Spyderco Forums

I sure hope so. I'd love to get my hands on something I could test, use, sharpen and use. Are you listening Spyderco?

Hi Jmj3esq,

Aren't we always listening?

I'm afraid I will leave that information to Kristi.

But I will say that I've been using one for months in a Mule Team format for a variety of cutting chores, and I've been quite impressed. Thank You Larrin. Thank you Crucible.

Something about patience being some sort of a virtue?

sal

Guys, I think Sal is saying here, good things come to those who wait!

Very nice! Thanks Sal!

I’m usually very patient but when it comes to super steels, tool steels, and new steels dropping online I seem to have zero. It’s like knowing what you’re getting for your birthday and it’s exactly what you want but time has mysteriously slowed down. Appreciate the updates.

How are the new Mule releases announced?

Mully wrote: ↑

Wed May 07, 2025 11:29 am

How are the new Mule releases announced?

Hi, Mully:
Welcome to our forum. New Mule Team models are announced in our New Product Reveals initially. Once we're closer to the date they start shipping, we'll post an announcement here and on our social media platforms. Typically, we give 1-2 weeks' notice of the day and time they'll go live on our website.

I hope this helps.

Kristi

TazKristi wrote: ↑

Wed May 07, 2025 1:36 pm

Mully wrote: ↑

Wed May 07, 2025 11:29 am

How are the new Mule releases announced?

Hi, Mully:
Welcome to our forum. New Mule Team models are announced in our New Product Reveals initially. Once we're closer to the date they start shipping, we'll post an announcement here and on our social media platforms. Typically, we give 1-2 weeks' notice of the day and time they'll go live on our website.

I hope this helps.

Kristi

Thanks Kristi!

Customs have been way more annoying as of late but I'll definitely buy a MagnaMax (even if stamped Proto-X) Mule ! I'm sure I'll finda friend to buy 2 with and ship to France. If it behaves like K390 it's a total win in my book !

Youtuber "Ericasedc" is currently testing Magnamax and has posted a few videos on it.

[googlevideo][/googlevideo]

Bring on the honing and let's see and hear this. I like to listen to my knives on the hone. I have acquired an ear to know how well the steel is on the hone by just listening to how it sharpens...

For instance, I have a M398 Mule that is the hardest blade I have had on my hone, it's almost like pure tungsten to sharpen lol.

I'm in! Take my money!

From what I have seen, this alloy would be very fun to test. Im dedicating the next few months into kitchen knife testing which should keep me occupied in the meantime.

so I have a weird question... does Spyderco have any issues with Pete's (of the Cedric and Ada youtube channel) edge retention testing results?

Reason I ask is that per Pete's Mule spreadsheet, MagnaCUT (not Magnamax) is already more edge retentive than K390. Yes I know his results differ from others. But the beauty of that particular graph is that they are steels all at 17 degree polished edge, all Mule Team blade geometry, and all HT by Spyderco. So when Magnacut outcuts K390 in sisal rope cutting that tells me that MagnaCUT done well holds a cutting edge longer than K390 done well... already. And is a stainless K390, already.

Anyway, when I post that MagnaCUT is already a MORE edge retentive, stainless K390 on Erica's youtube channel in the vid discussing "is MagnaMax a stainless K390", it has been erased three different times... unless I screwed up, but I don't think I did. Reason I ask is what is the point of MagnaMAX if MagnaCUT is already an edge retention champion... which should be rated 8 rather than 5 in Larrin's steel rating tables if Pete's tests are to mean anything.

Hi DunninLA,

I have no problems with Pete and I've watched a number of his tests. In fact we'll be sending him one of the MagnaMax Mules on which to do his tests. His tests on Gabe's "dual grit" edges is also fascinating.

I think my approach to blade steels might be somewhat different than most. To my thinking, blade steels are like humans, all different, and not only different, but different in different areas. I try to take all of the "Testing" and put it into my little bag of thought. I don't think that there is any end all and be all source. As an example, a person may be really skilled at one thing and ignorant in others. I purchased a CATRA machine decade ago to try to get some consistent input on edge retention. We also do our own testing on corrosion. Pete's cutting tope is another method, Erica's "Beat it up in Real World Testing is another". Dr. Larrin's brilliant calculations and testing another. "No best, All good, just different", and it all goes into my little bag of thought towards blade steels.

There are so many variables on human's oldest tool, "the Edge", Add up the variables, sprinkle in some technology, evolution, and time, and conclusions become even harder to categorize.

My own personal testing doesn't always agree with the conclusions of others. It's like with Mule Teams, I chase it down, build it, and provide it for any and all to test. I respect all of those that test and really appreciate that they will take the time and extend the energy to bother to test and share their conclusions. That's how we learn and get to stand on the shoulders of others so we can see farther.

I think it time, we will all learn the plusses and minuses of Dr. Larrin's inventions and use them where we feel they will perform best and serve us best.

One of my mentors, a nautical engineer and designer, Mr. Richard Newick, said, "You have to exceed the limit to find the limit". Wise words.

sal
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"Continual improvement is out evolutionary obligation to humankind".

Sal,

Have you guys done any destructive test on the Mules, far as like blade shear strength tests to the point they do in fact actually break or snap into, both directions?

Hi Jeb,

We haven't, but maybe others have? Destructive tests can be dangerous. When we break things like blades or locks on our breaking machine, he hide behind a protective shield. We also take photos of the break.

The Mule Team design was created to be a "basic" cutting tool made from a particular blade steel for all of the "Steel Junky's" and "Edge Junkies" to do what they will.

I would like to set up some kind of a test to use pressure to test edge stability, but haven't come up with an effective way yet. There are many variables beside steel type; thicknesses, edge angles, grits, etc.

sal

DunninLA wrote: ↑

Mon May 12, 2025 7:34 pm

so I have a weird question... does Spyderco have any issues with Pete's (of the Cedric and Ada youtube channel) edge retention testing results?

Reason I ask is that per Pete's Mule spreadsheet, MagnaCUT (not Magnamax) is already more edge retentive than K390. Yes I know his results differ from others. But the beauty of that particular graph is that they are steels all at 17 degree polished edge, all Mule Team blade geometry, and all HT by Spyderco. So when Magnacut outcuts K390 in sisal rope cutting that tells me that MagnaCUT done well holds a cutting edge longer than K390 done well... already. And is a stainless K390, already.

Anyway, when I post that MagnaCUT is already a MORE edge retentive, stainless K390 on Erica's youtube channel in the vid discussing "is MagnaMax a stainless K390", it has been erased three different times... unless I screwed up, but I don't think I did. Reason I ask is what is the point of MagnaMAX if MagnaCUT is already an edge retention champion... which should be rated 8 rather than 5 in Larrin's steel rating tables if Pete's tests are to mean anything.

Pete's tests aren't testing purely wear resistance but a mix of that and edge stability (smacking the cutting board after every cut) and possibly some other factors.

Additionally if You look at his data his results trend upwards with time for most steels (better sharpening skill, abrasives etc?) and the K390 tests are 3-4 years older than all the MagnaCut stuff.

Maybe he could do an updated test comparing the three steels (both Magna's and K390) just to see how that changed.

He's going to need an arm brace and a mile of rope to test the Magnas and K390. That would definitely be a long and interesting showdown of steel vs sisal rope!

Hi Ryan,

Welcome to our forum.

sal