MT36P – K294 MICROCLEAN Mule Team Dropping Soon!

[elmeringalo]

Today has been very fast. I have taken two directly, without waiting. thanks spy

[kennbr34]

Do these usually sell out? I see a few others from earlier this year still available.

Eventually, yes. The amount of time it takes for a mule to sell out varies widely, based in large part on desirability of the steel, which is in turn affected by hype and buzz. The Magnacut sold out almost immediately. The K294 looks to be a true winner of a steel with its excellent balance of toughness for its very high edge retention range...but nobody's been out there recently, promoting K294 (though Phil Wilson likes it). Given its high initial price and remarkable properties, I think it's going to be a bit of a sleeper steel, probably highly valued once the stock is gone. That the K294 comes quickly on the heels of several previous mules may also slow its sales somewhat.

I've seen other forumites opine that the AEB-L mule is similar...a sleeper steel that will become quite desirable when the stock is depleted.

Of course, this is all conjecture on our parts. But just try to purchase some of the well-regarded steels in by-gone mules and you'll be shocked at how much you have to spend to get one.

It kinda seems like it depends on the hype around the steel. MagnaCut and 15V flew out of stock. I think more people would be clamoring for the K294 if they knew it was basically 10V.

[legOFwhat?]

Do these usually sell out? I see a few others from earlier this year still available.

Eventually, yes. The amount of time it takes for a mule to sell out varies widely, based in large part on desirability of the steel, which is in turn affected by hype and buzz. The Magnacut sold out almost immediately. The K294 looks to be a true winner of a steel with its excellent balance of toughness for its very high edge retention range...but nobody's been out there recently, promoting K294 (though Phil Wilson likes it). Given its high initial price and remarkable properties, I think it's going to be a bit of a sleeper steel, probably highly valued once the stock is gone. That the K294 comes quickly on the heels of several previous mules may also slow its sales somewhat.

I've seen other forumites opine that the AEB-L mule is similar...a sleeper steel that will become quite desirable when the stock is depleted.

Of course, this is all conjecture on our parts. But just try to purchase some of the well-regarded steels in by-gone mules and you'll be shocked at how much you have to spend to get one.

It kinda seems like it depends on the hype around the steel. MagnaCut and 15V flew out of stock. I think more people would be clamoring for the K294 if they knew it was basically 10V.

I think in part that is why the PMA11 sat around for so long and that might be better than this...PD#1 probably suffered for the same reasons.

[RamZar]

[legOFwhat?]

[kennbr34]

It was really tempting not to get a K294 and a T15, but they seem like they'd be so similar that I just couldn't justify it.

Still making up my mind on the AEB-L. Having a super tough, super fine-grained low alloy steel seems like it would be good to compare against high-alloy carbide rich steels, but I still haven't heard official figures on what the HRC of it is and I already have plenty of 1/8" carbon steel blades.

[Wandering_About]

Did my civic duty. Been wanting a 10V class fixed blade of this size so this worked well for me. Even waited until afternoon.

[Deadboxhero]

I still haven't heard official figures on what the HRC of it is

The AEB-L is 62-63 HRC

Which is the highest hardness you'll find in a AEB-L production knife available currently on the market.

[kennbr34]

I still haven't heard official figures on what the HRC of it is

The AEB-L is 62-63 HRC

Which is the highest hardness you'll find in a AEB-L production knife available currently on the market.

Thanks man

[Erion929]

It was really tempting not to get a K294 and a T15, but they seem like they'd be so similar that I just couldn't justify it.

Still making up my mind on the AEB-L. Having a super tough, super fine-grained low alloy steel seems like it would be good to compare against high-alloy carbide rich steels, but I still haven't heard official figures on what the HRC of it is and I already have plenty of 1/8" carbon steel blades.

Same here….got a T15 for my first mule, was all set to get a ‘10V’ in the K294 today. But, I’ve cut like 2 boxes and 1 piece of tape in a month, LOL. I’m a retired city-dweller, why exactly I’m hunting for supersteels is a mystery, and would I even notice a difference in my usage? I could’ve cut those 2 boxes and piece of tape with a D2 folder

Anyway, mules are really cool….glad I got one. However, adding more doesn’t make sense FOR ME . I *wish* I had more uses for them. Now, if they came COMPLETE with handles and sheath for like $120…..

