Status on MT-18?

JNewell · #61

sal wrote:It is an offering from me directly to those interested in Blade steels in a format more convenient for testing and comparison.

Who else in this industry can speak like that - and mean it??? :eek: :D Thanks, Sal! :spyder:

TomAiello · #62

JNewell wrote:Who else in this industry can speak like that - and mean it??? :eek: :D Thanks, Sal! :spyder:

+ 1

The quality of the product is only one reason that I'm such a big Spyderco fan.

Philo Beddoe · #63

sal wrote:Hi Dishcore,

Welcome to our forum.

Hi Philo,

I don't think there are any hard and fast rules to the Mule Team. It is an offering from me directly to those interested in Blade steels in a format more convenient for testing and comparison. I guess the term "exotic" is used here in a broad context.

sal

OK that helps explain a lot what the purpose of the Mule is for. In that case any steel is up for Mule use including 204P, S30V etc..

K294 would be another option..

Philo Beddoe · #64

gaj999 wrote:Something to remember is that Sal and Co. are doing us steel geeks a huge favor. I'm thinking that gratitude is more appropriate than criticism.

Exactly where was I being critical of Spyderco and say Sal and Spyderco wasn't doing us steel geeks a huge favor??

I was referring to the fact that some were asking for 204P, even though it is being used in a production knife and doesn't fit in with the "Taking that idea a step up, why not offer a series (team) of blades using different, exotic and freshly unveiled steels? In doing this steel-obsessed knife knuts can try, test and use something normally not offered to the industry."

However now that I know its also for comparison and testing that makes 204P fine to use.

Fancier · #65

Thanks Philo! :D

drichardson67 · #66

I got at least one of every mule, and love every one. I want a Mule in every kick *** powder steel there is. I don't care if it's been used in other knives. I love the whole mule concept and am a junky when it comes to exotic steel. I love the side to side comparisons, and the creativity people can use for sheaths and handles. About 5 years ago, when I discovered Spyderco mules, I went ape **** over them. I bought just about every one I could find on flea bay. I probably had close to 80 at one point--though I've pared them back recently, you know, because I like the sprint run PM's and millies, and can't afford to be so OCD about the mules. But... I can't get enough of them. In fact, I dream about them. There is no end for opportunity to use them on my farm, and I love to run them down the gauntlet. And I got to say, I love that K390. I completely missed on them when they first came out, and had to hit the secondary market. But that steel was definitely worth what I paid for it.

And I love the mules because they are a very affordable way to get into and use a kick *** steel. There is no way I could 'sample' all the steels I want to at the prices most high end steels go for in LE, Sprint, or Custom knives. So good on you Sal and company. I love what you do. It was the mules that got me into Spyderco, and they are still probably my favorites. What else, who else, does a better job at democratizing the expensive and exotic? Introducing the exquisite pleasure of stellar steel to the masses?

s110v in a mule? I love that steel. CPM 4v? **** yes. CTS 204p? What is not to like? Got a question on that one though: I heard about 6 months ago that CTS was going to discontinue that steel? Did I hear wrong? Or did Sal just wisely stock up on it? :D

jabba359 · #67

drichardson67 wrote: Got a question on that one though: I heard about 6 months ago that CTS was going to discontinue that steel? Did I hear wrong? Or did Sal just wisely stock up on it? :D

There was a rumor that is was being discontinued, but a rep for Carpenter commented in one of the threads and said they were not discontinuing the steel.

edit: found the quote

Bags14 wrote:OK, normally I do not jump into the forums but just read them to get a feel for what is going now.

In real life I am the Commercial Manager for Knife Blades for Carpenter Technology and I need to clear the air here.

Carpenter is NOT discontinuing CTS 204P. There are a number of custom makers that love the stuff. We are going in the other direction with it!
It will probably go into production with one of the other OEMs in the near future. The origin of of 204P is Carpenter's Micro Melt 20-4 stainless tool steel and not that foreign brand. I think you will find our MM20-4 has been around longer and is source of the chemistry.

