Has anyone thought of making a Mule Team into a folder?

[cobrajoe]

I keep thinking about the mule team I snagged, and how I never use it. I just don't have use for a non-folder, especially one without a sheath. Instead of spending money on a sheath, I think I'd rather spend the money on making it into a folder that I could carry anywhere.

There is a small hole near the hilt right in the middle of the handle that would work just about perfect for a pivot bolt, and the spydie hole could be used as the opener, even though it is a bit small.

There would need to be a certain amount of craftsmanship though, but a steady hand and a dremel could create the lock surface for a liner lock.

Heck, I even think the shape of the handle could be retained and still cover all the sharpness of the blade, and maybe with a little more design work, use the kick of the handle before the blade as a carson flipper.

I would love to go through all the work to design the conversion, but is it just a crazy thought to begin with?

[butch]

never thought about it that way have one handle and swap folder blades into it

i cant remember what the mule looks lie under it cause the scales have been on that long
but hey who knows it might be possible

[The Mad Mule]

I just saw the word 'mule' on the thread title and I jumped right in. :D

It'd be awesome to have ANY sweet folding knife be called "The Mule." As long as it's a decent pocket-friendly size too.

[Fred Sanford]

I would love to see someone take a Mule Team fixed blade and cut the blade off and make it into a folder. That would be bad as heck.

[cobrajoe]

Well then, I'll start drawing up some plans :D

[butch]

for the blade and handle shapes to work with out real moding
think comp lock or lock back

[cobrajoe]

for the blade and handle shapes to work with out real moding
think comp lock or lock back

I was thinking that the liner lock would be the easiest, I have tried making the lock side for a salsa out of TI, and it didn't end up very well (it would lock, but just barely).

A lock back could work, but it wouldn't be very easy with trying to cut the notch into hardened 52100 steel with any kind of precision, not to mention trying to fashion a lock bar out of a similar hardness material with the same precision.

Right now, I'm planning on doing TI for the lock side (If I have enough), and some 3/16th alum for the non-lock side. I know this isn't very strong, but I don't plan on having any hard work for it, and If I decide to use it that much, I'll look into having some G-10 machined to fit both sides.

[cobrajoe]

My first draft of design looks rather good to me. There was no way to keep the origional thumb ramp when the knife was closed, so instead I placed one of those "humps" like on the back of the Kris for thumb placement. The rest of the handle looks fairly stock, but I had to get creative where the blade meets the handle, and I changed the handle swells a little bit to get all the blade in the handle while keeping it at least as thin as a mili.

A cell pic is attached, it's the mule with the first draft of the mule folder. Remember, this is a first draft, and I haven't even tested the shape in cardboard yet.

[Piercieve]

Looks good. If I only had the tools, I would try it.

[Brad S.]

mmm... Mule ... I need a Mule...

I'm thinking framelock

Lockback would be great, but hardened steel is extremely hard to mill, if not impossible.

[butch]

now all thats left is finding good places fro stop pins and making the handles

looks good so far tho

[rocketbomb]

Joe, you know I will have to see this when you finish it. Looks like an interesting project, hope it turns out well.

[CWO]

Interested. Keep posting your progress!

[dialex]

I keep thinking about the mule team I snagged, and how I never use it. I just don't have use for a non-folder, especially one without a sheath. Instead of spending money on a sheath, I think I'd rather spend the money on making it into a folder that I could carry anywhere.

There is a small hole near the hilt right in the middle of the handle that would work just about perfect for a pivot bolt, and the spydie hole could be used as the opener, even though it is a bit small.

There would need to be a certain amount of craftsmanship though, but a steady hand and a dremel could create the lock surface for a liner lock.

Heck, I even think the shape of the handle could be retained and still cover all the sharpness of the blade, and maybe with a little more design work, use the kick of the handle before the blade as a carson flipper.

I would love to go through all the work to design the conversion, but is it just a crazy thought to begin with?

I was living under the impression Spyderco already made a folding version of it and they named it Calypso jr. :cool:

[cobrajoe]

I was living under the impression Spyderco already made a folding version of it and they named it Calypso jr. :cool:

Aha! I knew I was forgetting something. But then again, I don't think they ever made it with that easily rustable 52100 steel.

Either way, this project has slowed down a little bit, I can't seem to find my Ti sheet. I also have another project that needs to happen soon, so I can't spend too much money on my knives now.

When I get back to it, I'll bet sure to update everybody :D

[cobrajoe]

Well, I guess I changed my mind :p

I still couldn't find my TI, so I decided to go ahead with the project anyways. Instead of a TI frame lock, I'm going with an aluminum scaled brass liner lock. I know it will be nowhere near as strong, but it's much easier to work with, and will still give me a functioning folder. Also going with the extremely cheap-ended mule project I have going, I found some 10-24 screws from a previous project for the pivot bolt and construction bolts. The pivot screw was too large of a diameter to fit in the hole, so I stuck it in the drill press and used files and sand paper to get it to the propper diameter.

I know it's sort of red neck enginered, but its turning out more comfortable than the cardboard model, the "camel hump" on the back really fills out my big hands.

Here are some in progress pics: