Spyderco Forums

Nicely done, Stew! That M4 Mule is a real winner. Plus, I'm a sucker for maroon micarta... :rolleyes:

TedP

phillipsted wrote:Sorry for the tease, guys. I was just so excited about this one, I couldn't wait to share the results. This is my Super Blue Mule shod in some Cocobolo purchased off the 'bay. The Cocobolo was a bit softer and than other cocobolo I've worked with in the past and had more of an open grain - it might be an alternate species. But the color and contrasts are very fetching. I'll probably end up sealing it with TruOil sometime soon.

As I noted in the previous post, I used the washers under the screws to provide a more secure attachment. The scales are just screwed on at this point - they aren't expoxied. There are good points and bad points to that, I know. But I wanted to be able to take off the scales and check the scales for discoloration/rust periodically.

TedP

Great work, those scales look gorgeous and definitely worth the wait you tease.

Purpled :o

simple is classy

Deep in spring,
the rain's passed- West Lake is good.
A hundred grasses vie in beauty,
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Confusion of butterflies, clamour of bees,
The clear day hurries the blossom to burst forth in the warmth.
Buy Tera Gold
Oars in lilies, a painted barge moving without haste.
I think I see a band of sprites
Light reflected in the ripples,
The high wind carries music over the broad water.

Hey, the activity on this thread has slowed down a bit lately.

What's everyone working on?

I'm finishing up a Swick 2 -putting PurpleHeart scales on it. The scales aren't very large, but that handle shape has a lot of curves to it. I'm spending a bit of time battling the splintery-ness of the PurpleHeart while trying to even out all the curves and slopes on the scales so that they feel natural in hand.

The PurpleHeart is an interesting material. Like I said, it is kind of splintery which creates challenges. It is relatively soft as well - and it is easy to cut away too much with the files or rough sandpaper. But the color is pretty amazing. The wood has darkened substantially since I've started working with it. My friends tell me that it will turn a deep dark purple over time, which would be beautiful. But for now, it is the color of black-cherry-Koolaid.

BTW, I found a great place to get natural wood scales - Bell Forest Products. Lots of interesting wood selections at good prices, and they offer pre-cut scale slabs.

I should be able to post pics of the Swick 2 sometime this week.

TedP

I have a question, how does everyone do this?

Where do you all get the handle scale materials?
Do you do this with power tools (like a dremmel, etc.) or do you use files and sand paper?
How do you put the finish on (wood) or texture for other materials?
What screws/pivots do you all use?
and how do you figure out where the holes in the handle are behind the handle scale so that you can put the screw there?

I am thinking about getting one and trying this all out and just was looking for some advice because the mules on this forum are beautiful, thank you.

phillipsted wrote:Hey, the activity on this thread has slowed down a bit lately.

What's everyone working on?

I'm finishing up a Swick 2 -putting PurpleHeart scales on it. The scales aren't very large, but that handle shape has a lot of curves to it. I'm spending a bit of time battling the splintery-ness of the PurpleHeart while trying to even out all the curves and slopes on the scales so that they feel natural in hand.

The PurpleHeart is an interesting material. Like I said, it is kind of splintery which creates challenges. It is relatively soft as well - and it is easy to cut away too much with the files or rough sandpaper. But the color is pretty amazing. The wood has darkened substantially since I've started working with it. My friends tell me that it will turn a deep dark purple over time, which would be beautiful. But for now, it is the color of black-cherry-Koolaid.

BTW, I found a great place to get natural wood scales - Bell Forest Products. Lots of interesting wood selections at good prices, and they offer pre-cut scale slabs.

I should be able to post pics of the Swick 2 sometime this week.

TedP

I like Purple Heart myself and have used it for fixed blades for a while.
In MY experience, it does not get more "purple" as it ages, but a dark brown. But that's me.
To make it tougher. and to hold it's color, stabilize it. Stabilizing will add some darkness to it, and it's hard to find clear "stabilizer" fluid. So think about that.
Here is a little home brew way of doing a few sets at a time.
Make note that AFTER stabilizing, it get's really hard to work with and will clog up sanding media in a hurry. Best to do a rough shaping before stabilizing.
This is in my experience, but, others may not share that, so, decide for yourself.

RoBo - that looks like a really cool technique. I reviewed that NCK tutorial after someone (may have been you) linked to it previously. Looks really messy, but kinda fun!

I opted for a few coats of TruOil. It doesn't penetrate as deeply as your technique, but TruOil gives you a really nice durable finish that fills in the pores of the wood's surface. Thin coat. Cure. Steel wool. Thin coat. Cure. Steel wool. Repeat.

TedP

eitenbuffalo34 wrote:I have a question, how does everyone do this?

