6" Mule discussion.

[sal]

There is a previous thread about a larger Mule Team that ended up with some prototypes being made and tested.. Thanx Al. There seems to be some interest in this being a larger version available. So with that thought in mind, I'm trying to determine if there is a path for a larger, 6" blade version of the prototypes. I've also been using one daily, so there is more input.

Al had mentioned testing the original shape and then cutting a straight spine, with a swedge and testing the blade again. I think I like the straight spine and swedge better as it will be lighter and have less friction in "all-the-way-through" cuts.

I've heard mentioned of a larger handle; 1/2" longer, 1' longer? Folks like Vivi and some of Al's co-workers have larger hands. This would mean that we might not have handles for it, but I believe that Halpern or some other maker could help provide handles. Also a lot of you are very good at making handle.

I was thinking to deliver the sharpened blank, like the Mule Team, no sheath no scales.

I spoke with Eric about it and he feels it would not mess up the factory much to do a run. Don't know how many to make? Plain edge only. Consumer direct like the Mule Team. Will there be enough demand to deliver the run? would there be enough demand for a second run?

What steel would be the best choice?

So Whaddayouthink?

sal

[Ramonade]

I'm having big trouble ordering from the website as of late, I've e-mailed the customer service, hoping they can fix the "adresse must be in english" issue i'm encountering.

If it's fixed, I'll definitely buy one. Sharpened blank is the best way to go for me, let's me be creative and drives the price down. As far as the steel goes, why not AEB-L with the same treatment as the Mule, or K294 ? Any steel would do of course.

ETA : seems like removing any signs that aren't in the english language would do the trick, Imma try to order the VGXEOS tomorrow.

[Jeb]

Big Sal,

Sounds awesome to me, I love the larger knives lol. The steel, my taste may be kind of picky, I really like the new MagnaMax and MagnaCut. But to get larger blades, man I would not be so picky. Throw us a bone and I am on it... I want two to go please...

I do like the G10 scales that you guys make for the MT's, they could be a little bigger but they do work. I am not so setup to make any killer scales from G10 or any kind of antler or horns, but I might have to chew something out lol.

[RustyIron]

Al had mentioned testing the original shape and then cutting a straight spine, with a swedge

I've heard mentioned of a larger handle; 1/2" longer, 1' longer?

Yes, you can put me down in the "definite buy column." Although I like the curved spine on the existing Mules, a straight spine and swedge sound like good ideas for the longer blade.

The current Mule fits my size 10.5 XL hands just fine. Adding an inch seems as if it might be oddly unproportionate, but maybe it would look ok if it was sitting here in front of me.

I'm prefer to make my own scales out of wood. I get a great deal of satisfaction from using a knife where I have time invested. It would be cool to give folks a nudge in that direction, but some will always be averse to the dirty hands-on experience. Nowadays a lot of folks do 3D printing. Creating a file that perfectly defines the curvature of the handle seems like the most daunting hurdle. Is it possible to put into the pubic domain a file that defines the shape of the handle that the 3D guys can use?

[horzuff]

I would jump on one. Either Magna would be cool, but most modern PM steels would be fine. I'd prefer if there was at least a tiny bit of curvature/drop to the spine of the blade but maybe less than in the current prototypes would be fine.

Keep the project the same otherwise, so just a sharpened blade, sans sheath and scales

[vivi]

I'm very excited to try out one of these as a general utility & outdoors knife.

As far as the handle goes I would appreciate an extra half inch of handle.

The current Mule handle is just big enough to fit my grip, but for me there isn't enough distance between the thumb ramp and where my index finger grips to place my thumb on the spine comfortably.

picture for reference:



On a small EDC fixed blade I appreciate the most compact handle possible while maintaining a full grip, like the street beat. On a larger knife I'll be primarily using for outdoors work, I'd rather have extra space to accomodate gloved hands.

Sal, any thoughts on which steel will be used first? I'll be picking one up regardless of the steel selection, but I have to admit I'm curious.

[SteveMidwest]

This is quite interesting Sal, and to my mind, out of left field, for sure.

So we are talking about a 10.25" - 10.75"+ oal MuleMax knife then, correct?

My first thoughts.

