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What is a Mule?

In the English language the term mule has multiple definitions: There's the obvious equine reference being the offspring of a male donkey and a female horse. It can be a coin minted from two dies by mistake and the auto industry refers to their test vehicles as a mules. Spyderco also calls knife models designed and built for testing and evaluation Mules. When a group of these are brought together they make a team of mules, thus the name of our new knife release: The Mule Team.

Knife and steel-devotees love trying out new blade steels. Spyderco leads the industry in offering, testing and manufacturing knives using new and exotic blade steels. Taking that idea a step up, why not offer a series (team) of blades using different, exotic and freshly unveiled steels? In doing this steel-obsessed knife knuts can try, test and use something normally not offered to the industry.

What is the Spyderco Mule Team?

Spyderco's Mule Team officially launches with a single-piece fixed blade pattern. The blade is leaf-shaped with a sharpened and finished PlainEdge blade but with an unfinished handle providing some a do-it-yourself opportunity. The unfinished handle has a series of holes for attaching a custom handle or for wrapping in cord. All Mule Team Pieces are sold without handle scales or a carry sheath focusing the project on the blade steel and opening the door for the owner to create his/her own handle scale and carry options.

The Mule team project was created as a simple, inexpensive venue for "steel junkys" to have an opportunity to test different blade steels themselves. Each run will have a different interesting steel. Each run will have the same pattern, a fixed blade with a full tang. Each run will have the same thickness, grind, edge and will be heat treated to the optimal hardness for that steel. No handle, scales or sheath are provided. This not only saves you funds, but gives you the opportunity to make (or have made) custom handles and sheaths.

How many and how often will they be released?

Our plan is to release several variations per year using the same fixed blade pattern produced with different exotic steels. Each steel offering is limited to approximately 600 pieces and engraved indicating the steel used. Variations are priced accordingly with the only cost variable being the steel itself. Prices will be announced prior to the release of the upcoming model.

How can I buy them?

All purchases are handled through Spyderco Factory Outlet (SFO).

52100

52100 is a high carbon steel used primarily for ball bearings. It has a good amount of carbon (0.98 - 1.10) and very few other alloys. Ball bearing steels usually have to withstand a great deal of force in a very small area. Traditionally, ball bearing steels make good edge steels because an edge also has to withstand much force in a small area. 52100 serves that function well.

Oil quenched and drawn to Rc 62, it is a difficult steel to heat treat. A very fine molecular structure permits very sharp edges, even at thin angles. Toughness is good, corrosion resistance isn't. It is not a stainless steel and will have to be cared for.

We hope you enjoy this unusual piece.

Made in Golden, Colorado U.S.A. Earth

Discontinued - Look for future Mule Team models.