Help me find a 3" fixed blade

[The Mastiff]

Spyderco mule in one of the stainless releases. M390, Elmax, Cobalt Special, S90V, S35VN, VG10 Damascus,CTS-B75, CTS-XHP and CTS-BD1 . There will be upcoming steels too eventually. I don't know what the next release is. The Grips can be bought with all things needed to put on or take off. There are plenty of folks that offer custom grips for them too.

Though designed to test different steel using knives with the same dimensions and the most suitable heat treatment for high performance cutlery they do make excellent EDC, hunting, skinning, or camping knives. They do kitchen work well as ling as it's not something that demands use of a longer blade.

Some of the releases can be difficult to find on the secondary market and costly too. IMO, they are well worth it. Like true Spyderco products they are designed to cut. Buy the very high performing blade and customize it with your own grip, sheath, etc. I have several and can switch grips onto the one needed as they are all cut & threaded to the same sizes with the exception of Mule #1 in 52100. Not a stainless blade so it's not likely going to be an issue to you.

Mule page: http://www.spyderco.com/edge-u-cation/index.php?item=13

Size & specs :

length overall 7.625 " (194 mm) blade length 3.313" (84mm) blade steel: various
length closed n/a (n/a) cutting edge 3.313 " (84 mm) weight 2.7 oz. (76 g)
blade thickness .125 " (3 mm) handle material N/A

Joe

 

[TrojanSteel]

I have the Elmax Mule with the HT scales and it's pretty awesome. Maybe the blade is thinner than some other options, but it's a damn good slicer. Availability might be an issue though.

 

[bladeco]

Yeah, I'm back to the Brumby lite : ) Customs are out 9 mo. though. I can live with a carbon steel, may try to find a custom.

The Brumby Lite is a great little knife.......I have two FFG in green and natural if you are interested. http://www.bladecousa.com/blind-horse.html

 

[filedog]

The Brumby Lite is a great little knife.......I have two FFG in green and natural if you are interested. http://www.bladecousa.com/blind-horse.html

Yup, it's a contender. Should be about a 4" handle, do you get a four finger grip?

 

[filedog]

Spyderco mule in one of the stainless releases. M390, Elmax, Cobalt Special, S90V, S35VN, VG10 Damascus,CTS-B75, CTS-XHP and CTS-BD1 . There will be upcoming steels too eventually. I don't know what the next release is. The Grips can be bought with all things needed to put on or take off. There are plenty of folks that offer custom grips for them too.

Though designed to test different steel using knives with the same dimensions and the most suitable heat treatment for high performance cutlery they do make excellent EDC, hunting, skinning, or camping knives. They do kitchen work well as ling as it's not something that demands use of a longer blade.

Some of the releases can be difficult to find on the secondary market and costly too. IMO, they are well worth it. Like true Spyderco products they are designed to cut. Buy the very high performing blade and customize it with your own grip, sheath, etc. I have several and can switch grips onto the one needed as they are all cut & threaded to the same sizes with the exception of Mule #1 in 52100. Not a stainless blade so it's not likely going to be an issue to you.

Mule page: http://www.spyderco.com/edge-u-cation/index.php?item=13

Size & specs :

Joe

Yeah, I have been looking at these. The only knife that really ticks all the boxes. I love spyderco.....for folders...these look a bit "space age" as an FB.
I have seen some nice contoured scales on them, but I guess they were sent out to a knifemaker for some good dough for that job.
M390, Elmax, S35VN, CTS-XHP would be perfect. I don't know much about Cobalt Special, S90V,CTS-B75 or CTS-B75. I almost bought a Cruwear
one, but that steel got so-so reviews. Yeah, availability (and price) is the issue for these.

 

[Sonnydaze]

Thanks for the links, but I'm looking for a fixed blade.

I'm sorry. Need coffee.

 

[adnj]

Take a look in the custom makers fixed blade forum. Lots of really beautiful pieces in just about any steel you could think of. And if you want, they can make something just for you.

