M4 Mule usage?

[Josh K]

I recently got my Mule outfitted with some scales, and I'm seriously considering putting it to work. Normal tasks that a fixed blade could be used for. Some batoning, some splitting, food prep, shelter building, out doorsy junk.

I don't know a whole lot about the CPM M4 steel, other then it has a high hardness (62Rc ?) and it's non stainless.

How well will this handle extreme cold? Currently it's something like -20 F outside with the windchill. How well does this handle stress? Does the high hardness give it a good edge but take away from the toughness?

Thanks.

 

[defaultuser]

From the Spyderco Web site:
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CPM®-M4

CPM-M4 is a high-speed, wear resistant, tool steel. It is non-stainless steel. Its high content of Molybdenum and Tungsten gives it a fine grain size, greater strength, hardness and toughness. It is a triple temper heat treat to make it as tough as possible without brittleness. The grinding combined with the triple temper heat treating process can cause warping up to 50 thousandths (.050) of an inch which is not enough to affect the performance of the knife. CPM-M4 will provide high edge retention and impact resistance with an Rc of 58-63, you’ll also find it’s relatively easy to sharpen.
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I *think* this blade will handle about anything you can trow at it, and then some. Test it, test it hard, and report back! Watch out for the tip of the knife, though. My M4 mule HRC tested @ 62.3.

 

[Josh K]

From the Spyderco Web site:
__________________________________
CPM®-M4

CPM-M4 is a high-speed, wear resistant, tool steel. It is non-stainless steel. Its high content of Molybdenum and Tungsten gives it a fine grain size, greater strength, hardness and toughness. It is a triple temper heat treat to make it as tough as possible without brittleness. The grinding combined with the triple temper heat treating process can cause warping up to 50 thousandths (.050) of an inch which is not enough to affect the performance of the knife. CPM-M4 will provide high edge retention and impact resistance with an Rc of 58-63, you’ll also find it’s relatively easy to sharpen.
__________________________________

I *think* this blade will handle about anything you can trow at it, and then some. Test it, test it hard, and report back! Watch out for the tip of the knife, though. My M4 mule HRC tested @ 62.3.

I think I'm going to have to pick up a factory second and run that through the mill. :thumbup:

I was really curious to know, I don't want to go and and ruin it, snap it in half or something stupid, only to be met with the "well, that steel isn't meant to do that."

 

[elkins45]

I think the whole idea of the Mule project is that nobody really knows what the steel is meant to do when used for knives. That's what makes it an experiment.

 

[Josh K]

I think the whole idea of the Mule project is that nobody really knows what the steel is meant to do when used for knives. That's what makes it an experiment.

I know that 52100 and CPM M4 are knife steels, so I think there should be an idea at least of how it will work.

My take on the idea was allowing steel junkies the chance to get a knife in a cool steel, then customize it to their liking.

 

[tenman]

52100 has a rep for being quite a tough, good, all round fixed blade tool steel. I'd be willing to bet CPM-M4 can take a pretty good beating, even at 60+ Rockwell. The tip does look a *bit* on the vulnerable side, not too bad though. Plan on using mine for fishing trips, maybe try it out some in the kitchen as well. I really like the Mule concept, haven't put the scales on mine yet but sure am having fun picking/choosing. Gonna have to figure out what to do about a sheath though.