{"title":"Mule Team","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMULE TEAM\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Aptos; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; color: #333333; background: white; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Aptos; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; color: #333333; background: white; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;\"\u003e™\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpyderco's Mule Team Project is one of the most unique programs in the commercial knife industry. By definition, a \"mule\" is a sample knife used for in-house performance testing. Traditionally, they are made to the exact same pattern and specifications but feature a different blade steel or heat treatment protocol. This maintains all the performance characteristics of the knife, except for a single variable, providing an excellent basis for objective, scientific performance-based testing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"mule-team™-black-g-10-handle-kit","title":"Mule Team™ Black G-10 Handle Kit","description":"\u003cp\u003eTurn any Spyderco Mule Team™ blade into a finished knife with this “bolt-on” G-10 handle kit. The scales in this kit are precision machined from solid black G-10 and feature a beautifully contoured checkered texture that provides a comfortable, non-slip grip. The kit comes complete with three sets of Torx® T-8 stainless steel screws and three threaded posts and is compatible with all Spyderco Mule Team blades. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Spyderco","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44139528257580,"sku":"MTGBK","price":54.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0562\/7189\/6620\/files\/MTGBK.jpg?v=1745337611"},{"product_id":"mule-team™-k294","title":"Mule Team™ K294","description":"\u003cp\u003eSpyderco's unique Mule Team™ Series enables knife enthusiasts to test the performance of different blade steels using the same exact fixed-blade design platform. Sold without handles or sheaths, Mule Team blades are also the perfect \"kit blades\" for hobbyists and novice knifemakers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis Mule Team blade features Böhler-Uddeholm’s K294 MICROCLEAN® tool steel. Manufactured in Sweden using their third-generation powder metallurgy technology, K294 is essentially an expression of A11 tool steel enhanced by the benefits of the powder metallurgy process. Also comparable to Crucible Industries'® CPM® 10V®, it is most often used in demanding cold-work tooling applications requiring extreme wear resistance and compressive strength. As a blade material, its wear resistance translates into outstanding edge retention, especially when used to cut abrasive materials.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAll Mule Team blades are sold consumer direct and available only at the Spyderco Factory Outlet or through spyderco.mom.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Spyderco","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44150398189612,"sku":"MT36P","price":95.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0562\/7189\/6620\/files\/MT36P.jpg?v=1745337602"},{"product_id":"mule-team™-2-straight-spine-cpm-spy27®","title":"Mule Team™ 2 Straight Spine CPM® SPY27®","description":"\u003cp\u003eSpyderco’s Mule Team™ project began as a unique way of allowing our customers to share in the performance testing of various blade steels using the same fixed-blade “mule” format. Sold without handles or sheaths, mules are also popular “kit” blades for aspiring knifemakers. Since the demand for different mules varies by steel type, their availability also varies greatly. To address that challenge, we created a full-production Mule Team blade in our proprietary CPM® SPY27® blade steel. That way our customers will always have a ready supply of one of our most popular Mule Team blades for their projects. To differentiate it from the original CPM SPY27 Mule Team, this blade features a distinctive straight-spined profile; however, its tang design and hole pattern remain faithfully compatible with all existing aftermarket scales and hardware. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Spyderco","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44150400909356,"sku":"MT28P2","price":60.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0562\/7189\/6620\/files\/MT28P2_copy.jpg?v=1745337600"},{"product_id":"mule-team™-straight-spine-boltaron-sheath","title":"Mule Team™ 2 Straight Spine Boltaron® Sheath","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis custom-molded Boltaron® sheath provides the perfect turnkey carry solution for Spyderco’s Mule Team™ 2 CPM® SPY27® blade. It is specifically designed to fit that straight-spined, full-production blade when it is equipped with our “bolt-on” G-10 handle scales (sold separately) and does not accept other Mule Team blades. This sheath’s snap-fit retention holds the knife securely while leaving most of the handle exposed for a quick, positive draw. It 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Spyderco","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44150401597484,"sku":"MTSH2","price":40.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0562\/7189\/6620\/files\/MTSH2_Both.jpg?v=1745337615"},{"product_id":"mule-team™-hic","title":"Mule Team™ HIC","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn the cutlery industry, a “mule” is a blade used for testing purposes. Spyderco’s Mule Team™ series elevates this concept even further by offering the same fixed-blade knife pattern in many different steel variations and inviting our customers to join in the testing process.