered my collections and maybe knives will be my last bastion. That or I marry some Hollywood model and live my last days in a castle surrounded by virgins.

Sounds great, but how are you going to find out about the latest Para 3 or Mule? I can testify that you will NOT get that info from that demographic.

Virgins are great but a Para 3 is forever. YES like a FRIGGING diamond, okay? I am saying that the Para 3 is better than sex and better than oxygen. Ok, not O2 I was thinking cow farts to be honest, but STILL better than a diamond.

[The Mastiff]

I agree but these HRC numbers DO NOT represent any close to what the manufacturer has stated in the composition charts

You might cherry pick a few steels used in the mules and say it could have been run 3 points harder but not many. 5 points? I'm not seeing that to be honest. Not running them in commercial ovens along with a temper ( or three for some of the steels). Keeping the hardness within 3 points of the target is pretty good quality on large batches of air hardening ( mostly stainless or tool steel) steels mean that if you want to select max hardness some will be under and some might be higher. Running it full hardness isn't always the best for the grain structure either and while it usually is where max abrasion resistance is found max hardness is usually going to be lower toughness and corrosion resistance. Not quite the balance many seek after. Running Cruwear at rc 62-63, for instance may not be max hardness ( usually 63-64 after tempers for max) but it is right where it needs to be for best performance for our needs. Most run it lower than where the mule is . The CPM Cruwear folders are at rc 62-63 already. Mules are the same.

I don't see any that can be run 5 points higher. 2 maybe on some, but in reality they are where they are for a reason. I have all the mules except 2 or 3 BTW. The ones I didn't get I wasn't really interested in enough to spend the money just to complete the set. I'm retired now and on a budget. :)

Joe

[Cscottsss]

I've been into EDC sized fixed blades for horizontal belt carry the last few months. I picked up a Bradford guardian 3, Ruike 815, and the Blade HQ Skyline fixed S30V exclusive with carbon fiber scales. I really like the size and versatility of a smaller fixed blade.

Well...then I stumbled across the Spyderco Mule and read , watched, and absorbed as much info as possible on the whole program. I ordered the A11 and 20CV versions with both 3D and Ultra slim Halpern scales. The nice lady at Sheathpro made me a quality sheath (seems to be the same material as spyderco sells ) for the flat scales to go along with the 3D contoured sheath I got off spydercos website when I bought the blanks.

The Mules are fantastic for every day carry IMHO and a bargain to say the least. I'm looking forward to getting the revamped Mule that Spyderco comes up with as a replacement.

James

Kind of of topic but I'd like to start carrying a small fixed blade on some days too, I've kind of narrowed it down to the Bradford Guardian 3 or a Mule. I want something discreet and small. I know this forum might be a little bias for good reason but which would you choose in the end?