ZDP-189 Mule Team Update

tazkristi

tazkristi

Spyderco Moderator
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We regret that we will not be able to ship any additional MT04P, ZDP-189 Mules. Our research indicates that the problem goes beyond the heat treat. We are unable to re-temper the knives as we had originally thought. They are not repairable and we will not be shipping any additional pieces. We’ve done extensive testing on both the folders and the fixed blades with ZDP-189 and found that the problem is only in the fixed blades and that the makeup was different.

If you have an MT04P without any issues we recommend that you keep your knife. If you have encountered issues (such as breaking, cracking, etc.) please contact our Warranty & Repair department. Since we cannot replace the knife, we will issue you a credit for the original MSRP of $79.95.

The Mule Team is a project based upon the desire to learn more about the steel and its performance. This scenario, although not planned, has certainly provided some valuable information into one of our industry’s most exotic steels.

We appreciate your continued support of the Mule Team project and your understanding regarding this challenge.

Thanx much!
 
Thanks for the update Kristi.

It's good to know the problem (whatever it was) was limited to the MT's. I'd hate to see ZDP-189 run any softer than it currently is.
 
Kristi, do I read that the chemical makeup of the steel is different on the run of Mules, or out of spec somehow? Thanks, Joe
 
Any information on the content in terms of %?

It would be great to have more info from a metallurgy perspective! Glad to hear Spyderco is on top of things and hopefully after the bushcraft and now this, I hope it finally is the end of manufacturing problems for Spyderco. :)
 
forcedestrike said:
Any information on the content in terms of %?

It would be great to have more info from a metallurgy perspective! Glad to hear Spyderco is on top of things and hopefully after the bushcraft and now this, I hope it finally is the end of manufacturing problems for Spyderco. :)
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Given that Hitachi never let out the full spec sheet for ZDP-189 in the first place, I doubt they'd say anything now.
 
First the Bushcraft handles, and now the Mule Team. Run of bad luck there.

I do hope that the mule team continues though. :thumbup:
 
Josh K said:
First the Bushcraft handles, and now the Mule Team. Run of bad luck there.

I do hope that the mule team continues though. :thumbup:
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Yes, but in fairness, both problems initially the responsibility of third party vendors. I don't think Spyderco could reasonably have figured out either problem sooner than they did, although I guess you could have a different view. And Spyderco has handled both problems about as well as I think possible, without leaving the realm of reason.

I also agree about the Mule Team project - and sprints, the discontinuance of which came up in another thread on the Spyderco forum (asking whether sprint runs are worth the headaches that come up for a manufacturer). Let's hope this kind of thing doesn't change Spyderco's terrific willingness to experiment and innovate. :thumbup:
 
JNewell said:
Yes, but in fairness, both problems initially the responsibility of third party vendors. I don't think Spyderco could reasonably have figured out either problem sooner than they did, although I guess you could have a different view. And Spyderco has handled both problems about as well as I think possible, without leaving the realm of reason.
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I did say bad luck not "Where's your Q / C department." I agree, they handled it very well and caught it as soon as they possibly could. :thumbup:
 
Josh K said:
I did say bad luck not "Where's your Q / C department." I agree, they handled it very well and caught it as soon as they possibly could. :thumbup:
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No, and I'm sorry it reads that way (it does). I was speaking to the very small but very vocal minority that are B&Ming about various issues in other threads. Sorry.
 
That's really good of you all at Spyderco to do this, and stand behind your products and company. I look at my Mules (got 2 in ZDP) as experimental, and will be using them for fun and testing anyway. If they are atypical, I'll dismiss the results and just use them for fun.

To me, it's a fun project to participate in, and learn from. I'm sorry you've had some issues, but I really do appreciate you pushing the envelope and letting us in on that as well!
 
It's real sad to hear but is there a chance of having a whole new run of ZDP-189 Mules.Just to make it up to us steel junkies.
 
Joshua J. said:
Given that Hitachi never let out the full spec sheet for ZDP-189 in the first place, I doubt they'd say anything now.
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Sort of like the mystery of red and green kryptonite.
Not to mention gold, white, blue, black, etc. ;)
 
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