New fixed blade - need help

Sal Glesser

Sal Glesser

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Dec 27, 1998
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Hi all,

I'm considering a "Mule Team" style fixed blade as a permanent model for the line. It won't be many steels, maybe a couple of variations, but it will be a finished knife. Handle & sheath. Highly functional.

The Mule Team served its purpose well. I had come up with some improvements over the years, but didn't want to change it in the interest of science, apples & apples, etc.

I'm planning to make it a bit longer, maybe 3-3/4" blade, same basic shape, general utility, some minor mods to the ergos in the handle. A 3-D machined scale with no texture.

I thought to ask for your input as I'm working on the design.

sal
 
I think that sounds good so far, for general utility, I prefer blades in the range of 3.75-4.25" I like the current thickness for it's slicing abilities, but I wouldn't mind a bump up to 3/16" but no thicker. I would vote to keep the FFG and blade shape.
 
Sounds like a great idea Sal, I've always wondered why there wasn't a more permanent version of the Mule it's a great utilitarian design. Though does this mean we won't be getting any more Mule Teams?

My own preferences would be for 3.5" and reduce the finger guard - it looks great (and safe) on the ones people have modded.
 
Oh wow, that would be superb...
My wishes... don't go overboard on super fancy steels, but offer a nice basic range?!
Also the thing that got I the way the most for me with the mule was the finger guard or whatever the protrusion was. I prefer the style similar to perrin knives.
Under 4" blade length and no more than 3mm blade stock.

But those are just my ideas right of the bat... and honestly... I pretty much trust your experience more than my wants.
 
I like this concept and look forward to seeing a finished product. I find a 3.75-4” blade to a perfect size for any outdoor task. Spine thickness of .140 would be strong yet still be slicey.
 
Sal Glesser said:
Hi all,

I'm considering a "Mule Team" style fixed blade as a permanent model for the line. It won't be many steels, maybe a couple of variations, but it will be a finished knife. Handle & sheath. Highly functional.

The Mule Team served its purpose well. I had come up with some improvements over the years, but didn't want to change it in the interest of science, apples & apples, etc.

I'm planning to make it a bit longer, maybe 3-3/4" blade, same basic shape, general utility, some minor mods to the ergos in the handle. A 3-D machined scale with no texture.

I thought to ask for your input as I'm working on the design.

sal
Click to expand...

My suggestion is not for the knife itself so much as it is for the sheath.

I find sheaths are so often an afterthought when it comes to fixed blades but in actual use the sheath is extremely important. A good comfortable sheath means I will carry the fixed blade. A crummy sheath likely means I won’t.

The Streetbeat liteweight came with a sheath that dulls the edge very badly. I would like to see that sheath material completely phased out. Also the mule is small enough to in waist band carry. I would like to see a thin taco sheath as they take up less room than pancake sheaths. Maybe you could use the spyderhole as an anchor point for blade retention. As in have a pinch in the sheath material that fits into the Spyder hole.
 
half inch longer grip,3.75" blade,same thickness as original Mule (great slicer!) and as for steel S35VN and a few higher end steels,this would be a hit,but must have a good kydex sheath!start designing/production Sal!but don't forget to keep the Mule in production,this is one hell of a good knife!
 
Not doing much with the Mule Team right now. Sales slowed to a crawl and inventory is a mutha. That's why I'm considering a permanent model.

sal
 
Would definitely be interested. I like the idea of a slightly longer blade and would also vote for a slightly reduced finger guard. Pricing is something I’d be interested in, as part of the mule team’s appeal (at least to me) is its affordability.
 
I agree with around 3.5” and less finger guard, and maybe a bit more belly if possible...
 
I love this idea. My mules are some of my favorite knives. I like around 4 inches for fixed blades. Including scales is great but I think they should be screwed on to allow for easy customization. Personally I would prefer a leather sheath over boltaron as leather sheaths ride lower. Since im sure im in the minority, maybe offer boltaron standard and sell a leather sheath separately. Another idea would be to make this spydercos jump into the custom shop. Pick a blade steel, handle scales and sheath. This probably wouldn't help the inventory issue you have with the current mules but I think it would be very popular.
 
DJC72 said:
I like this concept and look forward to seeing a finished product. I find a 3.75-4” blade to a perfect size for any outdoor task. Spine thickness of .140 would be strong yet still be slicey.
Click to expand...

I agree, a thicker spine would certainly add to the appeal.
 
Lapedog said:
My suggestion is not for the knife itself so much as it is for the sheath.

I find sheaths are so often an afterthought when it comes to fixed blades but in actual use the sheath is extremely important. A good comfortable sheath means I will carry the fixed blade. A crummy sheath likely means I won’t.

The Streetbeat liteweight came with a sheath that dulls the edge very badly. I would like to see that sheath material completely phased out. Also the mule is small enough to in waist band carry. I would like to see a thin taco sheath as they take up less room than pancake sheaths. Maybe you could use the spyderhole as an anchor point for blade retention. As in have a pinch in the sheath material that fits into the Spyder hole.
Click to expand...

I was going to suggest this as well. I suppose the kydex has it's place, but generally I prefer a good leather sheath above all else. The sheath make influences the fixed blades I buy.
 
Same thickness or .125 at most. 3.5" at most. Shorten the guard a bit. Add a smidge of belly and reduce the hump back a hair. There's your darn near perfect hunting knife.
 
longer blade is a great idea. 4" give or take a tiny bit range makes it very versatile and useful. bit thicker spine would be okay but not too much to take its slicing ability away. good quality sheath would be great but price pointing always can get in the way of that. interested to see the potential end results.......
 
Sal Glesser said:
Not doing much with the Mule Team right now. Sales slowed to a crawl and inventory is a mutha. That's why I'm considering a permanent model.

sal
Click to expand...

Any speculation on why sales are slowing? Or is this just the ebb and flow of the industry?

Oh, and I’m doing my best to pick away at your inventory...your company offering premium steels and designs is appreciated greatly.

In response to your original post...

The Mule knife is an excellent all purpose design and looks to perform a wide array of tasks very well.

I’d love to see non-coated M4 with a Kydex sheath with an integrated double stuff sharpening stone on both sides (different grit per side), or a sleeve that holds the original double stuff. Handle scales can be G10, FRN, or Micarta since they all work well. I suppose whatever would keep the cost down for manufacturing.
 
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