Mules are in

choubbi said:
I've read on the spyderco's forum that the holes weren't a standard size [edit: I read that here]. that will be problematic for handle making... I guess I'll stick with paracord wrapping.
I'll try to make my first kydex sheath for this blade, thanks to Salamander42 for his hint to knifekits.
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As long as the pin you are using will fit through the hole in the tang it shouldn't matter if they are exact or not. As long as you drill the holes in the handle material to fit the pin it will be totally covered. In fact if you are using epoxy I think it makes it better when the holes in the tang are a bit big. They fill with epoxy and stabilize the handles better. I like using corby's myself and you might try those. If your pins don't fit use some strips of sandpaper and just sand them down using a "shoe shine" kind of motion.
 
Thanks for your post Raythebigfoot!! I was definately worried about the issue of different hole/pin sizes. I am NOT a knifemaker but I like to fool around with the equip - so I didn't want to jump in with both feet if there were going to be alot of Mods (ie technical hurdles) in handling these.

Thanks again.
 
Thanks Ray!
Cool to see it is not a problem for making the handles, now I think I'll add some micarta to my knifekits order.

for an estimate of the hole sizes, I measured from pictures on the spyderco's website and forum, the small holes seem to be somewhere between 4.25mm and 4.6mm (between 5/32" and 3/16"), the big ones between 9.5mm and 10mm(between 3/8" and 13/32"), and the lanyard hole between 6.5mm and 7mm(between 1/4" and 9/32"). I don't think it helps a lot, but since I already have calculated this, I thought I'd share it.
Maybe somebody with a mule could tell us the real size of the holes?
 
The problem with non-standard sizes, though, is that when you clamp up the epoxied scales, you will get a lot of sliding around and the likelihood that the front ends of your scales don't like up gets a lot greater. That's really the only thing you need to be really aware of. The rest of the edges of your scales are going to be oversized a little and then sanded down once everything cures, anyway, but nothing is worse than unclamping a knife handle and starting to finish the scales only to notice that one side drifted 1/8" compared to the other side. Yuck!

But, with careful work you should be able to accomplish what you need. You can always drill for screws and countersink the holes in the scales, too, and go about it that way, too. The extra space in the holes in the tang probably wouldn't be a big issue if you can keep them tightened down enough.
 
Just wanted to make it clear that you will have to use epoxy with this method of course. Otherwise the handles will move around on the tang. So those of you that want to be able to switch out handles will have to find or construct a pin/screw that will fit the hole in the tang. Just wanted to make it clear so that I didn't lead people astray.

I have never tried this but you are supposed to be able to drill through JB Weld. If the holes are too big you may try filling them with JB weld and then drilling the correct size. Like I said I haven't tried it but in theory that should work anyways.
 
In regards to Selling them - I don't care if they are Sold, BUT it would sure P*** Me off if SpydieGuys (or anyone else) started selling multiples!!

I think several people jumped in and ordered more than the allotted 2 per Address, THAT goes against everything Sal set the program up for! :mad:
 
Chiro75 said:
The problem with non-standard sizes, though, is that when you clamp up the epoxied scales, you will get a lot of sliding around and the likelihood that the front ends of your scales don't like up gets a lot greater. That's really the only thing you need to be really aware of. The rest of the edges of your scales are going to be oversized a little and then sanded down once everything cures, anyway, but nothing is worse than unclamping a knife handle and starting to finish the scales only to notice that one side drifted 1/8" compared to the other side. Yuck!

But, with careful work you should be able to accomplish what you need. You can always drill for screws and countersink the holes in the scales, too, and go about it that way, too. The extra space in the holes in the tang probably wouldn't be a big issue if you can keep them tightened down enough.
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Yeah that's why I think corbys are superior to just pins. Even if you use epoxy you can get sliding as you mentioned as well as it will eventually wear out (maybe not in our lifetime unless under extreme conditions but you never know). I like the fact that corbys add the extra holding power as well as holding your handles in place while you are gluing up. If you use liners in between the tang and main handle material they are really a life saver as that's when I have the most trouble aligning everything.
 
My two have just been ordered. Can't wait to see what I can do with them! I'd love to see some pictures when they start arriving.
 
jawilder said:
My two have just been ordered. Can't wait to see what I can do with them! I'd love to see some pictures when they start arriving.
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georgemaggos said:
My Mule arrived today now I just gotta get him dressed to go out:)

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I'm thinking antique ivory micarta would be sweet on this :thumbup:

~George
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Jawilder,

Here are some pics of my Mule.

~George
 
Dangit.

I was hoping the holes would all be the same size. This ruins my idea to get scales made that I could swap from Mule to Mule. Oh well I can still get scales put on it, they'll just be permanent.
 
Ok, I just ordered one from SFO. I'm looking forward to applying some hardwood scales.
 
I am thinking one in elk horn and another in some type of hardwood. If the holes are not a common size why not just make them bigger until they are? Great photos ,it takes a long time for stuff to get to Saskatchewan from the US so these photos help me get through the long sad time before my Mules make it here.

Is 40$ the cheapest knife from the Golden plant so far?
 
I just put a paracord wrap on my non numbered mule for testing purposes. I figured I'd wait and see what they look like with scales before I make the final decision. Seems like a slimmer handle suits this knife.

Maybe 1/8" micarta scales for one and wood for the other. Going to have to wait until the knife tells me what it wants to be.
 
Got mine today. This thing can cut! We'll see how the edge holds, but the first cuts are pretty impressive.





schiesz
 
Mine should be here tomorrow. My plan is to use either sharkskin or rayskin and do a Japanese style wrap over that.
 
Man, I just missed getting mine today. UPS dropped it at the office at my apartment complex and I got home just about 5 minutes after the office closed. I went over to check on the off chance that there might still be someone there nice enough to let me pick up my package, but no luck. Everything was all locked up. And with my work schedule tomorrow I probably won't be able to get it 'till Saturday morning now. It's going to drive me crazy knowing that my Mule is so close but I can't get to it! :grumpy:
 
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