Spyderco Forums

Which would you rather have? As I understand it REX45 is the U.S. version of HAP40.

Which do you prefer and why?

Whichever one comes in the model I want to carry. :)

Super excited for the Manix, so I'll vote Rex45

Rex 45. Made in USA, and no lamination.

I voted CPM REX 45.

The steels are very similar, but the Golden heat treat is superlative.

Hap 40 Straight Spine Stretch, Rex45 Para 2, 3 and Millie 2.

I'd love a HAP-40 Tatanka

Rex sounds cooler than "hap". And it is USA made. And no lamination. And the word on the street is that the heat treat on Rex-45 is the bees knees.

HAP40 / SUS410 is probably my favorite steel, but I never tried REX45 so I am actually not really entitled to compare.

Still I have to vote for HAP40 the way Spyderco does it. Love the laminated steel for the history and tradition behind it, it looks great and each knife different and very "individual and personal" due to the varying lamination line and how the SUS410 gets scratched up differently on each piece. That one can see that the knife gets reallly used by that scratched up look is nice anyway.
Also that the blade gets more rust proof and at least in theory also tougher through the lamination is a plus too.

In most tests REX45 comes out on top concerning edge retention (probably due to different heat treatment?), but that does not matter to me, since HAP 40 is still more than good enough in that regard and not hard to sharpen for me.

Wanimator wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 25, 2020 8:00 pm

I'd love a HAP-40 Tatanka

That would be awesome.

Tucson Tom wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 25, 2020 9:54 pm

Rex sounds cooler than "hap". And it is USA made. And no lamination. And the word on the street is that the heat treat on Rex-45 is the bees knees.

I echo all of T squared's thoughts! :D

This is secondhand, but my understanding from people I trust is that Rex 45 WAY outperforms Hap40. Must be the heat treat.

I keep reading that they’re essentially the same, yet every
head-to-head test I’ve seen & read about has Rex45 performing notably better.
I dig Hap40 and am really looking forward to trying some Rex45 this year.

I don't care if Rex way out performs HAP40. I have several knives with HAP40 and I really like it. I love how it sharpens and it holds an edge just fine for my needs. Never had an issue with toughness with any steel so that's basically a non-issue for me. I haven't really used my Rex45 knives enough to say that it's way better than anything. Just got a new set of scales for my Rex Para 3. So it'll start seeing more use very soon. I have a feeling it'll be like usual, it gets sharp and cuts stuff. After awhile it's not so sharp anymore. So I sharpen it and cut more stuff. Maybe it took a little longer than some other steels before I had to sharpen it again. Big deal. I enjoy trying all these cool steels but I'm beginning to realize that, the bottom line for me is basically, they all get sharp and eventually get dull.

Haunted House wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 26, 2020 1:21 am

I keep reading that they’re essentially the same, yet every
head-to-head test I’ve seen & read about has Rex45 performing notably better.
I dig Hap40 and am really looking forward to trying some Rex45 this year.

I've read several times that due to the SUS410 in the "sandwich" they can't heat treat HAP40 like they can REX45.
No idea if that is true or not.

I've had good experience with HAP40, but it sounds like REX45 has more performance potential with the ability to be heat treated to the max. Maybe the Seki models will someday get non laminated HAP40...

This thread needs pics! :D

I would probably choose the model that has the handle color/material that I like the most. Or, if one steel is available as a solid steel as opposed to a laminate, I'd rather have the solid steel version, I don't like laminate lines.

PeaceInOurTime wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 26, 2020 8:37 am

I've had good experience with HAP40, but it sounds like REX45 has more performance potential with the ability to be heat treated to the max. Maybe the Seki models will someday get non laminated HAP40...

...

Please not, as far as I am concerned! The lamination and the looks of it are one of the best things on HAP40/SUS410 for me personally, and the huge majority of Spydercos comes in unlaminated steel anyway, so there is a lot to choose from already...

Again, for me it´s not only the unique looks and function, but also the history and tradition behind laminated steel that makes it special imho

HAP40 is more readily available -

Cutlery shoppe/KC/fradon lock all have their exclusives in stock

The edge stability of Rex45 is better than Hap40. Rex45 doesn't easily roll or chip, whereas Hap40 is more prone to rolling. BBB did some testing and found that Rex45 was more stable at the edge than CPM M4. Rex45 also has better edge retention, as others have mentioned, but in my experience, it sharpens the same as Hap40, with the same level of sharpness. For these reasons, I prefer Rex45.

Hap40 does offer some corrosion protection, as a result of the lamination, which has it's appeal as well. The other nice thing(GarageBoy beat me to it) is the amount of knives in Hap40 that are regularly available at Knife Center, with their Pakkawood exclusives. Unfortunately, Rex45 isn't as readily available at this time.

Wartstein wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 26, 2020 9:18 am

Please not, as far as I am concerned! The lamination and the looks of it are one of the best things on HAP40/SUS410 for me personally, and the huge majority of Spydercos comes in unlaminated steel anyway, so there is a lot to choose from already...

Again, for me it´s not only the unique looks and function, but also the history and tradition behind laminated steel that makes it special imho

I hear you! :)

It's definitely a neat process and full of history. And I also like the looks of the lines. However, I'd prefer to have the best heat treat possible for that steel. Maybe, instead of getting rid of lamination altogether, they'll find a better outer steel to use, able to be heat treated to the max with the core steel (for your benefit ).