Your choice of steel for Mules #6, 7, and 8

Go exotic:

YXR7
SRS15
R2
Vanadis 4 extra
OU31
VG1
Super G1

or extremes:
S7
Vascowear...

Also too bad the mule pattern is not really a "tough" pattern.
 
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Ravaillac said:
...
Also too bad the mule pattern is not really a "tough" pattern.
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Well I think it was designed to test cutting power, edge holding, and sharpening, etc. General use is good.

I think if you want to test some really good steel on something "tough" it will be more expensive (due to thickness and length) in addition to being a prybar or a screwdriver. I was under the impression that Spyderco made the knife smaller with more of a folder style blade so that eventually we would end up seeing some of these steels in folding knives. It was just simpler and less expensive to let us test some super steels if they didn't have to tool up to make a folding knife, let alone handles for it. I think they are perfect.
 
I'm going to amend my initial post:

In order of preference:

H1
Super Blue
CPM125V
10V
L6
A2


Crap that's more then three. :)
 
A ceramic Mule would be really intresting although i dont know if possible and shapening would be impracticle.
Still think id buy one for the kitchen though.
 
Josh K said:
I can pray can't I?

All mighty Sal,
Please bestow upon us humble knife junkies, the honor of having a CPM125V Mule.
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Sorry Josh.

Crucible says they can't do it. There are only two Military protos in CPM-125V. They were hand ground. Took all day.

By the way, Vasco is the same as Crucible's Cruwear which is 3V. CPM-3V is the particle metal version.

sal
 
3V is a great steel. It is supposed to be easier on the grinders than vascowear due to vascowears bad habit of work hardening as it is being ground. 3V is different in a lot of ways than vascowear though. I'd still give wear resistance to Vascowear. 3V si a heck of a lot stronger and shock resistant.

Having both I'd still say the flavors are different enough to make them different steel.

I do say that Sal has still more knowledge in these things than me though, and has done more, and for a longer time, with real labs and goodies to tear things up with.

My opinion, They are both good steels. If I was making one, I'd probably use the easier grinding Powder Mett. 3V.

Yes, I still haven't tried the Cruwear version. I like both steels. Joe
 
Sal Stated re: S125V
Crucible says they can't do it. There are only two Military protos in CPM-125V. They were hand ground. Took all day.
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I have a slab I filed on with diamond files for about 9 hours total without exaggeration. It still looks like a slab with a slight radius in one end. I figure about 837 more years and I'll have an S125V knife ready to be heat treated.

IIRC, Phil Wilson stated he can make 3 knives in the time it takes to make one S125V knife. Joe
 
The Mastiff said:
Sal Stated re: S125V


I have a slab I filed on with diamond files for about 9 hours total without exaggeration. It still looks like a slab with a slight radius in one end. I figure about 837 more years and I'll have an S125V knife ready to be heat treated.

IIRC, Phil Wilson stated he can make 3 knives in the time it takes to make one S125V knife. Joe
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Wow. I want to get a hunk of that and take it to the guys in the metal shop. I'll be like "I need the end of this filed at a 45 degree angle. Think you can manage?" :) How much does that stuff cost anyways?
 
How much does that stuff cost anyways?
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More than a lot of stuff, but less than , say, diamonds or gold, Maybe? Last I checked Crucible service centers still had a few various pieces around. If they still do grab it while you can.
http://www.crucibleservice.com/contact/

They are good folks to deal with and will do what they can for you, whithin reason of course.

If you don't get it now, you won't ever get it. Therec wasn't very much m,ade at all.

IMO, the best way is to buy a S125V knife from Master knifemaker Phil Wilson . http://www.seamountknifeworks.com/
As with all the great ones there will be a wait. The cost is higher with this steel due to higher costs involved in stock, supplies, heat treat, and especially time.

His supplies are limited too unfortunately. Another case of get it while you can.

For all practical purposes though S90V, S110V ( new, real good stuff), M4 , and especially 10V will get the job done.

Recall though none of these are impact type steels in the mold of 3V, of S7, Infi, etc.

They are real good at what they are designed for though.

The CPM M4 mules are exceptional. The 52100 steels mules are just as outstanding in their way too.

Sure, I want the unobtanium knives, but while I've been waiting for them Sal has been steadily producing some small miracles.

These are the golden years for knife knuts and steel junkies!

Thanks Sal! Joe
 
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The Mastiff said:
More than a lot of stuff, but less than , say, diamonds or gold, Maybe? Last I checked Crucible service centers still had a few various pieces around. If they still do grab it while you can.
http://www.crucibleservice.com/contact/

They are good folks to deal with and will do what they can for you, whithin reason of course.

If you don't get it now, you won't ever get it. Therec wasn't very much m,ade at all.

IMO, the best way is to buy a S125V knife from Master knifemaker Phil Wilson . http://www.seamountknifeworks.com/
As with all the great ones there will be a wait. The cost is higher with this steel due to higher costs involved in stock, supplies, heat treat, and especially time.

His supplies are limited too unfortunately. Another case of get it while you can.

For all practical purposes though S90V, S110V ( new, real good stuff), M4 , and especially 10V will get the job done.

Recall though none of these are impact type steels in the mold of 3V, of S7, Infi, etc.

They are real good at what they are designed for though.

The CPM M4 mules are exceptional. The 52100 steels mules are just as outstanding in their way too.

Sure, I want the unobtanium knives, but while I've been waiting for them Sal has been steadily producing some small miracles.

These are the golden years for knife knuts and steel junkies!

Thanks Sal! Joe
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Thanks Joe, that cleared it up. :)
 
Thanks Joe, that cleared it up.
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Glad to help.

We've been very lucky knifebuyers lately IMO. Options and oportunities that would have gotten you laughed at for asking for 5 years ago. Joe
 
Thanks all for the excellent info!

Originally posted by The Mastiff
...
We've been very lucky knifebuyers lately IMO. Options and oportunities that would have gotten you laughed at for asking for 5 years ago. Joe
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Absolutely!
Dave
 
Guess I would have to revise my original wishes to,
CPM 3V and 10V
CPM 154 or BG-42,
When one considers that 3V is a pm steel of CruWear/Vascowear.

Interesting how one steel is the "parent" of another and so on, when you look at how 154CM was derived from 440C, and BG-42 was derived from 154CM etc.
 
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