Mule Handle Choices?

toker

toker

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Not really familiar with the Mule handle choices out there. Google led me to Halpern Titanium, but it doesn't look like a storefront where you can add handles to a cart. Any other choices out there before I go with the handles available on the Spyderco site?
 
Yes Halpern is where you get the default handle scales. Halpern is a CO based business that provides the scales and sheaths for many Spyderco models. I ordered my Swick scales and sheaths from there. Although if it were a Mule I really liked I would go with a different material from a custom maker.
 
Halpern actually makes the Mule scales that Spyderco sells on their website. If you want something different, definitely check Custom Knifemaker section, you’ll find skilled guys who can make you one of a kind handle!!!
I am myself new to Mule knives, and purchased my first Mule very recently. I sent my Mule for handle and a minor modification to Robert Erickson (Erickson Knifeworks). Robert is an extremely skilled knifemaker, his prices are very reasonable, and he is a super nice guy to deal with! Best of luck with your Mule project!!!
 
I wrapped mine in paracord. It's a skinny slicey knife, and I like to keep weights down. The paracord has a good amount of hand retention, it problem might be if you get s*** in there especially food and guts might be a little harder to clean.

Get a good sheath! I ordered one from Azwelke or something, and it's been like 2 months...

Good luck!
 
Dergyll said:
I wrapped mine in paracord. It's a skinny slicey knife, and I like to keep weights down. The paracord has a good amount of hand retention, it problem might be if you get s*** in there especially food and guts might be a little harder to clean.

Get a good sheath! I ordered one from Azwelke or something, and it's been like 2 months...

Good luck!
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Paracord is another great and very affordable option! I’ve seen a few Mule photos with katana style paracord wrap, looks absolutely great!!!
 
Thanks for all the suggestions. For the Hapern grips, am I missing something? It doesn't look like the website has a cart or way to order. Do I need to call or email?

I like the paracord suggestion too. I'll have to look into the different wrap styles.
 
tokerblue said:
Thanks for all the suggestions. For the Hapern grips, am I missing something? It doesn't look like the website has a cart or way to order. Do I need to call or email?

I like the paracord suggestion too. I'll have to look into the different wrap styles.
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I'd suggest you call to ask "what's up"?

My guess is that they may be entirely sold out which is why you can't open any of the links to buy one.
 
sgt1372 said:
My guess is that they may be entirely sold out which is why you can't open any of the links to buy one.
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I'll see if I am lucky enough to get a Mule first. Cart before the horse and all.
 
tokerblue said:
I'll see if I am lucky enough to get a Mule first. Cart before the horse and all.
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Lots of Mules available. Just not at the release price of $50/per. Just depends on how much you are willing to spend.

I believe that the black G10 scales that Spyderco sells are also made by Halpern. I have a pair of those and a brown pair that I bought direct from Halpern. There is no material difference that I can discern except in terms of the color. I use the different colors to identify the different blades of my 2 Mules.

Spyderco often goes "out of stock" on the scales and the bolatron/leather sheaths. So, if you think you're going to buy a Mule blank soon, it might be wise to buy them now while they are still available.
 
Heres the cord wrap, I think it looks like a turtle. It retains its super-lightness. If you're not looking for hard-use fixed blade stuff (you shouldn't anyway, the mules are rather thin) the cord is fine.
Screenshot_20210607-213514_Gallery.jpg
 
sgt1372 said:
Lots of Mules available. Just not at the release price of $50/per. Just depends on how much you are willing to spend.

I believe that the black G10 scales that Spyderco sells are also made by Halpern. I have a pair of those and a brown pair that I bought direct from Halpern. There is no material difference that I can discern except in terms of the color.
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The Mule is interesting since they keep changing steels. If I'm not able to get the new Z-Max for $50, I'm not going to worry about it too much. The Mule is probably going to be more of a hobby knife to test and use.

Dergyll said:
Heres the cord wrap, I think it looks like a turtle. It retains its super-lightness. If you're not looking for hard-use fixed blade stuff (you shouldn't anyway, the mules are rather thin) the cord is fine.
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That looks great. I think I'll give the paracord a try.
 
Hope you guys were able to snag one, this one (despite the 1 limit) went super quick, I think around the 8-9m mark.

Timed out for me once, because my phone thinks the webpage was taking too long to load, just gotta be persistent.

Happy to get a high toughness steel.
 
Dergyll said:
Hope you guys were able to snag one, this one (despite the 1 limit) went super quick, I think around the 8-9m mark.

Timed out for me once, because my phone thinks the webpage was taking too long to load, just gotta be persistent.

Happy to get a high toughness steel.
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Created a Spyderco account last night and couldn't log in this morning. Finally got one in my cart, but decided to wait for a Magnacut version. If I didn't just get a Benchmade Hidden Canyon in S90V and a Busse Custom slicer, I would have jumped on it. I still almost bought it with the justification of it being a kitchen paring knife, but that's just the knife nut in me trying to justify a purchase.
 
I also have the Spyderco G10s on my SPY27 Mule. They don't go all the way to the edge of the handle but still work well.
 
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Someone wrote a great tutorial on the Spyderco Mule sub-forum on how to make your own scales for a Mule. It's pretty detailed with lots of photos. I picked up a Z-max mule and some Micarta off of an online materials supplier, and I'm going to have a go at it.
 
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