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOne of the most unique members of this elite family features High-Impact Ceramic (HIC)—a state-of-the-art Ceramic Injection Molding (CIM) material. This remarkable zirconia-based material is significantly more resistant to breakage than conventional ceramics. It is specially formulated to obtain the highest density during sintering, giving it exceptional toughness and resistance to crack propagation. This proprietary material also achieves far greater hardness than steel blades, allowing it to both cut and retain its edge incredibly well. Because this blade is produced by an injection-molding process, its full tang only includes the holes necessary for handle-scale mounting. The additional weight-reduction holes and the lanyard hole seen in steel Mule blades have been eliminated.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAlthough HIC is more durable than conventional ceramic materials, it is still not as resilient as steel. It is, therefore, not warranted against breakage. Because it has slight dimensional differences compared to steel Mules, the MT40 also will not fit in our standard aftermarket Boltaron® sheath; however, a dedicated sheath specific to the HIC Mule is available. HIC's extreme hardness requires diamond or cubic boron nitride (CBN) sharpening media. For best results, finer grit (at least 600 grit) abrasives are recommended. MT40 Mules may also be returned to Spyderco for sharpening.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhether you are a blade-material connoisseur, a hobbyist looking for a unique “kit” blade, or a die-hard Spyderco collector, the HIC Mule will proudly meet your needs. All Mule Team blades are sold consumer-direct and available only at the Spyderco Factory Outlet or through spyderco.mom.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReleased: February 2024\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Spyderco","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44150403366956,"sku":"MT40P","price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0562\/7189\/6620\/files\/MT40P.jpg?v=1745337607"},{"product_id":"mule-team™-vg-xeos","title":"Mule Team™ VG XEOS","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe newest member of Spyderco’s remarkable Mule Team™ family showcases a unique steel called VG XEOS. Created by Takefu Special Steel Company in Japan, it is basically a “rebalanced” version of VG-10 stainless steel optimized for corrosion resistance. Although its alloy composition is not officially published, based on Spyderco’s laboratory analysis, it features reduced carbon and cobalt, increased chromium, vanadium, and molybdenum, and the addition of nickel and tungsten. The result is a matrix of low-volume, higher-wear-resistance carbides within a chromium-enriched microstructure. In simpler terms, it offers edge retention comparable to VG-10, but with significantly enhanced corrosion resistance. Like all Mule Team blades, the MT41 is sold consumer direct through the Spyderco Factory Outlet or spyderco.mom and does not include a sheath, handle scales, or hardware.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReleased: July 2024\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Spyderco","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44150403760172,"sku":"MT41P","price":75.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0562\/7189\/6620\/files\/MT41P.jpg?v=1745337609"},{"product_id":"mule-team™-leather-sheath","title":"Mule Team™ Leather Sheath","description":"\u003cp\u003eDesigned specifically for Spyderco’s popular Mule Team™ knives, this premium pouch-style sheath is beautifully crafted from fine-tooled brown leather by one of Spain’s most respected sheathmakers. It provides a turnkey solution for safely storing and carrying any Mule Team model in style. The sheath includes an integral loop for convenient belt carry and proudly bears a stamped Spyderco “bug” logo.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Spyderco","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44150403891244,"sku":"MTLSH","price":30.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0562\/7189\/6620\/files\/MTLSH.jpg?v=1745337613"},{"product_id":"mule-team™-boltaron-sheath","title":"Mule Team™ Boltaron® Sheath","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis custom-molded Boltaron® sheath provides the perfect turnkey carry solution for Spyderco’s Mule Team™ models*.  This sheath’s snap-fit retention holds the knife securely while leaving most of the handle exposed for a quick, positive draw. It comes complete with a fully configurable G-Clip™ attachment that supports both belt carry and clip-on inside-the-waistband carry.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e*This sheath is NOT compatible with the MT28P2 Straight Spine Mule Team 2 or the MT40P HIC Mule Team.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Spyderco","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44150404218924,"sku":"MTSH","price":40.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0562\/7189\/6620\/files\/MTSHBoth.jpg?v=1745850908"},{"product_id":"mule-team™-hic-boltaron-sheath","title":"Mule Team™ HIC Boltaron® Sheath","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis custom-molded Boltaron® sheath is specifically crafted for the MT40 Mule Team™ blade. It is designed to accommodate the slight dimensional differences of the HIC (High-Impact Ceramic) blade when paired 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. It comes complete with a fully configurable G-Clip™ attachment that supports both belt carry and clip-style 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis sheath is NOT intended for use with the MT28P2 Mule Team 2 Straight Spine or other Mule Team blades.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Spyderco","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44150406610988,"sku":"MTSH3","price":40.