Ok. Long title. But, I do not wish to feel alone in this. I would like to think there are others out there like me who stumbled upon the Mule Team, caught the fever, bought the Mules and then started talking crap.
Well, I said things like I will by them all!!! Nothing will stop me!!! More Mules!!! Make More Pieces!!!! MMhmmPh, what... Oh, mouth full of humble pie now?
Yeah. Life caught up with me. Nearly stopped buying any discretionary items. No new knives, just saving for HIC and trying to justify the Catcherman. Not even buying ammo now
Also, I felt a little obligated to fess up about not buying after blabbing. Especially, with Mules in stock and desirable steels too. Ok, in reality one or two more in my pocket does not sellout Mule inventory but I still want to do my bit for the team.
I am happy with what I have, I save for what I want/need. I have/do experience emotional ups and downs, FOMO and all, and I am doing the right thing for me. I just wish I had kept my FOMO mouth shut at the start. I have been quiet on the forum for awhile but figured a little download might help me or any other blabber mouth FOMO face broke dude.
Spyderco: Tenacious G10, Waterway, Para 3 Spy27, Pacific Salt H1, Catcherman, In the Mule Team Stable(Z-Max, Z-Wear, S45VN, Magnacut, SRS13/SUS405, M398, Aeb-l, 15v)
Not so much. Although I have succumbed to the hype and purchased a few that I didn't really need. The Magnacut Mule comes to mind. And the PM2 15V. I dumped both of those.
But before I say on the forum that I WANT something, I ask myself if it's really true. The boys and girls at Spyderco read what we say, and if I tell them I want something, I feel somewhat obligated to honor my words. Of course there's the caveat that tastes evolve. If I say I want a combo-edge Yojumbo with a hollow-grind in Super Blue with rainbow colored scales, that doesn't mean I'll feel the same way in two years, if it takes Spyderco that long to produce it.
P.S.
I have a T15 Mule sitting here that I impulsively purchased, but I really do intend to finish it up one of these days.
When the program was starting and Spyderco was trying to gage potential interest, I said I was in for two of whatever they made. After sixteen years, I have to add "if I can afford it". Kinda dreading the pricetag on the upcoming ceramic Mule. On the other hand, I'm pretty good at talking myself into spending money.
I'm late to the mule game and Spyderco addiction in general, but have bought 5 so far, gifted 2 to a few of my friends. Gave a SP to a buddy when he got his captains license.
Oldest daughter got one setup for her hunting pack. I used one for breaking down a couple deer this year too.
I have 7 folders that are in rotation, but the Manix2s see the most use. I'm really liking the Maxamet 2nd I picked up during the online sale.
I also bought a dozen kitchen knives and went all in on stocking the butcher block for the wife with Spydies. They have all performed great even with the abuse they take from the wife and kids in the kitchen.
I have FOMO but between my gun and fishing purchases I do have to budget out my knife stuff...
The HIC I'll splurge on as I'd like to at least get 2 if not a few more for my daughters. At some point I hope to get a Manix 2 salt to go in my fishing pack, although the HIC will likely cover that role too.
Or, how many talked of jumping on the bandwagon but never did? I think lots of this goes on with the internet and not just with the mule team.
I’m pretty much unchanged, been picking up occasional mule since the projects near demise (coincides with my plunge into Spyderco).
Latest mule, picked up an ABEL maybe October 2023 but I have other knives I’m playing with at the moment so it has been stashed in its box since coming home with me.
Kind of. I think I bought all of them since MagnaCut (missed a lot before that). The problem is that life caught up in another way : I've yet to make many handles !
In the collection : Lots of different steels, in lots of different (and same) Spydercos.
Robin. Finally made an IG : ramo_knives MNOSD member 004* aka Mr. N5s
I have been making them slowly, but that’s my Spyderco buzz nowadays.
Have all but given up the folder game as I have too many for 5 lifetimes.
Been making knives myself, but still love the Mules for testing and throwing a handle on. Mules got me started on the journey.
