I know this really great fine polishing compound I use to rag wheel buff things, it's like a cross of wax and Grease they make it with.
I know I get that stuff all over me when I buff things for very long. I have a M14 bayonet that I polished and cleaned all up to presentation grade, took me hours and I was covered in that compound lol. The bayonet looks great.
The only issue I see trying to hone the bevel with that type of wheel is the bevel won't stay straight if your on it much. Really need something more ridged like a hard wheel. Maybe Graytex wheel. I got that in a 6" size, I just don't know what it will do with this incredibly hard HIC lol.
Re: MT40 HIC
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2025 8:32 am
by kwakster
Paper Wheels with diamond compounds will do the trick, and quality ceramic knives can be made extremely sharp with these.
Already a 10 year old clip, and the white ceramic knife shown in it could also whittle one of my chest hairs from root to tip.
Paper Wheels with diamond compounds will do the trick, and quality ceramic knives can be made extremely sharp with these.
Already a 10 year old clip, and the white ceramic knife shown in it could also whittle one of my chest hairs from root to tip.
Has anyone tried the paper wheels with diamond compound on the HIC mule yet?!?!?
Re: MT40 HIC
Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2025 3:57 pm
by HolySteel
I just ordered one of these MT40s, despite the warnings about sharpening...I guess I took them as a challenge. My Cobalt Special Mule is the most used knife in the kitchen, despite five actual Spyderco kitchen knives (also great), so the idea of using HIC in the kitchen is something I've wanted to try, even those this Mule is described as 'NOT kitchen'.
I promise not to whine while learning how to sharpen it, but will report back if I figure out anything that may be useful. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Re: MT40 HIC
Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2025 4:41 am
by Jeb
I have got to circle back around a get to finish honing my HIC to 15 dps...
Re: MT40 HIC
Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2025 5:10 pm
by HolySteel
My HIC arrived today. It's beautiful and sharp and will see kitchen action tonight.
My HIC arrived today. It's beautiful and sharp and will see kitchen action tonight.
Oh my goodness, you got yours and it was already sharp? I spent a good week all together getting mine where it was sharp. Mine had no sign of any kind of a cutting edge lol...
I am working mine over and trying to get the bevels to 15 dps now, when I circle back and make myself sit down and put the time in it lol. I have honed all the diamonds off several hone bars already lol.
I love the black finish on these and it's the absolute hardest material I have ever tried to sharpen to date. Heck I have sharpened pure tungsten and it's not as hard to sharpen as the HIC.
So I expect these will hold an edge really well once you get it established. Glad your came in better condition than mine did. You should really like it.
My HIC arrived today. It's beautiful and sharp and will see kitchen action tonight.
Oh my goodness, you got yours and it was already sharp? I spent a good week all together getting mine where it was sharp. Mine had no sign of any kind of a cutting edge lol...
I am working mine over and trying to get the bevels to 15 dps now, when I circle back and make myself sit down and put the time in it lol. I have honed all the diamonds off several hone bars already lol.
I love the black finish on these and it's the absolute hardest material I have ever tried to sharpen to date. Heck I have sharpened pure tungsten and it's not as hard to sharpen as the HIC.
So I expect these will hold an edge really well once you get it established. Glad your came in better condition than mine did. You should really like it.
Yes, from what I read in this thread, I wasn't expecting a good edge, but it's not going to need much work - it looks as good as any of my other pre-sharpened Mules. I'll strop it and test it out.
Re: MT40 HIC
Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2025 11:36 am
by dlum1
Well, after a long hiatus, I'm back to testing mule teams and recently purchased the HIC MT40. I'm sorry to hear the community was not eager to purchase this one. The material seems amazing -- so long as someone has the patience and skill to sharpen it. I'd like to see if I can put a sharp course edge on it. I'm thinking light pressure with many passes over 400 grit diamond followed by light passes on 1000 grit diamond and then lightly honing with a diamond strop. Doubt I'll ever attempt a reprofile. Wish me luck.
Re: MT40 HIC
Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2025 3:30 pm
by HolySteel
I like mine so much that I just ordered another, along with Spyderco scales, to give to my Brother for Christmas. I had planned on giving him a Cobalt Special Mule, but for kitchen stuff I like this blade just as much, maybe more.
Re: MT40 HIC
Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2025 3:54 pm
by Jeb
HS,
I bet once the HIC is honed out and sharp it will stay that way. Least from how much trouble I have got myself in with trying to re-profile it to 15 dps. It's truly the hardest stuff I have ever honed.
Should be super easy to keep clean in the kitchen too. That is where I am sticking mine if I ever get back around to finish honing it lol...
