Woodcraft Mule is done!

ricechrispy · #1

I just finished my second Mule: a Woodcraft. With the encouragement of some other forum members, I decided to use Micarta for the handle material this time. I definitely plan on using Micarta for future projects. I love how much more stable it is than wood. I also love the look and that you can make it as grippy or as smooth as you like. Given the shape of the Woodcraft Mule's handle, I really didn't think grip would be an issue. With that in mind I decided to polish it. I also used some mineral oil to give it a richer green color. Before the mineral oil, it was actually a sage green that was almost gray. I'm very pleased with how it turned out and thank all the other forum members that gave me advice on this.

tonydahose · #2

looks nice, good job. how does it feel in hand?

ricechrispy · #3

Thanks! It feels great in the hand. I was a little unhappy with how slim the handle of my first mule turned out (http://www.spyderco.com/forums/showthre ... highlight=), so I intentionally made the handle on this fatter. I compared the two by whittling some wood, and the fatter handle definitely allows for greater control.

shotcaller88 · #4

I really like the look of that micarta!

SolidState · #5

That turned out great! What are you doing for a sheath?

ricechrispy · #6

I'll probably send it to Scott Gere for a Kydex sheath. He did a great job with my first Mule.

Niles · #7

Nice work! What kind of micarta did you use?

ricechrispy · #8

I used canvas micarta.

phillipsted · #9

Nice work, rice! I really like the look of canvas micarta, especially on this Woodcraft hunter pattern.

You know these are like potato chips, right? You can't eat just one! :cool: What is your next Mule?

TedP

Gofannon · #10

Nice work! Do you have a picture of the top of the knife. For the scales thickness.

ChapmanPreferred · #11

Looks good! Well done.

ricechrispy · #12

Gofannon wrote:Nice work! Do you have a picture of the top of the knife. For the scales thickness.

Here are my Woodcraft Mule and my M390 Mule side-by-side.

ricechrispy · #13

phillipsted wrote:Nice work, rice! I really like the look of canvas micarta, especially on this Woodcraft hunter pattern.

You know these are like potato chips, right? You can't eat just one! :cool: What is your next Mule?

TedP

Thanks, Ted. Unfortunately my wife doesn't share our enthusiasm. My next Mule will probably be whatever is available when my anniversary comes up in May. I already have the handle material for it, though. It's going to be maroon linen micarta with black micarta pins.

Chris

Gofannon · #14

Thanks for the pics ricechrispy! I like when the handle is large and "dig" in the middle (I don't know the english term)

ricechrispy · #15

Thanks, Geoffrey. I get your meaning. I made it fat with a narrower portion near the middle since that's how I've seen bushcraft knives described.

Chris

araneae · #16

Very nice work on both of them.

SpyderNut · #17

Nice job! I'm also a huge fan of Micarta. aty225lajqatjhatlsujfs (Sorry about that, I just had to wipe some drool off of my keyboard there :D ).

Rwb1500 · #18

Super super nice.

2cha · #19

ricechrispy wrote:I'll probably send it to Scott Gere for a Kydex sheath. He did a great job with my first Mule.

Nice job on a great knife. Why not just do your own kydex sheath? If you can make scales, kydex will be a piece of cake. All it takes is a drill, heat source (toaster oven), fret saw, some sandpaper, a way to set rivets and a durable foam to make a press with. Rivets, rivet setters and the foam can be had from knifekits for not a whole lot of money.

Azwaiian · #20

Now that is a piece of art! Very nice!