Pretty much the same story for me.
I thought I was just buying it as a carry knife for a trip to a restrictive (european) jurisdiction, and it totally blew me away.
Pretty much the same story for me.
steelcity16 wrote: ↑Fri May 03, 2019 1:24 pm
My interpretation would be that it allows users to test the steel in an "unofficial release" before they invest in a large order of the steel for a full round of sprints in steels like Rex45. That way if the steel ends up a "poor performer" in the minds of the users, it isn't as big of a deal because it was part of a testing program and not an official Spyderco production release. So a Para 3 LW mule sold directly through Spyderco only, as a designated mule (mule-only unique FRN color, mule logo instead of spydie, etc) would actually be different then them just releasing a brand new steel as an official sprint that is sold throughout their distribution network.
David R wrote: ↑Fri May 03, 2019 8:20 pm
Still not seeing the difference. A Mule was previously 600 knives or so? I'm guessing if they do a folder it will be more popular and probably closer to a regular sprint run of 1200 or so. So the difference between a Mule run of Para 3 LWs and a Sprint run is...?
I also don't see how Spyderco can call a production model with a different steel a "Mule" rather than a Sprint and undersell their dealers by selling directly. Retail sales of that model would drop like a rock. If they sell the Mules via the retail channel, it just looks like another Sprint. I'm not trying to argue - I don't see how a folder Mule sold at retail is any different than what we're seeing today. Perhaps the difference is that they would not be exclusive?
Are we asking for a Mule or for more non-exclusive sprints with new steels?
steelcity16 wrote: ↑Fri May 03, 2019 8:34 pmDavid R wrote: ↑Fri May 03, 2019 8:20 pm
Still not seeing the difference. A Mule was previously 600 knives or so? I'm guessing if they do a folder it will be more popular and probably closer to a regular sprint run of 1200 or so. So the difference between a Mule run of Para 3 LWs and a Sprint run is...?
I also don't see how Spyderco can call a production model with a different steel a "Mule" rather than a Sprint and undersell their dealers by selling directly. Retail sales of that model would drop like a rock. If they sell the Mules via the retail channel, it just looks like another Sprint. I'm not trying to argue - I don't see how a folder Mule sold at retail is any different than what we're seeing today. Perhaps the difference is that they would not be exclusive?
Are we asking for a Mule or for more non-exclusive sprints with new steels?
So you are saying retail sales of Para 3s drop like a rock when a dealer does an exclusive in a new steel as well? Sounds unlikely.
Now that's a good idea. It should be even cheaper(per blade) than the fixed blade Mules were. Initial cost would be higher, but collectors and testers would save money in the long run.ferider wrote: ↑Tue May 07, 2019 2:46 pmAs I'm not really interested in the UKPK (too small), let me post here.
From Sal's comment above, it doesn't feel like a Mule folder would make business sense.
Now:
1) I have a couple (non-Spyderco) folders that can easily be field-assembled/disassembled. These are Ti frame-locks, typically.
2) One can safely assume that people buying a Mule would feel somehow comfortable doing 1)
3) Of all the Spydercos that I've maintained, the Military is my favorite, and the Ti Military probably the easiest Spyderco to assemble.
So how about Spyderco releases a Ti Military that can be assembled in the field (just needs different screws), and follows up with Military Mule blades (only) ? So you enter the program by buying the knife, and then, every so often, change the blade ?
Just a thought,
Roland.
A folder of that size is a complete and total deal breaker for me. I'd be interested in the idea on a smaller platform though.ferider wrote: ↑Tue May 07, 2019 2:46 pmAs I'm not really interested in the UKPK (too small), let me post here.
From Sal's comment above, it doesn't feel like a Mule folder would make business sense.
Now:
1) I have a couple (non-Spyderco) folders that can easily be field-assembled/disassembled. These are Ti frame-locks, typically.
2) One can safely assume that people buying a Mule would feel somehow comfortable doing 1)
3) Of all the Spydercos that I've maintained, the Military is my favorite, and the Ti Military probably the easiest Spyderco to assemble.
