Mule Team #4 Steel

Josh K

Josh K

Joined
Sep 29, 2008
Messages
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I'm not sure if it's been decided yet. I want to believe it's ZDP, in which case I'd ask if it'd be better (cost wise) to make it a ZDP/420 laminate like the Caly3/CF. I've heard some problems with ZDP being stainless, as in it's not up to par with S30V/VG-10 in that regards.

If the next steel isn't set in stone, I'd like to hear what some people want to see.

Remember, we've already seen 52100, M4, and S90V on these Mules. Steels other then those that have been offered (to the best of my memory) are ZDP-189, 3V, 10V, Super Blue, Vascowear, CPM154, CPMD2.
 
Don't quote me on it, but if memory serves me right Sal said something about the 9Cr18 steel being the next in line for the Mules. But if you ask me what I'd like see: something from Sweden would be great...
 
Morales said:
Don't quote me on it, but if memory serves me right Sal said something about the 9Cr18 steel being the next in line for the Mules. But if you ask me what I'd like see: something from Sweden would be great...
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That's the same thing I heard about for Mule #3. Not that I don't like S90V, I love it. But I was interested in 9Cr18MoV or whateveritscalled. :)
 
I know this may not seem to make much sense with S90V already on the table, but I'd really like to see an S110V Mule. It would be a great opportunity to really see how the two compare, and if S110V is really the holy grail alloy it seems to be.

I'm having a hard time imagining a whole knife made out of ZDP-189. It would either be under-hardened or too brittle at the tang, I'm thinking.
 
S110V would be nice, but they just did S90V. I'm looking for variaty in the mules. I know a lot of people haven't used S90V, so that should be fun. I also had never heard of M4 before, and that is an amazing steel. I'd love to see some more exotic steels.

Full on ZDP-189 might be a bit brittle, but if you harden it around 63-64 it holds that scary edge impossibly long. I still prefer S90V after comparing my Caly3/CF and CF Millitary, but that's just me. I was wondering if it might help the corrosion resistance and toughness aspects to sandwich it with some 420.
 
SG2!

I've been thinking about getting a couple Shun Elites (as I think Sal's next kitchen knife is a ways off) and it would be great to try this steel.

Ken
 
I would love to see some AEB-L or 13C26 hardened like the Larrin Thomas Santoku that Thom Brogan let me use a while back. I believe it was RC 63 or so, and it took a superb edge, held it very well, and was stainless to boot. I really like that steel and would love to see it in a folder, and maybe the Mule will be a gateway for more people to see what that steel is capable of when heat treated properly to that hardness.

Mike
 
The next Mule Team slated for May is solid ZDP-189.

I've been speaking with Carpenter Steels in PA and they would like to "play". They've got some interesting powdered metals as well.

sal
 
Sal Glesser said:
The next Mule Team slated for May is solid ZDP-189.

I've been speaking with Carpenter Steels in PA and they would like to "play". They've got some interesting powdered metals as well.

sal
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Sounds great Sal! Thanks! :D

.:edit:. May?? Already?? Sweet!
 
I've been speaking with Carpenter Steels in PA and they would like to "play". They've got some interesting powdered metals as well.

sal
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All right Sal! I've looked through their catalog and indeed they do have some interesting, high performance steels. Latrobe speciality steels also, though I've also heard they have really long lead times, minimum orders that are large, etc.
If the next steel isn't set in stone, I'd like to hear what some people want to see
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.

There have been a few threads where people were voting. I don't think the Mule team program is really able to always have the steel with the most votes be next in line. Availibility and waiting times on some steels, along with prioritizing production resources tend to drive things a bit. Recall this really isn't a large profit making item for spyderco, more of a favor to us steel junky/knife nuts.

IIRC, the last two votes had 3V score at, or near the top of the list so I'd expect to see that sometime after these 3 that Sal had in production concurrently ( S90V, ZDP 189, 9C).

The plan to deliver one every three months is great, IMO. Joe
 
the voting here and at the Spyderco company forum had 52100, M4, 3V, and Hitachi Super Blue, in that order, iirc
 
Holy smokes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!My favorite steel!!!! Awesome I will take three!!!!!Fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cant say enough about a full tang ZDP fixed blade. This is so sweet. Are they going to be around the same price point???? I have wanted a hunting knife in ZDP for years, ever since my first Clay!!!!!
 
This is fun.I did not see RWL 34 so I just thought I would through that on the table.Jens Anso uses this steel.
 
The Mastiff said:
Hardheart, I believe this was the last thread about future steels.

http://216.26.177.84/forums/showthread.php?t=596872&highlight=mule
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oh, missed that one, I meant the earlier ones before the mules were out. Think I still have the spreadsheet somewhere on my PC where I kept track of the steel choices. Once I had read that 3V and/or Super Blue were not going to make it as the #3, I figured there wasn't much point in keeping track on our end since we can't influence prices and availability from the mills.
 
Sal stated:
I've been speaking with Carpenter Steels in PA and they would like to "play". They've got some interesting powdered metals as well.

sal
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Sal, Have you ever given 440XH ( so called "stainless D2" ) from Carpenter any testing or work outs?

As far as the powder steels http://www.cartech.com/uploadedFiles/Products/PowdersToolSteels-insert2008.pdf A11 looks similar to Crucibles 10V. They make some high tech, high performance stuff.

Latrobe specialty steel has a great website http://www.latrobesteel.com/technical_datasheets.cfm, with some well known, high quality steels. It's too bad they have gotten the reputation of not wanting to bother with the less than huge orders,Stock needing to be rolled, or changed in size, as well as the long waiting times for products like BG42.

I see they now have two BG42 products. One for aerospace and other such applications, and a cutlery version, which seems to be the same, but goes through less purification steps, unless I'm reading things wrong.

It's fun dreaming about what could be. It's even better opening a new box , and over the period of a few weeks beginning to learn the habits of the steel. Joe
 
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Carpenter also has a VIM-VAR "BG-42" steel. 440XH is available as are several powdered steels.

Preferences?

sal
 
I've wanted to try 440XH since I first saw it on the steel chart. BG-42 is nice steel, I'd like to have it in a Mule even though I've already got the BG-42 Military.

I'm pretty much along for the ride, I'll take two af whatever you make. :D
 
Sal, I'd go for the powder steels. I've never tried 440XH, but I'd figure it would have some of D2's bad traits enhanced for some reason. I'd still like to try it.

A11 ( 10V) , and HS30 would be my first choices, but I'm not real sure how realistic these are from a production standpoint, much less price, availibility etc. I like tungsten containing steels typically, and they have a lot of these. A11, or Crucibles analog 10V has been high on my list for years. It represents a kind of standard of wear resistance, while still being tough enough for working knives.

BG42 is always a good choice, and always will be IMO.

All in all though I'd still rather have you choose Sal. You have a knack for it. :) Joe
 
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