Talk to me about the Mules

J

jswa2

Joined
Jan 27, 2015
Messages
184
Hi there Spyder-fans,

I'm interested in a general-purpose woods-bummin' fixed blade knife. My favorite Spyderco is certainly my Manix 2, so a fixed version of that is my goal, and it seems like the Mule series (after buying some scales and fabricating a sheath) fits that descriptoin best, while still being a pretty good deal.

My question then -- of the Mules currently available on the primary market (B70P, RWL34, and 20CV), which can I expect to exhibit highest toughness? (I'm more interested in toughness than edge retention). I use my knives on lots of wood, and would rather have a knife that doesn't chip or roll when I push it through a knot than a knife that can cut through thousands of feet of cardboard and manilla rope in one sitting...

Should I be considering something else entirely? I want an Enuff, eventually, but think it'd be a bit too small for my stated uses. What about the Junction - it seems expensive for what it is, any thoughts there? For what it's worth, I have a RAT-3, and think its fine, but am not particularly excited about it one way or the other.

Thanks!
 
I think the RWL34 would probably serve you the best of what is available currently, but my personal experience with the Mules has been at work, where edge holding on abrasive materials is more important than toughness. I did a fair bit of whittling on some local hardwood (and believe me, our constant wind and dry climate conspire to make some tough, knotty hard wood) with the RWL34 and it held up quite well. The 20CV also takes a nice, polished edge, but I haven't done any woodwork with mine.
 
For pure toughness, and "ok" edge retention, and ease of re-sharpening, the 52100 (Mule Team 01), or the Aogami Super Blue (Mule Team 08). Both are simple carbon steels.

The following will be great compromises, with great edge retention, and good toughness... balanced blades:
Mule Team 02 in CPM-M4
Mule Team 10 in CTM BD1
Mule Team 12 in CPM CruWear
Mule Team 17 K390
Mule Team 21 CPM 4V

Anything stainless isn't going to compare well for pure toughness.

https://www.spyderco.com/edge-u-cation/mule-team-project/
 
From what I understand, RWL-34 is basically the same as CPM154, which is a very good all around stainless. The PM manufacturing process improves the toughness and edge retention is roughly comparable to steels like D2 but with better corrosion resistance.
 
Rob_Angerer said:
For pure toughness, and "ok" edge retention, and ease of re-sharpening, the 52100 (Mule Team 01), or the Aogami Super Blue (Mule Team 08). Both are simple carbon steels.

The following will be great compromises, with great edge retention, and good toughness... balanced blades:
Mule Team 02 in CPM-M4
Mule Team 10 in CTM BD1
Mule Team 12 in CPM CruWear
Mule Team 17 K390
Mule Team 21 CPM 4V

Anything stainless isn't going to compare well for pure toughness.

https://www.spyderco.com/edge-u-cation/mule-team-project/
Click to expand...

Good point, but none of those Mules are currently available on the primary market, which is what the O.P. was asking about.
 
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