Got my M4 mule and....

S

Sevorius

Joined
Dec 28, 2007
Messages
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I'm considering what to do about a handle. I'm no craftsman and have no extra cash at the moment to have someone make some handle slabs for it. I know cord wrapping is cheap and effective but for some reason I'm just not really into it. I started looking at tool dips and various spray on treatments and some glock-like gun coatings when a thought came to me. Like a lot of people I have a truck with a spray on bed lining, the thing is grippy and tough as hell. What I'm wondering is if anyone has tried coating any of their knives or tools with a spray on liner? Rhino Liners website shows this stuff being used on all kinds of surfaces from metals and truck beds to fiberglass boats, wooden speaker boxes and concrete floors. Have any of you guys applied this stuff yourself? Whats it like to work with? My truck came with it so I have no clue what I would be getting into, but I'm hoping I can find a product that I could simply dip the handle of the knife into and let it dry. I was thinking of filling in all the pre-drilled holes except the bottom lanyard with epoxy, then dipping the handle in the bedliner. Maybe i could do a few coats to build up the thickness? anyway just a thought, what do you guys think?
 
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Sevorius said:
I'm considering what to do about a handle. I'm no craftsman and have no extra cash at the moment to have someone make some handle slabs for it. I know cord wrapping is cheap and effective but for some reason I'm just not really into it. I started looking at tool dips and various spray on treatments and some glock-like gun coatings when a thought came to me. Like a lot of people I have a truck with a spray on bed lining, the thing is grippy and tough as hell. What I'm wondering is if anyone has tried coating any of their knives or tools with a spray on liner? Rhino Liners website shows this stuff being used on all kinds of surfaces from metals and truck beds to fiberglass boats, wooden speaker boxes and concrete floors. Have any of you guys applied this stuff yourself? Whats it like to work with? My truck came with it so I have no clue what I would be getting into, but I'm hoping I can find a product that I could simply dip the handle of the knife into and let it dry. I was thinking of filling in all the pre-drilled holes except the bottom lanyard with epoxy, then dipping the handle in the bedliner. Maybe i could do a few coats to build up the thickness? anyway just a thought, what do you guys think?
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I guess you could use plastidip of some kind for the handle. Probably would work fine. No idea about Rhino lining, although there are some similar home kits for that type stuff. Might not come in a conveniently sized package though.
 
Yeah I found some articles about a product called Herculiner that is similar to rhino but it is brushed on, the comments about it were generally quite good, I'm gonna see if I can pick some up online and test it out on some old ratchet handles or something first. I'm also considering just dropping by one of the local Rhino-liner truck shops in town and seeing if they'll do it for free or a small fee since they probably waste more on every truck coating they do than it would take to coat a small knife handle. Plastidip was my first thought as well and I've used it on old pliers and crescent wrenches but it usually comes out rather slick and tends to peel off too easily for my liking.
 
I have Rhino liner on my truck and I don't advise coating a knife with it for two reasons.

First, it would not be very comfortable on the hands, it is too grippy and rough, almost like sandpaper.

Second, unless you lay it on really thick, it is prone to chipping. I believe the truck beds are coated 1/8" thick.

I can't say much about the roll-on stuff you buy at the store because I have never used it. You may be able to put it on and wipe it smooth. Plus if it did chip, you could always fill it in with more.

If you use the roll-on stuff, let me know how it goes:thumbup:
 
yeah I was thinking i could put it on then sand it a little to smooth it out until its just right, i'm going to try it on an old knife or tool before i touch the mule with it for sure.


edit: i was reading up on it a little and it seems the texture of brush-on bed liners are determined by the brush itself, they come with specific brushes designed to apply a rough texture that is preferred in truck beds, but i could apply it with any brush i want to achieve the desired texture. the liner itself is just quick drying polyurethane.
 
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I would think the plastidip would work better. You could layer it on also to make it a little thicker.
I have Herculiner on my 4-wheeler rails and I would hate to have that on my knife.
 
There is some stuff called tool dip but I think all the holes would make it not work well.
One of my favourite things about the Mule is it is nice and flat so when I stick it in a pocket or wear it around my neck it is comfy and concealed.
A good sheath is way more important than handle scales!

I got mine from On Scene Tactical but any good plastic bender should be able to hook up a nice one. It really makes the Mule an awesome EDC.
 
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