That size is out of the EDC realm for most.
That length would likely want to be a bit thicker too, according to Spyderco, correct?
I personally do not like the straight spine Mule.
I personally do not want a swedge on one of my work blades. I often use the spine to scrape.

So this one as described, would not be for me.

Speaking of steel choice for this one. Are we not at a point where our choices have been greatly reduced, and it's more like "what do we have left to choose from"? - If it's going to be this big, and even though it is not for me, and given our limited steel choices (if ordering in new sheets) I'd personally have to pick M4.

I am sooo perfectly happy, and satisfied with my 8" oal Enuff 2 in K390. That is as big of an EDC fixed blade as I will ever need, except when I go camping, which of course is not every day, and then I would move up to a camping knife, something like my Tops Knives Pasayten Lite Traveler with a 5" x 0.158" thick 154CM blade, W-872, 10.187" oal.

[Steelearner]

I'm having big trouble ordering from the website as of late, I've e-mailed the customer service, hoping they can fix the "adresse must be in english" issue i'm encountering.

If it's fixed, I'll definitely buy one. Sharpened blank is the best way to go for me, let's me be creative and drives the price down. As far as the steel goes, why not AEB-L with the same treatment as the Mule, or K294 ? Any steel would do of course.

ETA : seems like removing any signs that aren't in the english language would do the trick, Imma try to order the VGXEOS tomorrow.

I saw your post about the problem with the English adress. I was only the accents you should wright "e" and not "é" in your address. It was I did for the black Friday sales online.

[Steelearner]

I would buy one for sure with a curve spine. It could be in something like vanadis 8 or cpm 3v but magnamax will be the top.

[Ramonade]

I saw your post about the problem with the English adress. I was only the accents you should wright "e" and not "é" in your address. It was I did for the black Friday sales online.

Thanks much, found it was an "â" that should be replaced by a simple "a". But I'm kinda kicking myself for not finding out sooner, I even e-mailed customer service 2 days ago lol.

Such a relief !

[standy99]

Hi SAL

I would be interested in a larger XL Mule
(Put me down for 2)

NO SWEDGE.

Steel would have to be something that you could see a patina on over time for my preference……(someone above mentioned M4 and that’s dream steel for me)

[bob-atlatl]

XL mule sounds good to me.
MagnaCut, MagnaMax or SPY27 would tempt me into at least a couple.

[yablanowitz]

Although it would not be my preference, I'd say MagnaCut would be the best choice if the goal is to sell a bunch of them. I also think the handle could stand to be a half-inch longer, but my hands are on a par with Vivi's. Straight spine doesn't really appeal to me, I could reshape a leaf blade to whatever I desired but I can't add material to a straight spine. No sheaths, no scales, no problem for me.

[sal]

Well, still gauging interest, but it looks like the straight spine and swedges are out. That makes it easier, but TBH, doesn't look like enough interest, but we'll see?

sal

[Ramonade]

I'd like the straight spine if it had a swedge indeed. Otherwise I don't really see the point, I used the SPY27 Mule a lot, the tip is more piercing but that isn't much different from the basic Mule in my experience.

Though, straight spine and swedge might be both cool to look at and funnier in cutting tasks.

[Mk-211]

Put me down for a XL Mule.

Bigger blade and handle would be nice, for those of us with big paws.

I know everyone wants one in Magna... how about AEB-L or Pops Procut?

I'm in the no swedge camp.

[catfish333]

I think a larger mule is a great idea. Curved spine and MagnaCut or M4 would be great. I would definitely purchase either of these/

[Shagnasty]

YES ! I would be in for these for sure. Thanks

[Ramonade]

For now, AEB-L and M4 are the steels I would see as more fitting ! I love K390 and K294 is close to it, but M4 is just as good.

[Jeb]

Big Sal,

With the lack of interest and all, which really surprises me; you think maybe that everyone is doing the Christmas thing right now?

Regardless, if you make a run of these and do it the cheapest way, just get us the bigger blade, would it be cheaper and more easy if you guys make the grip the same as the grip we have now on the Mule?

It would be less change to run out these with the same grip area of the current Mule... would also make it easier to use the G10 scale kit you offer.

Then, what number do you need to see for this to happen? You need to make a run of a 500 of these or more, what would be the minimum amount to make a run in these, for it to make your plant time work?