Funny as I am making a chopper for a friend at the moment and still done a bit on a a mule handle whilst I had the epoxy out
I will pass on the ceramic as
1) Price (US = Aussie $ will make it $300 AUD shipped)
2) As a butcher I tried the ceramic buzz years ago and sharpening is a whole new ball game I don’t want to play
3) I love me some steel
Will admit I have a stockpile of mules since the re-release. Swapped a few sold out ones for old releases so
Im a vegetarian as technically cows are made of grass and water.
I have more regrets, nothing that keeps me up at night, that I didn’t buy more LC200N mules and a few others that were available for so long, that I found out about mules so late in the game, and that I somehow missed the MagnaCut mule drop. I’m not sure how many LC200N mules I did buy and give away, but I’d liked more to give away. LC200N makes for a great dive knife or other work in corrosive environments.
Thanks for the reply's team. Up in northern Canada we went from floods in the spring to fires all summer. We evacuated for nearly 6weeks. Nothing quite slams the budget like no income and extra expenses.
Spyderco: Tenacious G10, Waterway, Para 3 Spy27, Pacific Salt H1, Catcherman, In the Mule Team Stable(Z-Max, Z-Wear, S45VN, Magnacut, SRS13/SUS405, M398, Aeb-l, 15v)
I never wanted to buy every single mule. I wanted to test steel and provide my results/findings. Part of me wanted the k294 mule but I have rex76 ones currently out on loan that satisfies that itch. I went from buying mules to buying my wife a wheelchair after her accident. About 13 surgeries later, I live vicariously thru the enjoyment of others who use and post their findings. I have no choice but to let the elastic ceramic mule pass me by due to my current situation. Along with other releases spyderco offers. I have plenty of knives/steels to keep me entertained anyways. I don't have sour grapes about not buying more mules. I have changed my focus to learning a new language instead of collecting/testing knife steel. I do look forward to reading updates on the elastic ceramic mule as the user mileage accumulates over time.
"Nothing is built on stone; all is built on sand, but we must build as if the sand were stone."
I never wanted to buy every single mule. I wanted to test steel and provide my results/findings. Part of me wanted the k294 mule but I have rex76 ones currently out on loan that satisfies that itch. I went from buying mules to buying my wife a wheelchair after her accident. About 13 surgeries later, I live vicariously thru the enjoyment of others who use and post their findings. I have no choice but to let the elastic ceramic mule pass me by due to my current situation. Along with other releases spyderco offers. I have plenty of knives/steels to keep me entertained anyways. I don't have sour grapes about not buying more mules. I have changed my focus to learning a new language instead of collecting/testing knife steel. I do look forward to reading updates on the elastic ceramic mule as the user mileage accumulates over time.
Hey Steeltoez, thanks for sharing. My best wishes to you and your wife. I have helped to support a couple of friends who were involved in car crashes and transitioned into wheelchairs. In no way do I understand how hard it must be for you, and your wife, but I do understand a little about how life can catch up with us, and not in a positive way. It takes positive people to make the best of these situations. Maybe a bunch of faith as well.
My focus has changed too. I find myself reading more forum posts and following up on more of Larrins articles. As I am doing less Mule handle making, and less testing, and less buying, I am certainly living more vicariously through other forumites adventures.
It still surprises me how much community there is on the Spyderco forum and how it not really just about the knife. Seems it is about the people and a relationship to each other and how we all connect to knives and Spyderco in specific.
Again thank you.
Spyderco: Tenacious G10, Waterway, Para 3 Spy27, Pacific Salt H1, Catcherman, In the Mule Team Stable(Z-Max, Z-Wear, S45VN, Magnacut, SRS13/SUS405, M398, Aeb-l, 15v)
I never wanted to buy every single mule. I wanted to test steel and provide my results/findings. Part of me wanted the k294 mule but I have rex76 ones currently out on loan that satisfies that itch. I went from buying mules to buying my wife a wheelchair after her accident. About 13 surgeries later, I live vicariously thru the enjoyment of others who use and post their findings. I have no choice but to let the elastic ceramic mule pass me by due to my current situation. Along with other releases spyderco offers. I have plenty of knives/steels to keep me entertained anyways. I don't have sour grapes about not buying more mules. I have changed my focus to learning a new language instead of collecting/testing knife steel. I do look forward to reading updates on the elastic ceramic mule as the user mileage accumulates over time.