 

[filedog]

Take a look in the custom makers fixed blade forum. Lots of really beautiful pieces in just about any steel you could think of. And if you want, they can make something just for you.

Yeah, I may post this question in the custom forum, and see if anyone can help me narrow down my search.
I've been looking in knifemakers market for a while now, not finding quite what I want.

 

[bladeco]

Yup, it's a contender. Should be about a 4" handle, do you get a four finger grip?

I have no problems with a 4 finger grip but I don't have large paws......more on the medium/small side. Here is a photo of the brumby in hand from BHK forum

 

[bladeco]

I have a BRK Mini Fox River coming in on Monday. s35vn, 6 7/8" oal, and 2 3/4" blade. It seems to fit your criteria rather well.



I love those bocote scales:thumbup:

 

[filedog]

I have a BRK Mini Fox River coming in on Monday. s35vn, 6 7/8" oal, and 2 3/4" blade. It seems to fit your criteria rather well.



I love those bocote scales:thumbup:

I have been looking at that knife. I don't like the saber grind, blade's a bit thicker than it needs to be.

 

[filedog]

I have no problems with a 4 finger grip but I don't have large paws......more on the medium/small side. Here is a photo of the brumby in hand from BHK forum

From that pic, it looks more like 3 3/4, not quite big enough for the whole hand.

 

[jleephoto]

Yeah, I have been looking at these. The only knife that really ticks all the boxes. I love spyderco.....for folders...these look a bit "space age" as an FB.
I have seen some nice contoured scales on them, but I guess they were sent out to a knifemaker for some good dough for that job.
M390, Elmax, S35VN, CTS-XHP would be perfect. I don't know much about Cobalt Special, S90V,CTS-B75 or CTS-B75. I almost bought a Cruwear
one, but that steel got so-so reviews. Yeah, availability (and price) is the issue for these.

Ha, I used to feel that way about Spyderco folders: too futuristic looking. Now I've got a drawer full and they are the norm. I guess the ergos took over my perceptions. Lots of aftermarket scales and sheaths available for the Mules. Never realized it super steels and flat grinds were so rare in fixed blades. I'm racking my brain but there seems few to choose from with those specifics. Now considering a Brumby myself.

 

[filedog]

Ha, I used to feel that way about Spyderco folders: too futuristic looking. Now I've got a drawer full and they are the norm. I guess the ergos took over my perceptions. Lots of aftermarket scales and sheaths available for the Mules. Never realized it super steels and flat grinds were so rare in fixed blades. I'm racking my brain but there seems few to choose from with those specifics. Now considering a Brumby myself.

Yeah, I only have Spyderco folders now, love 'em. Where do you find aftermarket scales? Only ones I've seen are on fleabay, and they're flat.
Supersteel would be nice, but considering the cost of a Mule team, plus scales and sheath, the Brumby (or lite) looks better all the time.

 

[jleephoto]

Filedog, I got my G10 scales at a show some years ago and they too are flat, though I've handled some very sweet rounded wood versions. Agreed, unless you're really into exotic steels and are willing to spend the money on a customized Mule, you're likely better off with a number of other options. Honestly, I've never carried the Mule. I've just recently gotten into fixed blades myself with an Izulu II and I just ordered a Bark River Little Creek to see if I can get comfortable with EDCing them. Looking forward to freeing up some pocket space and I like the bang for the buck compared to higher end folders. But, I'm not sure how I'm going to get on with the carbon steels and these edge profiles. Can you explain the reasons for some of these limitations like flat grinds? Is it just personal preference or do they afford you an ability you wouldn't get with something else?

 

[Harden Knives]

whoops guess I need to buy a knife selling membership...wasn't my first time saying something stupid.

