Get me excited about M398

[legOFwhat?]

M398 steel - fixed blade heat treated and grinding done..for $80

and a sticker! Don't forget the sticker!

probably

This one…..

I'm so jealous! Maybe one day

[standy99]

M398 steel - fixed blade heat treated and grinding done..for $80

and a sticker! Don't forget the sticker!

probably

After your work in the flock of Mules
This one…..

I'm so jealous! Maybe one day

After seeing your “Flock of mules” thread a while back, I thought you would have been in the Patch club already

[hereiamu1]

I never got one

[Maremmen Jager]

I never got one

They are still available at factory outlet' store

[standy99]

I never got one

You have the chance for getting one for contributions to the Mule Team forum with reporting and posting.


It is explained in this thread

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=89417&start=20

Let's all remember that sometimes, intent and emotion can be challenging to convey on a forum (even with emojis).

Onward to the patch discussion... :D

Patches (and Mule Team stickers) cannot be purchased. They can only be earned through participation here in the Mule Team forum. We truly want to hear about your experiences with the Mule Team. We thought it might be fun to give a little incentive in the form of exclusive swag that cannot be purchased or through visiting us in SFO or at a show. We'll (just as we always do) continue to watch, read, and enjoy hearing about your experiences with this very unique project. There are more patches and stickers to be had. There might even be more up our sleeves, so with that in mind, continue sharing your experiences!

Kristi

[ykspydiefan]

Well, I know where Fireman is coming from. I could not get excited and passed on the Rex 76 mule. Mostly, because I prefer the ease of stainless. Hello M398.

Also, I think some mule skinners have had a tough time overcoming Larrin's knowledge and opinion of this steel. So, when it comes to getting excited...

You have to roll your on hose on this one, Fireman.

Most importantly, it is not too late!

[Hawaii808]

What angle to sharpen at do you guys think will be good for the m398?

[Brant]

Out of the 3 steels when first announced, this was the “meh” of the bunch for me. But the more I’m figuring out about everyday/every situation knives, this might have the best promise with its long lasting edge and good corrosion resistance. It sounds like the least picky in terms of maintenance and maybe make a good at work knife.

[standy99]

For me there is going to be a lot of don’t know about M398 because I didn’t buy/try it…(in the future) which goes against the mule try all the steels philosophy….just my 2cents

[Tucson Tom]

What I find interesting about it is the 20 percent chromium along with all the vanadium to get edge retention. This ought to make it a really "stainless" steel with a lot of edge holding. To my thinking a lot like S90V or S110V as far as being corrosion resistant with a lot of hard carbides to help it hold an edge, but correspondingly hard to sharpen.

Might make a great kitchen knife depending on just how corrosion resistant it really is.

There are my two cents.

[standy99]

Hearing hard to sharpen on a lot of newer steels lately….mostly from YouTubers or Instagramer’s that I have never seen use a knife…..As a decent sharpener (ex butcher) who is still waiting for Maxamet to get hard to sharpen…. Not saying that it is as easy as everything, but I haven't had anything that is as hard to sharpen as cheap Chinese Stainless Steel.

[Bolster]

What I find interesting about it is the 20 percent chromium along with all the vanadium to get edge retention. This ought to make it a really "stainless" steel with a lot of edge holding. To my thinking a lot like S90V or S110V as far as being corrosion resistant with a lot of hard carbides to help it hold an edge, but correspondingly hard to sharpen.

Do we know if the chromium went primarily into carbides (making large and relatively softer carbides, and reducing toughness) or stayed in the matrix (making a relatively corrosion resistant steel)? Granted, the vanadium carbides would negate the softer chromium carbides to a degree, but I'm unaware of chromium carbides being good for toughness.

[electro-static]

I got mine on Saturday, in my testing the edge is super aggressive perhaps on account of the high carbide volume, or golden did a great job sharpening it.

I shaved some oak with it and it seemed to hold up fine.

I would say that it’s worth getting as many aspects of experiencing a steel won’t fit on a chart.

[Hawaii808]

Just got mines in. Paper tested it. Cut light magazine paper pretty well. Put it on a diamond stone 800 grit and stropped it with green paste. Got it shaving hair and sliding through paper pretty fast. Nicer than my s35v blade.

[Matt Deaner]

I just got my mule yesterday and put a toothy edge on it with DMT plates. It feels hard on the stones. It wouldn't surprise me if hardness was above 63 Rockwell. It sharpens hard. Like s110v, maybe worse. Not much burr, so at least that's a plus.

[Matt Deaner]

Broke down some furniture boxes with my M398 mule today. Edge holding is excellent. Definitely s110v / 10v class.

[Mrj]

Cut meat and vegetables like a dream. Super sharp and hasn’t went dull yet. I’m loving this steel.

[Ogre]

First timer for the mule here... just placed my order this morning! Supersteel blade made in USA!! For $80!!!

[Ogre]

What angle to sharpen at do you guys think will be good for the m398?

I too am wondering what a good edge angle for this steel would be. I'm seeing another brand put a 14° edge on CPM-S90V and CPM-154. With M398 being high on edge retention but low on toughness, would a 15° or 17° be prone to chipping? Or, should I opt for a 25°ish? I'm thinking this will be, primarily, my bird and trout... (and cardboard) knife.

[Michael Janich]

Dear Ogre:

Welcome to the Spyderco Forum.

Stay safe,

Mike