Be prepared, wherever you are, whatever you face, with these EDC tools and accessories.
Spyderco Mule Team
Spyderco Mule Team
The Spyderco Mule Team is a phenomenal project, getting cutting-edge new steels into the hands of users quickly and for an extremely modest price. As of writing, Spyderco has Mules available for as low as $60, making them an accessible way to get exotic blade steels into your EDC lineup. However, completing the knife can become expensive, aftermarket sheaths and handles combined can cost as much or more than the blade itself. As fans of the Mule Team ourselves, we wanted to provide alternatives that maintain the accessibility of the program while delivering the ergonomics Spyderco is famous for.
Handles: We share Spyderco's obsession with ergonomics, so our handles feature generous three-dimensional compound curves designed to fill your hand's natural shape. While all Mule accessories share the same side profile dictated by the tang, our handles are deeply contoured when viewed from above, filling the palm, optimizing thumb and index finger placement for pinch grip, and providing clearance for the pinkie. This design provides exceptional comfort during high-force cutting tasks and positive grip retention in both pinch and saber grips. Screw holes are recessed to eliminate hot spots, and the included Chicago-screw hardware is 18-8 stainless steel which attaches with a Phillips screwdriver. The lanyard hole fits a 6.3x11.5mm Lume Insert so you can find your knife in the dark.
Sheath: Our sheath system protects blade sharpness by keeping the edge away from sheath walls, provides solid retention in any orientation, and enables easy one-handed removal via thumb ramp.
The sheath's retention mechanism engages the blade's rear hump rather than depending on handle geometry, ensuring the knife remains firmly seated in any position—the knife will not release even when the sheath is inverted and subjected to vigorous shaking. Internal geometry features double distal tapering to match the blade profile, keeping the sharp edge suspended away from the sheath wall to maintain blade sharpness and prevent sheath wear. The thumb ramp enables smooth one-handed withdrawal. The sheath body features 5mm mounting holes with 25mm on-center spacing for compatibility with most commercial mounting platforms, and can be drilled for custom mounting configurations if desired. Because retention depends on blade geometry rather than handle profile, the sheath accommodates any Mule Team handle configuration provided the ricasso clears the sheath body. Retention springs are user-replaceable, and alternative spring tensions are available for those requiring higher or lower retention force (contact us to inquire if you need alternate springs). Compatible with all Mule Team models except HIC (High Impact Ceramic) and probably functional but untested on SPY-27 straight-spine variants.
J-Clip: Our modular J-clip attachment system provides full 360-degree positioning flexibility, allowing the sheath to be mounted horizontally, at 45-degree cant, vertically, inverted, or in any intermediate position. The clip itself is carbon fiber reinforced polyamide, and features a 45mm internal height and 7mm internal thickness to accommodate the majority of belts and straps. Like most J-hooks, it can be slipped over a belt without removal, but firmly holds itself in place once positioned—allowing the knife to be withdrawn without pulling the clip off the belt. The clip works for both OWB (outside waistband) and IWB (inside waistband) carry, and features a tongue to ease slipping over or under waistbands. With standard 25mm mounting hole spacing, the clip is compatible with our sheath as well as any other equipment that accepts this mounting pattern. Hardware is 18-8 stainless steel that attaches with a Phillips screwdriver. Two rubber spacers are included for fine-tuning fit and standoff.
Combo: For maximum value and convenience, we offer bundled packages pairing ABS handles with a matching-color sheath, and a J-clip. This provides everything needed to complete your Mule Team knife at a reduced price compared to purchasing components separately, delivering a finished blade ready for the field. Combo selections include the ergonomic handles, high-retention sheath, and modular J-clip as described above.
Our goal is simple: extend Spyderco's accessibility philosophy and egronomics by offering quality handles and sheaths at modest prices. Bundled together with a Spyderco Mule, you can assemble a complete, cutting edge, comfortable, field-ready, fixed blade for approximately $100.
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene): A practical choice that prioritizes performance over prestige. ABS delivers exceptional impact resistance and maintains its toughness even in low temperatures where some premium materials become brittle. The material's dimensional stability and resistance to repeated stress make it ideal for tools that see regular use. While ABS lacks the exotic pedigree of some polymers, its proven track record in demanding applications, from protective equipment to automotive components, speaks to its reliability. For users seeking a robust, maintenance-free handle at an accessible price point, ABS represents intelligent material selection rather than compromise.
PPS (Polyphenylene Sulfide): A true super-material in the engineering thermoplastic category. PPS is semi-crystalline with a melting point of approximately 280°C (540°F) and maintains structural integrity at continuous service temperatures up to 220°C (425°F). PPS is chemically inert to strong acids, bases, organic solvents, oxidizing agents, and halogens, with no known solvents below 200°C (392°F). We offer PPS reinforced with either glass fiber or carbon fiber. Both provide exceptional mechanical strength and a fantastically grippy, no-slip texture. The glass-reinforced variant displays a lighter gray color with subtle iridescence, while carbon-reinforced PPS exhibits a dark gray, near-black, finish with more pronounced iridescence. PPS serves as an alternative to materials like PEEK in demanding applications including aerospace, chemical processing, and high-temperature environments.
Sheath Construction: The sheath body is ABS, selected specifically for its high impact resistance, a critical property for a component designed to protect both blade and user during carry and storage. ABS's proven performance in protective equipment such as hard hats, motorcycle helmets, and impact-resistant cases demonstrates this reliability. The J-clip and retention spring are manufactured from polyamide, chosen for its flexibility, wear resistance, and fatigue life. This multi-material approach optimizes each component for its specific function rather than defaulting to a single compromise material.