 

[filedog]

Filedog, I got my G10 scales at a show some years ago and they too are flat, though I've handled some very sweet rounded wood versions. Agreed, unless you're really into exotic steels and are willing to spend the money on a customized Mule, you're likely better off with a number of other options. Honestly, I've never carried the Mule. I've just recently gotten into fixed blades myself with an Izulu II and I just ordered a Bark River Little Creek to see if I can get comfortable with EDCing them. Looking forward to freeing up some pocket space and I like the bang for the buck compared to higher end folders. But, I'm not sure how I'm going to get on with the carbon steels and these edge profiles. Can you explain the reasons for some of these limitations like flat grinds? Is it just personal preference or do they afford you an ability you wouldn't get with something else?

I just think a lot of current blades are too thick. Good for prying etc, I don't plan to use this knife for that. Flat grind with a thin edge makes the best slicer,
which is what I plan to use it for. I like the supersteels, but again, it's not for hard use, A2 or O1 are really sufficient.

 

[vba]

How about the Becker BK-24 in D2 steel. Purchase the grips for it and it's fine by me. I have large hands and the grip works well.

 

[Alnamvet68]

You can't go wrong with the ESEE Izula lineup, and they will be available in 440C stainless by XMAS....

 

[The Mastiff]

Yeah, I have been looking at these. The only knife that really ticks all the boxes. I love spyderco.....for folders...these look a bit "space age" as an FB.
I have seen some nice contoured scales on them, but I guess they were sent out to a knifemaker for some good dough for that job.
M390, Elmax, S35VN, CTS-XHP would be perfect. I don't know much about Cobalt Special, S90V,CTS-B75 or CTS-B75. I almost bought a Cruwear
one, but that steel got so-so reviews. Yeah, availability (and price) is the issue for these.

The S90V run sells for fairly high prices on the secondary market but the others aren't real bad. The flat grind with basic leaf shaped blade makes it a really nice performer.More versatile than a lot of people think. No question it's more a slicer than a wood splitter but within reason it does what is required. They are run pretty hard though, fairly thin beveled and edged and are easy to sharpen because of this. Even the high wear stainless and tool steels.

There is a company I can't name here as they aren't a contributing member that makes ready to go grips with all hardware in various colors, and options. Most definitely not expensive.

Cruwear I didn't list as it's not stainless but I found it to be an excellent performer. It is an upgrade to D2 in wear and toughness, though D2 has better corrosion resistance. I haven't heard and real complaints about that run of mules. It was the one that had to be sent back for a re heat treating. Maybe this is what you are thinking of.

CTS B75 is powder BG42. CTS-XHP is powder 440XH , which is stainless D2 so it's just powder process stainless D2. CTS BD 1 is the same composition as the Japanese Gin 1/G2 steel Spyderco used on it's first knives. It was a premium steel known as "silver paper #1 ( steels were wrapped in paper color coded at the foundry like ours are color coated with paint on the end). It is in the 8C/440B/C/Aus 8 class of steels and has a decent grain structure and performance. It was the first stainless I really felt like I could get along with back when stainless knives were lousy performers in most cases.

The Cobalt special is a Japanese steel that has been used lately on the Fallknives knives in addition to the SPGS. It is laminated like the other steels Fallknives uses. You can research peoples opinions and experiences with them.

I always liked BG42 so it was a natural I'd take to the CTS B75. S90V, M390, Elmax, S35VN round out my list of favorite stainless mules with CoS being acceptable too. It is probably the one I've had the least experience with. They are not listed in any order of preference.

The non stainless alloy, high speed and tool steels are my favorites though. Cruwear, 52100, CPM M4, and Super Blue are excellent performers. The K390 is about as good a performer as any production knife ever made by any company has been. It's a monster yet it has a great grain structure ( for a high carbide vanadium super steel), and has better toughness than it's parent steel , the A11 class. Performance wise it's a tough act to follow.

Future releases haven't been named yet other than Sal stating that he ordered some 4V steel for a mule run. It's not known if it, or another unnamed steel will be the next release.

Regards,

Joe