So how about Spyderco - via distributors - releases a Ti Military that can be assembled in the field (just needs different screws). And then afterwards, Spyderco follows up with Military Mule blades (only), sold as Mules were sold previously ? So you enter the program by buying the knife, and then, every so often, change the blade ?
And start the whole program with A11, K390, 3V, 4V, CW, PD#1, or similar :)
Just a thought,
Roland.
This might be the perfect solution, if feasible from a manufacturing/tolerances standpoint. I'd love it on either the Millie or PM2 platform.ferider wrote: ↑Tue May 07, 2019 2:46 pmAs I'm not really interested in the UKPK (too small), let me post here.
From Sal's comment above, it doesn't feel like a Mule folder would make business sense.
Now:
1) I have a couple (non-Spyderco) folders that can easily be field-assembled/disassembled. These are Ti frame-locks, typically.
2) One can safely assume that people buying a Mule would feel somehow comfortable doing 1)
3) Of all the Spydercos that I've maintained, the Military is my favorite, and the Ti Military probably the easiest Spyderco to assemble.
So how about Spyderco - via distributors - releases a Ti Military that can be assembled in the field (just needs different screws). And then afterwards, Spyderco follows up with Military Mule blades (only), sold as Mules were sold previously ? So you enter the program by buying the knife, and then, every so often, change the blade ?
And start the whole program with A11, K390, 3V, 4V, CW, PD#1, or similar :)
Just a thought,
Roland.
NickoP wrote: ↑Tue May 07, 2019 6:15 pmKnife collecting being a relatively recent hobby of mine, I only found out about the Mule Team project a couple of weeks ago.
Around that time I had to cut a branch off a walnut tree in my garden. Just yesterday I retrieved that branch that I'd left laying on the grass, cut a piece off, placed it inside a shed, with the intention of buying a blade for which I could attempt to make a handle one day, having very little idea how to go about that, thinking youtube would get me started. I was very much looking forward to it. Today I find out ... no more mules. Disappointed !
Or the A11 mule (which I believe is the only other one still in stock). 10V class steels are not widely available at all so that one is a real bargain.steelcity16 wrote: ↑Tue May 07, 2019 8:35 pmNickoP wrote: ↑Tue May 07, 2019 6:15 pmKnife collecting being a relatively recent hobby of mine, I only found out about the Mule Team project a couple of weeks ago.
Around that time I had to cut a branch off a walnut tree in my garden. Just yesterday I retrieved that branch that I'd left laying on the grass, cut a piece off, placed it inside a shed, with the intention of buying a blade for which I could attempt to make a handle one day, having very little idea how to go about that, thinking youtube would get me started. I was very much looking forward to it. Today I find out ... no more mules. Disappointed !
There are a few still available on Spyderco's website. PD1 steel would be the one to get.
Absolutely this!steelcity16 wrote: ↑Tue May 07, 2019 8:35 pmNickoP wrote: ↑Tue May 07, 2019 6:15 pmKnife collecting being a relatively recent hobby of mine, I only found out about the Mule Team project a couple of weeks ago.
Around that time I had to cut a branch off a walnut tree in my garden. Just yesterday I retrieved that branch that I'd left laying on the grass, cut a piece off, placed it inside a shed, with the intention of buying a blade for which I could attempt to make a handle one day, having very little idea how to go about that, thinking youtube would get me started. I was very much looking forward to it. Today I find out ... no more mules. Disappointed !
There are a few still available on Spyderco's website. PD1 steel would be the one to get.
A possible disadvantage I can see here: When you have only one handle, but several blades for that handle (or at least less handles than blades), you could never compare different Mules against each other directly at the same time.ferider wrote: ↑Tue May 07, 2019 2:46 pm
So how about Spyderco - via distributors - releases a Ti Military that can be assembled in the field (just needs different screws). And then afterwards, Spyderco follows up with Military Mule blades (only), sold as Mules were sold previously ? So you enter the program by buying the knife, and then, every so often, change the blade ?