New fixed blade - need help

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
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Just a suggestion but maybe send Shabazz and Cedric Ada some loaners. I know @NickShabazz doesn't do fixed blades but I'm sure he might consider the science behind it and bring more awareness to the casuals. Peter at CA is our backyard bro science Catra machine. I mean this is just two of quite a few popular channels that could be involved in a pass around.

I think the program just needs more awareness and attention to the program and it's customizable options/mods. Tell them about the process, heat treatment, testing and ideas behind it. The history of it. You know the nitty gritty that gets people more involved in the product and tell its story.

I've got two rn. The maxamet and a11. I could loan them out if needed.

I like the mules and your ideas are solid for this new knife. While the finger guard is nice for the bolteron sheath I feel it sometimes gets in the way. Maybe not remove but innovate a newer more comfortable guard.
I think I would like a longer blade but the good thing about its current size is portability. But who can have cake and eat it too. I didn't much like working with wood with the v grind, but haven't gotten the time to put a convex edge on and see. There was something else I wish was improved but I can't remember. I got a bunch of boxes stacking up so I'll find out soon.
 
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I would like to suggest doing one in a more economical steel like CTS-BD1 with a blade under 4” and under a $100.00

Not everyone needs a steel that can cut through a nautical mile of rope in the morning and still shave your whiskers at night.

I’m pretty sure there are a few of us here that would buy a few of these to just have around or give as gifts.
 
I would love a nice beefy steel like Maxamet or M4. I just figured we'd be stuck with *drumroll* S30V :P

I do think a permanent Mule with a budget steel such as with BD1 would be really cool.
 
M4 in a nice thin slicer, FFG. Yes please!
Dial back the finger guard? Yes please.
Well contoured handles, with a little flare up front serve all the grip you'll ever need on a smaller blade, so I like the idea of smooth handles. If I could make one request on the permanent model would be to straighten out the handle. Juuuussst a bit. It is a bit curvy and cramps the fingers. Not uncomfortably so, but there's really only one grip position on the mule.

Really cool to see this under consideration. Awesome!
 
I wouldn’t want it any thicker. And micarta scales would be nice.

If you stick to just a handful of steel choices how about 1 of each class at a minimum - salt, stainless, and a tool steel? Sorry to even mention that as I know that would be a never ending debate!
 
I would recommend micarta or wood handles, seems like FRN and G10 are well represented in other models.

Personal preference, I think the thumb ramp/bump is a bit high or could use a little more concave shaping like the millie. It feels a bit off to me in use but i was only recently gifted one. Actually, a blade shape more like the mille would be cool too. Maybe a fixed blade millie kind of deal.

I'll go against the grain and say that my preferences go against making it thicker blade stock and stick with the really slicey nature it currently has.

Looking at the knife, I almost think you could take the knife and shift the blade down at the ricasso and make the blade edge a little more accessable. I do like knife blades that are a little below the knuckle but that's less important for hunting knives than knives that will cut on tables or cutting boards.

9FwOtxBl.jpg


Excuse the horrible skills in paint.net but I think the idea gets across.
vyegc4yl.jpg


Edit: This one really shows how bad my paint skills are. I've never been able to draw with a mouse. Tried to get the millie belly and straight back and stretched it out a little though the proporitions are still a little off since the slope of the spine on the millie is more gentle. It has a lot less width.
nlUACHvl.jpg
 
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^^^Nailed it.

Shifting the blade down and having the edge lower is great.

I winder if Sal is starting to regret opening this thread. Everyone is a designer all of a sudden (myself included) LoL.
 
bikerector said:
I would recommend micarta or wood handles, seems like FRN and G10 are well represented in other models.

Personal preference, I think the thumb ramp/bump is a bit high or could use a little more concave shaping like the millie. It feels a bit off to me in use but i was only recently gifted one. Actually, a blade shape more like the mille would be cool too. Maybe a fixed blade millie kind of deal.

I'll go against the grain and say that my preferences go against making it thicker blade stock and stick with the really slicey nature it currently has.

Looking at the knife, I almost think you could take the knife and shift the blade down at the ricasso and make the blade edge a little more accessable. I do like knife blades that are a little below the knuckle but that's less important for hunting knives than knives that will cut on tables or cutting boards.

9FwOtxBl.jpg


Excuse the horrible skills in paint.net but I think the idea gets across.
vyegc4yl.jpg


Edit: This one really shows how bad my paint skills are. I've never been able to draw with a mouse. Tried to get the millie belly and straight back and stretched it out a little though the proporitions are still a little off since the slope of the spine on the millie is more gentle. It has a lot less width.
nlUACHvl.jpg
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Looking at current fixed blade models, I feel like this isn't too far from a smaller, thinner serrata with more of a sloping spine than a straight spine.
 
I always believe Multe team is not very versatile model because it difficult to use on cutting board due to the finger guard thus not good for any kitchen duty. I much prefer the design/function of Spydiechef or something like that as all around utility fixed blade.
 
This sounds great Sal I love the idea. I think 3.5 or more inch blade would be best with less handle guard front and back. Keep the stock thin to be a super slicer! Wharncliffe version?
 
Something where LC200N or Vanax is an option with no finger guard. I like how the spydie chef lets you cut all the way down to the heel. You can't cut all the way down on a board/ anything because of the guard on the Mule. I use a Kershaw as my camp knife because of this with my Chef as my second. It's blade length is a little small for some food chopping though, so maybe something in the 4 inch range? Smooth micarta would be fantastic. I like a thin slicey blade, I'm not sure thickening it up is going to improve it's sales. There are a ton of battle tank knives already available.
 
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Love my Mule in 20CV (Halpern grips, Spydie leather sheath), but find the little finger guard a bit awkward... on the other hand, I appreciate the safety aspect... that is a wicked sharp blade, one of the most efficient cutters I've ever owned. I would love to see it in 52100.
 
I like the current blade size on these. Thin with FFG for nice slicing. Maybe two choices in steel: BD1N for one level and a M4, S110V or CTS204P for another level. My main thought would be on the sheath- something that can be set up for left or right handed people. I'm one of the 10% and am careful about the folding and fixed blades I buy because I want to be comfortable using and carrying them. I don't know how many fixed blades I have carried backwards on my left hip over the years... Now that there are more choices, I try to choose wisely.
 
I have one of your Temperance 2 knives in VG10 ... I love the Micarta handles ... I would prefer the blade not set so high so I could get my thumb on top of the blade more comfortable ... but other than that ... and maybe a deeper ride sheath ... I love the knife.

Something along the line of the Temperance 2 with a lower blade and slightly smaller blade in M4 steel would be a home run for me personally.
 
neffarious said:
Something where LC200N or Vanax is an option with no finger guard. I like how the spydie chef lets you cut all the way down to the heel. You can't cut all the way down on a board/ anything because of the guard on the Mule. I use a Kershaw as my camp knife because of this with my Chef as my second. It's blade length is a little small for some food chopping though, so maybe something in the 4 inch range? Smooth micarta would be fantastic. I like a thin slicey blade, I'm not sure thickening it up is going to improve it's sales. There are a ton of battle tank knives already available.
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Other than the steel, you are describing the Sprig ?
 
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