For a man who has been accumulating knives for almost 40 years, I’m truly form of choosy in regards to the ones I like to make use of. I personal plenty of actually cool knives, however not many are all that sensible. If I’m not actively reviewing a knife and I’ve the liberty to decide on any blade to hit the path with me, reality is I’ve solely a handful I’d think about.
So I used to be notably stunned when a current launch got here throughout my evaluate queue and shortly proved itself worthy of standard use. Launched this fall, the Kershaw Pack Mule mounted blade not solely impressed in testing, nevertheless it additionally assured additional area time at my aspect.
In brief: The Pack Mule is likely one of the latest fashions from Kershaw Knives. It’s loaded with nice options and is able to deal with any chores you would possibly face at camp, on the path, and even in your yard. It’s priced a bit excessive, nevertheless it’s gained a everlasting dwelling in my area gear.
Very balanced and ergonomic
Deal with could be very grippy
Retains a fantastic edge
Priced a bit increased than it must be
Kershaw Knives Pack Mule Evaluation
There are particular issues I key in on for mounted blades. Made within the USA will get my consideration, as does a 90-degree backbone. A 4-inch blade is near-perfect for commonest knife duties, and I actually need sufficient actual property on the deal with for a full four-fingered grip.
Pack Mule: “Maintain my beer.”
As I checked out the specs and options on-line, it was like somebody had grabbed my knife want checklist and used it as a template. I personal a ton of Kershaw fashions, however I consider that is my first mounted blade from the model. I’m a giant fan of its automated knives, and I hoped I’d discover the identical high quality and a spotlight to element with the Pack Mule.
After carrying it for a number of weeks and placing it by means of some formal dwelling checks, I’ve discovered the Pack Mule to be one of the ergonomic knives I’ve ever used.
However is it definitely worth the $230+ price ticket?
Supplies and Design
Kershaw went with N690 metal for the Pack Mule, and I’m unsure why. Don’t get me unsuitable, N690 is a fantastic knife metal. It has good corrosion resistance and holds an edge. However provided that MagnaCut is the present darling within the knife world, I used to be stunned Kershaw didn’t go that route.
The blade is a clip-point design, however the clip isn’t as radical as you’d discover on, say, a stereotypical Bowie knife and even the venerable Buck 110 Folding Hunter.
There’s about 0.5 inches of jimping on the backbone. The remainder of the backbone has a fantastic 90-degree angle, splendid to be used with a ferrocerium rod. I all the time attempt to have a separate scraper for my ferro rods, normally a carbide sharpening device, because it generates huge sparks. Nevertheless it’s all the time good to have a backup, and because you’ll have already got the knife with you, a 90-degree backbone will do the job effectively.
The G10 deal with scales are textured for grip, with checkering and a number of other grooves. The deal with has a fantastic finger choil and a little bit of contouring. Jimping seems within the choil and on the prime and backside of the deal with’s base. All in all, this deal with is exceptionally snug and lends an excessive amount of confidence.
Sheath and Carry
The Pack Mule’s plastic sheath has a detachable bracket and a nylon strap with a belt loop and retention snap for the deal with. This strap is completely hooked up to the bracket — however undo two screws, and you’ll slide the bracket off. The sheath has a useful thumb break to assist with deployment.
Unboxing: First Impressions
The very first thing that struck me in regards to the Pack Mule, proper out of the field, was its ergos. This knife feels prefer it was custom-fit for my hand. The steadiness is on level, and the whole knife could be very snug. Each hand is totally different, after all, however I’ve pretty giant palms, and there’s simply sufficient deal with for a full grip.
Checking the sharpness, it simply shaved the sting of a chunk of paper. I all the time recognize a knife that arrives sharp sufficient that it doesn’t should be touched up earlier than I put it to make use of.
My scale has the Pack Mule at 4.6 ounces, which is only a contact lighter than the Kershaw’s official 4.7-ounce weight. The acknowledged total size is 8.4 inches; that measurement, together with the three.9-inch blade size, matched my very own findings.
Pack Mule Efficiency
After unboxing the Pack Mule, I put it by means of a number of commonplace checks. The aim was to see the way it dealt with a managed atmosphere. Provided that breaking down packing containers is likely one of the commonest knife duties, it made sense to start out with some corrugated cardboard.
First, I minimize a number of lengthy strips from a field. From there, I sliced these into smaller bits. There have been a few passes on the small items that didn’t fairly minimize by means of the primary time, however total, I wasn’t disenchanted.
Turning to my field of testing media, I grabbed a thick webbed belt and started slicing it up. The Pack Mule carried out like a laser beam, simply reducing by means of the fabric.
An outdated leather-based belt turned the following sufferer. Whereas pretty slender, the fabric was thick. It took somewhat sawing to get the Pack Mule’s edge all over. Nonetheless, once I stood the belt on its aspect, the knife sailed proper by means of with push cuts.
With checks like these, it’s much less about whether or not the knife will get by means of the fabric, than the way it feels doing so. In that regard, the Pack Mule scores 10/10.
My spouse and I introduced the Pack Mule alongside on considered one of our weekly hikes. I used it for some whittling and to slice up some fruit for snacks. The blade was skinny sufficient for impromptu lunch prep with out tearing the whole lot aside.
Again dwelling, I broke out my Uberleben Flat Pack Range. The Pack Mule labored very effectively, scraping sparks from a ferrocerium rod to ignite a tinder tab and a few fatwood shavings. Inside a couple of minutes, I had a reasonably respectable little fireplace going. All in all, I’m impressed with the Pack Mule. It dealt with the whole lot with out hesitation or discomfort in hand.
Elephant within the Room
The Kershaw Pack Mule has a retail value of $290. As of this writing, it’s at present on sale on the Blade HQ web site for $150. I’ve seen it as little as $185 at DLT Buying and selling and KnivesShipFree.
Even at $185, that’s form of a steep value for what you’re getting with this knife, if I’m being trustworthy. If it have been MagnaCut metal, I may possibly see it. However as geared up, I’d reasonably see the Pack Mule provided at about $130-150. It’s a great knife, nevertheless it isn’t a three-bill knife.
Who’s It For?
I just like the Pack Mule fairly a bit and would advocate it to anybody who’s out there for a general-use, all-around area knife. It’s splendid for mountain climbing, tenting, and related outside duties. It’s a fantastic dimension and handles like a dream. The sheath, whereas pretty primary, has nice retention.
The Pack Mule is on the market by means of quite a few knife distributors past simply the Kershaw web site. The bottom value I’ve been capable of finding is at both DLT Buying and selling or KnivesShipFree, each of which have it listed at $185 as of this writing, though Kershaw is at present operating a sale for $150 at Blade HQ.