.

[shunsui]

It kinda seems like it depends on the hype around the steel. MagnaCut and 15V flew out of stock. I think more people would be clamoring for the K294 if they knew it was basically 10V.

Yeah, people either didn't buy it, or bought two.

There's been a lot of competition this month to drain people's wallets, so timing might be an issue.

[B12buddy]

K294 is just a more expensive steel.

Remember the MT Maxamet from August 2016 for $109.95 and the MT CPM-S110V from February 2014 for $89.95.

Why is K294 more expensive? It's just a rip off of Crucible's CPM 10V. The R&D cost should be small; just read Crucible's patent from 1978. If I recall, the CPM 15V mule was cheaper and it has 5 more Vs.

[standy99]

Now, if they came COMPLETE with handles and sheath for like $120…..

.

Putting your own handle on them and making your own sheath it’s about the price it costs

Couple of clamps a saw, also a file or two and some sandpaper and epoxy is how I started.

[Erion929]

Now, if they came COMPLETE with handles and sheath for like $120…..

.

Putting your own handle on them and making your own sheath it’s about the price it costs

Couple of clamps a saw, also a file or two and some sandpaper and epoxy is how I started.

Yeah, I’d probably actually like doing it….as a retired dentist, OCD tinkering with my hands and creating shapes is pretty natural. However, between tools, parts, materials, and a tendency to want the best results it may be a rabbit hole I’m not ready to go down
.

[Nathan21]

I purchased a K294 Mule today and am really excited to put some hickory, maple, or walnut wood handles on it. I put hickory handles on the 15V mule I purchased and have really enjoy the experience. Spyderco and BBB did a wonderful job with 15V, I have found it to be very tough considering the hardness.

I used hand files and a small fixed blade to shape my handles. I love the Mules, as it gives you a chance to make the knife your own. I also purchased a leather stealth with each knife and have found it perfect for my EDC around the farmstead.

I would really like to purchase a AEB-L Mule as well. Like so many of you my knife funds are not endless. I have two custom knives I really want to purchase and the AEB-L Mule will hopefully happen in the next 4 weeks.

I want to thank all those who are involved in the making of the Mules!

[Bolster]

Yeah, I’d probably actually like doing it….as a retired dentist, OCD tinkering with my hands and creating shapes is pretty natural. However, between tools, parts, materials, and a tendency to want the best results it may be a rabbit hole I’m not ready to go down
.

Respectfully disagree, doctor! If you have dentistry skills, you would love making complete mules, would be a natural at it, and the tool-up is not large. Achieving the best results is what makes it fun. You maybe won't get there on your first try but you'll enjoy the challenge. If you are OCD like me, make scales that screw in place rather than epoxy--then you can re-do whatever you don't like. Review Xplorer's tutorials in the Mule subforum on how to haft a mule and how to make a Kydex sheath, and have some fun, put your skills to use.

[standy99]

Yeah, I’d probably actually like doing it….as a retired dentist, OCD tinkering with my hands and creating shapes is pretty natural. However, between tools, parts, materials, and a tendency to want the best results it may be a rabbit hole I’m not ready to go down
.

Basically a dentist drill

[Michael Janich]

Dear Nathan21:

Welcome to the Spyderco Forum.

Stay safe,

Mike

[CLOK]

K294 is just a more expensive steel.

Remember the MT Maxamet from August 2016 for $109.95 and the MT CPM-S110V from February 2014 for $89.95.

Why is K294 more expensive? It's just a rip off of Crucible's CPM 10V. The R&D cost should be small; just read Crucible's patent from 1978. If I recall, the CPM 15V mule was cheaper and it has 5 more Vs.

Steel goes from Germany (Bohler K294) to Japan and then to SFO to be sold. So quite a bit of travel. Then factor in time and labor for this material which would be a little more difficult to work with than some other materials (heat treating, sharpening, etc.), and the price adds up.

[elmeringalo]

[/quote]

Putting your own handle on them and making your own sheath it’s about the price it costs

[/quote]

That is assuming that the material of the handle, the cover and the tools are given to you