Where do you all get the handle scale materials?
Do you do this with power tools (like a dremmel, etc.) or do you use files and sand paper?
How do you put the finish on (wood) or texture for other materials?
What screws/pivots do you all use?
and how do you figure out where the holes in the handle are behind the handle scale so that you can put the screw there?

I am thinking about getting one and trying this all out and just was looking for some advice because the mules on this forum are beautiful, thank you.

Welcome to the Forum, eitenbuffalo34! It's a lot easier than you might think. There are several good tutorials on this Forum to get you started. I'll include links for several of the good ones below. But to be honest, most of my scales are done with all hand tools. I just like the physical aspect of shaping the scales with saws, files, and sandpaper. There are also lots of good material suppliers you can find with a quick Google: Jantz, Texas Knife Makers, Masecraft, USA Knife Makers, Hawkins, Sheffield...

Take a look at these tutorials, check out these web sites, and drop back by this thread to ask some more questions!

TedP

http://spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40768
http://spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40984
http://www.spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35469
http://spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40418

eitenbuffalo34 wrote: Where do you all get the handle scale materials?

One place that is hardly ever mentioned is my favorite G-10 supplier.
Their inventory changes a bit, but most of their selection is usually in stock. If not today, wait a day or two, or call them.
VERY reasonable prices for 11X8 sheets!
I have some Royal Blue, OD, Orange (Coarse), Toxic Green, Ruby Red (in fine and coarse), Yellow (coarse), Sand, Jade, Earth/Coyote/Tan, OD Camo, Pink, and some White.
If for fixed blades, go for .250 (1/4") thickness unless you want to make a massive grip, or doing a scuplted grip, or want to do a lot of extra work cutting it down.
Lately, my projects have been folders, so I very seldom go thicker than .125 (1/8) with most in the 0.90 range.
That's what I like about AKS, you can find this stuff in varying thickness.

phillipsted wrote:Hey, the activity on this thread has slowed down a bit lately.

What's everyone working on?

Picking up my Cruwear Mule next weekend. I had it shipped to a relative who's really into woodworking. While I was at it, I shipped him cocobolo and rosewood scales and brass rod and tube. He used the cocobolo on the knife at my request, so I'll be picking up the rosewood scales and extra brass to replace those G10 scales (thanks!) on my Elmax. It's a toss up whether I'll use the rosewood or (more likely)a slab of black walnut from my grandfather's shop, it's got a nice looking burl to it. I like a back story on these knives, and maybe one day when I pass them on I can pass the story on as well.

Does anyone know when the next mules will be coming out?

I would imagine that they would be issuing them soon, given that they were really busy the past few weeks planning for the Blade Show. Now that its over, I hope it hits the street soon! I'm in for a couple!

TedP

eitenbuffalo34 wrote:I have a question, how does everyone do this?

Where do you all get the handle scale materials?
Do you do this with power tools (like a dremmel, etc.) or do you use files and sand paper?
How do you put the finish on (wood) or texture for other materials?
What screws/pivots do you all use?
and how do you figure out where the holes in the handle are behind the handle scale so that you can put the screw there?

I am thinking about getting one and trying this all out and just was looking for some advice because the mules on this forum are beautiful, thank you.

..

phillipsted wrote:Hey, the activity on this thread has slowed down a bit lately.

What's everyone working on?

I took the black and gray G-10 scales off since the left and right sides didn't line up (the black and red sections were off). I used blue G-10 and the pivot bolts and screws that you like. Problem is, they sent me the wrong screws, so I went to the local home improvement store and got cap screws. I thought I had everything drilled properly but they were a pain in the aft section. I may remove the screws and either try again or just epoxy and pin them. Will post pix once I'm happy with it.

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A couple of Bike knives for the two dads in my life, my dad rides a GS1200ADV and my father-in-law is a Harley man so I though I'd share my love of Spyderco with them. To all the dad's out there...Here's to hoping your Father's Day weekend is great and safe one. :)


BMW Motorrad inspired: White G10 with racing stripe liners.






...makes me forget about Benchmade (no hating, i'm just sayin'). Black G10 w/ orange liners. H-D sheild inlays.






:spyder:

FeinthundredGS wrote:A couple of Bike knifes for the two dads in my life, my dad rides a GS1200ADV and my father-in-law is a Harley man so I though I'd share my love of Spyderco with them. To all the dad's out there...Here's to hoping your Father's Day weekend is great and safe one. :)


BMW Motorrad inspired: White G10 with racing stripe liners.

...makes me forget about Benchmade (no hating, i'm just sayin'). Black G10 w/ orange liners. H-D sheild inlays.

Welcome to the forum and WOW, you do some great work and really well thought out with the color schemes and handle lines. Keep the pictures coming.

Beautiful job, FeinthundredGS!

And welcome to the Forum!

TedP