The new mule

Jason B.

Jason B.

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Jun 13, 2007
Messages
11,196
Today my CPM-M4 mule arrived, out of the box sharpness was amazing, I was able to split hair it was so sharp. Though it was sharp I still had to reprofile and sharpen to a high polish, just to see how sharp it would get and to get a feel for how it sharpens. Sharpenabilty is somewhere between S30V and CPM-D2, sharpness was very good after sharpening but still no where close to the level achieved with the 52100 mule. For edge retention, I have not had much time to make a full judgement but I did cut up the box it came in into little peices with almost no loss in edge sharpness.


Keep'em coming sal, these knives are great!

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Out of box sharpness
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A close look at the factory edge
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After sharpening
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Looks good. I hope with the M4 mules we get more use orientated feedback posted. I don't recall seeing much about the 51200 posted here, though I'm guilty myself since other knives have been distracting me from testing my Mule out further than I have. Might have to change that sometime soon.
 
For me the 52100 mule is just for hunting hence the orange handles and if I remember correctly 52100 was brought out first for hunting knives for it's improved edge retension. The M4 mule on the other hand I plan on using in every cutting chore I can. My M4 mule also is a little thicker at the tip than my 52100 mule so using it a little harder won't worry me. Now I just need to decide on the handle color.
 
holy crap! that's an edge! what's your sharpening method?
 
DMT X-coarse, coarse, fine, ultra fine. Spyderco fine and ultra fine bench stones and stropped with 1.0, 0.5, and 0.25 micron diamond paste. The .25 paste is on a barber strop.
 
knifenut1013 said:
DMT X-coarse, coarse, fine, ultra fine. Spyderco fine and ultra fine bench stones and stropped with 1.0, 0.5, and 0.25 micron diamond paste. The .25 paste is on a barber strop.
Click to expand...

I have to get those UF rods for my sharpmaker, and those diamond paste tubes/syringes... now that I've seen your edge I want the same!
 
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The UF spyderco stones helps lots but the diamond paste is the amazing stuff, it cuts faster and produces a sharper edge. I have also been sharpening free hand for a loooooong time so your results may differ.
 
there's a pack of diamond paste syringes coming my way from eBay :o
I'd better start looking for leather to make strops. any advice on what leather to use?
 
I'm glad I asked. Thanks Knifenut1013!
 
I was not completely happy with my sharpen job, so I went back to the UF ceramic and worked the edge for a while and then re-stropped. Its real sharp now, at or above sharpness of the 52100 mule, the edge is now so mirror like it hard to take pictures. I did the best I could to take a close up but because of the finish It would keep focusing on objects in the reflection.

Sorry no hair in this one, every time I touched the hair it would just cut it.

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This is the best close up I could get but there was some unseen dirt on the edge
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Beautiful! Amazing photos, and super sharpening job. It makes me want to sharpen a few knives today. That edge looks beautiful. Joe
 
Thanks for the kind words, Custom sharpening service, not a bad idea I might have to think about that one.
 
@knifenut - How long have you been sharpening knives to learn to put an edge like that on? Also, what's your technique? Do you sharpen on the stroke away from you as well as the stroke towards you?
 
Hi knifenut1013,where is the best place to buy the diamond paste?.Your sharpening method sounds good.Thanks.
 
How long? 17+ years. My technique is freehand with edge leading on stones and edge trailing on the strop.

The paste is amplex super abrasives found at classicshaving.com, I have been wanting to try the DMT paste but it doesn't go lower than 1 micron.
 
you mean that is freehand sharpening? wow! I thought you were using the Edgepro or something...how do you get the bevel so even?

I can sharpen freehand (my kitchen knives) but I can never get a nice even bevel....and I suck at sharpening tips.

BTW, I am really looking forward to comments on 52100 vs m4. I have one of both and am deciding which one I should keep and which one I should sell (I can only afford to keep one).
 
One of the best places and ways to learn to sharpen is with a decent straight razor and the sticky's they have at some of the SR forums like Straight razor place.
4000 /8000 Norton stone is a good place to start.

My M4 Mule just came today. I have EDC'd my 52100 Mule since i got a good sheath for it. It works fantastic especially as a neck knife because it is so flat but I did not realize just how discolored my 52100 had gotten until I put it next to my new M4 Mule.

The Mule M4 ,had a ridiculous amount of extra cost for me besides the 69$
The 25$ fee for Canadian shipping and the 13$ duty/tax and the painful exchange rate
almost equaled the retail price of the Mule.
 
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