Hey Steeltoez, thanks for sharing. My best wishes to you and your wife. I have helped to support a couple of friends who were involved in car crashes and transitioned into wheelchairs. In no way do I understand how hard it must be for you, and your wife, but I do understand a little about how life can catch up with us, and not in a positive way. It takes positive people to make the best of these situations. Maybe a bunch of faith as well.
My focus has changed too. I find myself reading more forum posts and following up on more of Larrins articles. As I am doing less Mule handle making, and less testing, and less buying, I am certainly living more vicariously through other forumites adventures.
It still surprises me how much community there is on the Spyderco forum and how it not really just about the knife. Seems it is about the people and a relationship to each other and how we all connect to knives and Spyderco in specific.
Again thank you.
We appreciate the kind words and prayers. I really do hope the forum here gets more and more users providing their testimonies about all these mule steels. That was probably my driving force to acquire mules in the first place. To provide a comparison with testing to see how the mules performed under a controlled testing. And some real world use later to see if the edge had enough stability to hold a 12/13 dps edge angle. I can count on a few occasions where spyderco listened to my input and they never had to. So even if I can't provide data points, or regurgitate testing someone else has done, I can provide my 2 cents if I believe it holds value. I think alot of forumites believe their perspective provides a value in representing all different lifestyle disciplines.
"Nothing is built on stone; all is built on sand, but we must build as if the sand were stone."
Time was on my side and I was able to score 3 new mules bcuz they were available. I took off 6 or 8 months from testing and for once inflation had no effect on the price. Plus I am fortunate to have the chance to acquire them in the first place. Right now I need to focus on my hobbies to help cope with some recent personal tragedies for the short term. Without a purpose or focus one can easily fall into a downward spiral Plus I haven't found a good testing youtube channel to watch either. One guy stabs a dead tree 5 times and 6,000 ppl sub to him. Maybe he hates the kiebler elves. I plan on documenting a few more weeks of testing in my general discussion thread. As well as providing my input here on the mules I bought recently. Maybe more commentary on the rex76 versions when I get them back eventually.
"Nothing is built on stone; all is built on sand, but we must build as if the sand were stone."
I work overnight currently so I have time to read, maybe not post. Alice was not in a vehicle when it happened. The driver either distracted or impaired drove off the road and plowed into her while she was walking on the sidewalk. It was a black pickup truck from what I was told. He drove off and hasn't been brought to justice. We believe he was intoxicated, and was going in the realm of 60-70 mph. The brain damage I believe was from the muffler hitting her head against the ground. The accident happened during daylight hours too. She also had many more injuries as well.
I got back into the so called knife game when I could honor my word I gave another knifemaker. I said I'd buy 2 of his knives way before the accident. I'm a firm believer in keeping my word to the best of my ability. Sometimes it takes a decade but it's a standard I set for myself. I posted the results for him to analyze his heat treat which was very good. At the same time I was posting up here again. Sal seemed curious about my testing style so I've been putting out commentary for him and everyone else. I usually aim for atleast 1 positive statement per knife/steel. In the b70p case, spy27 is it's redemption. I like to believe I'm the kind of guy that spyderco wants their mule projects to go to.
"Nothing is built on stone; all is built on sand, but we must build as if the sand were stone."
I've had the rare opportunity to work with some interesting type of ppl over the years. Understanding what and why they do what they do raises more questions than answers. I know enough about chemistry in the context of water treatment operations. One of my best friends that I work with has a masters in chemistry gets bombarded from pharmaceutical companies constantly. I did just get a job offer at a nuclear power plant the other day for a 1 year contract tho. I have been sorta tempted to rock the Frank Grimes look if I go for the interview. The brains of the family do go to my daughter. Alyssa has always been the smartest kid in her class. She is a living sponge that absorb knowledge just soo much faster than me. She's was valedictorian in high-school and now she's chasing her dream of becoming a doctor.