In regards to CTS 20CP:
over the last couple years we have developed CTS XHP, 40CP, B70P, BD4P, BD30P, and 204P and we have slab material for OEMs like Spyderco to order from.
We have CTS PD1P in development and we are debating an insane material Maxamet for the market.
CTS 20CP is still there but we have not focused on it. If the market is interested we will be more than happy to make the material.

drichardson67 · #68

Thanks, Jabba, for the info, and for going to the trouble to find and post it--and for the exceptionally good news. CTS has been making some awesome steels lately. PD-1 is one that I really want to mess with. Strider is the only maker I know of that is using it now. Maxamet I am really exited over; the chemistry on that one is mind boggling. I would love to try and dull it...

The Mastiff · #69

PD-1 chemistry is the same as CPM Cruwear. They are both powder steel too. Probably interchangeable in most applications.

drichardson67 · #70

The Mastiff wrote:PD-1 chemistry is the same as CPM Cruwear. They are both powder steel too. Probably interchangeable in most applications.

Thanks. I didn't actually realize that. They are darn near identical. The good news is; I got my Cruwear Millie today. So now I can go mess with it.

RadioactiveSpyder · #71

drichardson67 wrote:Thanks. I didn't actually realize that. They are darn near identical. The good news is; I got my Cruwear Millie today. So now I can go mess with it.

Perhaps you could report on any comparison between the original Cruwear Mule and the Millie with the powdered version of that steel? I hear you about missing the original K390 train, won't make that mistake again. I will still admit it was due solely to S110V fever that day! Hopefully the next Mule is due up soon, maybe in 4V! :D

jul · #72

Recently I'm quite into very tough, non-stainless steels with good wear resistance. I'd like to see Mules in CPM 9V and Böhler K890.
On the other hand Uddeholm Vanadis 10 would be a nice comparison to ZDP-189.

malice · #73

Any Mule would be awesome. And the timing's just right: just before Christmas.
I know what present I'd like to find under my tree ;-)

+ 1 on the 4v but even more on the s110v Mule.

Any idea what steel Super Gold No.2 would be comparable to ?
Otherwise that might be interesting to have in Mule format. I've only seen it in kitchen knives thus far.

FCM415 · #74

Now that S110v is in the pipeline (thanks Sal!), I must now push for another steel I'd like to see in a Mule and in Spyderco folders one day... K294. Heard GREAT things about it, never tried it before. Also, CPM-154 pretty please!

Thanks for the recent K390. These steels are over the top stuff. We are spoiled

stickcarlson · #75

i've been looking for a knife to take with hunting that i can use parachord for the handle.

I think this sounds like a great option for me!

gaj999 · #76

stickcarlson wrote:i've been looking for a knife to take with hunting that i can use parachord for the handle.

I don't think that this will be ideal. Blood will soak the paracord and will then be held against the steel. Even if you soak the paracord in glue, there will still be small voids that can fill with blood. I visualize coming home cold and tired, not wanting/forgetting to unwrap my knife handle, and then discovering a big mess later .... I'd go for something easy to clean off in the field. Now if it's going to be one of the three or four spares that you always carry, go for it. LOL

Gordon

cckw · #77

sal wrote:Do you think there is still interest in a Mule Team of 204P since it is being used in production?

sal

I'm late to this thread, but I would definitely buy 204P. I buy 2 of each (one to use & one for the collection) with the exception of BD1 and that Chinese steel.

Holland · #78

FCM415 wrote:Now that S110v is in the pipeline (thanks Sal!), I must now push for another steel I'd like to see in a Mule and in Spyderco folders one day... K294. Heard GREAT things about it, never tried it before. Also, CPM-154 pretty please!

Thanks for the recent K390. These steels are over the top stuff. We are spoiled

would also love to see k294!

Laethageal · #79

If ever the MT-18 is K294, it's gonna be the first mule I own. Whatever the price, I'll own it.

stickcarlson · #80

gaj999 wrote:I don't think that this will be ideal. Blood will soak the paracord and will then be held against the steel. Even if you soak the paracord in glue, there will still be small voids that can fill with blood. I visualize coming home cold and tired, not wanting/forgetting to unwrap my knife handle, and then discovering a big mess later .... I'd go for something easy to clean off in the field. Now if it's going to be one of the three or four spares that you always carry, go for it. LOL

Gordon

Parachord is cheap. I'd be ok with just replacing the chord after a bloody use.
I then have rope to use ;-)

I'll have to look to into what sheath to use.