Spyderco Mule Team 26 Micro Melt A11 With Boltaron Sheath & G10 Scales

Custom Forced Patina (Worn-Out Look), Optional Boltaron Sheath & Black G10 Scales Included

In the knife industry a “mule” is a sample knife used for performance testing. Spyderco’s Mule Team Series takes this concept a step further by offering the same fixed-blade knife pattern in many different steel variations. This ongoing project allows steel-obsessed knife enthusiasts a unique opportunity to test and evaluate different blade materials using the same identical design platform. Mule Team blades are furnished without handles or sheaths and are also popular “kit” blades for aspiring knifemakers and hobbyists.
 
Spyderco’s twenty-sixth Mule Team installment features Carpenter® Technology Corporation's PMA11, a particle metallurgy version of A11 tool steel. Also known as AISI A11, K294 (Böhler-Uddeholm), and CPM® 10V (Crucible®), PMA11 is an extremely wear-resistant tool steel that is capable of achieving a high working hardness. One of the world's premier steel choices for highly wear-resistant industrial tooling, in its CPM 10V form it is also one of the favorite steels of renowned custom knifemaker and Spyderco collaborator Phil Wilson.
 
PMA11's alloy composition is as follows: Carbon: 2.45%, Manganese: 0.50%, Silicon: 0.90%, Chromium: 5.30%, Molybdenum: 1.30%, Vanadium: 9.50%, Sulfur 0.08%. Its large volume of hard vanadium carbides provides substantially better wear-resistance than typical high-carbon, high-chromium die steels such as D2 and D7. In knife blades, this translates to outstanding edge retention and good toughness, especially in shorter knives. These properties are maximized through the particle metallurgy process, which greatly reduces alloy segregation and ensures a homogenous microstructure. Please note, however, that PMA11 is a tool steel and must be maintained properly to safeguard it against corrosion.
 
The custom-molded Boltaron® sheath provides the perfect turnkey carry solution for your Mule Team blade. Designed specifically to fit a Spyderco Mule Team blade equipped with our “bolt-on” G-10 handle scales (sold separately), this snap-fit sheath retains the knife securely while leaving most of the handle exposed for a quick, positive draw. The sheath comes complete with a fully configurable G-Clip™ attachment that supports both belt carry, and clip-on inside-the-waistband carry. Angle adjustable for vertical, horizontal, or canted positioning, the G-Clip can also be mounted on either side of the symmetrical sheath for edge-forward or edge-back carry. This high-quality sheath is also assembled with eyelets instead of rivets to allow it to be easily lashed or zip-tied to packs and other platforms.
 
CONDITION REPORT
Excellent condition
Minor signs on sheath
Blade has custom forced patina to create worn-out look
Comes with optional Boltaron Sheath
Comes with optional G10 scales
No box