Bcuz Alice's mom died from cancer my daughter chose phoenix to go to school. That way she could visit Shane on the weekend or during the week to make sure he was ok. My daughter sacrificed her freedom to make sure her Grandpa wasn't lonely just amazes me to no end. Alice went out there to visit them, and that's when the accident happened. They don't have cameras at the streetlights like over here so the police were no help. I have strong religious beliefs that the responsible one will face judgment for his crime. All the police reporting was done by Shane who is no longer with us, and Alyssa while I was in Illinois tending to another precarious situation.
In more positive news it says my mules are expected this Friday.
"Nothing is built on stone; all is built on sand, but we must build as if the sand were stone."
I was never into racing cars. Just never appealed to me. Do whatever makes ya happy is the best way to live life. Hobbies are the best way to distract us enough so we are able to stay on the righteous path. Friends of mine sunk fortunes into their restoration projects all to impress others. And its my opinion they mismanaged their true job as husband/dad in the process. Im obviously the registered knife nut in the family, but that doesnt devalue the interests/hobbies of others. A co worker friend collects pennies for some odd reason. Just a hobby he started when the was young, and when he finds a gem I get to hear all about it. Doesnt make sense to me, but its not my place to judge the happiness of others.
"Nothing is built on stone; all is built on sand, but we must build as if the sand were stone."
Thanks for posting up guys. Lots to think about. Too much to read, HA!
Gotta say, I like the feeling of going fast as much as the reality of going fast. Go-carts for example, when you are low to the ground it feels faster than the same speed sitting up high in a semi truck. Anyway, all of my worst days involve going fast on a bicycle and being hit by careless people in vehicles.
Sure, when I was 17-20 we had a lot of new development. There were always neighbourhoods under construction. We would find areas with newly cut roads and freshly pressed asphalt, no street lamps or signs and race around. Never had any problems as there were already barricades and no entry signage. We did wreck cars, and get injured and ate our consequences like the stupid kids we were, thinking we were men....
So, people change. Keeping my word was more important to me when I was young. Later, I understood that being responsible for the consequences of my actions was more important to me. It would be nice if every city had an open racing circuit where people could go with street cars, no rules, no nothing, drive fast and eat your own consequences. A place where everyone can go and dissipate stupid driving behaviour. Then, if you are clocked speeding around town, no fine, car impounded and the driver walks home. Keep the car 1 day for every mile over the speed limit. If a driver causes an accident and kills a person, that driver should get life in jail all of their assets seized and given to the victims family as restitution. Anyway, I ramble too.
It is un just, currently I see that people can end lives with vehicles and in the end pay a fine. Obviously, fining inappropriate driving behaviour does not work. People pay, lots of people don't pay and drive anyway. Uninsured drivers/vehicles around where I live is an epidemic. So, take the vehicle away. Get pinched running the red light, take the car and the driver walks home. Real inconvenience has a chance of changing behaviour.
The last big city I lived in, in rush hour a 20km/12.5mi commute by bus was 1.5hr, car 1hr, and bicycle 45 minutes. When people take the time to go slow, and use our internal energy, some times it is possible to go much faster than turning to technology. Until, you get hit by a careless person. Funny, semantics... I have never been hit by a car. I have been hit by a person, that person hit me with a car.
Hey, Steeltoez83 again my prayers for your family and your wife. I like what you said about hobbies. The forum is a hobby for me. And, now that it has warmed up I start using knives more. Hope to have more Mule content to come. Say? Are you Mule Team Army? Patch and all? You sure deserve it for the work you do and content you post. Thanks eh.
Hey, Jason. Not sure what to say... Too, much! People can change. When we do more with less we become more of ourselves and less of the objects that distract us. Also, I have seen enough Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging to understand that some people have(for any number of reasons) damage in their brain. Some people are not capable of change.
Spyderco: Tenacious G10, Waterway, Para 3 Spy27, Pacific Salt H1, Catcherman, In the Mule Team Stable(Z-Max, Z-Wear, S45VN, Magnacut, SRS13/SUS405, M398, Aeb-l, 15v)
Swapped a few sold out ones for old releases so 
that really sucks. I feel for you, I really do.