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0562\/7189\/6620\/files\/MTSH3_Both.jpg?v=1745337618"},{"product_id":"mule-team™-magnamax™","title":"Mule Team™ MagnaMax™","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eSOLD OUT\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTruly unique in the knife industry. Specifically created for steel-obsessed knife enthusiasts, it provides a consistent fixed-blade platform for the comparative testing of different blade steels, as well as a source of convenient “kit” blades for aspiring knifemakers. This remarkable Mule Team offering showcases MagnaMax, a state-of-the-art cutlery steel created by Dr. Larrin Thomas—inventor of CPM MagnaCut. MagnaMax offers an incredibly well-balanced combination of hardness, toughness, corrosion resistance, and edge retention. The MT46 Mule Team is also unique in that it is available in both PlainEdge and fully serrated SpyderEdge configurations, introducing a whole new dimension to the steel-testing adventure. Available in limited quantities and sold consumer direct only, Mule Team blades do not include handle scales or a sheath.  \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Spyderco","offers":[{"title":"PlainEdge","offer_id":44379448016940,"sku":"MT46P","price":75.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"SpyderEdge","offer_id":44379448049708,"sku":"MT46S","price":75.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0562\/7189\/6620\/files\/MT46P.jpg?v=1748535991"},{"product_id":"mule-team™-19c27","title":"Mule Team™ 19C27","description":"\u003cp\u003eSpecifically created for astute knife enthusiasts, Spyderco’s remarkable Mule Team project provides a consistent fixed-blade format for the performance testing of different blade steels. For aspiring knifemakers and hobbyists, it also offers a unique source of “kit” blades for the attachment of custom or aftermarket handles. This Mule features 19C27 stainless steel and is available in both PlainEdge and fully serrated SpyderEdge configurations. Manufactured by Alleima® in Sweden, this ingot stainless steel is extremely pure and very popular among Japanese knifemakers, who often refer to it simply as “Swedish steel.” Widely considered both a predecessor to and a more affordable version of Takefu VG-10, it is also a very close equivalent to MBS-26, which is featured in Spyderco’s popular Kitchen Classics cooking knives. Sold consumer direct only, Mule Team blades do not include handle scales or a sheath.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Spyderco","offers":[{"title":"PlainEdge","offer_id":44379448148012,"sku":"MT43P","price":70.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"SpyderEdge","offer_id":44379448180780,"sku":"MT43S","price":70.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0562\/7189\/6620\/files\/MT43P.jpg?v=1748538721"},{"product_id":"mule-team™-z-12ultra-bq™","title":"Mule Team™ Z-12Ultra BQ™","description":"\u003cp\u003eSpyderco’s remarkable Mule Team™ project is truly unique in the knife industry. An extension of our meticulous in-house testing processes, it provides steel-obsessed knife enthusiasts a consistent fixed-blade platform for their own comparative testing of different blade steels. For aspiring knifemakers, it also offers a source of convenient “kit” blades for the attachment of aftermarket or custom handle scales. This remarkable Mule Team blade highlights Z-12Ultra BQ™, a unique cutlery steel manufactured by Zapp Tooling Alloys, Inc. Z-12Ultra BQ is a “blade-quality” expression of Zapp’s Z-12Ultra PM™, an ultra-wear-resistant steel developed specifically for high-volume industrial tooling applications. That steel’s proprietary alloy composition provides significantly enhanced wear resistance, toughness, and compressive strength compared to common high-wear tool steels. Z-12Ultra BQ optimizes that steel’s properties specifically for use in knife blades and is a proud member of Zapp’s elite BQ family of cutlery steels. The MT45 Mule Team is also unique in that it is available in both PlainEdge™ and fully serrated SpyderEdge™ configurations, further expanding the scope of the steel-testing adventure. Available in limited quantities and sold consumer direct only, Mule Team blades do not include handle scales or a sheath.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Spyderco","offers":[{"title":"PlainEdge","offer_id":44845859930156,"sku":"MT45P","price":95.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"SpyderEdge","offer_id":44845859962924,"sku":"MT45S","price":95.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0562\/7189\/6620\/files\/MT45P.jpg?v=1760111110"},{"product_id":"mule-team™-z-wear-bq™","title":"Mule Team™ Z-Wear BQ™","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn the cutlery industry, a “mule” is a test blade used to evaluate the performance characteristics of a specific steel or heat-treatment protocol. Spyderco’s groundbreaking Mule Team™ project takes this concept to all-new levels, offering knife enthusiasts a consistent fixed-blade platform for their own testing of different blade steels. Mule Team blades are also an elite source of “kit” blades for novice knifemakers to practice crafting their own handles. The MT44 Mule Team blade showcases Zapp Tooling Alloys’ Z-Wear BQ™—a “blade-quality” expression of Zapp’s Z-Wear PM® tool steel. Z-Wear PM is a particle metallurgy cold work tool steel created to offer wear resistance superior to standard tool steels with the added benefits of increased toughness and resistance to chipping. The BQ form of this steel further enhances these qualities to provide optimal performance in knife blades and other cutting tools. To allow an even broader scope of testing and real-world applications, the MT44 is available in both PlainEdge™ and fully serrated SpyderEdge™ configurations. Available in limited quantities and sold consumer direct only, Mule Team blades do not include handle scales or a sheath.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Spyderco","offers":[{"title":"PlainEdge","offer_id":44845859995692,"sku":"MT44P","price":95.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"SpyderEdge","offer_id":44845860028460,"sku":"MT44S","price":95.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0562\/7189\/6620\/files\/MT44P.jpg?v=1760111053"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0562\/7189\/6620\/collections\/MuleTeam02_1600x600_e4324d0f-0262-4a11-bc9b-6ac4130455ca.jpg?v=1775498425","url":"https:\/\/spyderco.mom\/collections\/mule-team.oembed","provider":"Spyderco","version":"1.0","type":"link"}