Show your Mule

[Clip]

Hey, the activity on this thread has slowed down a bit lately.

What's everyone working on?

Picking up my Cruwear Mule next weekend. I had it shipped to a relative who's really into woodworking. While I was at it, I shipped him cocobolo and rosewood scales and brass rod and tube. He used the cocobolo on the knife at my request, so I'll be picking up the rosewood scales and extra brass to replace those G10 scales (thanks!) on my Elmax. It's a toss up whether I'll use the rosewood or (more likely)a slab of black walnut from my grandfather's shop, it's got a nice looking burl to it. I like a back story on these knives, and maybe one day when I pass them on I can pass the story on as well.

[eitenbuffalo34]

Does anyone know when the next mules will be coming out?

[phillipsted]

I would imagine that they would be issuing them soon, given that they were really busy the past few weeks planning for the Blade Show. Now that its over, I hope it hits the street soon! I'm in for a couple!

TedP

[eitenbuffalo34]

I have a question, how does everyone do this?

Where do you all get the handle scale materials?
Do you do this with power tools (like a dremmel, etc.) or do you use files and sand paper?
How do you put the finish on (wood) or texture for other materials?
What screws/pivots do you all use?
and how do you figure out where the holes in the handle are behind the handle scale so that you can put the screw there?

I am thinking about getting one and trying this all out and just was looking for some advice because the mules on this forum are beautiful, thank you.

..

[DougB2]

Hey, the activity on this thread has slowed down a bit lately.

What's everyone working on?

I took the black and gray G-10 scales off since the left and right sides didn't line up (the black and red sections were off). I used blue G-10 and the pivot bolts and screws that you like. Problem is, they sent me the wrong screws, so I went to the local home improvement store and got cap screws. I thought I had everything drilled properly but they were a pain in the aft section. I may remove the screws and either try again or just epoxy and pin them. Will post pix once I'm happy with it.

[FeinthundredGS]

A couple of Bike knives for the two dads in my life, my dad rides a GS1200ADV and my father-in-law is a Harley man so I though I'd share my love of Spyderco with them. To all the dad's out there...Here's to hoping your Father's Day weekend is great and safe one.


BMW Motorrad inspired: White G10 with racing stripe liners.






...makes me forget about Benchmade (no hating, i'm just sayin'). Black G10 w/ orange liners. H-D sheild inlays.

[xceptnl]

A couple of Bike knifes for the two dads in my life, my dad rides a GS1200ADV and my father-in-law is a Harley man so I though I'd share my love of Spyderco with them. To all the dad's out there...Here's to hoping your Father's Day weekend is great and safe one.


BMW Motorrad inspired: White G10 with racing stripe liners.

...makes me forget about Benchmade (no hating, i'm just sayin'). Black G10 w/ orange liners. H-D sheild inlays.

Welcome to the forum and WOW, you do some great work and really well thought out with the color schemes and handle lines. Keep the pictures coming.

[phillipsted]

Beautiful job, FeinthundredGS!

And welcome to the Forum!

TedP

[phillipsted]

I put the last coat of Tru-Oil on my PurpleHeart Swick2 scales last evening and buffed it out this morning. PurpleHeart is interesting material - a little too porous and splintery for my taste, but it looks beautiful with a high gloss finish. The tiny Swick2 handle was fun to work on - its about a third the size of a regular Mule scale and has lots of interesting curves. The end result feels really nice in-hand.

TedP

[dfriedl]

Just finished my Cruwear Mule. Walnut scales and chainring bolts for mounting hardwear.

[xceptnl]

...chainring bolts for mounting hardwear.

Those are some serious fasteners. They look like Torx T-50 or T-65 at first glance. They probably significantly change the balance.

[phillipsted]

I like the walnut dfriedl! It looks like it is stablized - did you need to add a finish to it to get that smooth silky texture?

TedP

[dfriedl]

Those are some serious fasteners. They look like Torx T-50 or T-65 at first glance. They probably significantly change the balance.

They're bulky, but made of a very lightweight alloy so they don't change the balance much. No different than using on of the various wood densities seen in this thread I imagine.

I like the walnut dfriedl! It looks like it is stablized - did you need to add a finish to it to get that smooth silky texture?

TedP

Its raw walnut, sanded to 500 grit and then treated with tru-oil and buffed with a paper towel.

[bdblue]

I recently got the Chinese Mule along with some G10 scales. (Here it is communing with my Chinese Tenacious.) I will probably take off the G10 and make some wood scales for it.

[phillipsted]

I decided to post some shots of the lignum vitae scales on my ZDP-189 Mule this evening. They still aren't quite finished. Need to rub out some scratches, polish down the edge of the Mule's tang, and generally trim it up. But after a week of no electricity and no A/C, I figured I'd put it down for a few days.

In any event, this is my first time working with Lignum Vitae... Great stuff - very dense, hard, tough and oily - it clogs up files and sandpaper like nobody's business. It is also very forgiving, not chipping or splintering while working it. Plus, it is so resinous, you don't have to stabilize it or even put a top coat on it!

TedP

[Thompson]

Edit: After looking at more tutorials, I think I have everything figured out. I missed a few pages of this thread which had the info I was looking for.
I'm looking into buying a mule, and I just have a couple questions about what type of screws or pins you use to connect the handles? Can anyone show me what kind of screws they use, and where I could get them? Thanks!

[phillipsted]

Hey, Thompson!

You've got a few choices about the style of pins/bolts you want to use on your knife. I use 3/16" pivot bolts with torx screws so I can make the scales detachable. Other folks use pins or Corby bolts along with epoxy to make a more permanent bond. Each of these methods use slightly different finishing processes.

I'd go check out the knife supply houses and pick the supplies for the method you want to try. (e.g., USA Knifemaker Supply, Texas Knifemaker Supplies, Jantz Supply)

Check back here if you have questions - we'd be glad to provide assistance!

[Thompson]

Hey, Thompson!

You've got a few choices about the style of pins/bolts you want to use on your knife. I use 3/16" pivot bolts with torx screws so I can make the scales detachable. Other folks use pins or Corby bolts along with epoxy to make a more permanent bond. Each of these methods use slightly different finishing processes.

I'd go check out the knife supply houses and pick the supplies for the method you want to try. (e.g., USA Knifemaker Supply, Texas Knifemaker Supplies, Jantz Supply)

Check back here if you have questions - we'd be glad to provide assistance!

Thank you for your help! I was still wondering what size pivot bolts to use, so that is very helpful. Thanks again!

[phillipsted]

Thank you for your help! I was still wondering what size pivot bolts to use, so that is very helpful. Thanks again!

You are welcome! Here's what you are looking for, Thompson:

http://www.knifemaking.com/product-p/f6.htm

TedP

[farns]

This is my first attempt at putting scales on a mule. Except for some overzealous filing in a couple spots I am pretty happy with it. My question would be about finish, I have currently sanded to 600 grit and buffed the handle. It is bubinga and I would like to maintain a somewhat food safe finish. I understand that food safe finishes may need to be re-applied as time passes but was considering walnut oil with a coat of bees wax. Does anyone have experience that would recommend not doing this?

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