I'd like to start by thanking Chad aka Xplorer for seeing this project through to the end, I know he faced and ultimately concurred some real challenges on this project and his work is impeccable as many of us here have already seen. Chad has got to be one of the nicest, generous and humble people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting online. Chad is one of those people who holds themselves to the highest standards and refuses to settle for "good enough" and demonstrated that yet again on this project.
I won't get into the details about how I got Chad to agree to do a set of scales for my 52100 Mule but looking back I'll bet he wishes he hadn't agreed to try what I was proposing :D but he did, mostly because I think Chad likes a challenge. I chose the 52100 mule because I had recently received my first 52100 Military sprint and was blown away by the steel, loved the crazy sharp edge it could take, how easy it is to sharpen and I've always been a sucker for high carbon steel and patina.
I have quit a few Mules and have always gone with off the shelve covers like Halpern or just done cord wraps but always in the back of my mind wanted a nice set of custom covers from someone who knew what they were doing. After seeing and admiring more than a few of Chads master pieces I knew he was the man for the job :cool: and as fate would have it our paths finally crossed and he agreed to help a brother out.
Over the last few years I've become fascinated by copper EDC items and have picked up some nice little pocket items made from Cu and just love the weight and patina that develops over time carrying. I've always thought Cu covers or accents on a mule would just be the coolest thing so I knew I wanted to have Chad work something into these covers. I had originally asked Chad to try some solid Cu bolsters which he was up for the challenge and charged right into, I can only imagine how much time he put into trying to make them work and they almost did until they didn't, so it was decided he would come up with something else. I can't figure out how to paste the picture he sent me of the almost finished bolsters with the sand through, maybe if he comments he can post the picture, I think he was more disappointed than I was. I had faith and knew he would come up with something else, which of course he did.
I wasn't sure what other material I wanted to use with the Cu, Chad of course came to the rescue and showed me a big selection of cover material that might look good and the Ctek was among them. I knew right away that's what I wanted. I've always liked the look of Ctek. At this point I pretty much gave him free rein with the project and knew I could trust him, his craftsmanship and artistic talent. It was a good call because he didn't disappoint, I think it turned out beyond fantastic and fits my hand like it was custom made for it. It has a real nice heft but not too much, feels so incredibly solid and just beautiful and the Kydex sheath he whipped up was just the icing on the cake.
Again Chad, this has got to be the nicest thing anyone has done for me and I will always cherish this Mule and remember the things we talked about and the true meaning behind this piece. It will be a constant reminder of the power of paying it forward and as always, Shiny footprints. :) :spyder:
Again, very nice, it reminds me of an jade Chinese fish.... :rolleyes:
