10,000 Mules?

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xdshooter

Joined
Apr 18, 2007
Messages
382
What if the production of the next Mule Team knife were significantly increased? Instead of selling out in 2 weeks, what if Sal could somehow make the knife for the better part of the year? Or run enough to last a while anyway. Just wondering here, as I know I will buy just two. Could there be (more of) a cult following? How many of you would have bought 10? Given the prices commanded recently, could increasing production be extremely detrimental to the scarcity?

Food for thought.
 
The unmodified asking price on Ebay has been $80-$120, with scales the prices have shown up as high as $180.
 
I'm glad they sold out, but it seems they've been snapped up by collectors rather then by people who will give performance reviews.
 
There were a number of factors that contributed to the first Mule selling out so fast.

One was that as a new model, a third of the total were set aside for the Collector's Club (200 out of 600). That most likely won't happen again, as the CC members were allowed to opt out of future Mules, and some are not interested.

Another factor was the price. Face it, a lot of people weren't interested until they heard that number, then they had to have a couple. Future pieces may be a lot higher, depending on the cost of the steel and machining. If the first Mule had been $139.95, how fast do you think they would have sold out?

Now that we have convinced Sal that we are serious about the project, future runs may be larger, but I'd rather see 600 to 1000 of each steel than 10,000 of one steel. That kind of production is no longer a Mule, it is just a knife kit blade. Make it out of VG-10, call it the SpyderKit and put it in the catalog. I'm more interested in trying new steels than putting handles on blades and selling them at a profit.

I also think those asking prices are highway robbery, but if someone wants to pay $120 for a $40 blade...well, it's their money. I can think of worse things to spend it on.
 
Problem is, if you flood the market, the collectors will lose interest, since the potentiial to make a profit has been reduced or eliminated. That will leave the couple dozen "steel buffs", some customizers who can make their profit on scales and sheaths, and a whole bunch of unsold mules.

Paul
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The Deacon said:
Problem is, if you flood the market, the collectors will lose interest, since the potential to make a profit has been reduced or eliminated. That will leave the couple dozen "steel buffs", some customizers who can make their profit on scales and sheaths, and a whole bunch of unsold mules.
Paul
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While this is true that was the point to the MULE at least to my understanding that it was not a collectors model. It was meant to be used & abused in the real world by steel people and reviewed. And with that in mind the size of the run would have fit well.
 
HOw many use and abuse reports have we seen so far? I've only seen collector's gleefully displaying exotic woods and various fine plastics on their knives.
 
I think it is in Spyderco's best interest to underproduce each model of Mule instead of meet and overwhelm demand. To have an overproduction of Mules sitting on shelves can only be harmful.

As for me, my Mule is finally making its way back from the shop after a bit of a materials fiasco and will begin to see (ab)use the day it arrives. I intend to do my part. It's the least I can do for my favorite knife company.
 
jaislandboy said:
watchewtalkinbout "gleefully" zen :confused::D

cumarumu002.jpg
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Very, very nice. I see you left that little "tit" exposed on the end of the handle..... somewhat like a "skull crusher". Sweet.

Did you do the work ? It looks great.

Details please... ???? :) ..... or PM them to me if you don't mind. Things such as wood & who did it & will they do more .......:D

Later....... :thumbup:
 
As mentioned the whole point was to test steels and get reports, the point was not collecting. I've only seen one test report so far, ONE. And how many pictures have you seen with pretty handles? LOTS.

I'm glad they sold and spyderco wasn't stuck with them, but it seems that the original concept, sold as a test bed, was a failure.

On the plus side, maybe there is room for inexpensive kit blades as a regular offering.
 
zenheretic said:
HOw many use and abuse reports have we seen so far? I've only seen collector's gleefully displaying exotic woods and various fine plastics on their knives.
Click to expand...

I hear what you are saying zen....... I just don't see anything "wrong" with guys being excited about dressing up their MULES and then being "gleefull" when they show them off.

I kinda envy their enthusiasm if you get right down to it...... :thumbup:
Being an "old fart" myself it inspired me to have something done to mine.
Maroon Micarta & Madisgascar Ebony..... they do look good also. I'll post a pic of them sometime too when I get someone to take it and show me how....:D

BUT, as for the testing..... the use and abuse....... it will come, be patient man..... let the initial "high" run it course.... don't try to rain on the parade.

TO ME..... it will be much more "scientific" in the use and abise trials to have two or three MULES of different steels laying on the table at the same time and do the exact same thing to each one.

Say.....
1. Cut 150 feet of cardboard
2. Whittle a 2x2 to a point
3. Chop a 2x2 in half
4. Cut 100 cuts of 3/4 inch sisal rope

This is just an example..... add or subtract what you wish. BUT keep it the same for each knife. And keep each "test" knife unused until the test.

This IMO will tell us something rather than just random whatever....... I can tell you the one I am using cuts like a champ .... BUT, what does that really tells us ??? ..... NOTHING......;)

TO ME ... this is all much easier to do and keep up with when one has several MULES of different steels to do at the same time.

