mark_england wrote:ok just ordered my first Mule (08 Super Blue) and looking for some advice please.
I'm thinking of micarta scales (probably black), what size scales do i need and what size pins?
forgive the dumb questions,, this will be my first knife build
I usually buy a pair of 1.5"x5" (or 6") scales, 1/4" or 3/8" thick. If you like thicker handles, perhaps 1/2" thick would work for you. The larger holes in the mule are 3/8" while the smaller are 3/16". The lanyard hole is 1/4". Always test out the holes before gluing, as sometimes they're not completely clean and it's hard to get the pins through them without some sanding/dremeling to clean up the holes. I've pinned a few with 3/16" pin stock and my current project will be pinned with 3/8", but for the vast majority I buy 3/16" pivot screws and bolt the scales on, as it makes then easy to remove and swap out later.
If pinned on, you typically want to epoxy the handles on, which will usually cause you to destroy the handles if you ever decide to remove them. You want to make sure that you scratch up the handle as well to give the epoxy a surface it can bite into. Using epoxy on the Super Blue should also help seal up all the holes in the handle, making it less likely to corrode.
