Want to build Mule-need materials

[tanrichguy]

Hi Guys,

I'm going to throw down for the new Mule today. This wil be my first "arts & crafts" project.

Before I get too deep into this post-I suck at searching this forum. I've tried to find the answers for an hour now. Please accept my appologies for the next questions:

I'm trying to decide between G10, micarta, and stabilized wood for the handles. Also thinking about brass pins vs. Torx screws vs. those fancy pins, etc.

I seem to be able to find the stab. wood blanks online but I can't find G10 or micarta vendors and forget about those fancy pins!

Can anyone help, or steer me to the post(s) that must surely exist?

Thanks guys. I've been brainstorming for the last little while and actually psyching myself up for
this. It's gonna be really cool.

Cheers!

[THG]

This place has a lot of stuff:
http://www.usaknifemaker.com/store/

[potterma]

Also try:

http://www.alphaknifesupply.com

http://www.masecraftsupply.com

http://www.texasknife.com

[cckw]

the fancy pins are called "mosaic pins'

[jabba359]

I got my mosaic pins from Jake Knife. He shipped fast, has good prices, and the quality was excellent.

As for wood, I like stabilized wood (as opposed to the non-stabilized variety). Since it is injected with a polymer, it doesn't expand/contract with moisture, is resistant to cracking, and usually has great color, all while retaining the easy workability of regular wood.

For actual construction, I used this excellent tutorial as a general guide.

[tanrichguy]

Thanks for the links guys! I'll check it all out tonight.

Jabba: I'm thinking the stabilized wood is going to be my choice. I like the ease of working it and can be quite beautiful. I'll let y'all know when I decide..

Thanks!

[dsmegst]

Be safe and wear a respirator. :)

I've used http://www.halperntitanium.com/ for G10 slabs.

[rodloos]

Don't forget the blog put together by our own David Marion Poff; contains photos and lots of helpful links: http://muleprojects.blogspot.com/

[anti-torsion]

Another good place is http://www.jantzsupply.com

They have a catalog you can look through as a PDF... bit easier than clicking on link after link.. at least for me :)

Feel free to shoot me a PM if you have more specific questions.

[FIMS]

TRG,

The members here posted before I could respond to your PM.

Get the material and forge away.

Post pics when done.

[tanrichguy]

@ FIMS: no worries. Didn't really want to bother you and figured more heads are better than one :)

@dsmegst: I actually have some experience working with composites in aviation so I've got pretty decent PPE but it's always good to remind people of the danger of inhaling dust from comps.

@ anti-torsion: thanks! I might take you up on your offer if I hit a snaggle.

I'm going to take my time in design and collecting the necessary materials. I really want this to be a collectors-type piece so that I can display it in a place of honor. I will surely keep you guys updated.

Oh! You know what I was thinking? Having an image laser etched into the blade and/or handle material. What do you think? Just one more thing to figure out...

[HistoricalMan]

http://www.knifekits.com/ usually has some excellent stuff.

[The Deacon]

@dsmegst: I actually have some experience working with composites in aviation so I've got pretty decent PPE but it's always good to remind people of the danger of inhaling dust from comps.

Just remember that it's not just composites you need to take precautions with. Natural materials are not without danger. Some of the exotic woods used for scales can be a lung irritant, as can bone dust. Some woods can also trigger allergic reactions in some people. While not as common, or as severe as, allergic reaction to poison ivy, it is similar. And, folks tend to forget that stabilized wood is, for all intents and purposes, a composite.

[tanrichguy]

Just remember that it's not just composites you need to take precautions with. Natural materials are not without danger. Some of the exotic woods used for scales can be a lung irritant, as can bone dust. Some woods can also trigger allergic reactions in some people. While not as common, or as severe as, allergic reaction to poison ivy, it is similar. And, folks tend to forget that stabilized wood is, for all intents and purposes, a composite.

An excellent point and you are absolutely correct.

[Bushbadger]

You could also give fleabay a look. I've done quite a few rescales with G10 and usually buy it from an ebay seller called canmanstan. You'll also find plenty of stabilized wood and micarta on ebay too, plus mosaic pins, rivets etc...

[Ed Schempp]

Sheffield Knife supply has some nice burgundy linen micarta. G-10 has some nasty residue with the fiberglass in the material. Carbon fiber is also a nasty material. If you are not going to do much shaping then you will not generate that much dust; but whatever you generate with these materials should be vacuumed up when you are finished.

If you are using wood cut oversized and let set close to shape for a few days, let the shrinkage happen.

Shoe repair shops usually have neoprene rubber available. Glue one side onto the knife and back drill through the tang with a dremel or very high speed drill with 1/8 inch bit. Glue on the second side and back drill through the handle holes. Thread 1/8 inch o-ring material through the holes, (you have to taper the o-ring material about one inch to be able to thread through the holes). When you have threaded all but about one inch of material through the hole, then coat the o-ring material with super glue, stretch the rubber and wick the super glue into the hole and pull all but 1/4 of the rubber through. Cut off the excess and repeat for all drilled holes. O-ring material is available through auto parts dealers. This material grinds fairly easily for shaping and makes a very user friendly handle...Take care...Ed

[tanrichguy]

Hi Ed!

Thanks for your ideas. I like the look of micarta when it is sanded and shaped so you can see the layering pattern come through.

After some fooling around I'm thinking about using a stabilized wood with a contrasting liner color and some nice nickel pins if I can find them. How does that sound?

[ChapmanPreferred]

Sounds good to me.

[tanrichguy]

Ok, so update #1:

I bought a block of blue spalted quilted maple stabilized wood today from a company in Canada. Reasonably priced and quite beautiful. When I receive it I'll post pictures.

More updates to follow...

[tanrichguy]

Update #2:

So I called Spyderco to order the new mule but as I live in NY and there's this nasty business going on in NYC with the DA there they won't ship it to me.

So my project is on indefinite hold.

Unless one of you would be willing to allow me to ship the knife to you (outside NY), then forward it to me. I would of course cover all shipping charges. I would also be eternally grateful.