Idea for a Mule Team blade

C

Cold Kill

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Wouldn't it be possible (with the right tools) to turn a Mule Team into a folder? It seems like all it would require is gutting a knife for the screws, chopping the blade off of the Mule, and splitting the handle down the middle. Then it would simply be drilling for the screws, and maybe adding scales. If this would work, you could make yourself a kick-ass custom, and forever give yourself bragging rights.
 
Well, you'd also still have to figure out the locking mechanism, unless you weren't planning on making it a locking knife. I think it would be a hair more difficult than your description, although you should absolutely give it a try and let us know. Screws you could buy fairly easily at any hardware store, so no need to gut another knife. Thinking about picking one of these up to use as a project knife, but the lack of a sheath bugs me.
 
Believe it's been done at least once, and pictures posted either on this forum or the Spyderco Factory Forum.
 
I can tell you that working these blades once they've been heat treated is a PITA. Even a simple task like drilling for screw holes needs fairly exotic tooling. So, yes, it can be done, but it's not a beginner's project.
 
Cut, drill and shape some 2x4 and make a fat friction folder out of it.

Work it from there after you have the design worked out.

Even with a friction 'lock', there's a lot more work than "POW" super custom folder.:rolleyes:
 
It would need to be a factory project. However, I would purchase them in a heartbeat if made from exotic steel.

I also agree that the lack of scales and sheath on current Mules is a royal PITA
 
The point of mules is test bed and customization.

You see it as a PITA that they make a blade for that purpose while SPCO and everyone that wants to personalize/customize loves it.
 
Ben Dover said:
I also agree that the lack of scales and sheath on current Mules is awesome
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There, fixed it for ya!:p I like being able to build my own scales for it. Course, if you want to go the easy route, there's always the reasonably priced Halpern Titanium scales.
 
I am fine with making my own scales. But a standard sheath doesn't strike me as being a bad thing. It's not like you couldn't still make one if you wanted to, but I don't generally carry a fixed blade if it doesn't have a sheath, and if you don't have the materials for sheath-making yourself, that could be a problem. That's actually the main reason I didn't pick one up.
 
I use the titanium scales, since I consider my knives users, not toys all dolled up to look pretty in a display case.
 
Halpern Titanium scales (which are G10) are easy, fast, cheap, come in several styles and colors and can be moved from knife to knife. What's not to like??? :D

Ben Dover said:
It would need to be a factory project. However, I would purchase them in a heartbeat if made from exotic steel.

I also agree that the lack of scales and sheath on current Mules is a royal PITA
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JNewell said:
Halpern Titanium scales (which are G10) are easy, fast, cheap, come in several styles and colors and can be moved from knife to knife. What's not to like??? :D
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Quite so. And I do purchase a set for each Mule. Nevertheless, that still doesn't address the sheath problem. To carry a fixed blade pretty much requires a sheath. An optional, rather generic kydex sheath would certainly be welcome. If a knife is to be tested in the field, there must be a way to carry it.
 
I've bought a bunch of Buck FB sheaths for really cheap prices on eB@y that are a great fit. I think they were something like $18 for a dozen or something like that.
 
I've been carrying one in a cardboard and duct tape sheath in the ruler pocket of my carpenter jeans every day since the first one arrived. You just need a little creativity.
 
Drilling the handle would be easy if you know how to heat treaat steel. All you would have to do would be chop the blade off (so the HT is not ruined), then anneal (I believe that is the term) the handle to make it soft and workable. Then after you work it, harden it back up. I did not thing about a lock, but that would actually support my "gut a knife" part (you could honestly just trade the blades).
 
Cold Kill said:
Drilling the handle would be easy if you know how to heat treaat steel. All you would have to do would be chop the blade off (so the HT is not ruined), then anneal (I believe that is the term) the handle to make it soft and workable. Then after you work it, harden it back up. I did not thing about a lock, but that would actually support my "gut a knife" part (you could honestly just trade the blades).
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What would drilling the handle have to do with heat treating steel?:confused:
 
Cold Kill said:
Soften the steel up so it is easy to work with, then harden it back so it is usable one you finish drilling it.
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I mean this in a friendly way, but...you're crazy. :)

Most of these are hard enough that even cutting the tang off will be a major project. Annealing the handle and then re-hardening it? You'd be way ahead just getting a custom, unless you have unlimited metalworking and knifemaking gear and experience and nothing else to do. :rolleyes:
 
JNewell said:
I mean this in a friendly way, but...you're crazy. :)

Most of these are hard enough that even cutting the tang off will be a major project. Annealing the handle and then re-hardening it? You'd be way ahead just getting a custom, unless you have unlimited metalworking and knifemaking gear and experience and nothing else to do. :rolleyes:
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The hardest part would be splitting the handle (after you get the blade and handle separated). You could then send the handle halves out to be rehardened, unless you have the equipment. To split the handles you would need super specialized tools, none of which I know. It would really be easier to find a mule with a ruined blade, and take the handle portion of that for the other half of yours, or get some 420 handle pieces fabricated, then add your own scales.
 
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