Mule in S90v with custom scales by Tom Krein

[Gary W. Graley]

Hi folks, just received a surprise package today from Sodak aka Paul, inside this mystery box was a really nice Spyderco Mule in S90v, and it already had custom scales with black liners installed on it already, as well as an excellent kydex sheath with belt clip, I was blown away...of course!

I've not owned an S90v blade and so I wondered how it would be during sharpening, he had this knife a while and it needed a tune up which was fine, as I was itching to test it on my stones in free hand sharpening. This stuff is Tuff but the Shaptons did the job pretty well and she's quite sharp, here are some images of the knife and closeup of how well Tom makes those handle scales just right.

IMG_6467 by GaryWGraley, on Flickr


IMG_6468 by GaryWGraley, on Flickr


IMG_6469 by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

Thanks to Sal and crew for creating these sprint runs of the Mule, very neat way to try out different steels and thanks again to Sodak !
G2

 

[Sal Glesser]

Very nice Gary, the handle and the sharpening. S90V is one of my favorite steels. You've got a classic there.

sal

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Thanks Sal, this was the first steel that 'felt ' hard when sharpening it
Nice for a change!
G2

 

[Sigsog226]

Good looking knife and scales. Thats some nice fit and finish all around. I love checking out all of Krein's work. He's one of my usual stops as i browse the web.

 

[sodak]

Glad you like it Gary! And many thanks to Spyderco for the mule project, we get to play with an incredible selection of steels, huge win for everyone!

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Thanks again sodak, and yep, great looking knife for sure!

One thing about most Spyderco's that I just love is how they bring the edge all the way up, without any sharpening choil opening/cutout that can trap material during a cut, one of my major pet peeves with a lot of knife makers/manufacturers. MANY years ago I met a custom knife maker by the name of Tom Cute, very interesting fellow! I had a couple knives that I had made with me and he looked at the notch I put just before the edge, he looked at me and said 'why do you do that?' I shrugged and said 'dunno, thought it was suppose to be there?' and he proceeded to tell me the downfalls of doing that and I agreed that it really didn't make a lot of sense to do that and so from that moment on, I never have and avoided most knives that did.

These Mules present a full edge, while there may be some that have trouble getting it sharp all the way up to the shoulder of the ricasso, my point would be, don't worry about what you can't get, if it was a cutout you'd not be sharpening there anyways, and with the metal there, any material will ride out onto the blade without any hiccups or catches.

The folders that Spyderco makes that has the MOST edge present is the Resilience and Tenacious, those blades edges runs all the way back right up to the guard, you never want for more edge than that If they would make it with a bit higher grade steel, that would be my Christmas wish

G2

 

[nickedone]

"How sweet it is!"

Sodak did a great job with those scales, and your photos show almost 3-D clarity.
Perfect execution at the front portion where the scale meets the ricasso, and your photo is is tricky and *slick* with the reflection and the contrast symmetry.

You're going to like S90V, Mr. G.

And, coinkydink, I was just using the S60V(440V) folder I got from you 15 or 16 years ago, with some holiday prep. (original Ricochet/micarta).

Thanks for the post and pics--be well!

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Wow, that's a long time ago I wuz just a kid back then

And thanks, I liked how the smoke Plexiglas provided a nice reflection back of the blade's profile.

Also please note that it wasn't Sodak that did the scales, it was Tom Krein that made and installed them, I've handled a lot of knives that Tom has made and he does such a great job!

G2

 

[nickedone]

Apologies to Tom Krein for the post error.
I knew that. But CRS interruptus between brain and fingers and post.

You see, while you were

"...just a kid back then."

I was already an old man then. Let alone now. heh

Our knives and "things" will outlast and outlive us. While I have no attachment to them, I can still *appreciate* them, and more importantly the connections we have with other folks through them.

kind regards,
nickedone

 

[sodak]

I'm not that good even in my dreams! Tom is a master at F & F, among other things, for sure.

 

[Gary W. Graley]

...Our knives and "things" will outlast and outlive us. While I have no attachment to them, I can still *appreciate* them, and more importantly the connections we have with other folks through them.

kind regards,
nickedone

True enough right there, a small world that speeds by so fast! Appreciate the post!
G2

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Had a question about the paracord on the end, that's something I made and nicknamed it a Bobtail fob, just a small end piece to aid in drawing the knife as well as adding some bling to the thing the white wrap is made using a whipping knot, the actual knot is pulled down beneath the wrap, hiding it from view, this helps keep the fob from flipping around and then two diamond knots are tied with a Celtic bead in between for decoration, the end knot is harder to do as you have to keep pulling the knot's cords to get it down close to the bead, but it adds a lot to the overall look;

Bob-tail_fob by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

G2

 

[wire edge]

Wow, that's great Gary!