New Guy W/ Mule Team Project (not started)

[DeAdEyE956]

Ok I made the mistake of finding a thread else where about the Mule Team. Awesome idea. I have wanted to start making knife handles, and this is a perfect thing. I got a few Mule 16 to do. I plan to make one for my molle vest at work, and the rest will be gifts to family. I have done some research, I know the hole sizes are 3/8, 1/4, 3/16. i plan to use corby bolts for my dad's knife and desert iron wood burl if it isnt to $$$. What size block/scale do I need? I think i know the length should be 4" but thickness and height/width? Any leads for leather sheaths? I may try to make my own, but I want something nice for my dad. once i get started I will take pics and such if I can. my job and family life get in the way of things like this. thanks for any help.

[Sequimite]

JLS has some lovely leather sheaths made by an old timer he knows. I got one for my Temp 2 and love it. For my Mules I use Buck 191 sheaths which are a perfect fit. I bought a bunch when they were discontinued but you may find one on ebay or elsewhere. Those are the two I have personal experience with. Obviously there are many custom options.

[DeAdEyE956]

Ok thank you. Any contact info for JLS? I googled his name and I didnt have any luck.

saw a post by marion poff with his screen name. I sent an email. thanks

[Sequimite]

Ok thank you. Any contact info for JLS? I googled his name and I didnt have any luck.

saw a post by marion poff with his screen name. I sent an email. thanks

JLS is an active member here. You can look him up under the Community button above. Marion disappeared under a bit of a cloud.

add> Here's a link to JLS
http://www.spyderco.com/forums/member.php?11259-JLS

[DeAdEyE956]

I like that pouch sheath. I meant a post by marion that he mentioned JLS. Do you make the scales? i like the green canvas. I hope to find black and green canvas material.

[Sequimite]

I've made scales, but nothing I'm proud enough of to show pictures of. As it happens I have a great liking for green micarta and dark green G-10.

[ricechrispy]

I like green micarta, too!

[JLS]

I did have sheaths made for me in the past, but there hasn't been much interest in the past 2 years or so. Therefore, I haven't had any to sell. I sincerely hope this isn't breaking the rules about BST here; it's more of a public announcement that I DON'T have anything to sell.

Anyway, green micarta does make a nice handle. Shown below are two of mine clad in shades of green, with the S35VN Mule in 400 grit finished medium green canvas and the CTS-B75P done in bead blasted OD green canvas. It looks rather brown in the pictures, but it's more green in person. They're actually quite photogenic, but I suck at photography and it's even worse when using an old iPhone camera.

Enjoy the Mule project; it really is a great EDC fixed blade and using the different steels is quite fun.

Here they are anyway.

[Sequimite]

Nice Mules.

How time flies. If you have an interest in a Buck sheath I just checked and there are a number on ebay. I saw one for $14 shipped. Just search Buck 191.

[Pockets]

Welcome! I would say for corby's that 1/4" scale thickness is about as thin as you should go. Most scales are about 5" x 1.5"x thickness. Corby bolts are a bit tricky to use, so make sure you know what you're doing. NorthCoastKnives has some some pre-made leather sheaths. Good luck.

[JLS]

I almost forgot about your other question regarding scale size. I find 4.5"X1.5"X1/4" to be minimum. I make most of mine out of 1/4" thickness. I've done one out of 1/8" which is a bit thin, one at 3/16" which is OK, another at .210" and its OK as well. I started one at 3/8" and have shaved it down to about .300" since. Everything else is at 1/4" and I like them the best.

I've yet to do Corby bolts, but they're easy enough to do with either 3/16" threaded studs or with pins and epoxy.