SURE, their will be no instant gratification of use and abuse results right now...... but who cares ????? It will be worth the wait in the long run....:thumbup:
 
I was lucky enough to snatch one (1) up when on sale from Spyderco. I think I paid $42.00 or right around there. "Raythebigfoot" put some Beautiful scales on it for me and it has become the favorite household kitchen knife. I plan on attempting to purcahse one (1) of each of the following in the series. I do not understand the hoarding that some do then never use them. I for one use every knife I own and I have some very nice pieces. But that is just me. I'm sure it's a catch-22 for the manufactuers to limit the amount of knives any one individual can purchase but it seems it's that way with most of them. Try and get something new from Scrapyard or Busse. I for one do not have the time to sit on the PC all day click refresh and I am not well known enough for the ones who can to drop me line when they hear of special items up for sale. I have purchased a few items here in the Exchange for a mere couple of bucks over the manufactuer price so I am grateful for that. I have also purchased a couple of pieces on the Bay for well over the actual cost but it was my decision to make. What are you going to do????? Well got to go, need to Refresh my Spyderco Page.....
 
zenheretic said:
HOw many use and abuse reports have we seen so far? I've only seen collector's gleefully displaying exotic woods and various fine plastics on their knives.
Click to expand...

DaveH said:
As mentioned the whole point was to test steels and get reports, the point was not collecting. I've only seen one test report so far, ONE. And how many pictures have you seen with pretty handles? LOTS.

I'm glad they sold and spyderco wasn't stuck with them, but it seems that the original concept, sold as a test bed, was a failure.

On the plus side, maybe there is room for inexpensive kit blades as a regular offering.
Click to expand...

Dave H, I have quoted you above. I have made one sentence BIG, BOLD & BLUE

Dave...... all I can say about what you have said there is that it is a load of CRAP that would have been better left unsaid.

In fact... why would you even say it ? .... a failure ....
---------------------

To both zen & DaveH....

Did you each participate in the MULE TEAM PROJECT by getting a MULE yourself ?
Come on guys .... Yes or No

IF Yes, where is your use and abuse report ?

IF No, why are you trying to sidetrack something you have no part in. You DO NOT have a "dog in the hunt" so to speak.
As far as I am concerned your commentary is unwelcome and unwanted.

Why in the world would you try to condemn these young guys for being excited about what they are doing to & with their knives by your commentary & subtle sly remarks.
It is beyond me......... have ya'll got too much time on your hands ???

I hope you each answer the question about whether you bought one or not.

DaveH.... I think I asked you this question a while back in another thread...... I hope you answer it this time............

Just the .02 of an "old fart"....... Not mad or no hard feelings....... but give us some answers guys....... please ...... ;)

***********************
PS/ Here you go DaveH.... I knew I had asked you this question before, here is a link......
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=526826
Go to post #33.... I asked you this about 6 weeks ago..... you probably just missed it.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
 
If there were more of them, folks would be more likely to use them. As the project continues, you may see more use. Now however, many are being treated as rare birds, being handled with much skill & care & relegated to the showcase.
 
Teacher, I for one do not think the Mule Team is a failure. However, that is not to say I believe it to be exactly what us steel junkies thought it would be. I guess the original request for interest was problem, or the dichotomy between that and what followed. I commend Sal for doing such a project, but there has not been an official request for usage reports. When the project was announced, the forum members thought their exclusivity would be a trade off for reported usage. IE, the crew in Colorado makes a list of those interested, sells them the knife (before putting it on the website) and in exchange those who bought the knife would be ASKED to report back. We thought this would be the process, yet maybe we thought too much. You know what they say about assuming.

Once again, I do intend to buy all the Mules, and would/will report on how each steel performs. In that sense, the project is a great thing. However, with the current process of selling Mules to the first 300 (approx) people who visit the website, I can't help but wish for a higher production run, hence the 10,000 number I threw out there. In other words, I don't care about the exclusivity, I want to be sure as a steel junkie that I have a chance to sample these extremely affordable examples.
 
Producing large numbers of knives to sell at cost plus a small mark-up is not the way to make your company a financial success. Producing a limited number of reasonably priced blades to let people try out various steels can be an innovative marketing tool.

The Mule Team Project can't be all things to all people! Sal seems happy to let people get what they want out of it - be it comparative testing or custom handle making and application.

I'm just happy that Sal has started this project and I hope the economics and interest allow him to continue it. I'm sure if the project becomes a focus of acrimony on the Forum it's future could be adversely affected. Let's not let that happen!
 
xdshooter,

I don't have any problem with anything you said man.... I hope it did not come across that I did ????

I am with you.... I am gonna buy them all no matter what the steel. I'd pay upfront for them all.... but that is another story... not for here. It has been discussed already....:D

Like you.....I just want to get my hands on them and not miss out.....

My "problem" is what I have mentioned....... people who probably have not even bought one calling the Project a failure, running down... in subtle ways..... the guys who are proud of what they have done to theirs...... and yeah, it is probably the younger guys that have the most excitement about that.

I think that is great....... so why do some feel the need to have diarrhea of the mouth about that..... seemingly with disaproval...... Beats me ????

As far as testing..... the results will come will come. For me, as I have mentioned already...... that will be much better done when I have two or three MULES of different steels to do at the same time..... that way there is something to compare.

As far as the other things you said about the assumptions .... I hear you ????
I have no answers except the ball is in the court of SPYDERCO to do it hewever they wish. I just appreciate the opportunity to be in the game.... so to speak.......:thumbup: ;)
 
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