Ho hum... non-Magnacut Mule

[RustyIron]

In case anyone still cares about Mules that aren't Magnacut, here's something I finished up today. The blade is Z-Wear PM. The scales are tabebuia wood that I grew from a sapling in my yard. When the tree got too big, I had it removed, but saved some of the wood. I could NOT split it. Impossible. Only then did I get the idea to make stuff out of it. It's hard like a rock, really easy to work with, and it smells like cookies. I think it's pretty, too.

My plan for this knife was to make the scales a little thicker than I normally would, and to make the pins internal. Everything else was pretty much improvised. The finish is some stain and tung oil. I've never before used authentic tung oil, but natural finishes intrigue me.

The edge is nice, but I'll probably touch it up some before I carry the knife.

[Fireman]

Well done and nice growing your own scales.

[Xayaza]

That is a great looking mule, I like the internal pins and wood is always classy. Smells like cookies too? win-win lol

[TomAiello]

Love the internal pin look. Nice work!

[Capt'n Boatsalot]

Man, great looking Mule. I especially dig that you grew your own scales. How cool is that?
And smells like cookies too?
Honestly, I really enjoy my Z-Max Mule. It has better toughness and corrosion resistance in my uses than I expected.

[LakeOconee]

Yes, absolutely first class!

[standy99]

Nice looking Mule. Well done

[sal]

Hi RustyIron,

Thanx much for sharing. Beautiful piece. Talkin' Story is appreciated.

sal

[ladybug93]

very nice!

[archangel]

Handsome indeed. Well done, and thanks for sharing!

Internal pins, how does this work? Are the two scale sides glued to each other?

Hmmm... cookies........

[The Meat man]

Nice work!

[RustyIron]

Internal pins, how does this work? Are the two scale sides glued to each other?

First, make the pins short enough that there is no chance they'll peek through to the outside when you're doing the finish shaping and sanding. Drill the scales exact, to match the blade. Everything is held together with Loctite 326. I've found it to be a really good product for this application. I would expect it to be holding together for the life of whoever gets the knife when I'm gone. And yeah, cookies. A few hours after I was roughing the scales, a friend came over, and the first thing out of her mouth was, "Wow, it smells really good in here."

[JRinFL]

That looks fantastic.

[archangel]

Internal pins, how does this work? Are the two scale sides glued to each other?

First, make the pins short enough that there is no chance they'll peek through to the outside when you're doing the finish shaping and sanding. Drill the scales exact, to match the blade. Everything is held together with Loctite 326. I've found it to be a really good product for this application. I would expect it to be holding together for the life of whoever gets the knife when I'm gone. And yeah, cookies. A few hours after I was roughing the scales, a friend came over, and the first thing out of her mouth was, "Wow, it smells really good in here."

Thanks for the explanation. Really great result. You can be proud of your work.

[FullScaler]

Very nice, I really dig the hidden pins. Makes for a real clean look.

[Manixguy@1994]

Ho Hum ? Must say that Mule is probably one of the the most beautiful I have ever seen posted . I like the grain in the wood uninterrupted by pins , nice touch . Hope to see another creation by you in the future. MG2

[Senfkarte]

This looks just fantastic. Like the dark wood and the no visible pin construction. These scales and a nice natural patina will work great together.

[Bolster]

The wood looks to me like a very straight grained black walnut, nice. I like how you tapered the forward part of the scales. Strong work. Double points for using your own wood!

[Ramonade]

Beautiful grain on beautiful scales !

[legOFwhat?]

Gorgeous Rusty, just gorgeous! I thought black walnut too.